"We could only have the best" for Sydney Dance Company

In a soon to be published video interview, choreographer and Artistic Director of Sydney Dance Company, Rafael Bonachela explains the reasons why Harlequin Australasia recently installed Harlequin Cascade™ and Harlequin Studio™ in their four rehearsal studios. "We chose Harlequin floors for our studios because we had to have the best," he said. The interview reveals why Harlequin was chosen, how the installation proceeded and most importantly, what the dancers think of the new floors.

The full interview will be published on the Harlequin YouTube channel next month and streamed through their website.

Rafael Bonachela moved to Sydney in 2009 after many years with the Rambert Dance Company in London. A few days after the interview, Rafael collected the Outstanding Achievement in Choreography award at the 2011 Australian Dance Awards in Brisbane for his work "6 Breaths".

Photos:

Guenther Goetz of Harlequin Australasia with Rafael Bonachela.

Harlequin Group Marketing Manager, Mark Rasmussen with Rafael Bonachela.

Rafael Bonachela being interviewed.

The first international ballet competition in Beijing sponsored by Harlequin Floors

Harlequin, world leaders in dance floor design, were proud to be a sponsor of the first annual Beijing International Ballet and Choreography Competition and to have provided the sprung floor for the main stage.

Hosted by the National Centre for the Performing Arts and strongly supported by China's Ministry of Culture, 80 dancers competed in the classical ballet and choreography contest. Judged by an international panel drawn from 10 different countries, the panel included Tamara Rojo, the Royal Ballet's principal dancer, appearing in a judging role for the first time.

Harlequin Liberty™ sprung floor panels with a Harlequin Cascade™ dance surface allowed the contestants to perform with the total confidence that comes with knowing you are dancing on a first class sprung floor.

Madame Zhao Ruheng, former artistic director of the National Ballet of China,now Artistic Director of Dance at the National Centre of Performing Arts, said that she envisioned the event with the help of Frank Andersen, artistic director of the Royal Danish Ballet. Zhao and Andersen first met at a competition in Korea and talked about hosting a Chinese event for years. "Now, our dream has come true, " Madame Zhao said.

Renowned Finnish ballerina Doris Laine, who chaired the ballet portion of the competition, first visited Beijing 21 years ago. She said the Beijing event has the potential to grow into an influential world contest…like the city's grown."