Ypinazar and Margolis Rural Ballet Bursary

Supported by the generous donation from Valmae Ypinazar and Steve Margolis, this bursary is offered to one or more students who face the additional challenge of relocating from a rural location, to participate in Queensland Ballet Academy’s Upper School or Pre-Professional Program.

The Ypinazar and Margolis Rural Ballet Bursary allows Queensland Ballet to extend its reach beyond the metropolitan areas and provide aspiring dancers from regional areas, the opportunity to train with Queensland Ballet Academy’s world-class faculty in state-of-the-art facilities designed to foster the development of future artists.

To be awarded this bursary, the student must successfully audition for the Upper School or Pre-Professional Program, reside in a rural location, with a preference given to Queenslanders, and demonstrate financial hardship.

Since 2016, the Ypinazar and Margolis Rural Ballet Bursary has provided nine Upper School and Pre-Professional Program students with financial support, including former Queensland Ballet Company Artist Daniel Kempson. Daniel was awarded the inaugural bursary provided by Ypinazar and Margolis, as a Pre-Professional Program student.

“Looking back on my professional journey, this scholarship was definitely a special part of my life. Without the scholarship, it would have been financially difficult for my family to allow me to keep studying ballet at a pivotal point in my training. I feel very lucky and appreciative to have been chosen for this scholarship,” said Daniel.

Daniel had to relocate from Gladstone in order to pursue his ballet training with Queensland Ballet. It was a big change, and the city of Brisbane seemed huge in comparison to the small country town Daniel was from.

“With the support of Queensland Ballet and the Ypinazar and Margolis Rural Ballet Bursary, I quickly adjusted to city life and now happily call Brisbane home,” he added.

During his time as a Pre-Professional Program dancer, Daniel was one of two male students chosen to travel to London with the Company on their international tour of La Sylphide, an invaluable experience that quickly became one of the many highlights during his time with the Pre-Professional Program. Daniel was a Queensland Ballet Company Artist from 2018 to 2021.

Valmae Ypinazar and Steve Margolis are committed to supporting ambitious young dancers from rural areas, to train with the Queensland Ballet Academy in pursuit of a professional dance career.

For more information on this Bursary, or how to become a bursary donor, click here.