Scholarships

2013 – Leeloo Green

Leeloo Green never crossed paths with Maitland’s former grand dame of dance.

But the fledgling ballerina represents all Daphne Parker stood for.

The young East Maitland girl is the latest recipient of the Daphne Parker Scholarship, an annual honour presented in memory of the Maitland dance legend.

“The thing I love about dance is that it’s emotional when you get to dance freely,” Leeloo said.

Leeloo, 10, started dancing five years ago at the East Maitland Academy of Dance under the tutelage of Hungarian ballet dancer Janos Szabo.

Daphne Parker – “Miss Daphne”– died in 2008 following an 18-month battle with cancer. She was 66 and had taught dance in Maitland for more than 45 years.

“Leeloo is obsessed with dance, it’s her main thing,” her mother, Marian Green, said. “And I’m thrilled she has received this scholarship. I don’t know who cried more, her or me.

“Leeloo has worked very hard and she has put in a lot of effort not only with her own dancing but helping out with the little ones as well.  And I think she has a mature sense of ownership of her role now.”

Maitland Mercury Jan 24, 2014

2012 – Alexius Horsburgh

Alexius Horsburgh doesn’t usually utter the word can’t.

Instead, when a challenge is put before her, the young dancer gives it her all.

It’s this tenacity that has awarded Alexius, 10, of Aberglasslyn, a scholarship in honour of Maitland dance legend Daphne Parker.

“Alexius started dancing in Queensland when she was three and when we came here to live she wanted to ­continue,” her mother Louise Horsburgh said.

“But she always had rhythm, even as a little one.”

So under the tutelage of Hungarian ballet dancer Janos Szabo at the East Maitland Academy of Dance, Alexius has flourished.

“Janos is so wonderful with the dancers and Alexius didn’t get this scholarship because of how refined she is as a dancer, she got it because of how far she has come,” Ms Horsburgh said.

“Alexius never says she can’t do anything, she’s not afraid to try something ­different and have a go at things that are challenging. And she just has this absolute love for dance.”

Maitland Mercury Wednesday 6th March 2013

2011 – Isabella Duck

Seven-year-old Isabella Duck likes doing ballet because it is pretty and she gets to wear tutus. But the principal of her ballet school sees a lot of talent in the youngster’s ability.

Isabella is this year’s recipient of the East Maitland Academy of Dance Daphne Parker Memorial Scholarship. Academy principal János Szabó said Isabella had been really concentrating on her dancing and had grown so much in the four years she has been dancing.

“She is delightful,” he said. “She turned up one day like a little sunshine.” Mr Szabó said Isabella’s family would have to construct an extra shelf in their house for Isabella’s growing trophy collection.

Isabella, who is starting grade two this year, said she loved being able to go to ballet with her friends. “I like it because I get to wear a tutu and because it is pretty and I get to dance with the little kids and do lots of things,” she said.

This year Isabella will be focusing on ballet, jazz and contemporary. Mr Szabó said the tuition scholarship would allow Isabella to take more classes this year. The scholarship is in honour of Ms Parker who was a big part of the Maitland dance world for more than four decades.

Mr Szabó took over the school in 2008 after Ms Parker dies and started the scholarship programme the following year. “You have generations of people who grew up doing ballet because of Daphne Parker’s school of dance,” he said. “Her name was synonymous with children learning to dance.” “She was a very amazing woman, she dedicated her life for such a long time to teaching dancing”>

Mr Szabó said the scholarship was introduced to encourage students to dance – and they don’t have to want to be a professional ballerina to be in the running. “This is more about the essence of Daphne,” he said. “If the opportunity to learn about dance has given you confidence and made you grow as a person then it has done it’s job.”

by Courtney Graham Maitland Mercury Tuesday, January 24th 2012

2010 – Victoria Scott

Victoria began dance study in 2000 at the East Maitland Academy of Dance and has did her Grade 7 and Advanced Foundation examinations in 2011.

She has been accepted into the Hunter Valley School of Performing Arts for Dance into year 11 in 2012. Victoria was excited and proud to be chosen for the Daphne Parker Memorial Scholarship in 2010.