Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) offers students the opportunity to pursue their artistic dreams.
It enjoys a national reputation and international recognition for the quality of its graduates.
It provides the most comprehensive range of performing arts training in Australia. Students can choose from internationally recognised courses in arts management, broadcasting, creative arts, music and the performing arts.
Entry into the courses is highly competitive. World-class staff working in state-of-the-art performance and teaching facilities provide rigorous and specialised training of the highest order.
Postgraduate broadcasting student finalist in national award
WAAPA postgraduate Broadcasting student, Ann Jones, was a finalist in the recent "United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Awards 2010", competing against some of the best in the nation. Jones was a finalist in the Special Award Category of Promotion of Aboriginal Reconciliation, for her radio documentary The Media and Indigenous Australians. Her fellow finalists were from the ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Jones said, "To be listed as a finalist next to professional journalists from all over the country is a testament to the high quality of the broadcasting course here at WAAPA. I think being listed as a finalist is an acknowledgement of my own work,but also of the training and support of the teachers and staff at ECU."
Earlier this year, Jones was one of three finalists in the "National Media Super Student Journalist of the Year Awards" for another radio story she produced. The winners were announced at the Awards Presentation Dinner in Melbourne hosted by ABC's Virginia Trioli.
International presentations for leading WAAPA academic
Dr. Cat Hope (Coordinator, Composition, Music Technology and Post Graduate Music Studies) returned to campus after performing in Italy as part of the 7th iXEM International Festival of Music with Rastor Noton in Turin.
While in Italy, Hope also presented a paper at the XVII CIM conference entitled: Interpreting old electronics: the reinterpretation of technology and concert techniques for electronic instruments in chamber music performance.
Hope is also the recipient of the 2010 University Research Prize, awarded annually by RMIT University. The prize, which includes $1000, was awarded in recognition of the achievement of excellence in Hope's Higher Degree by Research program.
Recognition at WA Screen Awards
Students and graduates of WAAPA and the WA Screen Academy won four awards from 17 nominations at the 2009 WA Screen Awards, held in March 2009 at a gala ceremony at UWA's Octagon Theatre.
Our WAAPA Masters in Screen Composition student Chris de Groot won Best Original Music Composition Award for The Director's Cut.
Damien Spiccia, a Screen Academy graduate and now PhD student with us, won the award for Best Production Design for his film The Deep End, after also being nominated for Best Visual Effects and Best Screenwriting. Damien wrote the script with his fellow PhD student Robbie Studsor.
"I decided on completion of my Bachelor of Music, that my depth of skill and artistic development was incomplete to enter a professional and international arena. This motivated me to undertake a Master of Arts (Creative Arts) in the area Classical Voice, which enabled me to grow immensely as a musician and performer. It brought to my attention the varied elements of opera as an art form (as well as the subtleties of performance) and commenced my journey as an artist. It was a huge realisation that a life of a performer is that of an eternal student. My training at WAAPA has provided me with the ability to conquer my fears, and to obtain a real picture of my strengths and weaknesses. My greatest achievements are all of the performances I have given during my time at WAAPA, as I have learnt something from all of them."
Caitlin Cassidy
Master of Arts (Creative Arts) student
Visiting artists
In 2008 WAAPA welcomed Australian Jazz Artist of the Year and winner of the 2003 World Saxophone Competition, Jamie Oehlers as Coordinator of Jazz Studies.
Jamie has added a fresh perspective to the course and has already incorporated his knowledge and energy to the improvisation, ensemble and principal study courses, as well as drawing upon his considerable professional resources to entice visiting artists like Norma Winstone, Joel Frahm, Ari Hoenig, Aaron Goldberg, Walt Weiskopf, Josh Roseman, George Garzone, John Scofield, Joe Lovano, Paul Grabowsky, Scott Tinkler, Simon Barker, Aaron Choulai, Katie Noonan and Kristen Berardi to share their knowledge with the students.
The visiting artist program at WAAPA is a big drawcard for students and continues to be a major ingredient of study at WAAPA.
Showcasing your talent
In this creative environment students pursue artistic excellence, both on and off the stage.
Each year students, staff and critically acclaimed guest artists collaborate to present well over 200 public performances, broadcasts and exhibitions - more productions and more diversity than any other arts training institution in Australia. See the WAAPA events calendar.