Students team with Li Cunxin and James Morrison

Minister for Education, Kate Jones, today joined Li Cunxin and James Morrison AM to announce this year’s Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage (CGEN) will include a new segment involving Queensland Music Festival (QMF) and Queensland Ballet.

The new Let’s Dance segment will provide a prestigious performance opportunity for more than 200 students from Queensland state schools.

“CGEN is Queensland’s largest youth performing arts event. It’s renowned for providing outstanding performing arts opportunities for state school students and this partnership will allow students to have access to yet another great opportunity,” Ms Jones said.

“The segment will explore the relationship between music and dance and include hip hop, tap, samba, Irish dance, ballet and jazz.”

Ms Jones said the performance would be created in partnership with leading artists James Morrison AM, Artistic Director of QMF, and Li Cunxin, Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet.

“Selected dancers are at a special audition for the performance today (Sunday 15 March) with Mr Li, an internationally acclaimed dancer,” Ms Jones said.

Mr Li is also known as Mao’s Last Dancer, and is the subject of an award winning autobiography and film of the same name.

“In addition to the opportunity to audition in front of one of world’s leading artists, up to 20 dancers will be selected to participate in a workshop with Queensland Ballet,” Ms Jones said.

Mr Li said Queensland Ballet was dedicated to sharing a love of dance with as many people as possible. “CGEN is a fantastic platform for us to engage with a lot of Queensland school students,” he said.

“Paul Boyd, a celebrated dancer, choreographer and dance teacher, will lead the choreography of the dance work performed by the students,” Mr Li said.

“Let’s Dance will be a thrilling music and dance event and we are looking forward to working closely in partnership with CGEN, James Morrison and QMF.”

Ms Jones said music legend James Morrison AM was also looking for a talented student trumpet player who he will personally mentor, culminating in a performance together during Let’s Dance.

Mr Morrison said QMF was thrilled to be involved with CGEN for the third year running.

“Supporting and developing young artists is very important to us,” Mr Morrison said.

“Music cannot exist without dance and I am looking forward to joining forces with Li again and our newfound talent to make this year’s showcase the biggest and best yet.”

Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage, now in its eleventh year, will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July 2015.

It will feature more than 1500 students, including dancers, choristers, symphony orchestra, a massed string orchestra, The James Morrison Creative Generation Big Band, drumline, featured vocalists, and film and stage crew.

Students involved will range from Prep to Year 12 and will come from more than 100 state schools from across Queensland.

Emma Smith (Minister Jones’ Office) 0417 405 879