Wakako Asano

Nominated by Graeme Murphy AM

Wakako Asano is a Japanese-born Sydney-based dancer and choreographer. Graduating from The Australian Ballet School in 1991, she joined Sydney Dance Company. During her 17 years there, she performed in more than 30 works in 18 countries and also choreographed three works. In 2003 and 2005 she was nominated as Best Female Dancer for the Helpmann Awards. Now freelancing as a dancer and choreographer, she is creating works that combine her Australian dance language with Japanese spirituality.

Kim McCarthy

Nominated by WAAPA

Perth-born Kim McCarthy joined Hamburg Ballet in 1991, performing soloist and principal roles. In 1996, he joined the Compania Nacional de Danza as a principal, dancing in works by major choreographers, including Duato, Forsythe, Kylian, Naharin and Van Manen. Since 2000, Kim has been guest teaching in Europe and America and choreographing throughout Australasia. Locally, his works have been performed by West Australian Ballet, Queensland Ballet, and the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Recently retired as a Senior Artist with West Australian Ballet, he now holds the post of Classical Ballet Coordinator and Lecturer at West Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Tim Harbour

Nominated by David McAllister AM

THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET

Tim Harbour was a member of The Australian Ballet for 13 years, after graduating from The Australian Ballet School in 1994. At The Australian Ballet he created works for Body Torque and has also choreographed for The Queensland Ballet, The Australian Ballet School and Cirque Vie. He has conducted workshops and sessional training for The Australian Ballet, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australian Dance Theatre, Sydney Dance Company, WAAPA, VCA, NICA and Acrobatics Association Victoria. He is a member of the Greenroom Awards panel and is currently doing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Classical Dance Teaching at the VCA, University of Melbourne.

Reed Luplau

Nominated by SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

Perth-born Reed Luplau joined Sydney Dance Company after graduating from The Australian Ballet School in 2004 with an Advanced Diploma, Dance Course. As an undergraduate, he was a recipient of honours, including the Leon Kellaway Memorial Scholarship, the Olive and Don McAllister Award and the Geoffrey Rothwell Scholarship.

Photo: Ben Symons

Tim O’Donnell

Nominated by Ivan Cavalleri

WEST AUSTRALIAN BALLET

Tim O’Donnell won the prestigious DANCE CREATION 2002 Peggy van Praagh Award for best entry, non-professional category, while still a student at The Australian Ballet School. As a dancer with West Australian Ballet, he has continued to create works. His piece, Other Affairs was chosen for the company’s 2008 season of Ballet at the Quarry. For Tim, creating new work is as essential as breathing.

Satsuki Odamura

Koto musician

Japanese koto virtuoso and composer, Satsuki Odamura has pioneered the teaching of this classical Japanese instrument in Australia. She has worked across musical genres and styles, to enable those without a background in koto to compose for the instrument. She has recorded three albums in collaboration with Australian musicians, breaking new ground for koto in Australia.