Leading choreographer and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences visiting fellow, Sue Healey, has been awarded the 2008 Robert Helpmann Scholarship.

A renowned performer, educator and dance filmmaker, Healey has taught choreography, technique and composition in the Dance Education program in the School of Media and Performing Arts for the past five years.

The $30,000 scholarship is awarded by the NSW Ministry of Arts to professional dancers to further their careers. The funds will help Healey formally mentor and educate young dancers.

"Every artist should use their skills to mentor and assist the next generation," she says. "It's a mutually beneficial arrangement - I offer advice and in return I receive fresh inspiration."

Healey will also use the scholarship to further her professional development in Europe.

"It's extremely important to me as a performer to continually reinvigorate my dance practice and observing my international dance peers will help me do this," she says.

Healey believes UNSW's lo Myers Studio has become an invaluable resource for Sydney's independent dancers.

"Sydney lacks a centralised space for dancers to create, produce and perform. UNSW has filled that void by allowing local dancers to increase their production potential."

The biennial scholarship commemorates one of Australia's most important dancers and choreographers, the late Sir Robert Helpmann, whose career on stage, film and television spanned 60 years.

Media Contact: Fran Strachan | 9385 8732 | fran.strachan@unsw.edu.au

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