Marilyn Jones
Encyclopedia
Marilyn Jones OBE is an Australian dancer and teacher of dance. She has been described as "the greatest classical dancer Australia has produced".
in London and danced with the Royal Ballet from 1957-1958 before being invited to join the Australian Ballet in 1962. She danced with the Australian Ballet until 1978, when she took up the position of Artistic Director
of the company from 1979-1982. In 1991, Jones founded the Australian Institute of Classical Dance and became its artistic director. Other appointments have included director of the National Theatre Youth Ballet from 1996-1998 and Director of the National Theatre Ballet School, Melbourne
, from 1995-1998. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1972 for her services to Australian ballet.
, Garth Welch
and they had two sons, Stanton Welch
and Damien Welch
, who both became dancers. Stanton has since become a cheorgrapher, and Artistic Director of the Houston Ballet. Damien is currently a principal artist with The Australian Ballet, and has a son Oscar with Kirsty Martin, fellow principal artist.
Training and Career
Jones studied at the Royal Ballet SchoolRoyal Ballet School
The Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London...
in London and danced with the Royal Ballet from 1957-1958 before being invited to join the Australian Ballet in 1962. She danced with the Australian Ballet until 1978, when she took up the position of Artistic Director
Artistic director
An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company, that handles the organization's artistic direction. He or she is generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the organization is generally a non-profit organization...
of the company from 1979-1982. In 1991, Jones founded the Australian Institute of Classical Dance and became its artistic director. Other appointments have included director of the National Theatre Youth Ballet from 1996-1998 and Director of the National Theatre Ballet School, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, from 1995-1998. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1972 for her services to Australian ballet.
Marriage and family
In 1963, Jones married fellow principal dancerPrincipal dancer
A principal dancer is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company....
, Garth Welch
Garth Welch
Garth Welch is an Australian dancer and choreographer.- Early life and training :Welch grew up in Brisbane, Queensland. His initial dance training took place under the guidance of the respected teacher Phyllis Danaher....
and they had two sons, Stanton Welch
Stanton Welch
-Early Life:Welch was born in Melbourne to Marilyn Jones and Garth Welch, two prominent Australian dancers.-Career:Welch was initially trained at the dance school run by his parents...
and Damien Welch
Damien Welch
Damien Welch is an English born Rugby Union footballer who plays at lock for the Scarlets.-Club career:Welch played for Westwood Wanderers until the age of 16....
, who both became dancers. Stanton has since become a cheorgrapher, and Artistic Director of the Houston Ballet. Damien is currently a principal artist with The Australian Ballet, and has a son Oscar with Kirsty Martin, fellow principal artist.
Books and articles
- Laughlin, Patricia Jean, Marilyn Jones, a brilliance all of her own, Quartet Books Australia, South Yarra, Victoria, 1978
- Kitcher, Barry, From gaolbird to lyrebird: a life in Australian ballet., Front Page, South Yarra, Victoria, 2001.
- Who's Who in Australia, 2001, p. 967
- A sense of purpose: great Australian women of the 20th century, pp. 112–13.