A FEW WORDS ABOUT NEWCASTLE
Newcastle is the second largest city in NSW, located on the east coast of Australia, Newcastle is situated on lands of the Awabakal and Worimi people. Surrounded by golden beaches, a breathtaking coastline and a beautiful working harbour, we are a city with a diverse community, making it a welcoming and wonderful place to live and visit.
Newcastle is where the city meets the sea, from museums and craft markets, to stunning coastal views and world-class beach breaks. Grab your surfboard and hit the waves at the famous Merewether Beach, home to the international surfing competition, Surfest. Or head to Newcastle Beach, a favoured spot for board riders near and far and easy walking distance from Newcastle CBD. For a day of swimming, Nobbys Beach is perfect for families and those learning how to surf, as well as kite surfing when the wind calls for it. Take a walk to Nobbys Lighthouse and the breakwall, where you might even spot a friendly dolphin or two off the coastline.
With a number of historical sites including the breathtaking Newcastle Ocean Baths and The Lock-Up — one of Newcastle’s most significant heritage buildings — culture vultures will be kept busy exploring the wonders and architecture of the area’s rich and proud history. A trip to Newcastle wouldn’t be complete without a dip at the Bogey Hole, which is one of the oldest and most iconic ocean pools in Australia. The name ‘Bogey Hole’ is said to come from the Dharawal word meaning ‘to bathe’.
If it’s family activities you’re looking for, you’re spoilt for choice! With go-karting, golfing, mountain biking and stand up paddle boarding only a short distance from Newcastle’s CBD, the kids will be entertained for hours and won’t want to leave. And Blackbutt Reserve offers a native wildlife experience with walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and free wildlife exhibits! Newcastle Museum also has a rotating calendar of exhibitions to keep the whole family entertained in all weather conditions.
ITA ON TOUR NEWCASTLE 2 November 2025
All ITA ON TOUR masterclasses will take place at
Lake Macquarie Dance Academy (www.lakemacquariedanceacademy.com.au/) 363 Hillsborough Rd Warners Bay, NSW, Australia, New South Wales 2282
The Ballet masterclasses will be held by two important International Guest Dance Teachers:
- M^Olivia Bell – Principal Artist of The Australian Ballet – International Ballet Guest Teacher
- M^Georgette Sofatzis-Xuereb – Choreographer and founder of DANCEFORMATION – International Contemporary Dance Teacher
The INTERNATIONAL TALENT AWARD training also offers many additional opportunities. During the masterclasses Mr Michele Vegis and Mr Francesco Mariottini will select and recommend talented participants for the following:
1. Notification to send without payment the video for admission to the Ballet and Contemporary Competition as soloist at the 𝕀ℕ𝕋𝔼ℝℕ𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ𝔸𝕃 𝕋𝔸𝕃𝔼ℕ𝕋 𝔸𝕎𝔸ℝ𝔻 Final which will be held in Italy – Cattolica from 19 to 22 February, 2026.
2. Admission to the Special Ballet Repertoire Masterclasses with ITA GODMOTHER 2026 (more details will be announced at a later date, please note that the Godmother is a very special guest and/or prestigious artist).
3. Admission to all 𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑨𝑼𝑫𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺 for International Ballet Academies.
4. Admission to special masterclasses with ITA Guest Artists and Artistic Directors of International Ballet Academies.
5. Admission to the special workshop ITA 2026 ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE IN THE COMPANY with choreographer Stephen Delattre. This is a 4-days intensive workshop in Cattolica from Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd February 2026 for students from age 15 and over. The participants will perform as a group in the Final ITA GALA 2026 that will take place in Cattolica at Teatro della Regina on Sunday 22nd February 2026.
6. Opportunities for many other scholarships.
M^Olivia Bell
Principal Artist of The Australian Ballet
International Ballet Guest Teacher
M^Georgette Sofatzis-Xuereb
Choreographer and founder of DANCEFORMATION
International Contemporary Dance Teacher
A few words about M^Olivia Bell
Olivia Bell trained at The Australian Ballet School and the Paris Opéra Ballet School under Christine Vlassi. Olivia’s early achievements include winning medals in both the Royal Academy of Dance Genée International Ballet Competition (now The Fonteyn) and the Prix de Lausanne. She was also a Telstra Ballet Dancer of the Year Nominee in 2003, and a recipient of the SCOPE Retraining Scholarship in 2003.
Olivia joined The Australian Ballet in 1995 , where she rose to the position of Principal Artist, touring with the company both nationally and internationally. She was much celebrated, holding the position until her retirement in 2013.
Beyond the stage, Olivia has actively contributed to development and support of arts organisations. She currently serves as a Board Member for Ballet Without Borders (2025 – Present) , a not-for-profit organisation focused on providing ballet education and pathways to children with limited access to the art form. From 2015 to 2023, Olivia was the Dancers Director on the Board of Directors for The Australian Ballet , where she upheld high standards of corporate governance. She has also been a Board Member for the Australian Ballet Ambassadors program since 2018 , engaging with ballet enthusiasts and fostering the next generation of patrons.
Committed to community engagement, Olivia is involved with the Royal Children’s Hospital , serving on the Growth Committee (2023 – Present) and supporting the Dame Elizabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship (2024 – Present).
A few words about M^Georgette Sofatzis-Xuereb
Born in Sydney, Australia, Georgette Sofatzis-Xuereb is an Honours Graduate of The Ailey School in New York City, where she majored in Horton Technique and Dance Performance.
As a professional dancer, she has performed internationally with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Memoria), Ailey Junior Company, Scottish Dance Theatre, Opera Australia, DUTI Dance Company, Twisted Element Company, and other contemporary projects in Australia and the UK.
Her choreography has been commissioned by DFP, AMPA, and Ev & Bow. Her work explores human expression, physiology, and the interplay between natural and abstract forms, creating performances that challenge and inspire both dancers and audiences.
In 2021, she founded DANCEFORMATION, a professional contemporary dance program that integrates international training, performance opportunities, and movement science to cultivate technically and artistically versatile dancers.
Georgette is also an APMA Clinical Pilates Practitioner and Movement Scientist, specialising in enhancing dancers’ efficiency, injury prevention, and performance longevity. Since 2018, she has coached pre-professional dancers in Contemporary Dance, Horton Technique, and Dance Pilates at Sydney’s leading dance organisations.