Australia Dancing - Saliba, Paul (1949

Saliba, Paul (1949 - )

Stringer, Walter: Paul Saliba as the Jester in 'Cinderella', the Australian Ballet, 1972

Born in Adelaide to a Maltese family, Paul Saliba began his dance training with Joanna Priest. During these early years of study he appeared on Priest's television show Southern Stars and as an extra with the Australian Ballet. As a student in Adelaide he also took classes from Elizabeth Dalman. Saliba continued his training at the Australian Ballet School in 1967-1968 before joining the Australian Ballet in 1969.

Saliba danced with the Australian Ballet for nine years working under three artistic directors, Peggy van Praagh, Robert Helpmann and Anne Woolliams. He was a soloist from 1972. While with the Australian Ballet Saliba also choreographed for company workshops along with colleagues Ian Spink, John Meehan, Leigh Warren and Graeme Murphy. His first work was Ties. Several others followed including Rapid Transit in 1977 made for Dance Horizons, a program to honour Dame Peggy van Praagh.

After leaving the Australian Ballet Saliba studied in New York during 1977 taking classes from Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. In 1978 he made his first work for Sydney Dance Company, And you came too. He eventually joined Sydney Dance in 1980 appearing in an array of works for the company including Daphnis and Chloe in which he danced the role of Pan, Viridian, Rumours, An Evening, Wilderness and Poppy. During this time he also continued to choreograph making, for example, a solo called One and a group work, Interiors, both in 1980.

After leaving Sydney Dance Company Saliba joined NAISDA College as principal dance teacher. At NAISDA he taught, choreographed for students and acted as course director.

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