Australia Dancing - Stock, Cheryl (1948

Stock, Cheryl (1948 - )

Adelaide-born, Cheryl Stock studied ballet at an early age and then took classes in modern dance with Elizabeth Dalman. She joined Dalman's Australian Dance Theatre in 1969 after completing a BA (Hons) in Spanish and French languages at Flinders University. She danced the company's repertoire, toured with the company throughout Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Asia and India and worked with guest choreographers including Ray Cook, Eleo Pomare, Don Asker and Myron Nadel. She also worked with a number of companies in addition to Australian Dance Theatre. They included Human Veins Dance Theare and the One Extra Company.

In 1985 Stock became artistic director of the Townsville-based contemporary dance company, Dance North, serving in that position until 1995. During that time she choreographed many works, often in conjunction with theatre companies or theatre directors, and often using the designs and music of Australian artists. Her choreography for Dance North was made in a variety of venues and contexts. In addition to works made for stage Stock choreographed and produced site-specific works, community events and cross cultural collaborations. She also led Dance North on a variety of national and international tours.

Between 1988 and 1998 Stock worked extensively on cultural exchange programs in Asia, especially in Vietnam where she worked with the Vietnam Opera Ballet, the National Dance School and the National Mime Company. In 1995 she was honoured by the Vietnamese government for services to dance in Vietnam and for services to the women's movement there.

Stock resigned from Dance North in 1995 to pursue a freelance career. She has served as a member of a number of government bodies including the Australia Council and the Arts Advisory Committee of the Queensland government. She was National President of Ausdance from 1996 to 2000. In 1999 she completed a PhD at the Queensland University of Technology and is currently head of dance at that institution. Stock was the recipient of an Australian Dance Award for lifetime achievement in 2003.

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Find more about Stock, Cheryl in:

Internet - Google
Articles - New York Public Library Dance Collection
Pictures - Picture Australia