APATA Podcast with Natalie Hammond

From Stage to the Classroom – With Natalie Hammond

Mar 31, 2020

Welcome Natalie Hammond!

It was a pleasure to sit down and chat with Natalie and realise how small the world can be. I met Natalie a little over 12 months ago through 2ballerinas and our relationship has grown with the things we have in common and our love of the performing arts.

Interestingly our paths crossed as children when we experienced working with the same teacher in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ together – both munchkins! We don’t remember each other or our paths crossing in the musical. Funny how when time passes and in adulthood, we’ve had the opportunity to connect!

As my first podcast for APATA there is error and a few giggles, and I thought initially to re-record and edit but decided to go with ‘hang it’ and load as is raw and human. Secondly if I did a re-take I felt the conversation would alter and on playback thoroughly enjoyed listening to Natalie and the conversation we shared together on the back deck at my home having a crack and conversing on the past, present and future.

I hope you thoroughly enjoy the insights provided and thought-provoking conversation – warts and all!

A Little Bit About Natalie…

Born in Coonabarabran, Natalie began her dance training on the Gold Coast where she was a Star Dust Junior studying tap, jazz and musical theatre. She also represented her high school at the New South Wales State Dance Festival and the Schools Spectacular.

In 1994 Natalie graduated from the Australian Ballet School with Honours and whilst studying at the school, Natalie was a silver medallist at the Asia Pacific Ballet Competition in Japan and a bronze medallist at the Adeline Genee Awards in London. In her graduation performance, she danced the role of Gerda in The Snow Queen.

In 1995, Natalie joined the Queensland Ballet and won critical acclaim for a variety of principal roles. These included Tough Girl in Antony Tudors “Echoing of Trumpets”, Lilac Fairy in “The Sleeping Beauty”, Myrtha, Queen of the Willis in “Giselle”, Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker” and Helena in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. She was also a member of the company during their highly successful coast-to-coast tour of the United States.

Natalie has worked with a number of Australian choreographers during her time with the company including Natalie Weir, Stanton Welch, Garth Welch, Harold Collins, Stephen Baynes and Rosetta Cook. In 2000, Natalie left the company to pursue other interests and spent time with World Dance Company dancing numerous international styles for their “Journey’s” tour and Expressions Contemporary Dance Company before taking up freelance and guest teaching throughout Queensland and New South Wales. Natalie has previously adjudicated Charters Towers, Redlands and Grafton Eisteddfods.

These days Natalie is also enjoying choreographing and dancing in music video clips recently working with Sheppard and Hayden James as well as teaching tiny tots at kindergarten through to adults at 2ballerinas.

Enjoy listening!

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