IT’S still a couple of weeks until the 2013 Australian Dance Awards take place in Canberra,  but already some awards are being announced.

Today’s news is that Ronne Arnold will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming event  in recognition of a lifetime dedicated to dance.

Arnold has inspired several generations of audiences and dancers as a stunning performer, a dynamic choreographer and teacher, and as an academic who has presented and published his research into Aboriginal dance.

Born in Philadelphia, he  completed a dance degree in the US with special emphasis on Laban notation.

He first came to Australia in 1960 to appear in “West Side Story” and stayed, performing, choreographing and teaching for companies and training institutions throughout the country.

Arnold was founder and Artistic Director of the Australian Contemporary Dance. He completed an MA in 1991 and was Academic Course Director  at the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA College) from 1986 until 2003.

Sandie Windsor-Richards of Bloch Dance Australia, which supports the awards, says, “we are delighted that Ronne Arnold is this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and has been recognised for his generosity of spirit and love of dance”.

The Australian Dance Awards 2013, at The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre, August 5, bookings to  6275 2700 or www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au