By Belad Al-karkhey

Seasons may come and go, but Australia’s top ballet teachers prefer their students keep their feet firmly on the ground and on pointe for the future.

As the Australian Ballet School celebrates 60 years, classical teacher Andrew Murphy says the institution’s anniversary gala is not just an opportunity to look back, it’s also a time to look forward to what’s next.

“Pushing boundaries is something that we’re all trying to do,” he said.

“You have to take tradition and… make sure it doesn’t hold you back.”

The school, established in 1964, is the national centre for classical dance training, producing several iconic dancers performing across the globe.

A number of school alumni will return to the stage, joining 40 students aged 16-20 in an end-of-year spectacular of both new and familiar performances, including the Four Seasons.

Graduate student Jai Fauchon is performing in the summer segment of Four Seasons, which pays homage to the school’s history and celebrates its vibrant future.

Yet it’s his original piece, Gracias a la vida, to be showcased at the gala, that has the 20-year-old feeling nervous about the audience’s reception.

“It’s a bit daunting, but I am so honoured for such a privilege,” Mr Fauchon said.

“To be able to be a small part of the history of the school is really exciting.”

His first choreographed performance, which translates to ‘thanks to life’, was designed as a reflection of the trials and triumphs during his time at the school.

“The piece is about finding the good within the bad, and being grateful even when it’s hard to be,” he said.

“(At one point) I started to doubt whether I actually have anything to offer, so getting over that was something I had to battle with a bit.”

Understanding self-worth as an individual is the most important lesson Mr Murphy teaches his students.

“We’ve got to understand… where the art form is going and really understand where (the students) want to take it, because they are the future,” he said.

“They’re the ones that can break barriers.”

As the curtains close on Mr Fauchon’s training, the true performance begins as job-hunting and auditions replace classes.

“I think as humans, we’re designed to be creative… we have that need and ambition to create,” he said.

“Even if I’m not always making the best or the newest stuff, it’s still this hunger in me to see what I can come up with.”

The Australia Ballet School’s 60th Anniversary Gala Performance takes place at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre on Sunday.