That's a wrap – Top Acts 2018

Jara Konteh performs with the Braybrook College band

It may have been a dark and stormy night outside, but nothing could dampen the spirit of celebration and displays of artistry from some of Victoria's most talented VCE and VCE VET performing arts students at Top Acts 2018. Held in the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Friday 11 May, the evening event was a thoughtful selection of student work from across the 2017 VCE performing arts program, curated by the Artistic Director, Dan Mitchell.

VCAA Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Howes, welcomed the full house of family, friends, teachers and supporters as well as the young performers. Dr Howes acknowledged the high standards achieved by students across art forms and the countless hours of practice, hard work, dedication and skill that contributed to each of the acts.

Before handing over to the performers for the evening, Dr Howes also paid tribute to outgoing VCAA Performing Arts Curriculum Manager, Helen Champion. After 20 years at the VCAA, Helen Champion is leaving to take on the role of Curriculum Specialist for the Arts at the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. A tireless champion of young people and the performing arts, Helen has had a significant impact on fostering student excellence across Victoria through the performing arts curriculum.

The program featured a broad range of musical styles, original works by students including choreographed dance, and dramatic monologues.

A virtuosic solo 'cellist, Charlotte Miles (Balwyn High School), performed Paganini's fiendishly difficult Variations on One String on a Theme of Rossini. Charlotte hopes to continue 'cello studies in Europe after graduating from secondary school.

Combining electro-funk bass with hip-hop styled beats, Padua College students Ethan Taylor on synthesisers, Jack Mannock on electric bass and Savva Santoreneos on drum kit wowed the audience. The trio are completing VCE at Padua College, where they regularly take to the stage and record as their original band, 'The Friday Nights'.

Mollie Nelson-Williams (Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School) brought gravitas to the stage in an impressive and foreboding interpretation of Phaedra by Seneca. In this monologue, the Messenger explains to Theseus how his son Hippolytus was killed when Neptune, god of the sea, let loose a hideous monster.

In a contrasting set, duet 'Sunrise Monarch', composed of Rama Williams on vocals/guitar and Amy Wells on vocals/ukulele (Geelong High School), performed an original co-created work about modern life called Traffic.

Speaking at Top Acts, Artistic Director Dan Mitchell said, 'This evening we celebrate persistence, proficiency, fearlessness, creativity and spirit. These young artists symbolise the significant role the performing arts play in the health of the community.'

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