Alumni Spotlight: Piran Scott

With two drama teachers as parents, it could be said that the arts are in Piran Scott’s blood.

“I started dance and drama classes when I was only 4 years old. My parents had their own drama studio, so I was always interested in the Arts,” Piran recalls. “I started ballet at Theatre Arts Mackay under the direction of former Queensland Ballet Board Member, Lynette Denny AM. I always saw Queensland Ballet performing in Mackay and Brisbane growing up, so I was naturally inspired to join them when I grew older.”

Before deciding to pursue dancing professionally, Piran was recognised with a number of RAD accolades. He was eventually accepted into Queensland Ballet Academy's Professional Year in 2007 (now Queensland Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Program).

“It was a dream since I was young to make it into the Queensland Ballet Company,” he says. “Through my Professional Year training, I learnt discipline and passion, and gained a strong technical base, all while making strong relationships with friends and colleagues along the way.”

After graduating in 2008, Piran was accepted as a Company Artist in Queensland Ballet under François Klaus in 2010, and has since taken his career to Leipzig Ballet in Germany as a Soloist under Mario Schroeder, and now works as a Soloist under Richard Wherlock with the Ballet Theater Basel in Switzerland.

“My year at the Academy gave me the tools necessary for a successful professional career, including a versatile balance of dramatic and dance qualities, as well as humility and a strong mental capacity,” Piran says.

Having danced under many of today’s renowned choreographers, Piran has gained experience with a diverse repertoire. This has allowed him to dance all over the world, including Israel, Taiwan, China, Colombia, Australia and throughout Europe.

“My favourite roles include Kick the Bucket by Ivan Perez, a beautiful modern pas that goes on a journey for half an hour and takes the audience passenger as two dancers explore a relationship from beginning, conflict and departure. I have also enjoyed performing Recordare – a neo-classical quartet from Mario Schroeder’s Mozart Requiem, Black Milk, Ohad Naharin’s famous men’s dance with a water bucket and long white skirts, Egeon in Richard Wherlock’s Comedy of Error(z), Zuniga in Johan Inger’s Carmen, Tsar Nicholas II in François Klaus’ Swan Lake and recently Salt Womb by Sharon Eyal, a physically and mentally draining piece, that was extremely rewarding to perform,” Piran lists.

For those looking to pursue a professional dance career, Piran has some words of wisdom to share:

“Always work hard and keep smiling, but don’t be afraid to fail,” he advises. “The beauty of dance is that it is in all of us. We all have our hard moments, but the passion will always be there when you are open to explore the possibilities and train smartly with enjoyment.”

Piran’s next big career step will be to join the dance company of Theater St. Gallen in Switzerland, under Kinsun Chan. He hopes to then return to Australia and be involved in the arts at home.

Discover more about Queensland Ballet Academy's professional dance pathways here.

Images by Lucia Hanziker, Ken Sparrow and Ida Zenna.