The Mount Gambier Eisteddfod has announced the return of Christopher Favaloro to adjudicate the 2025 Dance division.
Mr Favaloro, originally from Sydney, studied at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, and further continued his training at Ev and Bow Full-time Dance Training Centre.
From an early age, he was noticed at Dance Expo, receiving an indefinite lifetime sponsorship by Sansha Dance Shoes.
In 2008, Mr Favaloro represented Sydney Dance Company for the International Mayors’ Congress commissioned by APEC and also joined Melbourne Ballet Company as a soloist for their 2008 and 2009 seasons, Emerge and Believe.
In 2009, he was one of a select few accepted into the Cirque Du Soleil database and was also awarded his Solo Seal by the Royal Academy of Dance.
Mr Favaloro then went on to assist Sarah Boulter in teaching the top four contestants for the television show So You Think You Can Dance Australia (Season 2 and 3). Soon after, he began touring Australia with Jerome Robbins’ timeless classic, West Side Story in 2010 and 2011.
In 2012 he joined Mod Dance Company as a principal dancer under the direction of Brett Morgan and Graeme Murphy, performing signature works by Mr Murphy entitled Suite Synergy.
Throughout his career, Mr Favaloro has performed and toured in several shows with Opera Australia. These include Baz Luhrmann’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merry Widow, Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute by Julie Taymor, Orpheus in the Underworld, Ballo, The Love of Three Oranges and Graeme Murphy’s Aida.
From 2014-2018, he toured internationally with Cats – The Musical in the iconic role Mr Mistoffelees to great acclaim.
Since returning to Australia, Mr Favaloro has been adjudicating and coaching young dancers across the country who wish to pursue a professional dance career. He is passionate in guiding the next generation of dancers to help them reach their full potential.
In other eisteddfod news, highly qualified adjudicators Bronwyn Lloyd and Paula Hessey will return for the Calisthenics division, while Andrew Stokes will adjudicate Music, Adrian Barnes Speech and Drama and Rachael Grace the Choral and Vocal.
Mr Barnes has taught in Australia and New Zealand, the US and UK, with qualifications including a Bachelor of Arts in theatre tech and advanced diploma in performing arts.
He studied a two-year professional acting course at Bristol Old Vic theatre school and has more than 30 theatre acting credits including the Repertory Theatre in the UK.
Mr Barnes has made many appearances in film and television and worked in theatre direction on numerous shows.
Ms Grace, based in Naarm, is regarded as a world class vocalist and entertainer.
Currently producing and starring in ‘The Australian Barbra Streisand Show’, she has built up her experience on stage fronting various jazz ensembles, big bands, duos and trios, as well as Melbourne-based Fringe Opera Companies.
Ms Grace was classically trained at Melbourne University’s renowned Conservatory and has 12 years of professional performance experience.
Entries have opened for this year’s eisteddfod, which kicks off in July.
