As Australia’s largest dance festival continues to grow its international profile, the Victorian Dance Festival (VDF) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Maxwell Trengove as Creative Director, taking the reigns from the gifted Yvette Lee. With a profession spanning the West Finish, world excursions, and high-profile productions throughout Australia and overseas, Trengove brings a wealth of each dwelling city expertise and worldwide expertise to the function, positioning VDF for an thrilling new chapter.
“VDF is so essential as a result of occasions of this scale are uncommon,” says Trengove. “To share in experiences at this stage – with the calibre of choreographers on supply, the vary of exhibitors and establishments represented, and the prospect to witness unimaginable performances from so many studios and teams – is invaluable to younger dancers and academics alike.”
Trengove hails from Adelaide, the place he educated at TIDC earlier than pursuing alternatives interstate and ultimately abroad. For the previous seven years, he has been based mostly in London, working prolifically as an Affiliate Choreographer on West Finish and UK touring productions together with Carry It On, Peter Pan, Highlight Bar, Robin Hood, Stage Struck, and Disney’s upcoming Keep in mind. He has additionally choreographed extensively for main worldwide cruise strains.
That world perception aligns with VDF’s trajectory. Lengthy identified for introducing Australian dancers to worldwide artists by its visitor school program, the pageant now attracts main employers equivalent to RWS World, Disney, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to audition dancers for skilled contracts. Trengove is aware of firsthand how very important this publicity will be for Australian artists.
“I bear in mind being a younger dancer myself and the way impressed and motivated I used to be after I went to my first dance conference a few years in the past,” he displays. “I’m excited to convey most of the splendidly gifted individuals I’ve met world wide to share their information with the Australian dance group.”
As a performer, Trengove’s versatility has seen him work with world superstars together with Cher, Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman, Lewis Capaldi, and The Veronicas. His stage credit vary from the world premiere of King Kong and hit productions of West Facet Story and The Bodyguard, to the Victoria’s Secret Trend Present and the unique London solid of Magic Mike.
Now, he’s desirous to channel that have into shaping VDF’s future and that of Australian dancers. “Dance is such an enormous a part of my life, and I’m thrilled to have a hand in curating that have for a brand new era,” says Trengove. “To be the brand new Creative Director of VDF is a real honour. Persevering with the unimaginable work of the enduring Yvette Lee, alongside Deborah and Daniel Searle, is a job I’m each keen and excited to undertake.”
With tickets already on sale for VDF26 (22–24 Could 2026 at Melbourne Showgrounds), Trengove is already working intently with the pageant workforce. “From the get-go, Max simply match,” says Director Deborah Searle. “From his first time instructing for us in 2024, we knew we had been introducing somebody extremely particular to the VDF group. His worldwide expertise, outstanding versatility, and approachable instructing type make him a wonderful inventive chief for the pageant. As we look forward to better worldwide attain and collaboration, Max is the proper individual to assist join Australian dancers with world alternatives. Greater than that, he’s an exemplary function mannequin for dancers aspiring to skilled careers. We couldn’t be extra excited to see the place his experience takes the pageant within the coming years.”
With Trengove on the helm, VDF is ready to encourage a brand new era of dancers whereas persevering with to cement its popularity as a beacon for Australian dance on the world stage. Keep tuned for information of the unimaginable line up of instructors Trengove and the VDF workforce will convey to VDF26.
Celebration tickets for VDF26 finish Sunday! Seize your massively discounted tickets and save a whopping $135 right this moment at vdf.com.au/tickets.
VDF is Australia’s largest dance festival and experience. Don’t miss it! Could 22- 24, Melbourne Showgrounds, together with Australia’s dance trainer convention and expo – Vitality Dance Teacher Conference.
