History

Jane Khoo founded Flare Dance Ensemble of the University of Melbourne in 2000 and staged its highly successful first major production, Ignite, in 2002. Her efforts were appreciated by the university and she was awarded the Louise Homfrey Prize for outstanding contribution to Theatre and Dance in 2003. She was artistic director of the ensemble up until 2006.

From its humble start in 2000, Flare Dance Ensemble began with just five dancers. It officially became established in the University of Melbourne in 2001, with a vision to provide young people with an opportunity to express and perform their dance talent, and achieve their passion and dreams through the founding of this dance company.

Flare aims to inspire and encourage students to achieve their individual artistic potential through experience and exposure to different dance styles and performing arts. Flare dancers hence are able perform a fusion of jazz, hiphop, contemporary, cultural and ethnic dance forms. Flare Seniors Dance practices are led by fellow student dancers interacting weekly with their own choreographic works and ideas.

As a result of this openness, Flare has grown by leaps and bounds to its current size of over 300 members and 60 core dancers and has staged six successful full-length stage productions from 2002 to 2007.

Flare Dance Ensemble has emerged in a short time as a key player in the provision of artistic dance talent in the University of Melbourne. Flare continuously endeavours to attain professional standards and to develop into an artistic resource in the corporate and commercial dance industry.

2001 Performances

YMCA College Square Welcome Dinner
Melbourne University Discovery Day
Melbourne University MudFest (Arts Festival)
Union House Theatre Dance Production - Suitcase 'O' Dance
Melbourne University Chinese Music Group's Annual Production - La Musica Opus 268

2002 Performances

Melbourne University Orientation Week
RMIT Battle of the Groove Competition - Winners
YMCA College Square Welcome Dinner
RMIT After-Exams Party @ Sirens Nightclub
Melbourne University Dancesport Club's Annual Ball
Flare Dance Ensemble's Annual Production - Ignite 2002

2003 Performances

Melbourne University Orientation Week
Metro Nightclub Opening Night Launch
Pieno/PCorp Boutique Fashion Show
Melbourne University - MudFest (Arts Festival)
RMIT World Week Ball
Melbourne University International Commerce Students Society Annual Ball
Flare Dance Ensemble's Annual Production - Footnotes 2003

2004 Performances

Melbourne University Orientation Week
Melbourne University Nightmarket
RMIT Talent Quest
Buddhist Festival @ Federation Square
RMIT Sports Award Ball
RMIT African Association Variety Night
Groovy Message Party @ Heat Nightclub
RMIT World Week Ball
International Masquerade Ball 2004 @ Crown Palladium
Melbourne University Discovery Day
Monash University Malaysian Society Annual Ball @ Park Hyatt
Starlight Foundation Charity @ Royal Children's Hospital
Berry St Victoria Charity @ Melbourne Zoo
Flare Dance Ensemble's Annual Production - Rhythmicity 2004

2005 Performances

Chinese New Year Charity Dinner @ Dragon Boat Palace
RMIT Chinese New Year Dinner
Box Hill Chinese New Year Festival
Melbourne University Orientation Week
International Student Association Launch @ State Library
Melbourne University Nightmarket
Starlight Foundation Charity @ Royal Children's Hospital
"The 1930's" - Melbourne University's C-Groups Ball
Miss University Pageant Final @ The Castle Nightclub
"Be Jazzy" by Melb Uni Indonesian Students' Association @ FFour Nightclub
TRANS International Student Festival @ Queen Victoria
GALAKSI @ Odeon Nightclub, Crown Casino
SYN celebrASIAN - 1st year anniversary of Asian Pop Night @ Next Blue Nightclub, Crown Casino
Melbourne University Discovery Day
Starlit Odyssey - International Groups Ball @ M.V Voyager
Singaporean Student Assoc. of Victoria - Underwater World @ Melbourne Aquarium
Soultrain @ ZOS Nightclub
Peninsula Crew Challenge - ranked 5th place
Flare Dance Ensemble's Annual Production - Limelight 2005

2006 Performances

Chinese New Year Charity Dinner @ Dragon Boat Palace
Melbourne University Orientation Week
Hush Bar "Chill-out" @ Hush Bar
Yooralla Charity Performance @ Fairfield Park
Starlight Children's Foundation Charity @ Royal Children's Hospital
Fishnet Productions' "Alice in Wonderland" @ Melbourne University
Melbourne University Nightmarket
Starlight Children's Foundation Charity @ Royal Children's Hospital
Mid Year Orientation @ Melbourne University
Melbourne University Discovery Day
Commerce Graduation Dinner @ Melbourne University
Miss University Pageant 2006 @ Happy Reception, Ascot Vale
Viet Health Students Society Charity Ball @ Albert By The Lake
Flare Dance Production Promotion Perfomance @ Pi Nightclub
Flare Dance's Ensemble's Annual Production - Elements 2006

2007 Performances

Melbourne University Orientation Week
Chinese New Year Charity Dinner @ Dragon Boat Palace
Melbourne University Nightmarket
Jazz! by Melb Uni Indonesian Students' Association @ Colonial Hotel
Chinese Buddha Festival @ Federation Square
(Flare member) Melissa's Farewell Party @ Inc Cafe
Melbourne University Student Services Carnival/Mid-Year Orientation
Aussie Hands Foundation Charity Performance
Chinese Music Group's "Tails" @ Melbourne University
Melbourne University Open Day
Information Systems Students Society Ball @ Albert By The Lake
Chinese Theatre Group's "The Empress Dowager & I" @ Melbourne University
WTF Productions' "Jersey Night" @ Se7en Nightclub
International Commerce Students Society Ball @ Voyager Cruise Ship
Flare Dance's Ensemble's Annual Production - Poise 2007