Twenty-seven years ago, Antonia started her ballet school, Rivers Ballet Studio, in a small studio built by husband Bruce Erskine. For all of those years she has taught, guided, inspired, and mentored countless students through the rigorous ballet training that is required of classical study, as well as providing the venue and holding classes in many other dance disciplines.

So many students from this town have, under her guidance, gone on to wonderful dance careers. And many others would have their lives shaped by her personal dedication and teaching. Not to mention the magic that is created each year in the concerts put on at the Memorial Hall. 

I did not have a child attend the classes, but know plenty who have. I did have the opportunity to attend some classes myself and to draw inspiration.

It is so wonderful to see students from tiny tots through the intermediate and into senior classes go through their practice and routines, I won't say tirelessly, because it is tiring … but with enthusiasm, grace and focus.

These young people learn not only about dance, with its rigours, discipline, and the joy of expression, but lessons about life - hard work, discipline (again, that word!), and seeing projects through to completion. That and working with other people of all backgrounds and age groups to achieve something of the magic that we as audiences see every year, with the famed end-of-year concerts, which are always just magnificent.

Such a concert was put on again this year, three of them, ‘Born to Dance’, being a tribute to Anna Pavlova, the famous ballerinas from Ballet Russe, made famous for her famous  ‘Dying Swan’ dance which is iconic and renowned worldwide. The concert was also a tribute to Antonia, who in my mind is just as iconic, as she this year passes on the baton of her directorship to former student (since the age of four), to the capable, energetic and passionate Meryn Jones. 

Antonia was also the guiding force, inspiration and dancer for the fabulous Flamenco Festival years held not so long ago. Again, the Memorial Hall and other venues around town exploded with flamenco with visiting dancers, musicians and companies who, together with our local Flamenco contingent, put on amazing shows, again thanks to the driving force and organisational ability, dedication and talent of Antonia.

The Flamenco Festivals were just another of the many initiatives pursued and accomplished by Antonia - and they was amazing.

There are others about which I don't know that much, but have caught glimpses of, and have so enjoyed watching the development and growth of so many students over the years. For this reason it feels so necessary to express the appreciation I feel (and I am sure I speak for volumes of other people) and to say thank you, Antonia, for your passion, grace, focus, guidance, dedication, talent. For your vision and the ability to create magic in people’s lives.

You are also an amazingly beautiful dancer, whom I have so enjoyed watching and being inspired by. You feature in many of my artworks, so on that personal note, also, I am so grateful for what you have brought to the town and to me personally.

So on behalf of myself and many others, I wish to say, most sincerely, and from the bottom of my heart,  bravo, Antonia!

We wish you and Bruce well. Thank you.

Solveig Larsen

Bellingen