Filipina joins premier Aussie ballet company

The West Australian Ballet (WAB) has welcomed multi-awarded ballet dancer Candice Adea, the first Filipino soloist dancer to join the prestigious Perth-based ballet company since its inception in 1952.

“It’s exciting to have a dancer of Candice’s experience join West Australian Ballet. I am thrilled to have her joining us,” WAB Artistic Director Aurelien Scannella said during the production of The Nutcracker at His Majesty’s Theatre where the Filipina staged her debut early this month.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Adea graduated from Philippine High School for the Arts with a major in ballet in 2003, and a bachelor’s degree in performing arts (majoring in dance) from De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde in 2008.

At the age of 16, she joined Ballet Philippines of the Cultural Center of the Philippines as an apprentice and was promoted to Principal Dancer after only six months.

Adea was the first Filipina to win first prize at the elite Helsinki International Ballet Competition (HIBC) in the senior women’s division in 2012, and a Silver Medal at the USA International Ballet Competition, also in the senior women’s division in 2010.

She was also a recipient of Gawad Buhay as Outstanding Female Lead Performer twice for her work in Amada (2009) and September Gala (2010).

In 2011, the Filipino ballet dancer collected two special awards at the Boston International Ballet Competition - the Maris Liepa Award for Outstanding Artistry and Lead Role in a Russian Ballet performance.

Prior to her joining the WAB, she was a soloist at the Hong Kong Ballet in 2012.