Tribute to a life of dance

A life of dance has been its own reward for Nanette Hassall, whose dedication to grooming the talents of others will be honoured at the Australian Dance Awards to be held in Perth for the first time on Saturday.

Ms Hassall, the head of dance at the WA Academy of Performing Arts, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 40 years of work as a performer, choreographer, teacher and dance company founder.

After 17 years in the job she takes great pride that WAAPA punches above its weight on the national dance stage.

"Meeting international benchmarks is particularly significant in Perth because it is so isolated," she said.

wonderful The awards at the State Theatre Centre are a highlight of Perth's first contemporary dance festival, MoveMe, which opened last night.