ADRIAN RICKS

Adrian was born in Melbourne and began dancing at the age of four under the tuition of Tania Attard (Attitudes Dance Studio) and later at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, graduating in 2002. His professional stage debut was at the tender age of 8, in the play ‘An Inspector Calls' at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne (with the Royal Theatre of Great Britain) in the lead child role.

After graduating he was offered the role of Coricopat in the South Korea Tent Top tour of CATS in 2003. He then took on the role of Mr. Mistofelees for the World Tour, Asian Tour, Australian Tour and finishing up with the show after his final tours to the Philippines and Taiwan, performing in CATS for eight years. In his final year with CATS, Adrian also took on the additional role of Dance Captain.

Between contracts he also worked at Tokyo Disney Sea (Encore!) and for Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas. Following his dream of creating his own work and moving into choreography, he conceptualised, directed, choreographed and performed his first full-length dance work, ‘Release’ at Gasworks Theatre 2011. His second work ‘SINS’ premiered at Theatre Works in St Kilda, September 2013.

In 2014 Adrian auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance Australia and made it through to the top 30. He was then invited back as a choreographer for the season. Adrian was also nominated and won the category for Victoria’s Favourite Male Dancer in Ausdance Victoria’s - Victorian Dance Awards 2014.

Adrian’s Choreographic credits include: Porsche Showroom Launch - Melbourne, Jaguar Launch - Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Albert Park, Epworth Medical Foundation Dinner – Crown Casino Palladium, Saxton Speakers turns 50 - Melbourne Convention Centre, Club Melbourne 10th Anniversary Dinner - Melbourne Convention Centre, Dulux Colour Awards – Luminare South Melbourne, Heavenly Gala Ball - The Plaza Ballroom Melbourne, Banksia Environmental Awards - Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Federation Launch – Carousel Restaurant Albert Park, AMP Conference - Brisbane Exhibition Centre, V.C.A.S.S Malthouse Season and Cecchetti Ballet Conference.

Adrian has taught at Dance World Studios, Trilogy DC, Attitudes Dance Studio, North Eastern Ballet School, The Edge Performers School, Starz PA, Melbourne Dance Centre, Patrick Studios Australia, La Trobe University, Federation University Australia Music Theatre, Cecchetti Ballet Australia (VIC), VCA Music Theatre and V.C.A.S.S. He has also participated in many dance festivals, teaching workshops around Australia and abroad including Australian Dance Festival - Sydney, Victorian Dance Festival – Melbourne and most recently Kairos Dance Convention – New Zealand. He also performs as freelance dancer and choreographer ranging from stage to corporate works in all genres of dance.

Adrian is currently working exclusively as Director of Dance at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance Full Time Course. With his vast experience, Adrian has become one of Melbourne’s leading dance tutors and loves helping aspiring performers and dancers master their craft. Adrian hopes to inspire his students whilst passing on his extensive knowledge of this amazing and forever changing industry. He truly believes that solid technique combined with great passion, creativity, ambition, discipline, determination and self- belief are the keys to becoming a great performer. 

 Footage available upon request