Canberra-based QL2 Dance was recognised for excellence in contemporary youth dance practice winning two out of the ten prestigious Australian Dance Awards announced at a packed ceremony at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane.

QL2 Dance Artistic Director Ruth Osborne was recognised with the 2011 Award for Services to Dance, for, "her superlative teaching and wide-ranging services to dance for over four decades; for an outstanding contribution to dance education and to the development of youth dance practice in Australia.”

Ruth has devoted her professional life to youth dance, challenging old ideas and developing new methods. She is passionate about recognising and nurturing the nascent artist in each young dancer, and valuing their unique viewpoint, critical thinking and creativity alongside development of physical technique, self-discipline and choreographic awareness.

QL2’s 2010 junior youth dance project Hard Yards was recognised with the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance for, "the joy and vitality of the many young performers, and for the deep understanding of personal stories told through dance in a well-constructed and entertaining show.”

In October 2010, the iconic Yarralumla Woolshed was transformed by Hard Yards: a unique youth dance performance about working hard and slacking off. Forty Five dancers aged eight to eighteen from Canberra and Cowra collaborated with choreographers Liz Lea and Dean Cross, together with Artistic Director Ruth Osborne, to create the work which showed to packed houses. QL2 Dance's work with its youngest participants crosses the boundaries of community dance and professional dance, bringing together collaborative processes and choreographic excellence.

Patron of QL2 Dance Sir William Deane said

“These awards are proof that the national dance scene respects the work of QL2 Dance as a leader in youth dance practice, and say much about the commitment of its young dancers. The opportunity it offers is outstanding — both for those headed for life as an artist in dance, and also for those who take their passion and creativity elsewhere.”

Identify, QL2 Dance's latest production, which includes 11 of the cast of Hard Yards, opens at The Q (Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre) on 3 August.

The Australian Dance Awards are the premier national awards in dance, selected by a rigorous independent panel appointed by Ausdance.

Visit the website further information about the Australian Dance Awards and QL2 Dance