Elizabeth Cameron Dalman

Early life and education

Cameron Dalman was born in Adelaide, South Australia. She began her dance training with Nora Stewart, with whom she studied both classical ballet the Margaret Morris modern dance technique. She obtained Masters of Creative Arts degree from Wollongong University.

In 1957, Cameron Dalman went to Europe, London, and later New York to continue her studies. In New York, she studied with Martha Graham, Murray Louis, James Truitte, and Alwin Nikolais. While studying in Germany in 1958, she met American choreographer Eleo Pomare and the two remained friends until his death in August 2008.

Career in dance

Returning to New York in 1962, she danced with the Eleo Pomare Modern Dance Company for two years. She then formed the Australian Dance Theatre and acted as its artistic director for ten years.

In 1999, she founded WEEREEWA – A Festival of Lake George, which is held in Bungendore New South Wales bi-annually since 1999. The festival showcases local artists including dancers, painters, sculptors and photographers.

She is currently Director of the Mirramu Creative Arts Centre at Lake George, in New South Wales near Canberra. She is also a Mentor and Board Member of The Australian Choreographic Centre in Canberra and she studies indigenous dance forms.

Awards

Cameron Dalman is a recipient of an Australian Artists Creative Fellowship; was awarded an OAM in 1995 for her contribution to contemporary dance in Australia and, in 1997, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Australian Dance Awards for achievement in dance.

Elizabeth continues to direct, choreograph, perform and teach, both in Australia and overseas.