Spotlight on
Paul Malek

Written by Teagan Lowe

Make yourselves comfortable readers, as learning about Transit Dance’s Co-founder, owner and Artistic Director, Paul Malek, sure is going to take some time. Even prior to his commencement with Transit Dance, Paul has been a leader, advocate and champion of all things dance from his very first steps in Morwell, Victoria. 

Paul, being a self proclaimed ‘dance studio son’, grew up with his beautiful family in regional Victoria. Ed, (Paul’s father) was a miner and also umpired the local football club on the weekends, whilst Karen (Paul’s mother) was the co-owner of a local dance studio - the studio that saw the birth of Paul’s incredible and ever-growing dance career. Paul reflects fondly on those early studio days “I spent a lot of my childhood running around the studios, getting up to no good with the other boys. My mother’s business partner had 4 sons in the end, so that resulted in a lot of running and breaking things. I was probably the more sensitive of the 5. It was inevitable I would dance. I enrolled in tiny tots at age 4 and never looked back.” Needless to say ever since that time Paul has never looked back, only ever forward into a very bright dance future. 

Paul’s whole family moved to Melbourne in 1995, which was a huge change for them all. Sacrifices were made and ultimately Karen sold her dance studio, Ed moved into an office position and all of the children were relocated. In 1994, Paul successfully auditioned for Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS), where he completed his high school education. Paul started his Bachelor of Dance at Victorian College of the Arts (VCA - Melbourne University), and before completion made the decision to switch directions into the Performing Arts - jazz hands, high kicks and smiles all round!  

The creation, journey and evolution of Transit Dance is something that has always been in the making for Paul. Each move in life that Paul has made has been done so with the utmost diligence in knowing that something bigger was always to come. All of his pursuits in life and in dance were leading him to the pinnacle that is Transit Dance. In 2014 there was a certain ‘lightbulb’ moment for Paul when he was watching a TED talk by Sir Ken Robinson titled “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” - something that is still so poignant to this day. Paul reflects, “I have been super passionate about education my entire life; my prerequisite was always a schoolteacher during my schooling days. I was teaching at many Institutions and Universities, as well as travelling the globe, conducting dance and choreographic workshops.” Hence his heightened interest in the TED talk and how the question of schools killing creativity stirred something within him. 

At this point, in his already illustrious dance and arts career, Paul was 7 years into running a production/media company dance and youth company and wanted nothing more than to align them under one umbrella. It was the culmination of years of work leading up to this point that allowed Paul to quickly realise that it was the opportune time to take the leap into full-time dance education to create an environment that inspired creative practice. He dreamed of a world that would teach students not only the fundamentals of dance, but how to be leaders in our industry in as many facets as possible. So, whilst simultaneously producing company works, allowing the youth company to continue under new branding and discussions with his mother, Karen Malek, Paul began the extra work toward expanding his dance universe which we now know as Transit Dance. 

With his triple shot almond latte in tow each day, Paul ventures into Transit each day to face the exciting unpredictably that each new day brings. Paul loves that no two days are ever the same; from teaching in the studios, to choreographing, directing, mentoring, conceptualising, sales, business operations, budgeting, design, management and collaboration - each day could go in a myriad of ways and Paul embraces them all with one of the worlds largest smiles and skip in his step. His passion for Transit Dance, what each day brings and how the Transit experience for each student is so unique, resonates deeply with Paul and drives him ever forward in the evolution of Transit Dance. Paul also thoroughly enjoys being the resident Transit photographer, yet another skill and passion that lends itself perfectly to Paul’s life at Transit. You’ll typically find “photographer Paul” running around, in and out of studios to grab media highlights, photos and video for all of Transit’s social media platforms, which he later edits and compiles to be published at optimum times. 

Paul’s obvious and endless sense of curiosity, wonder and consistency of effort are areas that he prides himself on and believes so much in our future generation of dancers, stating that new generation give him such depth of hope. “The new generation are embracing inclusivity and a sense of belonging for all no matter your shape, size, background, gender or identity.” However there is always more improvement when it comes to our dancers mental health and wellbeing, and how social media is changing and influencing this.

Paul and the team at Transit Dance have always had a strong focus on mental health and personal welfare. They want individuals to learn how to manage their lives not only in the studio but in the real world. This even expands into professional development and business skills, as well as portfolio development, life work balance and more. “It is about sustainability. It is about how to carve your path as leaders within the industry, not just as dancers but as dance professionals. There are so many avenues to stay sustainable in the arts. In my life I have danced, choreographed, directed, production managed, photographed, filmed, graphic designed, sound edited, taught, directed, done promotional work, assisted, rehearsal directed, created syllabi, worked on boards, event managed... These all come with different skills and attributes that allow you to always be busy, earn money and be successful. This on top of the rigorous physical and creative training that we offer is unique, exciting, and innovative to create the next leaders of tomorrow.”

Sustainability and employability are high goal outcomes for all of the staff at Transit Dance, as each has had marvellous and long careers ever before their incredible journey with Transit even began. Part of this is also teaching students that commitment and sacrifice come along with the individual dance journey. Paul reflects, “Sacrifices are something that are a constant in anyone’s journey, I think especially when you own your own businesses. At one point I lived in a warehouse without a shower and bucket bathed for fifteen months so I could afford to live, pay rent, and pay dancers. That is a literal example, but I think we do sacrifice a little bit of ourselves every step of the way to ensure a greater outcome for all.” Sentiments of a very selfless and dedicated man who has sacrificed a lot to make way for the bigger picture. 

This commitment, dedication and ability to sacrifice, for Paul, was cultivated through learned experience and someone that Paul remembers having the greatest impact on his life was his primary school teacher, Josephine Wade. “She allowed me to dream, that being a dreamer wasn’t a crime - although at times it was not appropriate, and listening should be done just as much as asking questions. Albeit secretly she encouraged me to question everything even if it was just in my mind. She taught me everyone learns differently, and creativity is something we never let go of.” 

From these humble beginnings with Ms Wade, one of Paul’s greatest hopes is that he is able to continue to “Provide opportunities for community and industry including performance opportunities such as ‘Undrgrnd Melbourne’, ‘Immersed Dance Industry’ night and paid opportunities through events and productions for dancers, creatives, and technical crew. Cultivating youth dance with youth dance initiatives such ‘Project Y’ and ‘Transit Origins’. Creating exposure with my work on television with ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ‘Dancing With The Stars’.” Paul will always strive to create experiences for all dancers, a safe space and visibility for all dance, art and all creation.

Hence why Transit Dance pride themselves on their impeccable performance based training. They’re truly unlike any other institution for this, because let’s be honest, what dancer doesn't want to be performing all year round?!? Transit Dance trains students not only technically, but they are constantly in a rehearsal environment designed in a professional context. Transit produce four productions seasons a year for each course stream, the students perform in productions over 20 nights/performances minimum per year, allowing them all to experience what it is like to emerge themselves as professional artists. Transits approach to this ensures that each student leaves as a well-rounded human and professional artist, ready for and at the forefront of their industry. 

Paul simplifies the road of which most dancers travel into success in three parts: Passion, Patience, and Persistence. Paul believes that we often overcomplicate the journey to success and believes that the ‘Three P’s’, combined with the application of: Respect, Responsibility and Resilience (the ‘Three R’s’), “Will ensure you learn and problem solve your way through everything life has to throw at you.” Paul ungrudgingly believes that your work ethic is a choice, and by using the ‘Three P’s’ and ‘Three R’s’ allows him to choose and apply a relentless work ethic to everything in his life.

In reflection, Paul hopes that those who have worked alongside, or have learnt from him at some stage in their dance journey, have gained that “Kindness is free, that every single human is individual and every person has a place as a successful contributing artist and professional in this world. To treat fellow professionals with respect even if they don’t do so in return. Resilience is everything, when you turn up, be ready. There is no time to be late in life. But if you happen to be, communicate, communicate, communicate. Persistence will ensure success, even if it feels like it is taking too long. That is where patience comes in. You don’t need approval to create art, so create everyday you live.” 

Paul leaves us with this….“Life is dance and dance is life. I do not, and cannot, separate the two. Every human breathes and their lungs dance to a rhythm, and with every breath a new story is written, told, and expressed. We all can make a life in dance, professionally and recreationally because movement and expression in engrained in our very being. From the day we are born till the day we die. I take this notion into everything I create and teach.”

Want to learn more about our Pre-Professional courses? Click here.