In its fifth year, the large-scale performing arts event Pulse Alive is back, bigger than ever, showcasing the talents of K–12 public school students from across the state, including a strong contingent from the NSW North Coast.
The 2026 show will see more than 400 schools and 8,300 students take to the Ken Rosewall Arena stage at Sydney Olympic Park this week, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with students travelling from North Coast communities including Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Nambucca Heads and Byron Bay.
Students have travelled from as far as Broken Hill, Condobolin, Wagga Wagga, Lightning Ridge, Inverell and Grafton to participate in the Department of Education Arts Unit event, which promotes equity and inclusion by offering students of all abilities the opportunity to shine on stage and showcase their passion and talents in music, dance, visual arts and public speaking.
For North Coast students, the trip to Sydney highlights both the distance travelled and the opportunity to perform on a major stage alongside peers from across NSW.
Students will rehearse at Sydney Olympic Park throughout today in anticipation of tonight’s final performance.
Simon Kermode, The Arts Unit Student Access and Engagement Advisor, said 2026 is a huge year for Pulse Alive, with a 3,000-student increase on last year.
“This is the first year we’ll be holding the event over three nights due to the increase in participating school and students,” Mr Kermode explained.
“Pulse Alive is a performing arts event designed to give any student with a passion for the performing arts the opportunity to showcase their talents on stage and give them a taste of what could be in their future.
“This structure promotes greater equity and inclusion, which is at the heart of this event.”
In preparation for the event, schools are provided with choir teaching tracks, sheet music, teaching tips and/or a dance choreography video package and notes. They are also given the option to participate in face-to-face or virtual rehearsals, with the full cast coming together only on the day of the performance.
Participation in the categories of massed dance, First Nations dance ensemble and massed choir is open to all schools without audition.
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