In a year of changing of the guard at Queensland Ballet, there have been few changes to the company’s dancers for 2024, signaling a steady approach from acting artistic director Greg Horsman.
in its 65th This year Queensland Ballet will mesmerize audiences with a mesmerizing array of iconic masterpieces, world premieres and an exciting blend of established and emerging choreographic talent. This season will take audiences on a thrilling journey through ballet narratives inspired by classical literature.
Leanne Benjamin announces return of Australian-born dancer during her tenure as artistic director Alison McWhinney serves as senior soloist. She also signed Alisa Pukkinen as a company artist. Benjamin also hired James Button as ballet master.
In 2024, Luke DiMattina was promoted to First Company Artist. Ruby Day joined Queensland Ballet as a company artist in November following her success at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne.
Ethan Mrmacovski, Taron Geyl and Joseph Moss will join the company on full company contracts in 2025. All three come from the Jet Parker Young Artist Program, the company’s talent springboard. Alfie Shacklock and Sean Ferenczi will also remain on board.
The 2025 Jette Parker Young Artists include: Annie Chen (Australian Ballet School), Declan Daines (ABS), Jai Fauchon (ABS), Moeki Kojima (Queensland Ballet School), Georgia Lorange and Seth Marshall (2).ND Jette Parker Young Artist of the Year), Levi Miller (ABS), Mia Paske (QBA), Francesca Poi (ABS), Eli Southurst (QBA), Brooke Tarry (QBA) and Telia Townsend (QBA).
Interestingly, Miller was selected to perform with The Australian Ballet in Christopher Wheeldon’s Melbourne season.Oscar’of course, Southhurst will be a familiar face to viewers who have watched cinderella or Papillon.
Former principal artist Joel Woellner signed an international contract with Zurich Ballet and left the company in August. his last performance was Coppelia June. “Queensland Ballet has nurtured and developed my skills as a ballet dancer over the past nine years, for which I will always be grateful,” he said.
After several years of dealing with a back injury, Company One artist David Ball has made the difficult decision to retire from professional dance. He takes on a new role with the company as Jet Parker Ballet Assistant. “There is never a right time for dancers to give up on their dreams, but I feel very supported and empowered to take this opportunity,” Ball noted. “Ballet has given me a lifetime of memories and connections that I will cherish forever.”
First Company artist Liam Geck also retired from dance and moved to the Hunter Valley to pursue his passion for wine and began training as a sommelier. Company artist Mali Comlekci will leave Queensland Ballet to explore new styles and repertoire. In the new year he will join another famous Australian dance company. Jette Parker Young artist Joshua Douglas has signed a contract with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and will head to the Tasman at the end of the year.
2025 is also a year of new life. Lead artist Yanela Pinera returns from maternity leave after the birth of her daughter Lucia. She and her husband Camilo Ramos, coordinator of QBA’s pre-professional program, couldn’t be happier as parents. “Being a parent is hard but also beautiful. It changes your life completely. For us, because we both have our own careers, life is so much richer when we have children. “I always wanted to be a mom , but I waited longer. As a lead dancer, you always want to do every ballet, every role, and get as many opportunities as possible.
Soloist Lina Kim took maternity leave during the year after welcoming the birth of her second child. Principal artist Lucy Green is expecting her first child with husband, former Queensland Ballet dancer Samuel Packer. The number of mothers on the dance team has officially increased to four.
As the year approaches, Queensland Ballet is currently in discussions with artistic director candidates from its inner circle.
To find out more about Queensland Ballet and the upcoming 2025 season, visit www.queenslandballet.com.au.
