Meet Amy Ronnfeldt Talking Pointe

Get to know the newest member of the corps de ballet

Amid the spectacular sights of Season 2023, your eyes might be drawn to a new face in our corps de ballet.

Amy Ronnfeldt – a talented graduate of The Australian Ballet School and one of only seven prize winners at the 2022 Prix de Lausanne – recently became the newest member of the company after impressing audiences with her performances in Swan Lake Variations on our 2022 Regional Tour and in The Australian Ballet School’s Butterfly Amy grew up in Brisbane, Queensland and began dancing at the age of four at the Kimberley Woodger Dance Academy. Aged 14, she joined The Australian Ballet School, where she was a recipient of The Australian Ballet School Scholarship and was Dux of her class when she graduated in 2022.

We caught up with Amy to get to know her a little better as she embarks on her first professional role with The Australian Ballet.

How were you introduced to ballet?

Like a lot of young children, I was signed up to join ballet classes by my parents as a way to release energy and as a fun hobby. My mum grew up going to the ballet with her family, so the performing arts world was not new to her.

What does it mean to you to be dancing professionally with The Australian Ballet?

It has always been my dream, so it feels completely surreal. Walking into those beautiful studios, working alongside these incredible dancers that I look up to and being coached by such an experienced artistic team will never lose its excitement and magic.

Who are your role models and why?

One of my main role models is Marianela Núñez, principal dancer with The Royal Ballet. I admire her graciousness and continued passion for the art form. Every time I watch a video of her dance, she adds something new, which produces a really genuine, playful and exciting quality of movement. She also has a very contagious portrayal of emotion, causing the audience to smile, laugh and cry with her. That’s what I aim to achieve one day in my dancing.

From where do you draw inspiration?

All the artists of The Australian Ballet inspire me daily with their creativity, authenticity, commitment and passion. I definitely feel blessed to be surrounded by a group of people who are as kind as they are talented. I also draw inspiration from other forms of art and entertainment I enjoy, such as film, music and literature.

What has been the highlight of your first months in the company?

Getting to perform in Ballet Under the Stars at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl was such a fun experience. It was my official debut with the company as well as my first time performing at an outdoor theatre, which came with a whole new set of excitements and challenges. It was raining that night, but we were all so grateful that so many people still showed up with ponchos and umbrellas, keen to see us perform regardless of the weather. Dancing in that unique atmosphere was so special.

What are you most looking forward to in the 2023 season?

I am most looking forward to performing in Swan Lake, as it is the first ballet I can remember watching and the first one that truly made me fall in love with the beauty of classical ballet. I am especially looking forward to taking that iconic production to Brisbane, which is where I grew up with my family.

What is your dream role or repertoire to perform, and why?

To dance the role of Giselle would be a dream come true. This role means so much to me, as her Act I variation was the first professional variation I learnt for the Alana Haines Australasian Awards in 2017. Dancing that was the first time I really let go onstage and felt like a true ballerina.

When you’re not dancing, what do you love to do?

I love to spend time with my dear friends, chatting over some delicious food at a new café. Recently, I have also been dabbling in some guitar and crocheting.

What are your big dreams and ambitions?

I would love to travel this beautiful Australian land of ours as much as possible, before hopefully one day exploring countries overseas. And I’d like to delve deeper into photography, writing, cooking or teaching later on in life.

What might we be surprised to learn about you?

Throughout my childhood I was privileged to spend some time out in the countryside, as my grandparents own a farm on the Darling Downs. It was there that I was exposed to the ways of cattle work and farming, which I still find so fascinating in contrast to the world of ballet in the heart of Melbourne.