WHO'S WHO IN THE COMPANY
TIMMY BLANKENSHIP, originally from the United States, completed his early training in contemporary performance and choreography at Artistic Fusion in Thornton, CO and Dance Town in Miami, FL, performing works by Loni Landon, Dana Foglia, and Emma Portner. He continued his training at the prestigious University of Southern California’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance on scholarship, graduating with a BFA in 2023. There, he performed works by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Merce Cunningham, and Yue Yin. Alongside performing, he premiered his choreography at Dance Town Miami’s annual contemporary gala of 2021, and he internationally debuted Intergenerational Traffic at the Trinity Laban School of Dance in London of February 2023 as a collaboration with composer Tom Bradbury and dancer Xavier Williams. In August of 2023, he performed in the world premiere of Wanderers by Dimo Milev at the Nederland’s Dans Theatre Summer Intensive. Soon after, Timmy moved to Sydney for his professional dance debut with Sydney Dance Company, performing in Riley Fitzgerald’s Everyb0dy’s G0t a B0mb and Tra Mi Dinh’s Somewhere between ten & fourteen as part of New Breed 2023.
ANIKA BOET, raised in Christchurch, New Zealand, is of South African and Dutch descent. Moving to Sydney in 2020, Anika completed two years of fulltime training at Brent Street School of Performing arts, receiving her Diploma of Dance (focusing on Contemporary) with Honours. In her time at Brent Street, she had the pleasure of training with and performing works by Jessica Hesketh, Billy Keohavong, Georgette Sofatzis, Holly Doyle, Cass Mortimer Eipper, Craig Barry, and Talia Fowler. Shortly after, Anika made her professional debut in Sydney Festival in January 2022 performing the work Grey Rhino, choreographed by Charmene Yap and Cass Mortimer Eipper. In that same year, she performed Against All Logic choreographed by Brigitta Olderied, in Sydney Fringe Festival. In 2023, she spent some time in New York City at the GALLIM Winter Intensive, and then made the move to Naarm (Melbourne). Here, Anika completed a post-graduate course at Transit Dance, performing works by Chimene Steele Prior, Prue Lang, and Paul Malek. Anika joined Sydney Dance Company in October 2023.
DEAN ELLIOTT was born in Auckland, New Zealand and started dancing at Norris Studios in Papakura. He moved to Sydney in 2017 to further his dance studies at Ev and Bow under the direction of Sarah Boulter and Lisa Bowmer. In 2018 Dean received the top prize winner at the first annual Brisbane International Contemporary Dance Prix which initiated his first engagement with Sydney Dance Company. Dean joined the Theatre of Image in 2019 for their production of Brett and Wendy… a love story bound by art choreographed by Lucas Jervies and directed by Kim Carpenter, in which he danced the role of Young Brett Whitely. Dean has been a dancer with Sydney Dance Company since 2019 and has worked with and performed the repertoire of a range of choreographers, including Rafael Bonachela, Marina Mascarell, Ohad Naharin, and Melanie Lane.
WHO'S WHO IN THE COMPANY
RILEY FITZGERALD trained with the Anita Coutts School of Dance in regional Victoria before moving to Melbourne to attend the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, making his professional debut in The White Prince by Stephen Agisilaou. Riley then completed his Level Six Diploma of Dance Performance at the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington where he trained under James O’Hara and Tor Columbus. In 2019, Riley joined Sydney Dance Company, performing nationally and internationally in works such as ab [intra], Lux Tenebris, Impermanence, and Six Breaths. Riley then moved to France, where he joined Ballet National de Marseille performing works by La Horde, Tania Carvalho, Oona Doherty, Lasseindra Ninja, and Alexandre Roccoli and touring extensively throughout France and Europe. Riley returned to Sydney Dance Company in 2023.
TAYLA GARTNER, originally from Geelong, began her dance training at Infinite Dance Studios at a young age. Tayla commenced full-time training at Patrick Studios Australia Academy program in 2018 before undertaking the Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year in 2022, where she performed works by choreographers including Melanie Lane, Stephanie Lake, Jenni Large, Tobiah Booth-Remmers, and Rafael Bonachela. In 2022, Tayla worked with and performed repertoire of Ohad Naharin and was a finalist in the Brisbane International Contemporary Dance Prix. Tayla has been involved in numerous movement and fashion campaigns for brands such as Last Layer, Indosole, JOSLIN, and Carla Zampatti and has featured in adverts for Junior Eurovision, ABC, and the Sydney Opera House. After graduating from the Pre-Professional Year, Tayla joins Sydney Dance Company as Trainee in 2024.
LIAM GREEN, having grown up in Perth, trained with a range of local schools, including Dynamic Performing Arts and The Graduate College of Dance. At 15, Liam was accepted into the Advanced Diploma of Dance at WAAPA, the youngest to enter the program. Liam worked with the West Australian Ballet for five years, ending his time at the Company as a Demi-Soloist, before joining Sydney Dance Company in 2019. Liam’s repertoire is expansive and diverse, including works such as Radio and Juliet by Edward Clug, In Transit by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and WOOF by Melanie Lane. Liam has also completed a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance and Economics, at The University of Western Australia.
LUKE HAYWARD, From Alice Springs, Australia, studied a Bachelor of Dance at Palucca Hochechule für tanz Dresden, Germany, graduating with Honours. Luke was previously a Company dancer with Balet Moskva, Russia from 2016 to 2018, performing in both the Ballet and Contemporary Ensembles. Luke has interned with Centre Chorégraphique National de Rillieux-la-Pape Lyon, France in 2014, Semperoper Dresden, Germany in 2014, and participated in the 5th Biennale Tanzausbildung in 2016. Luke was also part of the ensemble for Karin Ponties’ Every Direction is North, which won The Golden Mask Award for ‘The Best Performance in Modern Dance’ in 2017. Luke has worked with and performed the repertoire of an extensive array of choreographers, including Rafael Bonachela, George Balanchine, Marina Mascarell, Melanie Lane, Ohad Naharin, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Karine Ponties, Robert Binet, Ihsan Rustem. Luke joined Sydney Dance Company in 2019 and made his choreographic debut in New Breed 2022.
WHO'S WHO IN THE COMPANY
MORGAN HURRELL, Born and raised in Mudgee NSW, Morgan began her early training at age two and attended Dance Unlimited until 2019. Focusing on her passion for contemporary dance, at age 17 Morgan had numerous offers for fulltime placements. She accepted an offer to attend National College of Dance in Newcastle where she completed her Diploma of Dance. In 2021 Morgan moved to Sydney to study an Advanced Diploma of Dance with Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year. She joined Sydney Dance Company as a Trainee at the end of 2021, supported by The Wales Family, and her first onstage performance with the Company was in Jacopo Grabar’s work Stereotipo for New Breed 2021.
NGAERE JENKINS, born in Aotearoa/New Zealand, is of Te Arawa and Ngāti Kahungunu descent. She trained at the New Zealand School of Dance, graduating in 2018. During her studies, she worked with influential mentors including James O’Hara, Victoria (Tor) Colombus, Taiaroa Royal, and Tanemahuta Gray. She performed works by Damien Jalet, Huang Yi, Sarah Foster-Sproull, Malia Johnston, and Gabby Thomas. Ngaere represented the school as a guest artist in Tahiti at the Académie de Danse Annie FAYN fifth International Dance Festival and Singapore Ballet Academy’s 60th Anniversary Gala. From 2019 to 2023, Ngaere worked fulltime with The New Zealand Dance Company performing in Matariki for Tamariki (Sean MacDonald); This Fragile Planet (Nina Nawalowalo, Tom McCrory & Ross McCormack), What They Said (Jo Lloyd), If Never Was Now (Stephanie Lake), Sigan (Kim Jae Duk), The Fibonacci (Tor Colombus), Uku (Eddie Elliott) and Stage of Being (Xin Ji & Tupua Tigafua). She has had the privilege of performing in Mana Wahine by Ōkāreka Dance Company, working with Atamira Dance Company and being immersed in rich movement amongst the dance community of Aotearoa. In 2023, Ngaere was the recipient of the Bill Sheats Dance Award. Ngaere joined Sydney Dance Company in October 2023, debuting in the tenth anniversary season of New Breed 2023.
SOPHIE JONES grew up in Angourie NSW and trained with Adele Lewis School of Dance. At the age of 14 she moved to Burleigh Heads, Queensland to begin full time ballet training and further her studies with Prudence Bowen Atelier. After extensive years of training she received a traineeship with The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago where she worked with numerous choreographers and performed Etudes by Harald Lander, and George Balanchine’s Serenade. After discovering an interest in contemporary dance, Sophie completed her diploma and advanced diploma with Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year in 2020 and 2021. During this time she had the opportunity to perform works by Holly Doyle, Omer BackleyAstrachan, Jessica Goodfellow, and Rafael Bonachela. Sophie joined Sydney Dance Company as a Trainee in January 2022, supported by the David and Fee Hancock Foundation.
WHO'S WHO IN THE COMPANY
NAIARA DE MATOS was born in Salvador, Brazil. In 2007, she began full time training with the Bolshoi Ballet School in Joinville (Brazil). Following her graduation in 2011, Naiara began working in the Young Company of Bolshoi Ballet Brazil until she was offered a position with the Salzburg Landestheater in 2013. Throughout her career Naiara has joined companies such as Leipzig Ballet (as a soloist), Konzert Theater Bern, Augsburg Ballet, and Dance Company St. Gallen. She has performed a variety of classical and modern repertoire including a number of soloist and principal roles, both in Europe and further abroad. Naiara has worked with internationally renowned choreographers such as Ohad Naharin, Johan Inger, Uwe Scholz, Nadav Zelner, Martin Zimmermann, Dimo Milev, Alba Castillo, Giovanni Insaudo, Mauro Astolfi, Francesca Frassinelli, and more. Naiara joined Sydney Dance Company in 2023.
CONNOR MCMAHON began training at Planetdance in Sydney, Australia, and continued his contemporary dance training at Ev & Bow, receiving his Diploma of Dance in 2021. During his final year, Connor made his musical theatre debut as Baby John in Opera Australia/GWB Entertainment’s production of West Side Story in Perth, WA, which toured nationally. Since graduating, Connor has performed in Sydney Choreographic Centre’s production Galileo with Francesco Ventriglia. Connor joined Sydney Dance Company in July 2022.
RYAN PEARSON is of Biripi and Worimi descent on his mother’s side and Minang, Goreng and Balardung on his father’s side. He was born and raised in Taree, New South Wales. He began his dance training at NAISDA at age 16, after taking part in the NSW Public Schools’ Aboriginal Dance Company, facilitated by Bangarra’s Youth Program Team in 2012. During his time at NAISDA, Ryan learnt from a number of renowned teachers and choreographers. One of Ryan’s highlights during his training at NAISDA was attending a six-week Professional Division Summer Intensive at The Ailey School in New York City. He joined Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2017 as part of the Russell Page Graduate Program. Bennelong in 2017 was his debut season with Bangarra and has since performed the past seven years throughout Australia and Internationally with the company lead by renowned storytellers Stephen Page and Frances Rings. Ryan was nominated in the 2020 Australian Dance Awards for Most Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer for his performance in Jiri Kylian’s Stamping Ground (2019 Production, 30 years of sixty-five thousand). In 2023, Ryan presented his first choreographic work, 5 Minute Call, as part of Dance Clan.
PIRAN SCOTT, born in Mackay, Australia, trained under Lynette Denny AM at Theatre Arts Mackay. He then completed the Professional Year program with the Queensland Ballet, before joining the company as a full member in 2010, under the artistic direction of Francois Klaus. In 2013, Piran received a soloist position with the Leipzig Ballet in Germany, under Mario Schroeder. He then became a soloist with the Ballet Theater Basel in Switzerland, directed by Richard Wherlock, followed by successful seasons with the Dance Company St. Gallen under Kinsun Chan, where he was awarded Dancer of the Year 2022 in “tanz” magazine Europe. Piran has been a professional dancer for over ten years, performing numerous classical and contemporary works. Piran joined Sydney Dance Company in 2023.
WHO'S WHO IN THE COMPANY
EMILY SEYMOUR, Sydney born, began her training in all styles of dance at All Starz Performing Arts Studio and later studied full-time ballet at Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy. In 2016, Emily was a member of Houston Ballet II for two years, following a year as an Apprentice with Houston Ballet Company. While in Houston, Emily performed in works by Stanton Welch, Alexander Ekman, John Neumeier, George Balanchine, and many more. Emily joined West Australian Ballet as a Young Artist for one year before joining Sydney Dance Company in 2018. Emily’s first performance with the Company was at the Théâtre National De Chaillot in Paris, followed by Sydney Dance Company’s European Spring Tour. Since joining the Company, Emily has performed in Rafael Bonachela’s ab [intra], Frame of Mind, and Lux Tenebris; Melanie Lane’s WOOF; and Gabrielle Nankivell’s Wildebeest and Neon Aether.
MIA THOMPSON was born in Queensland Australia and started her dance training at the age of four with the Yvonne Brittain Dance Academy. Mia started full time training at the Queensland Dance School of Excellence and graduated in 2009. She went on to join Queensland Ballet’s Pre-Professional year in 2010 where she performed alongside the company in many productions. In 2011, Mia joined West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). During her time at WAAPA Mia had the opportunity of performing for the Queen of England at the 2011 Commonwealth heads of government meeting. Mia also performed in two international festivals and alongside the West Australian Ballet in her time at WAAPA. After completing two years at WAAPA Mia accepted a job with Queensland Ballet under the directorship of Li Cunxin. Some career highlights during her time at Queensland Ballet include Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet, Nils Christe’s Short Dialogues (performed at the International Dance Salad Festival in Houston), and George Balanchine’s Serenade. After three years with Queensland Ballet Mia joined Scottish Ballet as an artist in 2016 and was promoted to First Artist in 2018. Some or her highlights include Crystal Pite’s Emergence, Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Le Baiser de la Fée (performed on the Royal Opera House stage), and the role of the Sugarplum in Peter Darrel’s The Nutcracker. Mia joined Sydney Dance Company in January 2019.
WHO'S WHO IN THE COMPANY
COCO WOOD, born in Ballarat, Victoria, started training at the Kerry Moore School of Ballet. In 2015, she was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School where she won the Contemporary Dance Award for her graduation year. While at VCASS she performed in many works, notably Tim Harbours’s contemporary work Romeo and Juliet and Jonathon Taylor’s Summers End. At the end of year 12 she auditioned and was accepted straight into third year of the Bachelor (Hons) Degree at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in London. After graduation she joined the Sydney Dance Company’s Pre Professional Year engaging in works by Holly Doyle, Jessica Goodfellow, Omer Backley-Astrachan, and Rafael Bonachela’s Six Breaths. In 2021, she joined the Company as Trainee and performed in New Breed 2021. In 2022, Coco performed in Rafael Bonachela’s ab [intra], during the much-anticipated French International Tour. She has since performed in Rafael Bonachela’s Impermanence, Stephanie Lake’s The Universe is Here, Rafael Bonachela’s Ocho, and Antony Hamilton’s Forever & Ever.
CHLOE YOUNG graduated from Queensland National Ballet’s Advanced Diploma in Elite Performance in 2016. Chloe performed with Queensland National Ballet School as Alice in Alice in Wonderland, a soloist in Mulan, and Phyrgia in Spartacus, as well as a special guest at the Alana Haines Australian Awards (2017) and the Press Freedom Dinner (2017). In 2017, Chloe graduated from Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year and joined the Company as Trainee in 2018. Chloe’s first onstage performance with the Company was in Rafael Bonachela’s award winning works Frame Of Mind and Lux Tenebris during the Company’s South America Tour to Chile and Colombia in 2018. She has since performed in Rafael Bonachela’s Cinco, ab [intra], and Impermanence, as well as Gabrielle Nankivell’s Wildebeest, Antony Hamilton’s Forever & Ever, and Melanie Lane’s WOOF.
