Somos 1 – 18 November Neilson Studio at Sydney Dance Company
6-16 DECEMBER CARRIAGEWORKS
FOUR CHOREOGRAPHERS. FOUR WORLD PREMIERES. 10 YEARS OF NEW BREED. NEW BREED PRINCIPAL PARTNER
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Sydney Dance Company is based in Walsh Bay Sydney and our Studios are situated on the lands and over the waters of the Gadigal of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of these lands and pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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Welcome Welcome to Somos – our second Sydney season of 2023 and our first ever season with our Company dancers in the Neilson Studio at our beautiful home in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. 2023 truly has been a year like no other. We premiered our first season, Ascent, in Canberra before bringing it to the Sydney Opera House as part of their milestone 50th anniversary celebrations. We then toured this electric triple bill to theatres around Australia, delighting audiences with three unique works by renowned choreographers – Antony Hamilton, Marina Mascarell and Rafael Bonachela. In September we took to the international stage for our European tour to Italy, Spain, Germany and The Netherlands, which included the international premiere of Rafael Bonachela’s critically acclaimed Impermanence with the Australian String Quartet. Critics and audiences alike were blown away by our virtuosic dancers, with standing ovations and incredible reviews. While the Company were overseas, they had the invaluable opportunity to rehearse at Teatros Del Canal’s Choreographic Centre in Madrid. It was here that Rafael was able to conclude the development of his world premiere, Somos. Somos features a cascade of intimate solos, duos and trios performed in the round in our intimate Neilson Studio to music by powerhouse Hispanic artists. Paying homage to Rafael’s cultural roots, the opportunity to delve deep into the choreographic process in his country of birth will enrich this beautiful and powerful new work with a distinct Spanish flavour. I am thrilled for you to experience the breathtaking artistry and physicality of our Company dancers closer than ever before. Bringing new works to the stage, across borders and while on tour, is an incredibly complex process driven by creativity, passion and astounding hard work. This unique season is only possible due to the leadership and dedication of the Sydney Dance Company Board and team,
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together with the generous support of our government, corporate and philanthropic partners. We thank Instituto Cervantes and the Embassy of Spain for their support of Somos and the Neilson Foundation for helping us bring to life our very own studio theatre that allows us to activate our wonderful home in the beautiful Walsh Bay Artis Precinct. Make sure to indulge in the full Spanish experience with our pop-up tapas bar, BAR BOCA, available in our Café Foyer for the duration of the season to enjoy before or after your performance of Somos. I would also like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the Australian Government delivered through Creative Australia and the NSW Government through Create NSW. With the unwavering commitment of all of our partners, supporters and those who have invested in our vision, we continue to be able to share the joy and inspiration of bringing the very best of contemporary dance to local, national and international audiences. Please join us in celebrating this season created by Rafael and performed by Australia’s most formidable artists. Lou Oppenheim Executive Director
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Somos Choreography
Rafael Bonachela
Lighting Design
Damien Cooper
Costume & Set Design
Kelsey Lee
Music
Piel – Arca Si Tú Supieras Compañero – Rosalía Gallo Rojo, Gallo Negro – Sílvia Pérez Cruz Volver, Volver – Buika Blancanieves – Saeta - Sílvia Pérez Cruz Piensa en Mi – Chavela Vargas Carabelas Nada – Sílvia Pérez Cruz BULERÍAS – ROSALÍA Loca – Sílvia Pérez Cruz Somos – Chavela Vargas De Plata – Rosalía Nina Simone: Ne me quitte pas – Estrella Morente Sound mixing and editing by Nick Wales.
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About Rafael Bonachela Rafael Bonachela is a Choreographer, Artistic Director and Curator whose career has seen him successfully span high art and popular culture, working across a range of art forms, including contemporary dance, art installations, pop concerts, musicals, film, commercials and fashion. Bonachela was born in La Garriga near Barcelona (1972) where he began his early dance training before moving to London to join the legendary Rambert Dance Company where he danced from 1992 to 2004. In 2008, Rafael premiered his first fulllength production 360° for Sydney Dance Company. Less than six months later he was appointed Artistic Director, making international headlines and heralding a new era in Australian contemporary dance. His vision for the Company embraces a guiding principle that sees commissioned dance works by Australian and International choreographers alongside his own critically acclaimed creations. In 2022, Cartier announced Rafael as a new Friend of the Maison. From his internationally recognised talent as both a dancer and choreographer, to his commitments supporting a new generation of emerging artists and choreographers, Bonachela embodies values cherished by Cartier: strength of character, virtuosity and the ability to find beauty wherever it may lie. Bonachela’s work is strong, sober and sharp. The exploration of pure movement is where he finds his unmistakable style. The result is an incandescent dance that springs from the power of movement, in which energy and muscle strength combine with a great emotional sensitivity. You can read more of Rafael’s biography here.
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A note from Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela Meaning ‘we are’ in Spanish, Somos is a work I always knew I would create. The opportunity to explore solos, duets and trios and dedicate a whole work to these smaller pairings in such an intimate setting is so precious to me. Performed so close you can see every breath, every muscle movement, every emotion. It’s this intensity of connection, collectiveness and communal experience that I hope will linger long after the lights are out. We are incredibly fortunate to have created Somos across Sydney and Madrid. Basing ourselves at Teatros Canal’s Choreographic Centre for two weeks allowed the Company dancers total immersion in Spanish culture. I can see it in the way they move and interact with one another in the space. Our time in Spain shaped the work in such a beautiful way. Working with Set & Costume Designer Kelsey Lee and Lighting Designer Damien Cooper has been nothing short of incredible. Our Neilson Studio has been transformed into such a powerful space, packed with detail and brought to life by the remarkable dancers.
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Somos is as much an auditory world as it is visual, with twelve songs from five iconic Hispanic artists that I’ve found myself returning to over and over again. Each imbued with different flavours and feelings, they are the canvas upon which I’ve choreographed this work. I’ve always wanted to create a full-length work to Spanish music. Leaving my country of birth at the age of eighteen, these songs represent the sounds of my childhood and the way in which I have continued to connect with my culture into adulthood. Somos is in many ways dedicated to these five artists and is my contemporary interpretation of what could be considered a traditional Spanish sound. As you’ll hear in the performance, my longtime collaborator Nick Wales has then knitted each song together, even including the hum straight from the streets of Madrid. My sincere thanks go to all who have worked on Somos, especially the dancers – who carried it with them across the globe and have brought so much of themselves to this very special work.
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The Music of Somos Somos features 12 songs from five exceptional Hispanic artists. See below a translated selection of the language that underpins this beautiful work.
Listen Now
You can listen to the playlist on Sydney Dance Company’s Spotify account.
Piel - Arca No sé caer Los árboles mueren de pie Quítame la piel de ayer No sé caerme
I know not how to fall Trees die as they stand Remove the skin that yesterday covered me I know not how to fall
De Plata - Rosalía Cuando yo me... Me muera Te pi’o un encargo Que con tus trenzas Que trenzas de tu pelo negro Me ‘marren mis manos
When I die I ask of you one thing That with your locks of jet black hair You bind my hands together
Loca - Silvia Perez Cruz Mis voces son aire, vuelan Mis días son tierra, pesan Mis lunas son soles, mientes Mis ojos son agua, fuentes
My words are like the air, they fly My days are like the earth, they are heavy For me the moon is the sun, you lie My eyes are like water, fountains
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Volver, volver - Buika Voy camino a la locura Y aunque todo me tortura Yo sé querer Nos dejamos hace tiempo Pero sé, llegó el momento De volver
I’m on my way to madness And although everything tortures me I know how to love. We broke up a long time ago But I know the time has come To go back
Somos - Chavela Vargas ¡Ay! Somos dos seres en uno Que amándose mueren Para guardar en secreto Lo mucho que quieren Pero, ¿qué importa la vida? Con esta separación Somos dos gotas de llanto En una canción
Ah! We are two people in one Who in loving each other Do everything they can to keep secret How much they love each other But, what does life matter! Apart like this we are two tear drops in a song.
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Kelsey Lee Costume & Design Biography Kelsey is a set, costume and lighting designer for theatre, dance and film. Kelsey’s recent projects include Lighting Designer for Mutiara (Marrugeku), Sex Magick (Griffin Theatre Company), Set & Lighting Designer for An Ox Stand On My Tongue (Belvoir 25a) and Associate Lighting Designer for Blue, At What Cost? (Belvoir St Theatre). Previously, as Set Designer: A Practical Guide To Self Defence; Nothing (NTofP); As Co-Lighting Designer: Whitefella Yella Tree (Griffin Theatre Company); As Lighting Designer: The Comedy Of Errors (Bell Shakespeare); A Room of One’s Own (Belvoir St Theatre); Queen Fatima (NTofP); April Aardvark (ATYP); As Co-Production Designer & Lighting Designer: Destroy, She Said (Belvoir 25a); As Lighting, Set & Costumes Designer: Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge; There’s a Sea In My Bedroom (ACO); Jali (Aya Productions, Griffin Theatre Company); Lulu: A Modern Sex Tragedy (NIDA). Her film credits include Production Assistant on Long Story Short (See Pictures) and was in the Set Dec Department for Shang Chi and The Legend of the 10 Rings (Marvel Studios). Note Somos is an experience quite unlike any other. I would say it is rare to find yourself sharing a space with 150 people and a Company of dancers less than 2-3 meters away from you. Here, the opportunity to have the audience and dancers as exposed and vulnerable as each other, an encompassing connection between all bodies in the space. A reflection. Knowing this, I endeavoured to design a space that allowed for being hidden and revealed, intimate yet also isolated. Damien Cooper’s lighting design allows this, and sculpts the dancers and the space intrinsically. Raf, Damien and I wanted to
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“transform” the space, knowing it had to be something that audiences had never seen before, or more importantly, felt, in a space like the Neilson Studio. The costumes embrace the idea of identity, which is something so important to Raf and this piece. They reflect the notion of Somos meaning “we are”, each individual, each bespoke to the dancer, designed intricately with minute detailing, but altogether forming a collection. They are sensual, textural, to be observed up close. Raf has choreographed an exquisitely beautiful, raw and intimate work that will be a special one to experience.
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Photo By: 11 Greig Pedro
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Photo By: Pedro Greig
Damien Cooper Lighting Design Biography Damien Cooper works internationally across theatre, opera and dance. Damien’s dance credits for Sydney Dance Company include; Resound, ab [intra], Impermanence, Cinco, Ocho, Grand, Air and Other Invisible Forces and Orb. Other dance credits include; State (Western Australian Ballet), Of Earth and Sky (Bangarra), The Narrative of Nothing, Firebird and Swan Lake (Australian Ballet), Giselle (Universal Ballet), Birdbrain, Supernature, Habitus and Be Your Self (Australian Dance Theatre), The Frock (Ten Days on the Island Festival), Affinity (Tas Dance), Mortal Engine (Chunky Move) and Grey Rhino (Performing Lines). Other Theatre credits include Counting & Cracking (Edinburgh International Festival/ Belvoir), Mark Colvin’s Kidney, The Great Fire, Radiance, The Glass Menagerie, Coranderrk, Miss Julie, Stories I Want to Tell You in Person, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Peter Pan, Private Lives, Conversation Piece, Strange Interlude, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, Neighbourhood Watch, The Seagull, Gethsemane, Keating!, Toy Symphony, Peribanez, Stuff Happens, The Chairs, The Spook, In Our Name, The Underpants and The Ham Funeral (Belvoir); Disgraced, Orlando, Arcadia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Golden Age, Suddenly Last Summer, The Women of Troy, The Lost Echo, Riflemind and Tot Mom (Sydney Theatre Company); Macbeth and The Tempest (Bell Shakespeare); The Ring Cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen, Aida and Cosi Fan Tutte (Opera Australia); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Houston Grand Opera, Canadian Opera, Lyric Opera Chicago); and The Magic Flute (Lyric Opera Chicago).
Note I’ve done many shows for Sydney Dance Company, all in huge venues, in many places throughout the world. None of these till now have had the intimacy that Somos will bring. You will be less than three metres away from the stage, less than three metres away from the dancers. The stage design by Kelsey Lee frames the dancers, hides and reveals them. Rafael’s choice of music, his choreography and the decision to rehearse in Spain. Mmmmm. We have brought all the power of a main stage show and compressed it into this intimate space. Get ready, this is going to be hot!
For lighting design, Damien has won three Sydney Theatre Awards, four Green Room Awards, and two Australian Production Design Guild Awards.
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Photo By: Pedro Greig
Dancers Lucy Angel Born and raised in Wollongong, NSW, Lucy began her training at Joanne Grace School of Dance at age eight before completing her Certificate IV in dance at the Royal Academy of Dance at age 15. Lucy joined The Sarasota Ballet in Florida, USA as a trainee for their 2018-2019 season. At the end of 2019, she performed in The International Divertissement Ballet Gala with Projection Dance, as well as being a finalist in The Brisbane International Contemporary Dance Prix. Lucy joined Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year in 2021 where she performed works by James Bachelor, Cloe Fournier, Stephanie Lake and Rafael Bonachela. Lucy commenced her traineeship with Sydney Dance Company at the end of 2022, premiering with the Company in Rafael Bonachela’s ab [intra] at DanceX.
Naiara de Matos 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. Dean Elliott Dean began his dance training in Auckland, New Zealand at age 17. In 2018, he graduated from Ev and Bow Full-time Dance Training Centre in Sydney. During his time there, he worked with many Australian dance professionals and performed in works by choreographers Larissa McGowan, Anton, Robbie Curtis and Adam Blanch. In 2018, Dean appeared as a special guest artist in the Sydney City Youth Ballet’s Australian Tour of Together Live, performing in Lucas Jervies’ PowerHouse. Dean played the role of Young Brett Whitely in Theatre of Image’s Brett and Wendy… A Love Story Bound by Art directed by Kim Carpenter and choreographed by Lucas Jervies. Dean joined Sydney Dance Company in 2019.
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Dancers Riley Fitzgerald Riley 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 6 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 makes his return to Sydney Dance Company in 2023. Liam Green Having grown up in Perth, Liam 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.
Madeline Harms Born and raised in Mount Gambier, South Australia, Madeline Harms received her early training at Maryke Dance Academy before completing her high school education at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School in Melbourne. In 2012 she received her Bachelor of Dance at the Codarts University for the Arts, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and then went on to base herself in Europe for a further 10 years. Earlier in her career Madeline performed with Dantzaz Konpainia (Spain) with choreographers Itzik Galili and Jacopo Godani, and worked in the Netherlands as an independent dancer. In 2017, Madeline became a member of tanzmainz, the dance company of Staatstheater Mainz, Germany, under the direction of Honne Dohrmann. During this time she worked closely in creations with a variety of choreographers and toured extensively throughout Europe and abroad. Madeline joined Sydney Dance Company in 2023.
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Dancers Luke Hayward Luke was born in Alice Springs and received his early training at Central Dance Theatre and Alice Springs Gymnastics before moving to Sydney to train at Tanya Pearson’s Classical Coaching Academy and Studio Tibor. He then furthered his studies in Germany by completing a Bachelor of Dance at Palucca Hochschule für Tanz Dresden. While there, Luke interned at Yuval Pick’s National Choreographic Center De Rillieux-la-Pape and Elena Tupyseva’s Balet Moskva. Upon graduating with Honours, he received the Ingrid-Biedenkopf-Stipendium and accepted a contract with Theater Balet Moskva in Moscow, where he joined their Ballet troupe and Contemporary troupe as a Soloist for the 2016/17 Season. Luke joined Sydney Dance Company in 2019 and has worked with an extensive array of choreographers including Rafael Bonachela, Gabrielle Nankivell, Melanie Lane, Gideon Obarzanek and Ohad Naharin. Morgan Hurrell Born and raised in Mudgee NSW, Morgan began her early training at age 2 and attended Dance Unlimited until 2019. Focusing on her passion for contemporary dance, at age 17 Morgan had numerous offers for full-time 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.
Sophie Jones Sophie 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 Backley-Astrachan, Jessica Goodfellow and Rafael Bonachela. Sophie joined Sydney Dance Company as a Trainee in January 2022, supported by the David and Fee Hancock Foundation.
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Dancers Connor McMahon Connor 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.
Jesse Scales Born in Hobart, Jesse is from Adelaide where they trained with Terry Simpson and received the RAD Solo Seal. They received full scholarships to study with Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York and Nederlands Dans Theatre in The Hague and went on to major in classical ballet at the New Zealand School of Dance. Since joining Sydney Dance Company in 2012, Jesse performed a feature role in the Australian premiere of William Forsythe’s Quintett for which they were awarded the 2015 Green Room Award for ‘Best Female Dancer’ and a nomination for the 2015 Helpmann Award for ‘Best Female Dancer’. Jesse made their choreographic debut in Sydney Dance Company’s 2016 New Breed season, and choreographed Inertia in New Breed 2020. In 2017, the Dance Australia Critics’ Choice Survey named Jesse as ‘Most Outstanding Dancer’. Piran Scott Born in Mackay, Australia, Piran 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 10 years, performing numerous classical and contemporary works. Piran joined Sydney Dance Company in 2023.
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Dancers Emily Seymour Sydney born, Emily Seymour 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. Coco Wood Born in Ballarat, Victoria, Coco started training at the Kerry Moore School of Ballet. In 2015 she was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School in Melbourne where she performed in many works, notably Tim Harbour’s contemporary work Romeo and Juliet and Jonathon Taylor’s Summer’s End. At the end of her schooling, Coco was accepted into third year of the Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in London. In 2020, Coco was accepted into Sydney Dance Company’s PreProfessional Year program, where she engaged in works by Holly Doyle, Jessica Goodfellow, Omer Backley-Astrachan and Rafael Bonachela. In 2021, Coco performed in Rhiannon Newton’s The Gift of a Warning for New Breed and joined Sydney Dance Company as a Trainee in 2022, supported by The Wales Family.
Chloe Young Chloe 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 and Ever and Melanie Lane’s WOOF.
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Dancers
Photo By: 21 Greig Pedro
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Richard Cilli Richard Cilli, Rehearsal Director Born in Boorloo (Perth), Richard Cilli trained at WAAPA and Taipei National University of the Arts before joining Sydney Dance Company in 2009. His international performing career has seen him work with a range of choreographers including Rafael Bonachela, Lloyd Newson, Stephanie Lake, Anouk van Dijk, Jacopo Godani, Lucy Guerin, Gideon Obarzanek, Alexander Ekman, Adam Linder, Emanuel Gat and Kenneth Kvarnström. Richard has danced with Sydney Dance Company, Rambert, Chunky Move, Australasian Dance Collective, Dancenorth, Lucy Guerin Inc. and K.Kvarnström & Co (Sweden). In 2010 he was awarded the Helpmann for Best Male Dancer for his performance in Rafael Bonachela’s we unfold, and in 2012 won the Australian Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Ballet Competition. As a choreographer he has created work for Sydney Dance Company, The Australian Ballet, Pre-Professional Year, LINK Dance Company and WAAPA, as well as various independently produced works. A certified Countertechnique teacher, Richard has taught at institutions around Australia and the world, including the 2019 One Body, One Career intensive in Montreal, Canada. Richard assumed the role of Rehearsal Director at Sydney Dance Company in 2021. Since then he has worked on Impermanence national tour, Bonachela’s dance film Years, New Breed 2021 & 2022, Ohad Naharin’s Decadance, the French tour of ab [intra], and 2022’s triple bill Resound.
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Charmene Yap Charmene Yap, Rehearsal Associate Charmene Yap is a multi-awardwinning dancer, rehearsal director and choreographer. She is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and Purchase College New York. In her early career, Charmene was a recipient of an Australian Council Skills and Development Grant and nominee of the prestigious Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative Award. Prior to her decade of performing with Sydney Dance Company, Charmene danced for companies Chunky Move, Tasdance, Dancenorth, Lucy Guerin Inc., Armitage Gone! Dance Company and worked with numerous choreographers including Tanja Liedtke and Antony Hamilton. She has featured in films including Think Of Yourself As Plural by David Rosetzky, Del Kathryn Barton’s Red, and Katie Noonan’s music video Quicksand. Charmene joined Sydney Dance Company as a dancer in 2010, performing the majority of works by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, and other Australian and international choreographers including William Forsythe, Alexander Ekman and Stephanie Lake. She has won numerous awards including the Helpmann Award for Best Female Dancer in 2012, the Australian Dance Award in 2013 for 2 One Another, and the Helpmann Award for Best Female Dancer in 2014 for 2 in D Minor. As a choreographer, Charmene has created for stage, short films, music clips and fashion shows. This includes Grey Rhino with co-choreographer Cass Mortimer Eipper, which premiered in Sydney Festival 2022, and works performed by Sydney Dance Company and Co3 Company. She was choreographer/movement director for Belvoir’s new work Tell Me I’m Here, and assistant choreographer for Gideon Obarzanek’s Us 50 which celebrated Sydney Dance Company’s 50th Anniversary.
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In September 2019, Charmene commenced her role as Sydney Dance Company’s inaugural Rehearsal Associate, supported by the Nelson Meers Foundation and Sydney Dance Company’s Dancers’ Circle, working with the company’s artistic and education departments. In 2022, Charmene choreographed a new work Drunk Tank Pink for Sydney Dance Company’s annual New Breed season co-presented with Carriageworks and supported by The Balnaves Foundation.
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Join Us This Season in Taking a Seat Immerse yourself in the experience of dance by becoming an integral part of Sydney Dance Company’s legacy. Secure your very own named seat within the newly established Neilson Studio at The Wharf. By making a tax-deductible contribution of $5,000 you a leaving an enduring impact while commemorating your involvement with a personalized engraved plaque adorning your selected seat for the upcoming decade. Embrace this chance to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Sydney Dance Company.
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20 PAIRS OF HANDS, ONE HANDCRAFTED PIANO I place my name upon this piano with pride and honour... as my personal expression of supreme commitment to the art of the piano.
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Staff Board of Directors
Management
Emma-Jane Newton (Chair) David Baxby Prof Larissa Behrendt AO Jillian Broadbent AC David Friedlander Emma Gray Alexa Haslingden Mark Hassell Catriona Mordant AM Sandra McCullagh Paris Neilson Bianca Spender
Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela
Learning Administrator Eugenie English
Executive Director Lou Oppenheim
Head of Training Linda Gamblin
Executive Assistant Amy Burrows
Pre-Professional Year Course Coordinator Tobiah Booth-Remmers
International Patron Dame Darcey Bussell DBE Founding Patron Dancers’ Circle Julian Knights AO Ambassadors Judy Crawford Bee Wood Jules Maxwell Dance Noir Committee Co-Chairs: Mandy Foley Peter Reeve Committee Sally Burleigh, Jane Clifford, Debbie Coffey, Georgie Fergusson, Alexa Haslingden, Stephen Thatcher, Michelle Walsh.
Producer Dominic Chang Associate Producer - Ensemble Kerry Thampapillai Associate Producer - Wharf Michael Sieders Chief Financial Officer Sean Radcliffe Accountant Melissa Sim Payroll Assistant Carina Mision Director Training and Education Polly Brett Head of Open Programs & Learning Samantha Dashwood Dance Class Manager Ramon Doringo Learning Manager Justine Turner Learning Coordinator Jacqueline Cooper
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Training Associate Juliette Barton Conditioning Studio Manager Felicity McGee Customer Service Assistant Jack Calver Director Philanthropy and Partnerships Alan Watt Head of Philanthropy Michelle Boyle Philanthropy Manager Lachlan Bell Trusts and Foundations Manager Madeleine White Philanthropy Coordinator Emma Langfield Head of CRM and Business Intelligence Louise Davidson Ticketing Specialist John Calvi
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The Company Marketing Manager Natalie Zagaglia
Rehearsal Director Richard Cilli
Marketing and Communications Coordinators Vivienne Crowle Laurance Corbett
Rehearsal Associate Charmene Yap
Company and Resident Stage Manager Simon Turner
Dancers Lucy Angel Naiara de Matos Dean Elliott Riley Fitzgerald Liam Green Madeline Harms Luke Hayward Morgan Hurrell Sophie Jones Connor McMahon Jesse Scales Piran Scott Emily Seymour Chloe Young Coco Wood
Production Coordinator Tony McCoy
Head Physiotherapist Ashlea-Mary Cohen
Head of Wardrobe Annie Robinson
Company Doctor Dr. Michael Berger
Head of Media Communications Alexandra Barlow Resident Multimedia Artist Pedro Greig Technical Director Guy Harding
Sports Doctor Dr. James Lawrence Company Teachers Emily Amisano Anton Sara Black Holly Doyle Cathie Goss Samantha Hines Billy Keohavong Chloe Leong Iohna Mercer Rhiannon Newton
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NSW Government
If you would like more information about joining our family, please contact our Philanthropy Team on 02 9258 4882 or email philanthropy@ sydneydancecompany.com
The Neilson Foundation The Wales Family Jane & Andrew Clifford Catriona Mordant AM & Simon Mordant AO The late Carla Zampatti AC
Platinum Partners A special thank you to our Platinum Partners for their enduring commitment and passion for Sydney Dance Company. Robert Albert AO & Elizabeth Albert The Balnaves Foundation Jane & Andrew Clifford Crown Resorts Foundation Julian Knights AO & Lizanne Knights Jules Maxwell Andrew Messenger Naomi Milgrom AC Naomi Milgrom Foundation The Neilson Foundation Judith Neilson AM Packer Family Foundation Gretel Packer AM Thyne Reid Foundation The Wales Family Foundation Carla Zampatti Foundation Mary Zuber ______________________________ Visionary Patron Brett Clegg
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Brett Clegg & Annabel Hepworth Julian Knights AO & Lizanne Knights Pam & Doug Bartlett Kiera Grant & Mark Tallis The Alexandra & Lloyd Martin Family Foundation Karen Moses Emma-Jane Newton & Chris Paxton Thyne Reid Foundation Mary Zuber Paul Brady & Christine Yip Alexa & David Haslingden Jane & Richard Freudenstein Mark Hassell The late Carina Martin In memory of Nora McCullagh David Mathlin Ezekiel Solomon AM Judi Wolf & Alden Toevs Rafael Bonachela & Joe Lawler Michelle & Logan Boyle Jillian Broadbent AC & Olev Rahn Peter & Liz Brownie Tony Burke & the late Janice Burke Benjamin Cisterne Debbie Coffey
Alexandra Considine Jade & Richard Coppleson Chum Darvall AM Anne Dunn & Patricia Buick Donna & Carl Jackson Tina & Mark Johnson Longreach Ownership Trust Michael Lynch & the late Chrissy Sharp Macquarie Group Foundation Rohan Morris Lizzi Nicoll Nick Read Peter Reeve & Jaycen Fletcher Leslie Stern Victoria Taylor Susan Wynne Take a Seat Robert & Libby Albert David Baxby Selina Baxby Jillian Broadbent AC Todd Buncombe Livinia Clegg Janine Collins Desmon Du Plessis & David Jonas Anne Dunn & Patricia Buick Deborah & David Friedlander Margaret Gibbs Andy Grant Poppy Mallett In memory of Nola McCullagh Karen Moses Paris Neilson India Neville Lizzi Nicoll Emma-Jane Newton Chris Paxton Tim Rahn Nick Read Victoria & Peter Shorthouse Catherine Smithson Ruth & Bruce Smithson Noel Staunton In loving memory of Ian Wallace
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Dancers’ Circle To celebrate our milestone 50th anniversary in 2019, we were proud to establish the Dancers’ Circle, which directly supports the growth and development of our ensemble of dancers, enabling pathways for their time with the Company and beyond. Patron: Julian Knights AO Hayley & James Baillie Brett Clegg & Annabel Hepworth Manuela Darling Deborah & David Friedlander Paula & Damien Cronin Margaret Gibbs Andrew & Emma Gray The Hansen Family Julian Knights AO & Lizanne Knights Roslyn Packer AC In memory of Nola McCullagh Rachel & Neil Sinden Pip & Dick Smith Foundation Mary Zuber 2023 Early Careers Artists The Wales Family Foundation 2023 Company Traineeship The Wales Family Foundation ______________________________ 2023 Accessibility Partner JACE Foundation
Annual Partner Program Our annual Partner Program underpins all of our activities, enabling us to create, commission and share exceptional contemporary dance experiences with people of all ages, across Australia and around the world. Performance Partners ($20,000 - $50,000) Jillian Broadbent AC & Olev Rahn Andrew & Emma Gray Alexa & David Haslingden Susan Maple-Brown AM & the late Robert Maple-Brown AO Emma-Jane Newton & Chris Paxton Nelson Meers Foundation Ruth Ritchie Family Fund Studio Partners ($10,000+) Pam & Doug Bartlett John Barrer David & Selina Baxby Aniek Baten Paul Brady & Christine Yip Susie Dickson & the late Martin Dickson AM Helen Eager & Christopher Hodges Girgensohn Foundation Kay Freedman & the late Ian Wallace Kathryn Greiner AO John Griffiths & Beth Jackson In memory of Nola McCullagh Lou Oppenheim Rebel Penfold-Russell OAM Matt Shelmerdine Leslie Stern & John Head Victoria Taylor Alenka Tindale Barbara Wilby & Christopher Joyce Duet Partners ($5,000+) John Kaldor AO The Berg Family Foundation Jane Bridge Andrew Cameron AM & Cathy Cameron Ari & Lisa Droga
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Terri Hollings in memory of Erin Ostadal Linda Herd Denise Kirkpatrick David Mathlin & Camilla Drover Karen Moses Paris Neilson & Todd Buncombe Rachel Parratt & Brett Lunn Catherine Parr & Paul Hattaway peckvonhartel architects Dr Natalie E Pelham & Prof Carol Mills Greeba Pritchard Kellie & Warryn Robertson Stedmans CA Scala & DB Studdy Penelope Seidler AM Catherine Smithson Kathy White Adam Worling Public Relations Dance Partners ($2,000+) Phillip & Catherine Brenner Jacqui Burton Dr Michelle Deaker Suellen & Ron Enestrom Annalise Fairfax Bradford Gorman & Dean Fontana Cheryl Hatch Gabrielle Iwanow Aleksandra Jaksic Tina & Mark Johnson Desmon Du Plessis & the late David Jonas Elias & Jana Juanas Susan Perrin-Kirby Peter Reeve & Jaycen Fletcher Sarah Rennie Bernard Ryan & Michael Rowe Ezekiel Solomon AM Cheryl M Spoor Christine Thomson David Wayne Ray Wilson OAM Rehearsal Partners ($1,000+) Janet Abernethy & Richard Willis Michael Adena & Joanne Daly Anna Baillie-Karas Rob Coombe Susanne de Ferranti Tanya Diesel Helen Forrester Steve & Emma Fouracre Bunny Gardiner-Hill Belinda Gibson
Amber Gooley Anna & Richard Green Ben Harlow Hon Don Harwin Kaye Hocking Graham & Judy Hubbard Bernadette Walker & Allen Iu Lynton Jamieson Alicia K Kemp Robert Kidd Tanja Liedtke Endowment Royston Lim Susie Manfred & Hunter McPherson Kate Richardson & Chris Marrable Greg Peirce Marion Pascoe Dominique Robinson James Sharp & Karl May Dr Brindha Shivalingam Jann Skinner Mike Thompson Alan & Flavia Young Ensemble Partners ($250+) Andre & Daphne Alice Bedlington Sarah Brasch Dr Cynthia a Beckett & Gordon Smith Michelle Casey Stephen Chase & Colette Baini Richard Cobden SC Max Dingle OAM Rachael Haggett Josie Gurney Josephine Key & the late Ian Breden Doreen & Phillip Marsh Wouter Roesems Mark & Jennifer Royle Norman R Scott Cynthia Scott Stuart Thomas David Thomson OAM Sylvia Tooth Silke & Christian Zentner
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2023 Carla Zampatti Commissioning Fund With visionary support from the Carla Zampatti Foundation. Together with the generosity of the Neilson Foundation and 2023 Carla Zampatti Commissioning Fund supporters. Pam & Doug Bartlett Paul Brady & Christine Yip Jillian Broadbent AC & Olev Rahn Belinda Gibson Kathryn Greiner AO John Griffiths & Beth Jackson Alexa & David Haslingden Linda Herd Dr Kenneth Howison John Kaldor AO Alicia K Kemp Julian Knights AO & Lizanne Knights Macquarie Group Foundation David Mathlin & Camilla Drover Jules Maxwell In memory of Nola McCullagh Karen Moses Paris Neilson & Todd Buncombe Rebel Penfold-Russell OAM & Ian Low Ruth Ritchie Family Fund Penelope Seidler AM Matt Shelmerdine Stedmans Leslie Stern & John Head
Bequests The Estate of C.R. Adamson The Estate of Patricia Cameron-Stewart The Estate of Janet Fischer The Estate of Patricia Leehy The Estate of Carina Martin The Estate of Lorelle Thomson The Estate of Peggy Watson (Raczkowska) 2023 Pre-Professional Year Doug Hall Foundation Scholarship The Wales Family Scholarships Mary Zuber Scholarship The Hephzibah Artist Development Program _________________________ 2023 Training Associate Tim Fairfax AC __________________________ 2023 Training Administrator Tim Fairfax AC
_____________________________ 2023 Touring Fund John Barrer Jane Bridge Susie Dickson & the late Martin Dickson AM Bunny Gardiner-Hill Girgensohn Foundation Rick Gove Emma & Andrew Gray Kathryn Greiner AO Matt Shelmerdine Catherine Smithson Victoria Taylor Sylvia Tooth Kathy White Barbara Wilby & Christopher Joyce
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Our Partners Government Partners Sydney Dance Company is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
NEW BREED Principal Partner
Sydney Dance Company is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
Artistic Director’s Commissioning Partner (Forever & Ever) We thank the Naomi Milgrom Foundation for its support of our Forever & Ever Education Program, enabling school students to access transformative contemporary dance experiences.
Major Partners Artistic Director Partner
Major Partner
Trusts & Foundations
Government Supporters
Company Partners
Associate Partners
Supporters Committee for Sydney, Tattersalls Club, Stedmans, Samsonite, Heaps Normal
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Sydney Dance Company at the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct is a unique venue situated in the heart of one of Sydney’s most vibrant and active cultural hubs.
Our venue features a variety of dynamic waterfront spaces ideal for creative, social and business-related events. Visit our website or contact us to discuss your next function or event. sydneydancecompany.com events@sydneydancecompany.com +61 2 9258 4884
Dance Classes Join us for a dance class at Sydney Dance Company or online with a subscription to Classes On Demand. Over 75+ dance classes available each week. Photo by: Daniel Boud
Book now sydneydancecompany.com
sydneydancecompany.com @SydneyDanceCo #2023SDC