Queensland Ballet's 2025 season opens with a surge of anticipation, as the company welcomes new Company Artist Ruby Day to the stage in Kenneth MacMillan's enduring masterpiece, Romeo & Juliet. Day’s arrival, following her notable success at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne, marks a significant moment for both the company and the young dancer.
At just 18 years old, Day's trajectory is a testament to exceptional talent and unwavering dedication. A native of Mount Gravatt East, she officially joined Queensland Ballet in November 2024, a direct result of her receipt of the Rudolph Nureyev Foundation's Best Young Talent Award at the prestigious Swiss competition. Her path through the Queensland Ballet Academy, progressing from the Associate Program directly to Company Artist, bypassing the Jette Parker Young Artist program, reflects a remarkable acceleration of her professional journey.
Day's transition from student to professional artist is viewed with both excitement and a sense of responsibility. "It has been exciting," she remarks, "In the Academy, we train so hard for this moment. And now, even to be able to step into those Company Artist change rooms is a sense of accomplishment. But also, it's a whole new chapter and there are so many more challenges ahead. I’m excited to continue working towards them."
Her debut season in 2024’s The Nutcracker provided a foundation for her burgeoning career, and now, she prepares for the iconic role in Romeo & Juliet. "Romeo & Juliet is definitely a bucket list ballet," Day states, acknowledging the technical and artistic demands of the production. "I think the choreography is so precise, and there are so many nuances to it. We're working with some incredible coaches and répétiteurs that are coming in to keep the ballet alive. It's very exciting."
Day's initial focus was not solely on ballet; her early training encompassed jazz, tap, and musical theatre. It was her focused engagement with ballet training and her acceptance into the Queensland Ballet Academy that solidified her passion. "It wasn't until I was a little bit older and I started working one-on-one with my ballet teacher and auditioned for Queensland Ballet Academy, that I fell in love with it. I don't come from a dancing family. I'm the first one," she notes.
Her success is attributed to her intrinsic drive and the mentorship she received at the Academy. "I'm very driven and motivated, so I think once I had the idea in my head that this was something that interested me and inspired me, it was always the goal I was striving for and working towards." She expresses deep gratitude to the Academy's faculty, particularly Paul Boyd, whose "wealth of knowledge and experience" significantly shaped her development.
The receipt of her company contract on her birthday was a moment of profound significance. "I had a little bit of a pinch-me moment when I received my letter of offer coincidentally on my birthday – you can’t really ask for a better birthday gift."
As Queensland Ballet commemorates its 65th anniversary, Day's inclusion in the company underscores its commitment to fostering emerging talent. Her acknowledgement of the support from her family, mentors, and Academy faculty, including Director Christian Tàtchev, reinforces the collaborative environment that nurtures artistic excellence.
Queensland Ballet’s anticipation for Day's contributions in the 2025 season and beyond is palpable. Her presence in Romeo & Juliet signifies not only her individual achievement but also the company’s dedication to presenting exceptional artists and timeless works to its audiences.