Qld Ballet moves, steps and births
In a year which included the changing of leadership at the Queensland Ballet, there were few changes of company dancers during 2024, signalling a steady hand from Acting Artistic Director, Greg Horsman.
During her brief time as Artistic Director Leanne Benjamin announced the homecoming of Australian-born dancer Alison McWhinney as a Senior Soloist. She also promoted Alisa Pukkinen from Young Artist to Company Artist and brought in James Barton, from the Birmingham Royal Ballet, as Ballet Master.
Luke DiMattina moving up to First Company Artist.
After her success at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne competition, receiving the Rudolph Nureyev Foundation's Best Young Talent Award, Ruby Day joined Queensland Ballet in November as a Company Artist.
Joining the company on full company contracts in 2025 will be Ethan Mrmacovski, Taron Geyl and Joseph Moss. All three have come from the Company’s talent springboard Jette Parker Young Artists program. Alfie Shacklock is also staying on, as is Sean Ferenczi.
The Jette Parker Young Artists for 2025 are Annie Chen (from the Australian Ballet School), Declan Daines (ABS), Jai Fauchon (ABS), Moeki Kojima (Qld Ballet Academy), Georgia Lorange, Seth Marshall (2nd year Jette Parker Young Artists), Levi Miller (ABS), Mia Paske (QBA), Francesca Poi (ABS), Eli Southurst (QBA), Brooke Tarry (QBA) and Telia Townsend (QBA).
Levi was selected to perform with Australian Ballet for the Melbourne season of Christopher Wheeldon’s ‘Oscar’, and of course Eli will be a familiar face to anyone who saw Cinderella or Papillon.
Former Principal Artist, Joel Woellner secured an international contract with Ballet Zurich and departed the company in August. His final performance was Coppelia in June.
After several years managing a back injury, First Company Artist David Power made the difficult decision to retire from professional dancing. He moved into a new position with the company as the Jette Parker Ballet Associate.
"There is never a right time for a dancer to step away from their dream, but I feel so supported and empowered to take this opportunity. Ballet has given me a lifetime of memories and connections that I will cherish forever.
First Company Artist Liam Geck also retired from dancing and has move to the Hunter Valley to begin training as a sommelier.
Company Artist Mali Comlekci is departing to explore new styles and repertoire. He’ll be joining another renowned Australian dance company in the new year.
And Jette Parker Young Artist, Joshua Douglas, has a contract with Royal New Zealand Ballet.
2025 was a year of new life too! Principal Artist Yanela Pinera returned from maternity leave after the birth of her daughter, Lucia. She and husband Camillo Ramos (Coordinator of the Pre-professional Program at QBA) couldn’t be happier as parents. Soloist Lina Kim departed for maternity leave during the year after welcoming her second child into the world. And Principal Artist Lucy Green is expecting her first born with husband and former Queensland Ballet dancer Samuel Packer.
It officially brings the number of mothers from the dancing contingent to four.
As the year draws to a close, Queensland Ballet is currently in discussions with candidates for the role of Artistic Director, drawn from inner circles.
See here for news of the Qld Ballet's 2025 season.