Graduate story: Samantha Wong

Samantha Wong experienced many “incredible” and memorable moments during her full-time studies, both in class and on stage. One of her best memories is of featuring in an SBS documentary series called Pandemicland on "The Feed" program. “Over the course of 10 months filming, we captured the hard work, focus, determination and resilience that goes into training as a pre-professional ballet student aspiring to become a professional dancer, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she explains.

Wong’s aim in her studies was always to become a professional ballerina. Under the guidance of her teachers Hilary Kaplan and Archibald McKenzie, she received holistic training, not only focusing on technique, musicality and artistry but also preparing for a career in the performing arts industry. She learnt from industry professionals including Adrian Burnett, Cass Mortimer Eipper, Penny Martin and Catherine Goss.

While training in England, she has had the privilege of collaborating with many renowned teachers and choreographers including Mark Baldwin, Morgann Runacre-Temple and Jordan James Bridge.

“I believe all these invaluable experiences have exposed me to all the different styles of dance in the industry and have further enhanced my versatility as a dancer by encouraging me to explore different movement patterns and my own choreographic ability. While my passion for a career as a ballerina, gracing the stages with timeless classics like Nutcracker and Swan Lake remains, I am equally as interested and excited at the prospect of being a part of a Wayne McGregor creation or even directing my own choreography on stage one day.”