Ty King-Wall appointed director of the Royal NZ Ballet

Ty King-Wall, a former principal dancer with the Australian Ballet, has been appointed Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB).

King-Wall is New Zealand born and bred. He trained at Tauranga’s Dance Education Centre and as a Junior Associate with the New Zealand School of Dance. King-Wall won the 2002 PACANZ National Young Performer Award before leaving Aotearoa New Zealand to study at the Australian Ballet School, where he graduated Dux with Honours.

He won the silver medal at the 2005 Asia Pacific International Ballet Competition, was accepted into the Australian Ballet in 2006, won the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award in 2010, and was promoted to Principal Artist with The Australian Ballet in 2013. He is married to Australian Ballet Principal Artist Amber Scott and they have two daughters. He retired in 2022 and is now on the AB's Board of Directors. 

"It is such an honour to be the next Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the company I grew up with and the company which first inspired me to become a dancer," King-Wall says. "I’ve always admired the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s ability to defy expectations, to create beyond what seemed possible through their tenacity and aroha for the art form. There is so much possibility in front of us, and the prospect of building towards this together with [Executive Director] Tobias [Perkins] is very exciting. I cannot wait to get into the studio and begin the mahi with the dancers, the artistic team, and the entire Royal New Zealand Ballet whānau. Ngā mihi nui kia koutou katoa.”

Currently a teacher at the Australian Ballet School and his own school, King-Wall has also taught for New Zealand School of Dance, National Theatre Ballet School, and the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Classical Studies/Psychology) through Massey University, and a Master of Arts and Cultural Management through the University of Melbourne, for which he conducted Minor Thesis research on the career demographics and retirement motivations of professional ballet dancers.

He steps into the role following the departure of Patricia Barker, who returned to her home in the US suddenly last year. Former Australian Ballet Artistic Director David McAllister has been holding the fort in the meantime. “Huge congratulations to Ty," he says. "He has always been a passionate New Zealander and a fantastic artist, teacher, and advocate for our artform. I am sure he will be a devoted and inspiring leader for the RNZB . . .”

King-Wall will move from Melbourne to Wellington and commence the role in mid-November.