Queensland Ballet unveils its Spirited Company for 2023
Queensland Ballet will take on a spirited 2023 season with an established ensemble of dancers seeing very little outgoing movement within the upper ranks of the Company and some very exciting dancers joining the Company’s Artist and Young Artists ranks.
Queensland Ballet’s Artistic Director, Li Cunxin AO said he is excited to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and growth within the company.
“I’m very proud to see our Company standard consistently getting higher and higher and I’m pleased to be able to confidently promote within our Company, Jette Parker Young Artist and training programs,” Mr Li said.
2022 saw six promotions, with Mia Heathcote and Patricio Revé to Principal Artists, Chiara Gonzalez and Laura Tosar to Soloists and Libby-Rose Niederer and D’Arcy Brazier to First Company Artists.
“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the progression of these dancers as they take the next step in their careers. They have all demonstrated they are ready for the advancement and responsibility it involves.
“I couldn’t be happier to announce that six of our 2022 Jette Parker Young Artists are being promoted to Company Artists in 2023, I congratulate Joshua Ostermann, Edison Manuel, Frederick Montgomery, Luca Armstrong, Jessica Stratton-Smith and Amber Mitchell-Knight. Leisel Rose a 2021 Pre-Professional Program graduate will also become a company artist.
Queensland Ballet Academy Director Christian Tàtchev said that Queensland Ballet had been spoilt for choice this year with the majority of the 2023 Jette Parker Young Artists graduating from the Queensland Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Program, another feather in the Academy’s bow.
“I’m so pleased that 10 of our Jette Parker Young Artists in 2023 are Pre-Professional Program graduates including Joseph Moss, Josh Fagan, Sean Ferenczi, Taron Geyl, Alisa Pukkinen, Eliza Wenham, Hana Nonaka Aillon, Indi Drew, Mia Zanardo and Shanti Barlow,” Mr Tàtchev said.
“Many of these dancers have been training under our mentorship from a young age, so it’s delightful seeing them secure contracts with the Company.”
Externally, Queensland Ballet is bringing in two Australian Ballet School graduates, Tom Umseher and James McDonell as Jette Parker Young Artists in 2023.
“As we welcome new dancers to our family, we inevitably farewell some of our Company Artists. This year we say goodbye to Samuel Packer, Edward Pope, Hayley Thompson, Keigo Muto and Francisco Gomes. We greatly value their time at Queensland Ballet and know they will go on to do great things no matter where they end up,” Mr Li said.
Also leaving Queensland Ballet in 2022 is First Company Artist Zhi Fang.
“Zhi Fang announced his retirement following the Manon season. After nine years with the Company, Zhi has chosen to pursue a teaching career and has opened his own dance school. We are very pleased that even though he is leaving the stage, Zhi will continue to share the magic of ballet with aspiring young dancers.
2023 promises to be a spirited year for Queensland Ballet with rich storytelling, from literature-driven world premieres, magical classics steeped in history, and incredible blockbusters, to astounding works that will captivate, entertain, and challenge audience perceptions of dance.
“Our first production of the year will be Liam Scarlett’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream which we will tour to our regional audiences across Queensland, including to the Gold Coast’s HOTA (Home of The Arts) stage.
“Don’t miss your chance to see this spirited season, featuring works from some of the best choreographers in the world, performed right here in Queensland by the world-class Queensland Ballet.”
