Company Artists | Melbourne | Victorian State Ballet

Anchor 3

The Company

Principal Artists | Senior Artists | Lead Soloists | Soloists

Demi-Soloists | Corps de Ballet | Emerging Artists

Apprentices | Trainees | Pre-Profesisonal Artists

Principal Artists

Elise May Watson-Lord

Victorian State Ballet gave me the chance to rediscover my love for ballet. Elise May has been contracted with VSB since they launched in 2015. With industry experience across a wide variety of different genres and plenty of life experience behind her Elise is a valuable artist and enjoys bringing her roles to life on stage. Working hard and developing over the years with the company performing great roles such as ‘Leading Wilis’ Giselle, ‘Girlfriends’ Don Quixote and ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’ Nutcracker Elise May progressed from Soloist to Senior Artist and recently promoted Principal Artist. Elise looks forward to continue growing throughout our exciting 2019 seasons.

Senior Artists

Cieren Edinger

Born in Victoria and raised in Perth, Cieren started dancing at the age of six with Kavanagh Irish Dancing Studio. Following six successive state champion titles Cieren turned his focus towards other dance styles. He joined the John Curtin Collage of the Arts dance program in 2012 during his tenth year of academic schooling. His full time classical training began in 2014 at the Terri Charlesworth Ballet Institute where his studies continued until 2017 when he joined the Victorian State Ballet as a company artist. His favourite roles include Basilio in Don Quixote, Lankendam in Le Corsaire, and the Prince in Victorian State Ballet's Snow White. Cieren was promoted to soloist in 2017.

Elise Jacques

Elise’s love of dance began at the age of 3 when she attended the Sharon Lawrence School of Dance. Although being trained in jazz, tap and ballet, by the age of 9 Elise felt her calling was classical ballet and she auditioned to attend the Australian Ballet School where she remained training in the Russian Vaganova method until she graduated at 18 years of age with a Bachelor of Classical Ballet. During her time at the Australian Ballet School she was awarded two scholarships of Excellency and toured Australia with The Australian Ballet Regional Tour. Some of the highlights of her dancing career were performing in The Australian Ballet’s Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake and Peter Wright’s Nutcracker. At 18 she travelled around Europe and upon her return she joined the Victoria State Ballet and was promoted to Soloist end 2017.

Alana Puddy

Senior Artist Alana Puddy was born in Melbourne, Australia and trained at the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet under Christine Walsh. In 2012 Alana was accepted into Queensland Ballet’s Professional Year under the direction of Francois Klaus and Robyn White, where she had the opportunity to perform in the company’s productions such as Don Quixote, Classical Celebrations and Sleeping Beauty. In 2013 Alana performed in Melbourne Dance Theatre’s Alice in Wonderland then joined Mystic Ballet II performing an expert of Lauren Edson's Sun and Steel at Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival, G.R.A.B season, The Nutcracker Spectacular at Foxwoods Casino and Snow White. She then returned home to join Victorian State Ballet performing soloist roles in productions such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Cinderella and Magic Toy Shop.

Lead Soloists

Sera Schuller

Sera Schuller commenced her training in Queensland at Suncoast City Performing Arts Centre. After receiving her Diploma in Dance Elite Performance, Sera was selected to compete in the 2013 Prix de Lausanne prestigious ballet competition in Switzerland. She returned to Australia to train at Suzanne Way Classical Coaching where she danced as one of the eight finalists in the Sydney McDonalds Ballet Scholarship. In August 2014 she accepted a Pre-Professional position at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto, Canada. After 2 years of Full-Time training in Canada Sera moved back to Australia and was offered an Apprenticeship position with the Victorian State Ballet. She has now been promoted to soloist and is in her third season with the company.

Mia Wallace

Mia Claire Wallace started her professional training at National College of Dance in NSW where she obtained her certificate 4 and diploma in dance elite performance while also receiving dux of her year. Shortly after graduation she moved to Cannes, France to further her ballet education at ESDC Rosella Hightower under the direction of Paola Cantalupo. Since finishing her training, Mia has worked with Alberta Ballet in Canada as a member of their second company and in 2016 accepted a position at Victorian State Ballet. Mia is now in her third season with the company as a soloist. Highlights with the Victorian State Ballet include the leading role of Cinderella, Big Swans in Swan

Lake, Summer Fairy in Cinderella, Snow White and Walking Doll in the Magic Toyshop.

Soloists

Janae Kerr

Janae was born in Perth WA and commenced her dance training from the early age of 18mths. She was accepted as an ITP student with the Australian Ballet School at the age of 10yrs. At the age of 14 Janae was accepted into the full time classical ballet program at the Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy where she moved to Sydney and trained for 3 yrs. Following a successful ballet tour to Europe / UK in 2017, Janae accepted an offer to train at the Hochschule Fur Musik Und Theater Ballett Akadamie in München Germany in 2018. Janae was awarded the BBM Youth Award which also enabled her to train in the UK whilst overseas. Janae’s performance highlights include Top 8 of the Senior Scholarship Section 400 at the Sydney Eisteddfod and performing Aurora Act 1 at the Opera House, the role of Clara in the Sydney City Youth Ballet Nutcracker 2015 & 2016 & performing the Les Sylphides Pas de deux in Together Live SCYB with SYO Philharmonic. In January 2019 Janae moved to Melbourne to commence her contract with the Victorian State Ballet.

Tynan Wood

Tynan was born in Newcastle and trained with the New Zealand School of Dance until his graduation in December 2014. In 2013, Tynan represented NZSD at the Assemble'e Internationale hosted by Canada National Ballet School, taking top honours at the Alana Haines Australasian Ballet Awards and appeared as a guest artist at Auckland's Tempo Dance Festival. Subsequently in 2014, Tynan was invited to join Sydney Dance Company for the Sydney season of Interplay. Following his graduation from NZSD, Tynan joined Royal New Zealand Ballet for the seasons of Don Quixote and Salute in 2015. He was further invited to perform with RNZB on their international tour of the United Kingdom and Italy. In 2016, Tynan joined Melbourne City Ballet as a Company Artist and was then promoted to Soloist in 2017 where he had great success in many lead roles including Romeo, Basilio and Dracula. Tynan joined VSB as company artist in July 2019 and looks forward to a wonderful future ahead.

Demi-Soloists

Henry Driver

Originally from Queensland, Henry moved to Melbourne to start his full-time training at The Australian Ballet School at age 14. Two years later, he moved back home to finish his education at the Queensland Dance School of Excellence, before moving to Sydney to train at the Tanya Pearson Academy under the direction of Lucinda Dunn OAM. After graduating, Henry danced with Melbourne City Ballet in their 2017 and 2018 seasons, touring extensively across the country. Joining Victorian State Ballet in early 2019, he has enjoyed performing rewarding and challenging roles such as Rothbart (Swan Lake) and Hilarion (Giselle).

Aimee Hodgkinson

Aimee Hodgkinson joined the Victorian State Ballet in 2017. Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, Aimee started her training at aged five and in 2013 she was accepted into the New Zealand School of Dance. She furthered her training in 2016 with the Anneliese Gilberd Academy. In 2017 Aimee debuted in the Victorian State Ballet’s The Magic Toyshop as the Cossack Doll and attained further roles such as, Odalisques in Le Corsaire’s Pas De Trois, and Cygnets from Swan Lake. Her repertoire also includes, Sir Kenneth Macmillan’s Concerto with the New Zealand School of Dance; Michelle Cassar De Sierra’s Cinderella, Snow White and The Nutcracker with the Victorian State Ballet.

Julia Pigou

New Zealand born, Julia completed her full-time training with Canterbury Ballet. In 2014 she competed with Canterbury Ballet on an international stage at the New Prague Dance Festival. The following year, she performed a variation from the Swan Lake Pas de Trois at the Alana Haines competition in Wellington; she also enjoyed performing on the Coca Cola Christmas in the Park outdoor stage, at the 298 charity gala event, and as a part of the annual Christchurch Body Festival. The highlight of her graduating year was a regional tour of New Zealand’s South Island with the Aotearoa National Youth Ballet’s production of La Bayadère, in which she had the pleasure of dancing the roles of Gamzatti and the Shades Pas de Trois. Julia joined the Victorian State Ballet in 2017.

Corps de Ballet

Jemma Braun

Born in Melbourne Victoria, Jemma starting training with The Australian Ballet School in level 1 at the age of 10 and graduated the School with a Graduate Diploma in Classical Ballet in 2020. Through her training Jemma was privileged to work with many renowned choreographers including David McAllister, Stephen Baynes and Paul Knobloch. In early 2020, Jemma travelled to Amsterdam to attend contemporary and classical classes with the European Ballet School and gained experience in a new environment, adapting to different techniques and movement qualities. Jemma is thrilled to begin as a company dancer with the Victorian State Ballet in 2021 and she is looking forward to performing on stage doing what she loves.

Harry Davis

Harry Davis was born in Melbourne and started ballet at age five at the National Theatre Ballet School. At age eleven he was accepted into The Victorian College of the Arts where during his time there achieved his Solo Seal in RAD, first prize in the Paul Hammond section and overall at Ballet Teachers Workshop and the silver medal at the Genée International Competition in Wellington, New Zealand. He then started at The Australian Ballet School at age 17, graduated two years later and moved to Brisbane to train at Queensland Ballet in their Pre-Professional Program. Following a successful year Harry accepted a Young Artist position with the company and danced in many acclaimed ballets such as Liam Scarlett’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and Derek Deane’s ‘Strictly Gershwin’. In 2017 Harry returned to Melbourne and joined The Victorian State Ballet.

Tristan Gross

Maggie de Koning

Maggie began her dance training at the age of six. At the age of ten she was accepted into level one at the Australian Ballet School, where she continued her dance training for the next 9 years. Whilst there, Maggie was given the opportunity to perform with the Australian Ballet Company in Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. After finishing her time at the Australian Ballet School, Maggie then joined the Victorian State Ballet pre-professional program and is now in the corps de ballet. Maggie is looking forward to performing with the company.

Samantha Mattner

Samantha is a dancer whose passion and talent lie within the realm of traditional classical, neoclassical and contemporary dancing. Known for her hard working and motivated attitude, alongside her positive and perky personality, she works well with others and always commits fully to whatever task she has before her. In 2017 she finished her degree at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts graduating with a Bachelor of Dance. Performing is always a highlight for Samantha in which she excels. Samantha successfully auditioned for the Victorian State Ballet Pre-Professional Program commencing 2018. She has been trained by and performed the choreography of the likes of Kim McCarthy, Paulina Quinteros, Andries Weidemann, Danielle Hunt, Terry Simpson, Aidan Munn and Oliver Toth. This is Samantha’s first year as an apprentice with the Company.

Charlie Morton

Began full time training at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School 2015 through to 2018, Queensland Ballet pre professional program 2019. Danced in Tim Harbour's Romeo and Juliet 2018 with the Victorian College of the Arts SS, Top Class performance for VCE & VET dance 2019, Synergy Queensland Ballet 2019, Kenneth Macmillan's Romeo and Juliet Queensland Ballet 2019.Charlie joined VSB in 2020 and is excited for his future ahead.

Rebecca Murray

Born in Brisbane Australia, Rebecca started ballet at the age of seven in Mosgiel, New Zealand. By the age of ten Rebecca was competing in competitions around New Zealand in a variety of dance genres. At age eighteen Rebecca moved to Brisbane to commence further study at the Queensland University of Technology. Here Rebecca studied contemporary dance as well as a range of other modern dance styles. In 2017 Rebecca graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Dance Performance endorsed with Distinction. In 2018 Rebecca joined VSB as a pre-professional artist and later joined the corps de ballet. Rebecca looks forward to the wonderful experiences VSB has to offer.

Benjamin Obst

Benjamin left home in Adelaide at 16 to train at The New Zealand School of Dance, which included a scholarship to Canada's National Ballet School. He went on to work dancing for The Royal New Zealand Ballet, Queensland Ballet, West Australian Ballet, and most recently The Australian Ballet.

Yuki Nishizawa

Joshua Steinke

Born and raised in country NSW, Joshua commenced dancing at age 11 with the Rosie O'Sullivan School of Dance. He then commenced his full-time training in 2018 at the National Theatre Ballet School, completing his Certificate VI in Dance and Elite Performance. While there, he danced many principal and soloiste roles, including the Nutracker Grand Pas de Deux and Giselle Peasant Pas de Deux, as well as the male duo from Christopher Wheeldon's 'Within the Golden Hour'. Following a successful year, he was awarded the Senior Scholarship perpetual trophy. In 2019, Joshua continued his training at the Perth School of Ballet, performing many more roles, most notably the Paquita Grand Pas de Deux. While training in Perth, he also performed in Perth City Ballet's 'The Sleeping Beauty' as Bluebird. Joshua has since joined the Victorian State Ballet, and looks forward to exciting opportunities with the company this year.

Lucinda Worthing-Shore

Lucinda began her dance training at her mother’s dance studio, Danae Cantwell School of Dance in Kempsey, New South Wales at the age of three until she commenced full time at the Tanya Pearson Academy under the direction of Lucinda Dunn OAM at the age of thirteen. Throughout her four years of full time, Lucinda achieved her RAD Solo Seal certification and Enrico Cecchetti Diploma A certification. She successfully became a finalist at the Genée International Ballet Competition and the Brisbane International Contemporary Prix, as well as a finalist and award recipient at the Lucie Saronova Awards. Lucinda also had the opportunity to work with a live orchestra with the Sydney Youth Ballet, performing Myrtha in Giselle act II and Paquita. She has also performed as Clara and various other roles in the Sydney Youth Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’. Lucinda moved to Victoria in March of 2020 to dance with the Victorian State Ballet.

Emerging Artists

Joelle Aeby

Lisa De Koning

Lisa started her dance training at the age of eight. At age thirteen Lisa was accepted with a full scholarship to the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. During this time Lisa was selected to perform at Top Class Dance after receiving top marks for her VCE dance solos. After graduating VCASS in 2013 she was accepted into the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Whilst at Joffrey Lisa was given the opportunity to learn and perform Joffrey classical repertoire from Joffrey company alumni. Lisa also performed in a Cunningham minevent and in Bill T. Jones’ ‘Power/ful.’ After graduating in 2016 Lisa performed with Ajkun Ballet Theatre. There she performed Carmen with the company and had a soloist role in ‘Brink’ by Ellen Sinopoli. In 2018 Lisa joined Victorian State Ballet as a pre-professional artist and is now an apprentice with VSB. Lisa looks forward to touring and performing with the company.

Courtney Taylor

Originally from New Zealand, Courtney started her dance training at Dance Education Centre at the age of 4, where she gained her Solo Seal in BBO. After studying Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Tap for many years she decided to pursue a career in Ballet. She then moved to Australia to study Fulltime at The Australian Conservatoire Of Ballet where she completed her Diploma of Dance. Courtney’s highlights have been winning the Legacy Trust Award, getting nominated for PACANZ and making it through as one of the 12 Semi Finalists in NZ. She went on to join the Victorian State Ballet in 2017.

Apprentices

Noah Esplana

Jordan Gault

Hannah Mancev

Born in Melbourne in 2001, Hannah has trained under the guidance of Michelle and Martin Sierra in the Vaganova method, from the age of two. In 2013, Hannah was accepted into Melbourne Dance Theatre’s ‘Extension Program’. The following year, she was offered a place at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School but elected to continue her Vaganova training and remain at MDT. In 2016, she auditioned successfully for VSB’s ‘Pre-Professional Program’ and in 2017, completed her first year of full time training in a company environment. Hannah graduated from the Pre-Professional Program in December 2018 and has been offered an apprentice position with the Company commencing 2019.

Sean Schilling

Trainees

Elizabeth Byrnes

Born in Tamworth, NSW， Elizabeth studied at the MacDonald College of Performing Arts in Sydney where she was a member of the Premier State Youth Ballet until graduation. She later completed her Diploma of Elite Performance at The National Theatre Ballet School in Melbourne under the directorship of Beverly Jane Fry in 2017. During this time she performed in classical works such as ‘La Sylphide’, ‘Mermaid’ and flamenco works such as ‘ ‘Deconstruction in 3 Parts’ by Alicia Frias. She continued her training at ‘The Classical Studio’ in 2018 before joining Victorian State Ballet as a pre-professional in 2019. This is her first year as a trainee with the company and is excited to continue growing with the company.