QL2 alumni are excelling as independent artists; in national and international companies and major independent projects; working as teachers and education officers for major dance companies; and extending into cross-artform work. Many have returned to QL2 for commissions and residencies. Perhaps the best measure of our success in activating young dance artists is the artistic success of our alumni as they continue their dance careers. Below is a sample of the many wonderful individuals who have been part of our ever expanding family.
Alana Stenning: AC Arts graduate. Independent dancer, teacher and choreographer. Dancer with Australian Dance Party and QL2 commissions.
Amanda Lee: NICA graduate. Circus artist.
Alexandra Barry Knox: Toured with Ballet Lab, ATYP with Meryl Tankard. Independent artist in SA.
Alison Tandy: BSc/BA at ANU and Københavns Universitet. Ambassador Teach For Australia.
Angela Goh: QUT graduate, independent artist touring internationally, Keir Scholarship nominee. Keir Choreographic Award Winner 2020 and multiple international awards, fellowships and scholarships.
Anthony DiPlacido: Trained at the Actors Centre, Sydney; now working as a professional actor (Rake, Underbelly).
Ashlee Bye: VCA graduate; independent choreographer and Menagerie collective Melbourne, Pilates instructor.
Bhenji Ra: WAAPA graduate; independent queer Australian-Filipino dance and visual artist.
Caitlin Comerford: QUT graduate, co-founder of Makeshift Dance Collective; director of Stompin Youth Dance.
Caroline Spry (Leena Wall): Runs ‘Fresh Funk’ dance program at Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
Chafia Brooks: QUT graduate, performer, choreographer and teacher.
Chatchanok (Much) Hemachandra: VCA graduate, Masters in London, independent artist in Thailand.
Chloe Chignell: VCA dance graduate, Dancehouse intern, DanceWEB Scholarship, Kier Scholarship nominee, performs in Europe.
Chrissie Norford: Graduate of QUT, working with Australian Theatre for Young People.
Daniel Riley: QUT graduate, Bangarra Dance Theatre dancer & choreographer, QL2 commissions, Producer Ilbjerri Theatre Co, Artistic Director Australian Dance Theatre.
Dean Cross: QUT graduate, Legs on the Wall Physical Theatre, Shaun Parker, Lucy Guerin Inc, Tasdance, QL2 commissions. Cross-media visual artist.
Deborah Robertson: WAAPA graduate, Education Officer at WA Ballet, independent choreographer, film-maker.
Eliza Sanders: NZSD graduate, independent choreographer NZ and Aust; Co-Director House of Sand.
Emma Batchelor: Award-winning author, freelance arts writer, arts advocate.
Harry Morrissey: WAAPA graduate, independent performance artist in Melbourne.
Jack Ziesing: WAAPA graduate, Expressions Dance Company (Brisbane) for 5 years, Stephanie Lake Company, QL2 commissions, Dancenorth, independent artist.
Jacqui Cornforth: Studied at NAISDA College, QUT graduate, Indigenous leader and educator with BlakDance.
Jake Kuzma: QUT graduate, freelance contemporary dancer in Australia, choreographic commission with QL2, teacher in China and now Canberra.
James Batchelor: VCA graduate. Major projects with Sue Healey, Chunky Move and Tasdance. Independent choreographer and filmmaker touring internationally, QL2 commissions.
James Shannon: VCA graduate, performed with Tasdance and Chunky Move.
Jamie Winbank: WAAPA graduate, now independent artist, project manager, teacher and SDC education team national tour teaching artist. QL2 commissions.
Jessica Ausserlechner: WAAPA graduate, danced overseas, teaching in Canberra, Program Coordinator at National Gallery of Australia.
Kath Duhigg: QUT graduate, Education Officer Siobhan Davies Dance (London), Education Officer SDC, Education Manager QLD Ballet.
Katherine Newnham: VCA graduate, Strange Fruit, Chunky Move, Circa.
Kathryn May: Graduated from Deakin University dance course, now independent dancemaker.
Laura Boynes: WAAPA graduate, company dancer with Buzz Dance Theatre, independent artist performing in dance projects in WA, VIC and ACT.
Lucy Sedlacek: WAAPA graduate, high school dance teacher.
Luke Currie-Richardson: Studied at NAISDA College, QUT graduate; Bangarra Dance Theatre company, now independent artist.
Mia Wasikowska: Internationally renowned actor: Alice in Wonderland, Jane Eyre, The Kids Are Alright.
Michelle Norris: BA International Relations (Mandarin) ANU, QL2 Board, yoga teacher.
Miriam Bond: VCA graduate; dance specialist teacher and independent artist in Alice Springs.
Moriya Rosenberg: VCA graduate. Journalist, movement teacher and peace activist in Israel.
Navinda (Lordfai) Vadtanakovint: VCA graduate. Independent choreographer, and teacher (Bangkok.)
Nerida Matthaei: QUT graduate, director Phluxus 2, QUT lecturer.
Paul Jackson: Studied at VCA, Deakin University graduate; independent creator in Melbourne.
Paul O’Keeffe: NICA; performer and trainer with Circus Oz; performer with Legs on the Wall, Circa.
Paul Zivkovich: QUT graduate; Australian Dance Theatre, Sydney Dance Company, US, UK, Europe including Rafael Bonachela, Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Punchdrunk. QL2 commissions.
Penny Chivas: WAAPA graduate, VCA graduate. Dance and improvisation, teaching and independent choreographer in UK, Canada, Europe, Iran.
Rebecca Frasca: Graduate of WAAPA graduate, Link Dance Company.
Reuben Ingall: ANU School of Music graduate, professional independent musician and composer.
Ryan Stone: WAAPA graduate, LINK dance company, Independent dancer, teacher and choreographer. Dancer with Australian Dance Party and QL2 commissions.
Sam Young-Wright: WAAPA graduate, Sydney Dance Company, Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company.
Samuel Maxted: WAAPA graduate; West Australian Ballet; TanzCompany Innsbruck.
Sara Black: VCA graduate, Australian and international artist, toured extensively with Chunky Move; Punchdrunk. Helpmann Award. QL2 commissions.
Sarah Kaur: Independent producer and video artist.
Stephen Gow: Hip hop dance performer with ‘Instant Bun’ and ‘Cypher’. QL2 Assistant to Artistic Director, dancer with Australian Dance Party and QL2 commissions.
Yarra Ileto: Company dancer with “T.H.E. Dance Company”, Singapore, now independent artist.
“As a young person investigating my potential as an artist, I was nurtured, encouraged and valued by QL2, enabling me to tackle the challenges in all aspects of my life with confidence. The guidance of the dedicated staff has enabled me to identify my strengths and weaknesses, and I feel empowered by their constant presence and support. I’m greatly inspired by their unflinching commitment to innovating, refining and promoting Australian arts and artists. They are constantly challenging the young people they work with to engage with complex ideas and take the initiative.”