The Australian Ballet is entering a new era of artistic strength, announcing the appointment of ten exceptional dancers across multiple ranks. Curated by Artistic Director David Hallberg, the new cohort blends rising Australian talent, standout graduates from The Australian Ballet School, and internationally acclaimed artists joining from major companies abroad. Several dancers have already graced the stage in productions such as Manon, Prism and The Sleeping Beauty, with more set to make their Sydney debuts before year’s end — and the remainder joining in early 2026.
The Company’s longstanding partnership with The Australian Ballet School continues to shape its artistic future, with four graduates officially joining the Corps de Ballet in 2026: Natalie Henry (JPN), Bronte Mollison (CBR), Estelle Crompton-Lamb (SYD), and Stephanie McQuire (SYD). These artists have already worked closely with the Company through secondments and work placements, reflecting the seamless pipeline between the two institutions.
They are joined by returning Australian dancers Isabella Howard (QLD) and LilySophia Dashwood (QLD), along with Japanese artist Nanami Inoue (JPN) — each bringing international training and experience back to Australia’s national ballet company.
Three accomplished international dancers will also join the Company across upper ranks:
Precious Adams (USA) – Named Senior Artist for 2026, Adams arrives from English National Ballet, where she has performed more than 750 times since 2014. Celebrated for both her artistry and advocacy, she was listed among BBC 100 Women in 2019.
Marko Juusela (FIN) – Joining as Soloist, the Vaganova Academy graduate has performed with the Mariinsky Theatre and most recently as Soloist with Polish National Ballet.
Damen Axtens (NZ) – Appointed Coryphée, Axtens brings a rich résumé spanning Birmingham Royal Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet and Paris Opera Ballet. A former student of The Australian Ballet School and the Royal Ballet School, he has recently performed with the Company in Prism and Manon.
With these appointments, The Australian Ballet — now comprising 78 full-time dancers from ten countries — upholds one of the highest percentages of company dancers from an associated school anywhere in the world.
“I’m thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of artists into the Company as we bring our 2025 season to a close and look ahead to 2026,” said Artistic Director David Hallberg. “The calibre of talent speaks to the strength of our artistic community both here in Australia and abroad.”
“It’s deeply rewarding to see graduates from The Australian Ballet School step seamlessly into company life alongside experienced international artists. Together, they will help shape the next chapter of the Company and continue to inspire and captivate audiences,” Hallberg added.
Sydney audiences will soon see several of these newly announced dancers perform when David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty opens from 21 November to 17 December 2025, ahead of the Company’s highly anticipated 2026 season.
For more information on upcoming 2025 and 2026 performances visit:https://australianballet.com.au
