The Australian Ballet
2025 Season
As we look ahead to an exciting 2025 season The Australian Ballet is delighted to announce the addition of three new dancers to the Corps de Ballet. These talented artists have been offered full time positions with the Company by Artistic Director David Hallberg and will commence their roles in preparation for the 2025 season.
Olivia Harris (NSW) and Matthew Paten (VIC) join from The Australian Ballet School, while Samuel Akins (USA) joins from the Paris Opera Ballet. These dancers will contribute to the Company’s continued growth, bringing both fresh Australian talent and valuable international experience.
Olivia Harris began her ballet training at the age of 13 and quickly focused on developing her skills in classical ballet. She joined The Australian Ballet School in 2022, where she trained in the graduate program and performed in several key ballet works. In 2024, Olivia had the opportunity to perform with The Australian Ballet in Études and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland©. She was awarded the Ballet Society NSW Friends Award, the Graeme Murphy AO Award for Contemporary Dance, and the Excellence Award during her time at the school.
Matthew Paten, born in Canberra, began his ballet training at 14 and moved to Melbourne in 2021 to train full-time at The Australian Ballet School. He was named School Captain and awarded a scholarship for his graduate year. Matthew performed with The Australian Ballet in the world premiere of Oscar by Christopher Wheeldon in both Sydney and Melbourne, marking his professional debut.
Samuel Akins, originally from Birmingham, Alabama, began his ballet training at a local ballet school before continuing his studies at the American Ballet Theatre and the School of American Ballet in New York City. His career has included performing with prestigious companies around the world, including the Paris Opera Ballet. Samuel has also spent time training with The Australian Ballet during previous visits to Melbourne, further deepening his connection with the Company.
The Australian Ballet Artistic Director, David Hallberg said: “It is always a pleasure to welcome new dancers to the Company. We are delighted to strengthen our Corps de Ballet with these three exceptional new members ahead of our 2025 season.”
“Both Olivia and Matthew are graduates of The Australian Ballet School, which continues to play a vital role in nurturing Australian talent. Samuel brings invaluable international experience, and we are excited to have him join us. I can’t wait to see how their artistry will flourish and inspire in the years ahead,” Hallberg added.
All three dancers will officially join the Company in preparation for the 2025 season, which promises a dynamic program featuring world premieres by renowned choreographers and timeless classics from the ballet repertoire.
Their debut with the Company will take place during the highly anticipated staging of Nijinsky at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre, running from 21 February to 1 March 2025.
About The Australian Ballet
The Australian Ballet has been inspiring audiences since 1962 and is Australia’s national ballet company. Enriched by our country’s most talented dancers, we tour far and wide each year and have reached acclaim at home and abroad for our uniquely Australian style, blending athleticism authenticity, and artistic warmth. Moving effortlessly between the great classical works and the best of contemporary dance, including new commissions by choreographers from around the world, The Australian Ballet offers the nation transformative experiences through the power of our performances.
The Australian Ballet presents performances each year in capital cities, regional venues and schools around the country. It is the resident ballet company of the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne. The Company regularly tours to major international cities and theatres. The Australian Ballet is based in Melbourne at The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre, which also accommodates The Australian Ballet School. It provides facilities and services to the school and the two institutions enjoy a close relationship, including collaboration on artistic projects such as our national tours.
The Company hosts annual Education and Outreach programs, including workshops for pre-school, primary and secondary students, creative residencies and performances for schools across the country. The Education and Outreach team deliver professional development designed for teachers and community leaders across Australia.
The online resource EduHub provides more information on the company’s productions, designed to enhance and support curricular outcomes. A not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee, The Australian Ballet is funded primarily through its own commercial and fundraising activities. It also receives funding from the Commonwealth, NSW and Victorian Governments, through Creative Australia.
The Australian Ballet’s wholly owned subsidiary, Orchestra Victoria, provides orchestral services for Opera Australia and Victorian Opera as well as for The Australian Ballet.
For more information visit https://australianballet.com.au/
