An artist living in Naarm (Melbourne)

Frances Rings is a descendant of the Mirning Tribe from the
west coast of South Australia. She became Artistic Director
of Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2023 and serves as Co-CEO
alongside Louise Ingram.

Frances made her mainstage choreographic debut with Bangarra in
2002 with Rations from Walkabout, receiving outstanding critical
acclaim. Since then, she has created nine works for the company:
Bush (2003, co-choreographed with Stephen Page), Unaipon
(2004), X300 (2007), Artefact (2010), Terrain (2012), Sheoak
(2015), SandSong (2021, co-choreographed with Stephen Page),
Yuldea (2023), and Illume (2025).

Her choreographic work extends across the industry, with
commissions for West Australian Ballet, Leigh Warren & Dancers,
and Tasdance. Internationally, Frances has forged significant
intercultural collaborations with Kaha:wi Dance Theatre in Six
Nations, Turtle Island (Canada), and Atamira Dance Company
in Auckland, Aotearoa (New Zealand). She was a guest
collaborator and performer in Atamira’s 2015 production
MITIMITI, choreographed by Jack Gray, and in 2018 created
a new work for Kotahi, Atamira’s triple bill program.
From 2016 to 2019, Frances was Head of Creative Studies at
NAISDA Dance College, where she directed five end-of-year
productions. She then served as Associate Artistic Director at
Bangarra Dance Theatre from 2019 to 2022.

Frances Rings has received numerous major awards throughout
her career, recognising her exceptional contributions to Australian
dance and choreography.

Katie Sfetkidis

Courtney is a proud Ballardong Noongar woman from Perth, Western Australia. Her passion for dance began in childhood in Port Hedland, Western Australia. She trained in Queensland Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program before joining West Australian Ballet in 2016. Courtney became a company dancer with Bangarra in 2019. Career highlights include touring Spirit in Canada, SandSong in New Zealand (2023), and every Return to Country trip. She has especially loved contributing to the creative process of Illume. 

Byron J Scullin

Kallum is a proud Wiradjuri and Darkinjung man and a dynamic force who joined Bangarra in 2019 through the Russell Page Graduate Program. Career highlights are performing the Kapi Spirit duo in Yuldea and connecting with communities on tour. Kallum eagerly showcases his mesmerising movement and storytelling and proudly presents his culture onstage, leaving an unforgettable mark. Kallum made his choreographic debut in Dance Clan in 2024 with his work Metamorphosis.

He/They

Waters is a proud Wonnarua woman from the Hunter Valley. Her passion for culture and theatre led her to NAISDA Dance College, graduating in 2016 with the Chairman’s Award, followed by Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year in 2017. She joined Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2019 and has since toured nationally and internationally. Performance highlights include ERTH INC Liminal Hour, Bangarra’s An Act of Being, Red Mallee, Kulka, The Light Inside, and works with Jannawi Dance Clan, Karul Projects, and Vicki Van Hout. Return to Country trips are among her unforgettable experiences.

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Jye was born on Awabakal Country (New Lambton Heights) and raised on Worimi Country (Raymond Terrace) a short drive away from the sand dunes and saltwater. Since graduating from NAISDA in 2017, he has worked as an independent artist working with many influential dance makers including Raymond D Blanco, Sani Ray Townson, Vicki Van Hout, Tairoa Royal, Jack Gray and Dance Makers Collective. 

Denni Francisco

Maddison is a proud Wiradjuri woman with connections to the Bundjalung people, born and raised on Dharug Country, and also of Polish descent. A graduate of Newtown High School of the Performing Arts and NAISDA Dance College, she was a member of the NSW Department of Education Aboriginal Dance Company for five years. Maddison joined Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2021 through the Russell Page Graduate Program. A career highlight was performing Oil from Terrain in 2023.

Chandler Connell

Daniel is a proud Gomeroi mari from northern NSW and Tongan from Ma’ufanga, Tongatapu. A multidisciplinary artist, he expresses his cultural connection through dance, poetry, film, and painting. A NAISDA graduate, he joined Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2021 as a Russell Page Graduate. Daniel has performed in SandSong, Terrain, Yuldea, and Horizon, earning acclaim for his role in The Light Inside (2024). He made his choreographic and directorial debut in Dance Clan (2024) with his film Brown Boys.

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Emily is a proud Wiradjuri woman from Forbes, NSW, also of Irish, English, and French descent. A NAISDA graduate, she joined Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2021. Emily has performed with Opera Australia, Phunktional Arts, Catapult Choreographic Hub, Jannawi Dance Clan, and was a First Nations Intern at Lucy Guerin Inc. Her debut choreographic work, Bulnuruwanha, premiered at the Sydney Opera House in 2022. Emily’s practice blends contemporary dance with cultural storytelling and a deep connection to Country.

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James is a proud Aboriginal man with connections to the Kunja, Kooma, and Muruwari peoples of South West Queensland. He studied at NAISDA, completing an Advanced Diploma in Dance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in 2022. James has performed with NT Dance Company and Moogahlin Performing Arts. He joined Bangarra in 2022 through the Russell Page Graduate Program. A career highlight was returning SandSong to Country and performing for the community.

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Chantelle is a proud descendant of the Dharawal and Gadigal. She began dancing at local schools before relocating to Salzburg, Austria in 2017 to study at the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance (SEAD), completing a four-year intensive program and earning a Fine Arts degree in Dance. Chantelle joined Bangarra in 2022. Career highlights include performing in the iconic Terrain and participating in all Return to Country tours, which hold deep cultural and personal significance. 

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Amber is a proud Wiradjuri and Ngemba woman from Dubbo and Brewarrina. At age 14, she was a participant in one of the first Bangarra Rekindling programs in Dubbo. Amber studied at NAISDA before completing a Diploma of Dance at Ev & Bow Training Centre. In 2022, she joined the Youth Program team as the Russell Page Youth Programs trainee. In 2023, Amber joined the dance ensemble as a Russell Page Graduate Recipient and is now in her fourth year as a company dancer. 

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Donta is a descendant of the South Sea Islands with Ambrym Island connections on his mother’s side. His father’s side comes from a Sri Lankan background, and is of Dutch descent (Burghers). Donta was born in the Turrbal region, however, was raised on Darumbal land in Central Queensland. Donta joined Bangarra in 2024 as a Russell Page Graduate. Donta is excited to further develop his artistry through Bangarra, and to share his proud culture with audiences all over Australia. 

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Zeak is a proud South Sea Islander and Yuwibara man from Mackay, who began dancing at age 12, training in Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, and Ballet. He furthered his training at the National College of Dance, earning a Diploma in Elite Performance. Career highlights include dancing at Disneyland Paris, performing as a soloist at the Moulin Rouge and founding the Contemporary Ballet Youth Company Z in North Queensland. Zeak joined Bangarra in 2025. 

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Edan is a proud Gomeroi man from North-West NSW, beginning his dance journey at age seven, learning Traditional Aboriginal dance from his Elders on Country. He trained professionally at NAISDA Dance College, graduating in 2019. Edan has worked with and been mentored by leading companies and creatives, including Jacob Boehme, Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra, Marrugeku, Opera Australia, Brown’s Mart Theatre, NT Dance Company, Circa, The Dreaming Project, KARUL Projects, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Canada

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Tamara is a proud descendant of the Biripi Peoples and a contemporary dance artist working across dance, theatre, circus, and film. She began dancing at age five, and holds a BFA (Dance) from the Victorian College of the Arts. Her credits include Sydney Dance Company, Dancenorth Australia, Karul Projects, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Manifest, and touring with Legs On The Wall’s THAW. Passionate about inter-disciplinary collaboration, Tamara joined Bangarra in 2025 to deepen connection and share story. 

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Roxie is a proud Biripi and Worimi woman from the Mid North Coast of NSW, raised on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. She began dancing at age five, training at Tanya Pearson Academy and Brent Street, later completing two Pre-Professional Years with Sydney Dance Company. Career highlights include Horizon with Bangarra, an invitation from Nederlands Dans Theater, Australia’s Got Talent, and The Nutcracker with Sydney City Youth Ballet. In 2025, Roxie joined Bangarra through the Russell Page Graduate Program.

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Eli is a proud Arabana and Gurindji man from Alice Springs Northern Territory, who left his hometown for Sydney at the age of 16 to pursue training in the performing arts. He completed his Cert IV in dance whilst finishing his high school studies with Brent Street Academy. Recent appearances include performing in West Side Story with Opera Australia, appearing on The Masked Singer in 2023 and performing alongside Courtney Act in the World Pride Opening Ceremony. He joined Bangarra in 2025 as part of the Russell Page Graduate Program.

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Maddison is a proud Palyku and Yindjibarndi woman from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She grew up on Wajuk Land in Perth and now calls Darkinjung Land on the Central Coast of New South Wales home. Maddison is a graduate of NAISDA Dance College, where she completed her Advanced Diploma and developed her passion for storytelling through movement. Maddison joined Bangarra as a guest artist in 2025 for their premiere season of Illume at the Sydney Opera House. Most recently, Maddison performed with Peta Strachan & Jannawi Dance Clan in Garrigarrang Badu as part of Sydney Festival 2025.