AUSTI. Company ARTISTS 2024
Courtney allerton
Courtney is a Wollongong-based artist working with companies AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre, Legs On The Wall, and Bonnie Curtis Projects. Born and raised in Sydney’s inner west, she started her formative training at Mary Geer Academy of Dance. She went on to train at the Academy of Performing Arts (AMPA) with renowned choreographers such as Kay Armstrong, Emma Saunders, and Lee-Anne Litton, and has attended workshops at Catapult Choreographic Hub under the direction of Omer Backley-Astrachan and Tra Mi Dinh. Courtney performed in the Florence Dance Festival with Francesca Gozdek and in the Sydney Fringe and Pact Festival in works by Lucky Lartey in 2022. Having completed a Bachelor of Dance at AMPA, Courtney is furthering her education, studying for a Masters of Secondary Teaching in Dance at Excelsia College.
Elizabeth apter
Elizabeth was raised in the Illawarra where she completed her formative dance training at Evolve Performance Studios. She has trained prolifically in an array of styles. Elizabeth took advantage of every high school dance opportunity, leading her to become a featured dancer in Schools Spectacular, the Southern Stars Arena Spectacular and a member of the ISER Touring Ensemble and the NSW Public Schools State Dance Ensemble. She has worked with a range of acclaimed choreographers, including Angela Hamilton, Evie Morris and Hofesh Shechter Company. As a second year company member of AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre, she has discovered a passion for contemporary dance, cultivating her deep connection with the arts and a love for creating, expressing and moving others through dance.
Tara Gilmour
Tara began her dance journey in her home town of Nowra on the South Coast of New South Wales at South Coast Institute of Performing Arts under the direction of Nirvana James Ricci. Tara trained in various styles from a young age, including ballet, contemporary, tap and jazz. In 2023 she joined AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre as a company artist, working with choreographers such as Timothy Farrar, LeeAnne Litton and Raul Pita Caballero. She was fortunate enough to tour with AUSTI. to Canberra for ‘Meet Up’ facilitated by QL2 and Brisbane to join Australian Dance Collectives youth season ‘Echo’. Tara is excited to work with AUSTI. in 2024 as a second year company artist.
Jenaya gladman
Jenaya grew up in the Sutherland Shire, training since age 4 in a variety of styles at Dance Kinetic School of Performing Arts. Here, she gained skills in both technical dance performance and choreography, and found her passion for contemporary dance and its ability to express ideas through movement. Jenaya successfully completed HSC Dance in 2023, receiving 3x Callback nominations for her core performance, core composition and major study performance. Joining AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre as a 2024 company artist, Jenaya aims to further her love of performing and expand her versatility through exploring different styles of contemporary dance.
fiona Larkin
Fiona is a Sydney based dance artist, living, and working on Gadigal land. Fiona completed a Bachelor of Dance Performance at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA). During this time, she was given her first choreographic opportunity, creating ‘Weathered Heart’, a contemporary piece exploring the physiological implications of Broken Heart Syndrome. Since graduating, Fiona has continued training with AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre, immersing herself in national dance opportunities and the choreographic process of various industry professionals including Timothy Farrar, LeeAnne Litton and Raul Pita Caballero. Fiona has also enjoyed partaking in Sydney-based and international projects including ‘Partita’ (Genevieve Morris) with Dancing Under the Influence (DUTI) and ‘Train Escape’ (Francesca Gozdek) with Interchange Dance Projects. Returning to AUSTI., Fiona aims to expand her creative capacity, exploring new ideas and different movement styles.
Freya Locke Paterson
Growing up dancing, Freya has both a passion and appreciation for the arts. She trained under a variety of styles, with a special fondness of ballet and contemporary and training up to Advanced 2 of the Royal Academy of Dance, under the guidance of exceptional teachers. One of Freya’s favourite artistic memories include dancing in the Premier State Ballet’s production of Sleeping Beauty. She loves learning and gaining inspiration from her peers; dance is not just a passion but a journey of self-expression. Freya believes that you only have the ability to reach your full potential when you're comfortable and confident in yourself.
Bella Lopes de Oliveira
Bella is an Australian/ Brazilian dancer, raised in the Illawarra. She is currently a second year company member with AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre, under the direction of Michelle Maxwell. A passion for classical dance led Bella to study ballet full time at Classical Ballet 121(Sydney) with Gillian Revie (former Royal Ballet soloist). During her time at Classical Ballet B121, Bella competed in two choreographic competitions winning first place in both with a mark of 100 and completed a Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance). From 2021-2022 Bella trained internationally at The European School of Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada before returning home in search of contemporary pathways. Since performing with AUSTI, Bella has worked with notable choreographers including Timothy Farrar, Raul Pita and Bonnie Curtis, performed in ‘Constant’ and ‘uNCOILEd eXposed’ seasons and toured to Canberra and Brisbane.
Sugar MacGillivray
Sugar discovered her love of dance at a young age in her hometown of Ocean Grove, Victoria. In 2017, Sugar commenced her formative ballet training with the Queensland Ballet Academy Senior Program. She then fostered her love of ballet through six years of full-time pre-professional training at South Melbourne’s Ballet Theatre Australia, under the direction of Leeanne Rutherford, Oleg Timursin and Ben Davis. In addition to classical training during this time, Sugar performed contemporary works by Samantha Hines, Ashley Mclellan and Louise Deleur, developing a strong passion for creating expressive storytelling through abstract movement. Sugar seeks to further explore the realms of contemporary dance as she joins AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre as a company member in 2024.
Hannah Mourin
Sydney-based dance artist Hannah has training in various genres and disciplines. Hannah’s formative training occurred at Harbour Performing Arts Centre in Coffs Harbour, where she completed RAD ballet exams up to Advanced 2 and developed her love for contemporary dance. She recently completed a Bachelor of Dance degree under Dr. Maya Gavish at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts, collaborating with renowned choreographers such as Raul Tameź. She also choreographed 'Shallow Pockets,' featured as part of AMPA’s 2023 mid-year show 'IN FLUX', which received high acclaim. Hannah is passionate about discovering the limits of the body and how much it can truly convey.
Sophie Richards
Sophie was born and is based in the Illawarra region, where in 2023 she completed her high school studies at Wollongong High School for the Performing Arts (WHSPA) Sophie was granted the opportunity to choreograph on year 9 students at WHSPA showcase concluding the 2023 season, creating her work 'Footprint'. Sophie's love for contemporary dance continues to grow as she develops her style as a 2nd year company member for AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre and recently completed. During her apprenticeship with AUSTI. in 2023 she worked alongside choreographer Timothy Farrar, Lee Anne Litton in the production of 'Constant', as well as the creation of ‘uNCOILEd eXposed’ working with Jessica Hewett and Buddy Malbasias. She is also a recent graduate of the Ev&Bow Youth Company program.
Lia Zeng
Lia was born in Wuhan, China where she began her dance training at a young age in Chinese classical. In 2022, Lia moved to Sydney to study Contemporary Dance at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts, where she is in her final year of a bachelor’s degree in dance. She has worked with a range of artists such as Raul Tamez, Omer Backley-Astrachan, Mareeeina Tamayo, Victor Zarallo, LeeAnne Litton and Anton Projects. Moreover, she had lead roles in works by Raul Tamez, Omer Backley-Astrachan and Michelle Maxwell. Lia is a passionate dance educator and professional dancer. In 2018, Lia trained at American Dance Festival at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and worked with choreographer Blakele McGuire. In 2015, Lia founded her own dance school which mainly engages in pre-professional training of contemporary, ballet, and Chinese dance.
Photos: Children Of The Revolution