Introducing Joel
Born in Sydney, Joel started dancing at the age of 7 at Ettingshausens Dynamic Arts. He then studied at the Ben Stevenson Academy in Houston for 2 years. After graduating, Joel was offered a position at the Houston Ballet before coming back home and becoming a Company Dancer with Queensland Ballet in 2015. In 2017 he was promoted to Soloist, and then to Senior Soloist in 2018.
Repertoire Highlights
- Oberon in Liam Scarlett’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Principal in Rhapsody in Blue in Derek Deane’s Strictly Gershwin
- Bluebird in Greg Horsman’s The Sleeping Beauty
- Jiri Kylan’s Petite Morte and soldiers Mass
- Edward Liang’s Murmuration
- Harald Lander’s Etudes
- Ronald Hynd's The Merry Widow
- Prince in Ben Stevenson’s The Nutcracker
- Principal in Greg Horsman’s Verdi Variations
- Solar in Greg horseman’s La Bayadere
- Siegfried in Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake
- Liam Scarlett’s Firebird and Dangerous Liaisons
Professional accolades
- Finalist of Youth America Grand Prix 2011
- Full scholarship to the Ben Stevenson Academy in Houston, Texas as part of the Houston Ballet 2 Company
- Graduated from the Ben Stevenson Academy with “Best Dancer” award
- Dual prize winner of the Prix de Lausanne
- Represented Houston Ballet at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Massachusetts
Did you know…
Initially, Joel wasn’t interested in taking up ballet. Drama, singing and jazz were the first classes he took when he expressed an interest in dance, until his mother convinced him to try ballet.
“Ballet is an artform first. It’s an expression of you. Protect your love for your artform and never stop trying to perfect what it is you can do.”
