Sydney Dance Company is once again pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance with its renowned New Breed program.
Presented in collaboration with Carriageworks and supported by Principal Partner The Balnaves Foundation, the 2025 season promises innovation, artistry, and fresh perspectives. Set to run from 3–13 December 2025, this year’s New Breed features four bold world premieres by emerging choreographers Emma Fishwick, Ngaere Jenkins, Ryan Pearson, and Harrison Ritchie-Jones. With their unique approaches and inspired creativity, these rising stars are set to make an unforgettable impact.
A Platform for Emerging Talent
Now in its twelfth year, New Breed is a vital platform in Australia’s dance landscape, dedicated to championing early-career choreographers and their unique voices. More than just performances, the program provides a collaborative environment where emerging talent can create new works alongside Sydney Dance Company’s internationally acclaimed dancers. With 45 world premieres to its name, New Breed has cemented itself as a space for bold ideas to flourish, making powerful connections between movement and meaning.
Sydney Dance Company’s Artistic Director, Rafael Bonachela, expressed his excitement for the 2025 choreographers, stating, “New Breed is about bold creative strides, and this platform invites choreographers to explore new work with the full support of Sydney Dance Company’s Ensemble.” His vision highlights the program’s significance in nurturing experimentation and creativity, sustaining the growth of the dance industry as a whole.
Meet the Choreographers
This year’s New Breed celebrates the diversity of contemporary dance, with four choreographers who bring deeply personal perspectives to their artistry. Each voice is distinct, promising depth, innovation, and a compelling narrative.
Emma Fishwick
Emma Fishwick’s interdisciplinary approach combines movement, digital media, writing, textiles, and academia, weaving together a rich tapestry of artistic expression. Her explorative process redefines the relationship between the body and its surroundings. Known for her use of layered media and conceptual depth, Fishwick’s work invites audiences to view dance as an immersive, multifaceted experience.
Ngaere Jenkins
Making her choreographic debut with New Breed, Ngaere Jenkins is a Sydney Dance Company Ensemble member with roots in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Of Te Arawa and Ng?ti Kahungunu descent, her work is expected to incorporate her cultural heritage into a fresh movement language. With a background as a performer renowned for her precision and artistry, Jenkins’s inaugural choreography is one of the season’s most anticipated highlights.
Ryan Pearson
Ryan Pearson, an Ensemble member of Sydney Dance Company, brings a deeply rooted cultural perspective to the stage. With Biripi and Worimi heritage from his mother’s side and Minang, Goreng, and Balardung lineage from his father, Pearson’s works are often imbued with themes of identity and connection. A nominee for Most Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer (Australian Dance Awards, 2020), Pearson’s prowess as a performer and promise as a choreographer make his premiere a must-see.
Harrison Ritchie-Jones
Harrison Ritchie-Jones is a celebrated artist whose talents extend beyond dance to include filmmaking and choreography for music videos and theatre. His works are known for their cinematic quality and emotionally charged atmosphere. With his feet firmly planted in both movement and visual storytelling, Ritchie-Jones’s choreography will undoubtedly captivate audiences in new and unexpected ways.
Celebrating a Legacy of Innovation
Since its inception, New Breed has been a launchpad for some of Australia’s most accomplished choreographers. Alumni such as Melanie Lane, Daniel Riley, and Tra Mi Dinh have gone on to significant acclaim, with Dinh’s 2023 New Breed work being restaged this October in Sydney Dance Company’s Continuum. This ongoing recognition affirms the program’s value, not only as a performance series but as a driver of artistic innovation within Australia.
Fergus Linehan, CEO of Carriageworks, shared his thoughts on the program’s impact, stating, “For more than a decade, New Breed has renewed Australia’s contemporary dance landscape, introducing audiences to a new generation of exceptional choreographic voices.” The collaborative efforts of Carriageworks, The Balnaves Foundation, and Sydney Dance Company continue to foster an environment where emerging voices can thrive.
Experience the Energy at Carriageworks
Taking place at the iconic Carriageworks, Australia’s largest multidisciplinary arts precinct, the 2025 New Breed season is an opportunity to witness the evolution of contemporary dance in one of Australia’s most atmospheric venues. The performances span 10 days, giving audiences ample opportunity to immerse themselves in this celebration of creativity. With tickets likely to sell out quickly, it’s the perfect chance to secure your front-row seat to the future of dance.
Victoria Balnaves, representing Principal Partner The Balnaves Foundation, expressed her pride in supporting New Breed: “New Breed provides a unique platform for artistic endeavours to come to life… we are proud to support this program that provides these dance makers the opportunity to elevate their practice as they continue to evolve and develop throughout their careers.“
Don’t Miss This Bold Showcase
Twelve years strong and still breaking ground, New Breed encapsulates the spirit of creativity, courage, and innovation. It offers a rare chance for audiences to engage with the next generation of creative talent in Australian dance. Whether you’re a seasoned dance aficionado or new to the medium, the 2025 season promises unforgettable performances and a front-row view of choreographers who are destined to shape the future of contemporary dance.
Mark your calendars for 3–13 December 2025 at Carriageworks, and join Sydney Dance Company in supporting the bold visions of Emma Fishwick, Ngaere Jenkins, Ryan Pearson, and Harrison Ritchie-Jones. Be part of an audience that celebrates creativity in motion, and prepare to be moved.