Sydney Dance Company has announced the appointment of five exceptional dancers to its Ensemble for the 2026 season. The cohort arrives at a significant milestone for the company, which is currently celebrating 40 years at its historic Walsh Bay harbourside home.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, the new appointments—Caití Ellen Carpenter, Jai Fauchon, and Trainee Mahalia Adamson—bring a wealth of international and local experience. They are joined by Finn Armstrong and Ali Dib, who both continue with the Ensemble after making successful debuts in late 2025.
"The Ensemble is at the heart of Sydney Dance Company," says Bonachela. "These remarkable artists arrive at a time of reflection as we mark 40 years in our iconic harbourside home and look forward with fresh creative impetus. Each dancer brings a distinct perspective, depth of training, and curiosity... together they reflect the unique alchemy that continues to define us."
For UK-born Caití Ellen Carpenter, joining the Ensemble follows a storied career with Rambert and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She views this new chapter as an opportunity to synthesize her diverse background into a singular artistic voice. "With so many nuggets of wisdom from different dance and theatre collaborations, as well as non-dance experiences now in my pocket, I’m excited to ask how I can bring all this knowledge to my work here," Carpenter says. "I’m interested to explore how I can hold on to my humanness as I grow and expand here as a dancer. Who am I as a dancer with all of these multifaceted experiences in my toolbox? And how can I let dance continue to feed me as a human being?"
Jai Fauchon, born in Sydney on Dharug Country, who trained at The Australian Ballet School and Queensland Ballet, notes that the transition from the classical world to Bonachela’s signature athleticism is a full-circle moment. "Growing up I always looked up to Sydney Dance Company... The athleticism this company has is really unique," Fauchon shares. "I think my training has given me a really strong foundation to be able to dive into Rafael's creative process and his movement vocabulary while also allowing me to be adaptable and grow from this new experience."
After a formative stint in Europe with Codarts and Danish Dance Theatre, Finn Armstrong found that returning to Australia offered a new perspective on the rigorous professional culture of the Company. "Moving back to Australia to join Sydney Dance Company made me realise the importance of physical health and wellbeing in dance," Armstrong observes. "The emphasis on this is immense—with access to physio support whenever needed, alongside Pilates and a broader network. Dance is treated as a high-level sport, while also being deeply valued as the art form it is. On top of that, the pace at which the Company moves is truly inspiring."
The 2026 roster also highlights the success of the Company’s internal training pathways. Mahalia Adamson moves from the Pre-Professional Year (PPY) into the professional ranks, a transition she describes as a shift from rigid structure to shared creation. "Leaving the structured dynamic of technique based classes all day and entering a space that is constantly creative... has allowed me to push my creativity and explore my movement further," Adamson says. "The collaborative and trusting nature of the ensemble allows each individual a space to voice their ideas, shifting the dynamic of the room from what you find in training environments to a group of artists creating together."
Finally, Ali Dib, who remarkably balanced his HSC with his professional debut in 2025, enters the Ensemble fueled by a philosophy of resilience and "wide-lens" thinking. "Juggling multiple disciplines at a young age has taught me the importance of using every situation as a learning experience," Dib explains. "I bring an interested energy which is unafraid to fail, and rather stay open to learning from people, experiences, and performances. I have learnt that at the core of curiosity and resilience, self-belief champions the pathway to success."
The 2026 Ensemble will hit the stage as the Company embarks on its latest season, continuing a period of heightened international profile and artistic evolution.