Alum | Amelia Russell

Amelia Russel (class of 22), also known as Milly at her time here at the College, has been dancing since she was seven years old. She began her dance journey exploring all genres, but her passion for ballet eventually led her to audition for and earn a scholarship at The McDonald College. Here, she seamlessly combined her academic studies with rigorous ballet training throughout her secondary education.

As a dedicated member of the ballet cohort, Milly excelled, earning both junior and senior ballet scholarships. She performed principal roles in productions, including the Lilac Fairy and Giselle, showcasing her talent and commitment to her craft. In her final two years at the college, Milly expanded her artistic horizons by undertaking electives with The Sydney Dance Company’s contemporary program, where she discovered a newfound passion for contemporary dance.

Following her secondary education, Milly joined the Pre-Professional Year (PPY) program at Sydney Dance Company, completing an Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance. This program allowed her to delve deeply into the many facets of contemporary dance, offering her broad creative opportunities to work with esteemed choreographers and teachers. She also developed individual repertoire works and improvisation pieces during her time in the program.

Milly has had the privilege of collaborating with and performing repertoire by some of the most celebrated choreographers in the dance world, including Rafael Bonachela, Charmene Yap, Francis Rings, Prue Lang, Miranda Wheen, Melissa Toogood, and Lisa Marie McDonald. Her journey reflects a blend of technical excellence and artistic exploration, solidifying her as a versatile and passionate contemporary dance artist.

Most recently (as of Jan 2025), Millie received a traineeship with Sydney Dance Company – a tremendous achievement; one that makes us certainly proud.

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