Founded and inspired by Global Ambassador Sarah Murdoch in 2015, the Ballet Ambassador program engages ballet lovers across Australia and welcomes them into the active life of The Australian Ballet, as the next generation of our patrons and supporters.
Through an annual calendar of events, Ballet Ambassadors gain a unique opportunity to enjoy and learn more about Australia’s national ballet company, while directly supporting programs that enhance the health and wellbeing of our dancers.
Davi Ramos
Photo Pierre Toussaint
As a Ballet Ambassador you will be invited to a calendar of exclusive events offering unique insights into the art form through access to our Artistic Team and dancers.
This annual calendar includes events centred around our mainstage productions in Sydney and Melbourne, our annual Storytime Ballet for children, and other intimate gatherings at private homes and exclusive venues.
View the 2025 calendar here.
Ballet Ambassadors contribute a tax-deductible donation of $1,000 or more per annum to be part of the program, with generous contributions going towards programs that actively support the health and wellbeing of our dancers.
There are six levels for Ballet Ambassador donations:
Gifts $1,000 - $2,999
Corps de Ballet $3,000 - $4,999
Coryphée $5,000 - $9,999
Soloist $10,000 - $14,999
Senior Artist $15,000 - $19,999
Principal Artist $20,000 and above
To enable the curation of intimate events and experiences, Ballet Ambassadorship is limited to 100 in each chapter (Northern and Southern), after which names are added to a waitlist.
If you would like to become a Ballet Ambassador or would like to find out more about the program, please contact David Wynne, Ballet Ambassador Program Lead.
Northern Chapter
Leah Bischoff - Co-Chair
Susie Nugan - Co-Chair
Josie Ashton
Alina Barlow
Valentina Cal
Prue Crookes
Kate Griffiths
Melissa Hartman
Hannah Hesse
Sarah Ingham
Fleur Lazarus
Katherine Pontifix
Matt Stephen Shelmerdine
Southern Chapter
Penny Barlow - Co-Chair
Fiona Jamieson - Co-Chair
Sarah Alder
Olivia Bell
Felicity Bongiorno
Kristin Edmonds
Anna Findlay
Regina Levine
Helen Mantzis
Felicia Palanca
Cecilia Rosenberg
Ann Wilde
The Ballet Ambassador program is a dynamic initiative that engages with ballet lovers across Australia and welcomes them, as the next generation of our patrons and supporters, into the wonderful life of The Australian Ballet. The program offers a unique opportunity to enjoy and learn more about Australia’s national ballet company while directly supporting our dancers.
In recognition of their support, donors are acknowledged as Ballet Ambassadors in all of The Australian Ballet’s mainstage programs, on our website and in our annual report.
The Ballet Ambassador program is an annual giving program. You will receive acknowledgment and invitations to Ballet Ambassador events for 12 months from the date of your donation.
Each event is costed and priced individually with any surplus supporting The Australian Ballet.
As tickets for each event are limited, each Ballet Ambassador may purchase a maximum of two tickets to each event. When availability allows, this number may increase for certain events. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.
If you have already purchased a ticket to a performance and would like to attend the Ballet Ambassador event associated with this production instead, we are happy to refund you for your original ticket and use this as a credit towards your Ballet Ambassador event ticket.
The program’s Founder and Global Ambassador is Sarah Murdoch. The Northern Chapter Ballet Ambassador Board is co-chaired by Leah Bischoff and Susie Nugan. The Southern Chapter Ballet Ambassador Board is co-chaired by Penny Barlow and Fiona Jamieson. Each Chapter has a voluntary Board made up of Ballet Ambassadors, who help guide and run the program.
A number of sub-committees assist with the running and priorities of the program and help The Australian Ballet with particular aspects of its work. The program is designed to empower Ballet Ambassadors to use their professional and life experience to benefit the life of our company and the wider community. New members of these sub-committees are always welcome.
Our financial supporters
