Alumni Reflections: Where Are They Now?

Applications for Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year 2026 are closing soon and we’ve invited alumni to reflect on their training, the transition from student to emerging artist and the pathways they’re now forging in the professional dance world.

As part of our Alumni Spotlight Series, we catch up with past PPY students to hear about life after graduation, shining a light on their journeys, creative paths and the insights they’ve picked up along the way.

With one year already gone since graduating from the Pre-Professional Year (PPY), we sat down with Angus Onley, Sam Osborn, and Tayla Gartner — three graduates from the Class of 2023 — to find out what they’ve been up to, how they’ve navigated the shift into professional life, and what advice they’d give to future students.

 

You’re all working as independent artists. What has the transition been like? What projects have you been working on? 

ANGUS: I’m currently based in Albury-Wodonga and travel to Sydney or Melbourne for work. Honestly, it’s been super rewarding. The past two years have been packed — from overseas auditions and workshops to diving into personal projects and growing my portfolio. 

One highlight was competing in Duels, a duet competition by FORM Dance Projects in Western Sydney, with Remy Rochester. Our work Please… Continue won the Audience Choice Award and is now being further developed with support from Catapult, PACT, and Critical Path. I’m also working with Riley Fitzgerald to bring Everyb0dy’s G0t a B0mb to an international festival in Mexico City. 

TAYLA: In 2024, I worked as a Trainee with Sydney Dance Company, and I’ve recently relocated to Naarm/Melbourne to continue working independently. It’s been exciting, a little confronting, and very different from the structure of full-time training. 

I’ve found a real sense of community here — Melbourne’s independent scene is full of generous and curious artists, many of whom I connected with during PPY. It feels special to now work alongside them. 

SAM: I moved from Sydney to Naarm in 2024, craving something different. Independent life has been a steep learning curve — constantly shifting, adapting, and finding creative rhythm in the unknown. 

Since arriving, I’ve collaborated with artists like Amelia Jean O’Leary, Melanie Lane, Alisdair Macindoe, Lauren Brincat, and Charmene Yap across dance, film, and visual art projects. I’m also carving out time to explore and refine my own practice. 

 

What was it like to wrap up your time at PPY and step into professional life? 

ANGUS: It was a rollercoaster — exciting, overwhelming, emotional. I didn’t always feel ready, but looking back, I actually was. You spend two years immersed in something, and suddenly it ends with a final bow. You’re a professional artist now. 

I also faced some health challenges near the end of PPY, but recovered quickly — and that gave me a fresh sense of gratitude. It reminded me to stay grounded and present. 

TAYLA: Transitioning from student to professional as a Trainee at Sydney Dance Company was a huge learning curve. I loved getting to perform regularly — it helped me find rhythm and connection in the physical, mental, and emotional layers of performance. 

Creating new material with different artists was a big highlight, and the collaborative time spent in the studio was deeply rewarding. And honestly (!!!), the connections I built — whether in rehearsals or while touring — were some of my most treasured memories. 

Adapting to a set repertoire and company style challenged me to grow while holding onto my artistic voice. I learned to approach ensemble work with curiosity and find ways to make it feel creatively rich. 

SAM: Those final months were transformative — full of inspiration, excitement, and the bittersweet feeling of something ending. I was soaking up every moment, while also confronting the reality that the next steps were mine to define. 

That transition pushed me to figure out who I was outside of a structured learning environment. As a freelancer, you must learn to self-direct, reflect, and keep adjusting. 

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What were some of your standout memories from PPY? 

ANGUS: The people. The laughs. The incredible artists we met. I’m so grateful for the space and support we had at Sydney Dance Company. 

But honestly, what stands out most is how my relationship with dance changed. I feel like a completely different mover now. We all left with our own unique movement vocabularies — it was amazing to witness that evolution. 

SAM: Working with freelance artists expanded my understanding of what dance could be. PPY opened up my world. 

The combination of weekly workshops and longer choreographic developments gave me a real sense of what it’s like to work in a professional setting. That experience continues to influence how I engage with dance now. 

 

What did you find challenging, and what did you learn? 

ANGUS: Finding my voice was the biggest challenge — learning to trust my instincts and speak up when things didn’t sit right. 

I used to take things way too seriously, which held me back in some moments. Realising I didn’t need to prove myself — that this journey is mine — was a big mindset shift. 

TAYLA: Felix Sampson once said, “Try everything at least once” — and that really stuck with me. It reminded me that it’s just as useful to discover what you don’t like as what you do. 

Dance started as a childhood hobby, turned into a passion, and then became a career goal. But sometimes I didn’t feel connected to it, and I felt guilty for that. Letting go of the idea that I had to love dance 24/7 was liberating. 

Giving myself permission to have a fluctuating relationship with dance made it feel more sustainable — and that excites me, because I want to keep moving for a long time. 

SAM: One of the hardest parts was unlearning ingrained patterns around dance and identity. My past training gave me a narrow view of dance — it took a lot of internal work to shift that. 

PPY challenged me to redefine my relationship with dance — to prioritise wellbeing, creativity, and connection. I had to keep showing up for myself, and that taught me that no one else can make this life happen for me — I have to choose it. 

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What are your thoughts on the future? What are you currently interested in? 

ANGUS: My goals change all. the. time. But I know I’ll always be connected to the arts. This industry is unpredictable, so I stay flexible and open-minded. Everything overlaps in this world — staying adaptable is key. 

TAYLA: I’m very open. I keep discovering what excites me as I go, so the path is always shifting. 

I’m deeply curious about movement — the big expansive stuff and the tiny, intricate details. I’m especially interested in improvisation, theatre, and the spaces where different art forms collide. That’s where magic happens. 

SAM: The last two years taught me that nothing is predictable. I want to keep growing here in Australia, continue connecting with artists, and deepen my creative voice. 

Right now, I’m drawn to themes like liberation, truth, and joy — dance as both personal expression and a tool for change. I love working in ways that are seriously playful and playfully serious. I’m also exploring movement genres that centre freedom and individuality. 

 

What advice would you give to students graduating full-time training — or those just starting pre-professional education? 

ANGUS: If you’re just starting out: forget everything you know. Seriously. That first year is about unlearning and relearning. 

Take risks. Use the resources around you. And know it’s totally okay to not know what you’re doing. This is your time to explore and create — your journey is your own. 

TAYLA: Advice I’m still giving myself: Take your time. Don’t rush. Don’t force productivity. 

Pick up hobbies. Stay in touch with your peers. Support your community. Go to shows, celebrate others, and be a kind presence. 

And remember: there’s space for you in this industry exactly as you are. You don’t need to fit a mould. 

SAM: Be honest with yourself about where you’re at. I know I still have so much to learn — and I’m okay with that. 

But also, give yourself permission to lean into what you love. Be unapologetically you. That’s where the real growth starts. 

 

Ready to start your own journey?
The Pre-Professional Year is more than a training program — it’s a launching pad for a career in dance and an exploration of who you are as an artist. 

Applications for PPY6 close 1 September.
Follow your curiosity. Trust your instincts. And maybe one day, you’ll share your story here too.