Meet the Mentors

Our Mentors are a powerful collective of First Nations artists and cultural leaders who are generously sharing their knowledge with our students across The ELLA Foundation’s programs.

Amelia Jean O’Leary (Bundjaung, Gamilaroi, Wadawurrung)

Amelia Jean O'Leary is an internationally acclaimed dance artist, choreographer and storyteller. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts, Amelia has created acclaimed original works including Yinarr, STAUNCH ASF, CODED and NGAMBAA, and has toured nationally and internationally. They have also worked with The Australian Ballet's Education and Outreach team and continue to champion First Nations storytelling through dance and performance.

Amelia is passionate about providing advice on:

  • Wellbeing & Resilience - Building confidence, managing injuries and setbacks, and developing sustainable dance practices

  • Culture & Community - Exploring cultural identity and storytelling, while building meaningful connections within the dance community

Image: Supplied

Amy Flannery (Wiradjuri)

Amy is a freelance artist working across dance, choreography and music composition. She performs with Jannawi Dance Clan and Dance Makers Collective. In 2024, she choreographed Sap(ed) for DirtyFeet’s Out of the Studio program and was selected as Lucy Guerin Inc’s 2026 Artist in Residence. As a composer, Amy was the 2021 David Page Music Fellow and has created music for Bangarra Dance Theatre, NAISDA Dance College and Catapult Choreographic Hub.

Amy is passionate about providing advice on:

  • Artistic Development - Feedback on technique, performance, choreography, creative practice, artistic identity, confidence, and storytelling through dance

  • Wellbeing & Resilience - Building confidence, managing injuries and setbacks, and developing sustainable dance practices

Image: Tee Click Photography

Audrey Goth-Towney (Wiradjuri)

Audrey Goth-Towney is a freelance dancer and choreographer with a passion for contemporary movement. A graduate of Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year, she has worked with BlakDance, Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub, Lucy Guerin Inc and Legs On The Wall. She has collaborated with First Nations artists Marilyn Miller, Katina Olsen and Jasmin Sheppard on Preparing Ground and is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University.

Audrey is passionate about providing advice on:

  • Dance Training & Career Pathways - Guidance on training opportunities, auditions, scholarships, tertiary study, professional pathways, and navigating the dance industry

  • Artistic Development - Feedback on technique, performance, choreography, creative practice, artistic identity, confidence, and storytelling through dance

Photo: Wendel Teotoro

Erica Dixon (Gomeroi)

Erica Dixon is a dance artist, educator and cultural leader from Bingra in Northern NSW. A graduate of NAISDA, Erica has worked with The Australian Ballet's Education and Outreach team and is a founding director of Garwoeidhamin Mayan. Passionate about sharing culture through movement and storytelling, Erica is dedicated to empowering the next generation of First Nations young people through dance, education and community.

Erica is passionate about providing advice on:

  • Dance Training & Career Pathways - Guidance on training opportunities, auditions, scholarships, tertiary study, professional pathways, and navigating the dance industry

  • Culture & Community - Exploring cultural identity and storytelling, while building meaningful connections within the dance community

Image: Supplied

Evie Ferris (Djabugay, Taribelang)

Born in Cairns, Evie trained at The Australian Ballet School and joined The Australian Ballet in 2015, performing with the company for nine years and earning a promotion to coryphée in 2023. In 2021, she made history as the first Indigenous member of The Wiggles, bringing culture and visibility to children's entertainment. Evie is passionate about diversity and proud to inspire young audiences across the country.

Evie is passionate about providing advice on:

  • Wellbeing & Resilience - Building confidence, managing injuries and setbacks, and developing sustainable dance practices

  • Family & Industry Connections - Supporting families to navigate the dance journey and connecting students with networks and opportunities

Image: Supplied

Jahna Lugnan (Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr)

Jahna is a passionate dancer, choreographer, and fashion model. A graduate of Quantum Leap 2, she choreographs and teaches across a variety of dance styles including Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical and Commercial. Beyond her dance career, Jahna has collaborated with Indigenous designers like Buluuy Mirrii and Miimi & Jiinda, championing cultural representation in the fashion industry.

Jahna is passionate about providing advice on:

  • Artistic Development - Feedback on technique, performance, choreography, creative practice, artistic identity, confidence, and storytelling through dance

  • Culture & Community - Exploring cultural identity and storytelling, while building meaningful connections within the dance community

Image: Jess Whaler

Kassidy Waters (Wonnarua)

Currently an artist with Bangarra Dance Theatre, Kassidy is a graduate of NAISDA Dance College and Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year, she has also worked with Karul Projects, DirtyFeet, Readymade Studios, Jannawi Dance Clan, Wagana Aboriginal Dancers and Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub. Alongside her performance career, Kassidy is passionate about supporting emerging artists through mentoring, workshops and cultural storytelling.

Kassidy is passionate about providing advice on:

  • Artistic Development - Feedback on technique, performance, choreography, creative practice, artistic identity, confidence, and storytelling through dance

  • Wellbeing & Resilience - Building confidence, managing injuries and setbacks, and developing sustainable dance practices

Image: Daniel Boyd

Rika Hamaguchi (Bardi, Bunaba, Jaru, Yawuru)

Rika performed with Bangarra Dance Theatre from 2015 to 2022 and featured in Tracker with Australian Dance Theatre from 2022 to 2024. She studied at NAISDA Dance College and holds a Diploma in Professional Dance Performance. Rika is now using her experience as a creative collaborator to help people connect with and understand First Nations stories through dance and theatre.

Rika is passionate about providing advice on:

  • Dance Training & Career Pathways - Guidance on training opportunities, auditions, scholarships, tertiary study, professional pathways, and navigating the dance industry

  • Family & Industry Connections - Supporting families to navigate the dance journey and connecting students with networks and opportunities

Image: Daniel Boud

Thalia Gilbert (Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta)

Tahlia is a dancer, teacher and cultural leader who has taught students of all ages at Studio 3 Narrandera School of Dance. She was an inaugural member of the Barradambang Dancers and a member of the NSW Department of Education’s Aboriginal Dance Company. Tahlia is passionate about encouraging young people through dance and cultural practice and is currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing at Charles Sturt University.

Tahlia is passionate about providing advice on:

  • Culture & Community - Exploring cultural identity and storytelling, while building meaningful connections within the dance community

  • Family & Industry Connections - Supporting families to navigate the dance journey and connecting students with networks and opportunities

Image: Supplied

Tyrel Dulvarie (Yirrganydji, Dugulbara, Kalkadoon, Umpila)

Tyrel has performed nationally and internationally with Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australasian Dance Collective and Stephanie Lake Company, and in works by acclaimed choreographers Melanie Lane and Daniel Riley. Tyrel received an Australian Dance Award in 2019 and a Green Room Award in 2026. He is passionate about culture, First Nations voices and stories, physical movement, and connecting with others through creative practice.

Tyrel is passionate about providing advice on:

  • Dance Training & Career Pathways - Guidance on training opportunities, auditions, scholarships, tertiary study, professional pathways, and navigating the dance industry

  • Family & Industry Connections - Supporting families to navigate the dance journey and connecting students with networks and opportunities

Image: Vishal Pendey

Ella Havelka (Wiradjuri)

Ella is passionate about providing advice on:

  • Dance Training & Career Pathways - Guidance on training opportunities, auditions, scholarships, tertiary study, professional pathways, and navigating the dance industry

  • Artistic Development - Feedback on technique, performance, choreography, creative practice, artistic identity, confidence, and storytelling through dance

  • Wellbeing & Resilience - Building confidence, managing injuries and setbacks, and developing sustainable dance practices

  • Culture & Community - Exploring cultural identity and storytelling, while building meaningful connections within the dance community

  • Family & Industry Connections - Supporting families to navigate the dance journey and connecting students with networks and opportunities

Image: Cybele Malinowski