Meet our guest dancers for The Sleeping Beauty
We are delighted to welcome four guest dancers from overseas for The Sleeping Beauty national tour.
Jason Ferro has travelled to New Zealand for the first time after spending the past seven years with the National Ballet of Canada. Michael Scott-Kahans and Matthew Maxwell have crossed the Tasman to join us, having both danced with Alberta Ballet until earlier this year, while Rory Taylforth is a recent graduate of the Australian Ballet School, completing his studies at the end of 2025.
We asked them to introduce themselves …
Matthew Maxwell
How has your first week been? What have you been doing?
It’s been a lovely first week with the company. All the dancers and staff were so welcoming. Other than class and rehearsals, I’ve been doing a lot of walking and exploring the city and surrounds. I’ve been enjoying walking along the water (even with the wind) and trying out all the best coffee spots in town.
What about The Sleeping Beauty are you looking forward to?
The Sleeping Beauty is one of the most iconic classical ballets, and it is one of my favourites to perform. In 2015, as a student, I was one of the young princes when Queensland Ballet performed this exact version of The Sleeping Beauty. It really is a full circle moment to now be performing the roles I aspired to as a young dancer.
Have you been to New Zealand before?
I have visited New Zealand previously for the Alana Haines Australasian Awards in 2015 and only visited Wellington and its surrounds, I am looking forward to seeing a lot more of the country throughout this tour.
What has been, or would be, your favourite ballet/role to dance?
I previously had the opportunity to perform the role of Hansel in Hansel and Gretel by Loughlan Prior at Alberta Ballet and It was honestly the most fun I have ever had performing on stage!
Jason Ferro
What are your interests outside of the ballet studio?
I really enjoy playing guitar and piano. I like reading, especially fantasy novels, autobiography and memoirs. Dance is also part of my life outside of the studio in the form of improv, choreography, and a new interest in dance filmmaking.
Where were you dancing before you came to join RNZB for The Sleeping Beauty?
I danced for eight seasons with the National Ballet of Canada.
What has been, or would be, your favorite ballet/role to dance?
Creating the role of Blackbeard in Wayne McGregor’s MADDADDAM was really special. Creating something new with such an inspiring and creative choreographer in Wayne is an experience I will always cherish. Though I think my favorite role with the National Ballet was Uncle Nikolai in James Kudelka’s The Nutcracker. The solos in the party scene are so challenging and fun, and you work with so many props and tricky stage elements in that role. The cherry on top is you get to share the magic of the holiday season with the audience, performing to that legendary Tchaikovsky score.
Who in the dance world inspires you?
Botis Seva. My first exposure to his work was his film CAN’T KILL US ALL that came out during the pandemic. Seeing that film convinced me of dance’s ability to say things about how we’re feeling emotionally, physically, and politically in a way that words cannot touch in the same way.
Rory Taylforth
One thing that most people don’t know about you.
I absolutely love cows — particularly Jersey and Guernsey cows. It’s probably a slightly random obsession, but I’ve always loved them. Outside of dancing, I’m also passionate about cooking. I love trying new recipes and making things from scratch.
What’s your ritual before any performance?
I like to keep things pretty relaxed before a performance. I’ll usually have a bit of a groove with the guys in the changeroom while we’re doing our makeup and getting dressed. I think keeping it mellow almost tricks your brain into forgetting that you’re about to walk onto a stage and be completely exposed. More recently, I’ve started a little tradition whenever I’m nervous before a show. I put on “Carla’s Song” by Harry Styles and think back to little me and how excited I was when I first found dance. I let the music take over, jump around and warm up, and remind myself, “It’s all waiting there for you.” Then, right before I step onstage, I close my eyes and take three slow, deep breaths to centre myself. I repeat that line once more in my head. When the music starts, I open my eyes and let the show take over. I stop thinking and just dance.
What are your interests outside of the ballet studio?
Outside of ballet, I love music, singing with my friends, good coffee, going for walks, and cuddles with my cat whenever I’m back home. But I think more than anything, I love just living in the moment with the people I’m close to. There’s something a little magical about the fact that you never really know when you’re making a memory. It might be something you’ve planned, or a completely impulsive decision, and at the time you’re just having fun and getting on with life. Then one day you look back and realise that ordinary moment became part of your story. I think those are the moments I love most — the ones you never planned to remember.
What made you want to guest with the Royal New Zealand Ballet?
I’ve always loved The Sleeping Beauty, so it felt like a wonderful opportunity to come over and dance with the company. I was also excited to meet and dance alongside so many new talented, funny and kind people, while getting the chance to perform again with old friends from my time at The Australian Ballet School.
Michael Scott-Kahans
What has been, or would be, your favourite ballet/role to dance?
My favourite role I’ve danced is definitely Hansel from Loughlan Prior’s Hansel and Gretel. I was excited and over the moon to get to be involved in such a fabulous show. Hansel was my first time leading a full-length ballet, so it’s an experience I’ll treasure forever. It’s very full circle getting to dance with the company the ballet was made on.
What about The Sleeping Beauty are you looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to touring New Zealand and getting to perform in new cities and theatres. I personally love the touring experience so that’s something I’m excited for.
Have you been to New Zealand before?
I came to Wellington in 2019 for the Alana Haines Awards. I remember loving Wellington and loving the culture of New Zealand. The other times I’ve been in New Zealand have been in the intentional terminal in Auckland, transiting through when I used to live in Canada. I’m looking forward to venturing out into Auckland when we’re there in December.