Amelia Jean O'Leary

Amelia O’Leary is a First Nations Gamilaroi Yinarr from Northern New South Wales and has lived in Naarm (Melbourne) for the past eleven years. O’Leary’s dance practice is grounded in the duality of power and softness. It breathes freedom and honesty of exploration and human experience, becoming a product of both the digital and physical realms. 

As an independent artist, O’Leary is interested in creating her own soundscapes and projections as part of an integrated practice. O’Leary has created multiple dance works and films including Yinarr the film that was presented at Yirramboi festival 2020 and Dance (Lens) Festival 2021. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2021, O’Leary performed her first full-length work ‘Yinarr’ in Adelaide Fringe and Dancehouse in 2022. She was also a part of ‘Collision’ by Jo Lloyd presented at Junction Arts Festival and ‘Garabari’ by Joel Bray at Arts House in 2022.

In 2023 O’Leary created her second major work ‘A Certain Mumble’ presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy in Frame 2023. O’Leary has choreographed for Melbourne Theatre Companies Young First Nations Program’s show in Yirramboi Festival 2023 ‘One Day.’ As well as directing and choreographing for Ngali/ Richmond Fashion show. 

O'Leary is interested in decoding and recoding storytelling through the body. 'I believe in diverse storytelling and how dance is a powerful medium for greater connection and perspective.' - Amelia O'Leary