Leanne Stojmenov Appointed Artistic Director of West Australian Ballet

Perth, Western Australia – In a milestone announcement this week, Leanne Stojmenov has been named the new Artistic Director of West Australian Ballet (WAB).

Photo: © West Australian Ballet

The celebrated former principal artist of The Australian Ballet and a native West Australian will officially begin her tenure in January 2026, bringing her career full circle to the company where she first danced professionally at age 17.

Photo: Dance Australia

Board Chair Ingrid Puzey hailed the appointment as both “historic and exciting,” highlighting the timing as WAB approaches its 75th anniversary in 2027. Puzey remarked that Stojmenov’s leadership promises to strengthen WAB’s legacy of nurturing West Australian talent while expanding the company’s reach both at home and internationally.

“As a proud West Australian, it’s an honour to lead this extraordinary company where my journey first began. I look forward to working alongside Executive Director Lauren Major and sharing this next chapter with our incredible artists and audiences across Western Australia and beyond.”

A Journey of Excellence

Born and raised in Perth, Stojmenov joined the West Australian Ballet at 17 before launching an 18‑year career with The Australian Ballet, including eight years as a Principal Artist. Her distinguished career includes collaborations with renowned choreographers such as Christopher Wheeldon, Alexei Ratmansky, John Neumeier, Wayne McGregor, and Sir Peter Wright, and she was honored with an Australian Dance Award for her role in Ratmansky’s Cinderella.

Following her retirement from performance, Stojmenov returned home. In 2024 she joined WAB as Rehearsal Director, and she has also served as a lecturer at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Her mentorship and advocacy, particularly through Ballet Without Borders, which she helped launch and later served as Vice President, demonstrate her commitment to expanding access to dance education.

Looking Ahead

Stojmenov’s appointment comes as WAB prepares for a pivotal anniversary milestone and aims to build upon its storied history as Australia’s oldest continuous ballet company. With her rich experience as a performer, educator, and leader, she appears poised to usher in an invigorating new era for the company from its home stages in Perth to touring opportunities across Western Australia and beyond.