Armidale’s Lyāmbay Aboriginal Dance Group has capped off an extraordinary year, dazzling audiences from Armidale to Sydney with their passion, commitment, and cultural pride.
The young dancers have become familiar favourites at home throughout 2025, lighting up events like the Armidale Autumn Festival and Creative Streets Festival, but now their talent has taken them all the way to the national stage.
Their standout performances at the NSW Public Schools State Dance Festival and the NSW Schools Spectacular 2025 marked a remarkable milestone, with several members selected for the elite NSW Aboriginal Dance Company and the Aboriginal Dance Ensemble. For Nya Quinlan, Jessica Ferris, Alexis Lockwood and Edward Lockwood, it meant the opportunity of a lifetime: learning from world-renowned Bangarra Dance Theatre dancers and choreographers.
The four spent months rehearsing locally, committing to multiple sessions each week before heading to Sydney for intensive ensemble rehearsals. The hard work paid off, with the Company delivering a breathtaking performance at Schools Spectacular.
Alexis said the experience was everything she’d hoped for. “I thought it was fun, I liked learning new choreography and meeting new people.”
For Edward, the year has been one of growth — both personal and cultural. Managing schoolwork meant staying organised. “So that I don’t miss anything, I have been regularly emailing and talking with my teachers to ensure they know when I have to be away,” he said. Despite the busy schedule, the journey has been worth every moment. “Dance is part of my Culture, and it’s fun too.”
Jess said dance continues to give her a way to connect deeply with herself and her identity. “Through dance I can express myself in other ways than words,” she said. “It clears my head.”
While the group has travelled widely, they’ve also given back to their community, running workshops for emerging local dancers and bringing new skills home to share.
And they’re not slowing down yet.
“We are performing at UNE’s Global Gathering for International students and the Armidale Secondary College ‘Celebration of Learning’,” Nya said.
“Then, after a small break, it will be time to start preparing for the next auditions for the Company in February.”
2025 School Spectacular which will be broadcast on Channel 7 on Friday 19 December at 7 pm.
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