Samuel Harnett-Welk is an Australian dancer, choreographer, and educator, internationally recognized for their unique approach to performance and artistic leadership. Integrating classical ballet and contemporary dance with lived experience of neurodiversity and queerness, their work challenges traditional structures and redefines the possibilities of embodiment on stage. As an autistic artist, Samuel brings a distinct and necessary perspective to the Australian arts sector, contributing not only as a performer and creator but also as an advocate and advisor for inclusive, equitable practice.
Originally from South Australia, Samuel began their dance training under Christine Underdown following a successful early career as an elite gymnast on track for the Olympic circuit. They undertook advanced studies with the Australian Ballet School through its international program, completing high school via correspondence, and were awarded a commendation from the Governor of South Australia in recognition of their academic achievement.
At 17, Samuel was accepted into the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in London, where they studied contemporary and classical forms under Ross McKim and Kerry Nicholls, alongside regular training with The Royal Ballet. This international exposure deepened their technical versatility and shaped their unique voice as a dance artist.
Upon returning to Australia, they continued their training at Adelaide College of the Arts and joined projects under the direction of Leigh Warren and Daniel Jaber, performing in works such as Back to Black, Shades, A Dying Swan, and L’Affichage at the Malthouse Theatre. Their training and performance experience spans The Royal Ballet, Sydney Dance Company, Australian Dance Theatre, and Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company.
In 2017, Samuel performed in William Forsythe’s One Flat Thing, Reproduced for its Australian premiere season. Their technical precision, improvisational command, and expressive power have earned consistent acclaim and made them a sought-after collaborator in both classical and experimental contexts.
Samuel’s choreographic work investigates the relationships between queerness, neurodivergence, and classical form. Their 2019 duet ARCA, created with Natalie Allen during a SEED Residency supported by STRUT dance at Komunitas Salihara (Jakarta, Indonesia), marked a defining moment in their artistic journey—exploring sensory landscapes, vulnerability, and cultural complexity.
Samuel’s work draws on the body as a reflective mode of communication, uncovering bold physicalities and deeply considered gestural narratives that speak to the intricacies of human experience.
As an independent artist, Samuel has collaborated across disciplines with figures such as Loughlan Prior, Anastasia La Fey, Chris Herzfeld, Taylor-Ferne Morris, Benjamin Hancock, LANKS and Alice Topp’s Project Animo. Their work spans film, movement direction, improvisation and photography. Samuel has a critical creative relationship with Phillip Adams (BalletLab/Temperance Hall) - regularly performing in his works including Glory and Triptych which have received numerous accolades, and created lasting connections with the likes of Toni Maticevski and Paul Yore. Samuel has also worked in close conjunction with Melanie Lane as they have refined their choreographic practice and work
Beyond their creative practice, Samuel has emerged as a significant advocate and advisor on access, inclusion, and representation within the arts. They have undertaken advisory work for Lucy Guerin Inc, supporting directors and organisations to build inclusive working relationships and implement accessible practices. Their lived experience of autism informs this work deeply, and they have taken on natural leadership roles within dance companies, regularly self-advocating to create more equitable structures from within.
Samuel has also contributed to wider sector dialogue through interviews and publications focused on neurodiversity in Australian dance. Their broader contribution to arts policy and discourse includes:
- Consultation for Turning Pointe: Gender Equity in Australian Dance (Andrew Westle, 2017)
- Assistance on the Delving into Dance podcast series
- Written work for Harald Geisler’s international publication 2.1 There is no dance which is a priori true - exploring Wittgenstein’s Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus through contemporary dance.
Samuel is an experienced educator, having taught contemporary ballet and improvisation for companies such as Lucy Guerin Inc and Chunky Move. Their teaching practice is rooted in accessibility and care, offering neurodivergent and disabled dancers pathways to technical development and creative exploration. In 2021, Samuel was appointed as a dance panel member of the Greenroom Awards, and currently serves as a peer assessor for various Australian organizations, where they contribute to national funding strategy, evaluation, and sector development.
Samuel Harnett-Welk’s work continues to shape the future of dance in Australia. Their commitment to equity, lived experience leadership, and creative excellence positions them as a powerful voice in national arts conversations. Whether through performance, education, policy contribution, or cultural advocacy, they remain focused on creating a more inclusive, responsive, and diverse artistic landscape—one that recognises the power of difference as a vital source of artistic innovation and social change.