Benedicte Bemet is a principal artist with The Australian Ballet, renowned for her expressive artistry and technical prowess.
Born in Mackay, Queensland, she began ballet at the age three and trained at the Ransley Ballet Centre on the Gold Coast. At ten, her family relocated to Hong Kong, where she continued her ballet education at the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet. She returned to Australia and joined The Australian Ballet School in 2008 at age 14.
Benedicte joined The Australian Ballet in 2012 and quickly rose through the ranks: promoted to coryphée in 2013, soloist in 2016, and principal artist in 2019. Her repertoire includes iconic roles such as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Clara in The Nutcracker, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and Odette/Odile in Swan Lake. In 2023, she performed in George Balanchine’s Jewels at London’s Royal Opera House, marking The Australian Ballet’s return to Covent Garden after 35 years in celebration of the company’s 60th birthday.
She suffered a severe tendon injury which caused her to take a year off in 2017. During this time, Benedicte began to explore the world of sports psychology, focusing on the unique challenges faced by dancers. This is an area Benedicte is still passionate about today, learning how to foster resilience, tenacity, and grit to assist with handling the pressures that come with dancing in one of the highest performing companies in the world. Both on and off the stage, Benedicte is an advocate for mental health and body positivity in the ballet world.
Recently, Benedicte has begun teaching and coaching the younger dancers of the company and students of The Australian Ballet School.
Benedicte’s artistry and advocacy continue to inspire audiences and fellow dancers alike, solidifying her status as a leading figure in Australian ballet.