West Australian Ballet has announced the appointment of Leanne Stojmenov as the company’s next Artistic Director, following a competitive international search. Stojmenov’s new role makes her pathway full circle, bringing her back to the company where she started her professional career.
“As a proud West Australian, it’s an honour to lead this extraordinary company where my journey first began,” she said. “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.”
Originally from Perth, Stojmenov studied at Nederlands Dans Theater, The Paris Opera Ballet, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and Dutch National Ballet. She joined WA Ballet at the age of 17 and in 2001, she joined The Australian Ballet, where she spent 18 years, including eight years as a Principal Artist. She has worked with choreographers including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, John Neumeier, Wayne McGregor and Sir Peter Wright. She has also danced works by George Balanchine, John Cranko, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Jerome Robbins and more. Stojmenov also toured as an international guest artist, with companies including Houston Ballet, the Royal Swedish Ballet and Christopher Wheeldon’s Morphoses.
After retiring from the stage, Stojmenov became a dance lecturer at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and joined WA Ballet’s Artistic Management Team as Rehearsal Director in 2024.
WA Ballet was led by Guest Artist David McAllister AC for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The company has been undergoing a global search for its next Artistic Director, with 38 applicants from around the world. Stojmenov will step into the role in January 2026.
