Senior Dancer Daniel Riley to to Exit Bangarra Dance Theatre

Bangarra Dance Theatre announced today that after seven years of outstanding achievements with the company, senior dancer Daniel Riley will be departing to pursue dance opportunities in Europe.

As well as featuring as one of Bangarra's most acclaimed performers, Riley has also been one of several Bangarra senior dancers who have been nurtured as choreographers by Artistic Director Stephen Page, most recently as co-creator of Blak. Riley's final performance with Bangarra will be at the company's appearance this month at the Holland Dance Festival 2014.

Daniel Riley (formerly Daniel Riley McKinley) joined Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2007 and has since toured nationally and regionally in 10 different Bangarra works: Clan, True Stories, Mathinna, Fire - A Retrospective, of earth & sky, Belong, Terrain, Warumuk - in the dark night, Blak and Kinship. He has also toured extensively overseas with Bangarra in Awakenings, Rites, True Stories, Spirit and Warumuk - in the dark night.

Daniel Riley says of his departure, "Bangarra will always have a special place in my heart and I will continue to carry the spirit of the company with me. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of such a unique and powerful group of artists, remembering fondly our time in the studios and on tour, but especially 'on country' in Arnhem Land with the traditional communities. Stephen Page allowed me to develop a sense of self within my culture and I will treasure the relationship I have with him. I look forward to returning to Australia in the future and bringing back everything I'm about to learn and experience overseas."