Rachel Wallis is a proud First Nations woman, currently based in North East Arnhem Land.

Rachael Wallis is a versatile Dancer and Dhoreographer based in Nhulunbuy in North East Arnhem Land. Rachael was born in Sydney and began classical dance training at a young age. In 1987, she went to the Queensland Dance School of Excellence where she completed Year 11 but had to pull out due to injury. She studied ballet for one year full-time and finished her exams for the Australian Royal Academy of Dance.

A trip to Roper River in 2000 was the event that inspired her to learn about and share her culture with other people. Covering both traditional and contemporary dance styles, she has worked with leading Indigenous dance companies and Choreographers, performing regionally, nationally and internationally. Rachael performed at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the Sydney 2000 Olympics Games, the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II and has directed and choreographed many community based dance projects and festivals.

She has taught at NAISDA Dance College where she studied in 1999, and delivered remote, regional and interstate initiatives, workshops and classes. She has danced for Choreographer Jason Pitt and worked with Rhoda Roberts and Marilyn Miller. Rachael’s current credentials include Director, Moonfish Productions; Principal Dance Teacher, Arafura Dance; and Artistic Director, Rachael Wallis’ Aboriginal Dance Company.

Living in a small community in North East Arnhem Land, where Yolngu history is passed down through story, song and dance as way of life, Rachael knows the importance of dance for culture and community.