Evie Ferris

Evie Ferris
Ferris in 2022
Background information
Born (1997-02-18) 18 February 1997 (age 27)
Cairns, Australia
Occupation(s)Ballerina, singer, dancer
Years active2007–present
Member ofThe Wiggles

Evie Ferris (born 18 February 1997)[1] is an Australian ballerina and member of children's band The Wiggles.[2][3]

Early life

Ferris was born in Cairns, Australia,[4] and attended St Andrews Catholic College until year 7.[5] She began dance and performing arts classes at the age of four. By 2007 she had a supporting role in The Australian Ballet's production of Don Quixote.[6]

Early career

Ferris was one of eight dancers to earn a role after auditioning with 150 other young dancers,[7] and she was a puppet in the story in the Man of La Mancha.[8] In 2010, at the age of twelve, she moved to Melbourne to join the Australian Ballet School.[9] She toured with the school's Dancer's Company in 2014 and 2015 and undertook a student exchange to Canada in 2015. In 2015 she was selected to join The Australian Ballet,[10] where she was the second indigenous ballerina after Ella Havelka.[11]

The Wiggles

In 2021, Ferris was selected to join The Wiggles as part of its expanded line-up. She appeared as the second Blue Wiggle originally but has changed to be a Yellow Wiggle. As a Taribelang and Djabugay woman, she is the first Indigenous Australian to be a member of the group.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ "Blue Wiggle Evie Ferris's chance encounter at the Opera House leads to 'pretty cool things' - ABC News". Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  2. ^ Sexton-McGrath, Kristy (25 August 2021). "Blue Wiggle Evie Ferris's chance encounter at the Opera House leads to 'pretty cool things'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  3. ^ Digital Staff (23 August 2021). "The Wiggles team expands to include four new members as well as three new characters ahead of online exclusive". 7news.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  4. ^ Nicola, Andreas (27 August 2021). "New Blue Wiggle Evie Ferris on growing up in Cairns". The Cairns Post (Online); Cairns [Cairns]. – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ Bowling, Mark (23 August 2021). "Catholic college hails new blue Wiggle". The Catholic Leader. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Evie s dream dance debut". The Cairns Post; Cairns, Qld. [Cairns, Qld]. 28 November 2006. p. 1 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ "Dreams come true for young talent". The Cairns Post; Cairns, Qld. [Cairns, Qld]. 1 February 2007. p. 9 – via ProQuest.
  8. ^ "Tiny dancer has grand ambition". The Cairns Post; Cairns, Qld. [Cairns, Qld]. 24 March 2007. p. 3.
  9. ^ "Dance skills pointe to ballet school success". The Cairns Post; Cairns, Qld. [Cairns, Qld]. 12 August 2009. p. 3 – via ProQuest.
  10. ^ "MEET CORPS DE BALLET DANCER EVIE FERRIS". Australian Ballet. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  11. ^ Akerman, Tessa (27 August 2016). "Role model as crucial as roles for Evie's dream". Weekend Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T]. p. 3 – via ProQuest.
  12. ^ Knowles, Rachael (25 August 2021). "Taribelang and Djiabugay woman Evie Ferris becomes first Aboriginal Wiggle". National Indigenous Times. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  13. ^ Sexton-McGrath, Kristy (24 August 2021). "How First Nations woman Evie Ferris's chance encounter led to her becoming the latest 'Blue Wiggle'". ABC News. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.