A great passion for dance culture
I started my ballet training in New Zealand then moved to London to take up a position with the Royal Ballet School (RBS) in 1982. I trained there for 2 years under teachers Dame Ninette de Valois, Sir Michael Somes, Lynn Wallis and Dame Merle Park, performing the Golden Vine fairy (Sleeping Beauty) and La Sylphide pas de deux in the RBS end of year performance.
ln 1984 I was awarded the silver medal at the Adeline Genee and in that same year accepted a full-time contract with the Royal Ballet Company, Covent Garden, London. I worked with many esteemed choreographers including David Bintley, Sir Peter Wright and Sir Kenneth Macmillan under the directorship of Sir Antony Dowell. During this time I toured Russia, Japan, Germany and Australia. ln 1990 l joined National Ballet of Canada; then l joined NAPAC and CAPAB in South Africa dancing many soloist and principal roles including Swanhilda (Copelia), Sugar Plum fairy (Nutcracker) and Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty).
ln 2000 I retired from the stage to start a family, in that same year I received distinction for the RAD professional dancer's teacher's course.
From 2001 – 2016 1 owned and managed my own ballet school in Cape Town, South Africa as well as teaching at the University of Cape Town (UCT) ballet school under the directorship of Dianne Cheesman and the Cape Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA) under Debbie Turner. I have entered many children of all ages into RAD exams and Eisteddfods. I also teach open class, repertoire and coaching at a high level.
ln December 2016 I immigrated to Brisbane with my family and will continue my love of teaching dance and impart my knowledge plus wealth of experience, to the Australian dance community.
I have been teaching at schools in Brisbane from January 2017 onwards to children of all ages.
I have qualified as a "Progressing Ballet Technique" (PBT) instructor and currently teach both Junior and Senior levels PBT.
In 2022 I qualified as an RAD Examiner.