Mollie Harrison is a dynamic leader in adult ballet education and the Manager of the Adult Ballet Centre, where she plays a central role in shaping the studio’s programs, operations, and client experience. With a unique ability to blend artistic excellence with thoughtful, human-centred leadership, Mollie ensures that every dancer who walks through the doors of ABC is supported, challenged, and inspired.

As Head of Program Development for Classical Ballet, Mollie designs and delivers high-level training experiences that empower adult dancers to refine their technique, deepen their artistry, and build resilient, intelligent bodies. Mollie’s background is extensive and rooted in elite training. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts and the National Theatre Ballet School, she has trained with: Kirsty Martin (The Australian Ballet, VCASS) Tim Harbour (The Australian Ballet) Tim Storey (WA Ballet) Danielle Hunt (The Australian Ballet, WAAPA) Michael Pappalardo (Melbourne City Ballet, Queensland Ballet) and Beverly-Jane Fry (The Stuttgart Ballet, English National Ballet)

Her performance highlights include: Raymonda’s Dream Scene – Soloist & overall winner of the 2014 Ballet Teachers Workshop (Francis Naylor & Maybel Pryde Awards).Carmen – Principal Role, SYNC – Nils Christe (Royal Swedish Ballet), Australian Premiere, It Sounds Silly – Adam Wheeler (Chunky Move), Volente – Tim Harbour Melbourne City Ballet’s Season (2016)

A qualified High-Performance Sports Scientist and Master Personal Trainer, Mollie brings scientific depth to her teaching, helping adult dancers understand their bodies, prevent injury, and train with longevity in mind.

In addition to her studio work, Mollie is the Director of Ballet IQ in partnership with ABC a groundbreaking online platform that delivers elite adult ballet coaching to students worldwide. She also serves as a faculty member on ABC’s national and international ballet tours, offering masterclasses, choreography intensives, and performance coaching across Australia and abroad.

Mollie’s leadership is driven by one core belief:
Adult ballet can be life-changing.
Through ballet, she helps people reconnect to their bodies, their creativity, and their sense of possibility—at every age and stage.

Alex Cramer brings exquisite artistry, technical refinement, and a deep love of classical ballet to her teaching at the Adult Ballet Centre®. As a core member of the ABC faculty, Alex leads classes across all levels—from foundational beginner programs to advanced technique, pointe development, and private coaching for performance and repertoire.

A graduate of The Australian Ballet School, Alex was accepted into the elite institution in 2016 under the directorship of Lisa Pavane. She completed both her Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Dance, ultimately earning her Graduate Diploma of Classical Ballet in 2019—an achievement that reflects not only her talent, but her discipline and dedication to the craft.

Alex’s performance career has seen her work with The Australian Ballet in mainstage productions, including: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Christopher Wheeldon’s celebrated production (Brisbane and Melbourne seasons) Coppélia – Regional Tour, directed by Dame Peggy van Praagh

Her career then took her internationally with Universal Studios, where she performed in Japan and China in high-calibre professional entertainment ensembles. These global experiences have shaped her into a performer of remarkable versatility, expression, and presence—qualities that now deeply inform her teaching.

Today, Alex is based in Melbourne and brings her full artistic heart to ABC, guiding adult dancers with clarity, encouragement, and a refined sense of classical line. Her classes are known for their musical sensitivity, clean technique, and focus on building strength with grace.

Alex is also a gifted vocalist and songwriter, currently the frontwoman of the musical project REX—a rising force in Melbourne’s independent music scene. Her creative practice across disciplines adds a rare depth to her ballet teaching, as she inspires dancers to connect to performance as both a physical and emotional experience.

Her passion is clear: to uplift adult dancers and help them unlock their fullest potential—on stage, in the studio, and in themselves.

Annaliese MacDonald is a celebrated dance artist, choreographer, and adult ballet educator who brings world-class professional experience, rich creative insight, and a deep love for adult ballet to the Adult Ballet Centre® faculty. Her classes are known for their refinement, musicality, and soul—crafted to support adult dancers through a journey of strength, artistry, and personal development.

A graduate of The Australian Ballet School (2018), Annaliese went on to perform with The Australian Ballet, before joining the Royal New Zealand Ballet as a Corps de Ballet artist from 2020 to 2022. Her performance career has spanned an extraordinary range of classical and contemporary repertoire, including works by:George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Ohad Naharin, William Forsythe

Annaliese is also an emerging choreographer of remarkable voice and vision. She was selected to create original works for RNZB’s choreographic seasons in 2020 and 2021, and her critically received work Limerence was commissioned as a film for RNZB’s 2022 digital season. Most recently, she was invited by Artistic Director Ty King-Wall to choreograph new work for The Royal New Zealand Ballet and Scottish Ballet—a prestigious recognition of her growing international footprint in dance creation.

In parallel with her performance career, Annaliese has developed a strong focus on adult ballet education, where she channels her knowledge into thoughtful, inspiring instruction. Her teaching spans classical ballet, pointe technique, contemporary movement, Floor Barre, and Pilates-based conditioning. With training through Sydney Dance Company and certified Pilates qualifications, she guides dancers with a refined understanding of both classical line and anatomical function.

Annaliese brings a warm and empowering energy to her classes—valuing precision, creativity, and care in equal measure. Her teaching is grounded in the belief that adult dancers deserve the same artistic and technical nourishment as professionals, and she takes great joy in cultivating confidence, resilience, and self-expression at every level.

Amy Lowis is a passionate and dedicated educator with a gift for guiding adult dancers at the very beginning of their ballet journey. As a core faculty member at the Adult Ballet Centre®, Amy leads classes in Introduction to Classical Ballet, Foundation Beginners, Beginner Ballet, and Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)—programs that serve as the heart of ABC’s commitment to making classical ballet accessible, empowering, and deeply rewarding for adults of all backgrounds.

With a teaching style that blends warmth, precision, and clear communication, Amy creates a welcoming and encouraging space where adult learners feel supported and inspired. Her classes focus on the development of classical fundamentals, musicality, strength, and body awareness—helping students build a strong technical foundation while discovering the expressive joy of movement.

Amy is also a certified Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor and integrates functional conditioning into her teaching to enhance coordination, alignment, and muscular control—critical elements for injury prevention and technical progress, particularly in adult bodies.

Currently undertaking her RAD Teacher Training and pursuing academic studies in Sport Science and Nutrition, Amy brings a forward-thinking, holistic approach to movement education. Her understanding of physical wellness and optimal body function enhances her ability to support adult dancers in developing healthy, sustainable technique from day one.

Amy is also available for private coaching sessions, offering highly tailored guidance for those looking to refine their skills, gain confidence, or take the next step in their ballet journey.

Her presence in ABC’s foundational levels ensures that every new dancer receives the personal attention, encouragement, and expert instruction needed to begin with confidence and grow with joy.

At the Adult Ballet Centre, we believe that it’s never too late to dance—and with Amy’s compassionate leadership, many are discovering that not only is ballet possible, it’s life changing for all ages.

Jennifer Fleenor-O’Brien brings over 20 years of international experience as a dance-theatre artist, choreographer, and educator. As the Artistic Director of UNLID.DANCE and a passionate teacher at the Adult Ballet Centre, Jennifer is known for her sophisticated, expressive contemporary dance training—grounded in technical precision (Limón technique) and supported by a deep knowledge of somatics, breathwork, and spinal activation.

Jennifer began her professional career in New York City, touring and performing with renowned artists, including Michael Foley, Teri and Oliver Steele, and John Evans. In 2001, she moved to Dublin, Ireland, where she enjoyed a dynamic performance career, primarily with CoisCéim Dance Theatre. Her teaching work has taken her across the U.S., France, Ireland, and Japan, where she has led workshops in contemporary dance, hip-hop fusion, movement for theatre, and dance in education.

A diverse movement background, including Simonson Jazz Technique, African dance, Alexander Technique, hip-hop, and Laban Movement Analysis uniquely inform her classes at the Adult Ballet Centre. Jennifer recently completed her Master of Dance at the Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne) and continues to evolve her practice by integrating community dance philosophies and energy sciences into her work.

At the heart of Jennifer’s teaching is a commitment to joy, creativity, and the individual movement experience. Her modern classes are dynamic, uplifting, and accessible for all—no floor work required—making them a favourite among ABC’s adult dance community.

Tonia Walker brings a lifetime of dedication to classical ballet and education to her teaching at the Adult Ballet Centre. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and a Cecchetti Licentiate holder, Tonia has trained extensively in both ballet and primary education—merging her love of movement, learning, and artistic expression throughout her career.

After stepping away from dance to raise her family, Tonia returned to the studio as an adult and rediscovered her passion for ballet. This personal journey gives her a deep empathy for adult learners and a profound understanding of the physical, emotional, and technical pathway for adults returning to ballet. Her classes are guided by this insight—encouraging, structured, and deeply supportive.

In addition to her ballet expertise, Tonia has served as a Level 0 Artistic Coach for state-level figure skaters, specialising in choreographic development, flexibility training, and ballet-based movement conditioning. This cross-disciplinary work has enriched her appreciation of technical refinement, musicality, and the athletic artistry of dance.

At the Adult Ballet Centre®, Tonia leads classes from beginner through to advanced levels, including pointe work and private coaching. She also plays a pivotal role as the Coordinator of the Australian Institute of Classical Dance (AICD) Adult Ballet Assessment Program—a nationally recognised initiative that provides adult dancers with structured progression opportunities, formal assessment pathways, and the chance to celebrate personal technical milestones.

Under Tonia’s coordination, ABC dancers have the opportunity to participate in this respected program, developing their artistry and technique with clear goals, professional feedback, and a supportive framework that honours the unique adult ballet journey. The AICD Adult Ballet Assessment Program offers an inspiring avenue for those wishing to track their growth, challenge themselves, and be recognised for their achievements in a nurturing, non-competitive environment.

Known for her calm, attentive teaching style and genuine investment in her students’ growth, Tonia is passionate about delivering thoughtfully designed classes that empower adult dancers to build strength, confidence, and artistry at every stage of their ballet journey.

Emma Body brings a distinguished global career in ballet education to her teaching at the Adult Ballet Centre®. With more than 30 years of experience across Europe, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region, Emma is known for her exceptional artistry, innovative teaching methodologies, and dedication to shaping the future of classical ballet education.

Recently returning to Australia, Emma served as Director of the Lower School at the prestigious Margot Fonteyn Academy of Ballet in Arizona, USA, where she worked closely with esteemed Artistic Director Ken Ludden and Associate Artistic Director Rainer Krenstetter. During her tenure, Emma played a pivotal role in establishing the Academy’s world headquarters and developing its integrated arts curriculum, helping position the institution at the forefront of global ballet training.

Emma holds an International Training Certification in Pedagogy, an Associate Diploma in Classical Ballet Teaching, a Diploma in Anatomy, and is a Registered Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teacher, also holding a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. She is trained directly in the Academy Method by Ken Ludden—a transformative approach to ballet education focused on unlocking artistic excellence, technical mastery, and individual expression.

Throughout her remarkable career, Emma has collaborated with world-renowned companies and artists, including the National Theatre of Croatia, Baldovin Ballet, Stefania Pigato and The Bridge Contemporary in Italy, Riga Spring Festival in Latvia, and the New Zealand School of Dance. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to fine arts education, she was awarded the Fonteyn Centenary Award in 2023.

At the Adult Ballet Centre®, Emma offers adult dancers an extraordinary opportunity to engage with world-class training. Her teaching embodies a rare combination of deep tradition and forward-thinking innovation, inspiring dancers of all levels to achieve personal excellence, artistry, and fulfilment through their ballet journey.

Leadership Snapshot:
Visionary arts and business leader with over two decades of expertise in national arts management, community development, education governance, and social enterprise growth. Founder of the Adult Ballet Centre® and Dircetor for the Australasian Adult Ballet Competition (AABC) Festival, Lee is renowned for creating inclusive, sustainable, and impactful arts communities.

Biography:
Lee-Anne (Lee) Harrison is a distinguished figure in the Australian arts landscape, celebrated for her dynamic leadership, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment to making ballet and dance accessible to all. Her career seamlessly integrates creative excellence with strategic business innovation, driving growth, sustainability, and meaningful impact across numerous arts, education, and community organisations.

With a Fine Arts background in sculpture and photography, Lee’s early success as an award-winning stylist in Melbourne's elite suburbs—including Kooyong, Camberwell, Brighton, and Elwood—established her reputation for excellence in creative leadership. She led educational programs, fashion shoots, and apprentice training, laying the foundation for her future in large-scale community and arts management.

Lee’s governance expertise was shaped through six years as President of School Council, where she spearheaded a $6 million redevelopment project and integrated Reggio Emilia educational principlesin the design. Her leadership continued as President of the School Council at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS), overseeing strategic expansion of select-entry Fine Arts programs alongside Dance and Music specialisations, future budget projections, and policy reform.

Her impact within the ballet sector expanded nationally through her role as Tour Manager for International Ballet Workshops, collaborating with elite artists from the Paris Opera Ballet and the Conservatoire de Lyon. Lee also served as Australian National Tour Manager for Isabella McGuire Mayes, Founder of the Australasian Adult Ballet Competition (AABC) Festival, where she led high-profile masterclass tours across Australia, supporting the professionalisation and celebration of adult ballet.

At Melbourne City Ballet, Lee developed the MICA (Melbourne International Classical Academy) program in partnership with Coburg Secondary College, led the company’s annual gala events, and secured key strategic partnerships to enhance the company's educational footprint. Her work at the National Theatre Ballet School further demonstrated her expertise in community engagement, SEO strategy, national audition tours, and bespoke marketing initiatives.

Today, Lee’s greatest passion is realised through the Adult Ballet Centre®—a thriving social enterprise she founded to create an inclusive, inspiring, and artistically rich ballet community. Her vision ensures that ballet and dance are accessible to all, free of exclusion and judgment, while maintaining the highest standards of artistry, wellness, and education.

The Adult Ballet Centre® is now home to a diverse, elite teaching faculty, and partnerships focused on adults—comprising former professional ballet dancers, RAD and Cecchetti exam high-achievers, and experts in contemporary dance, elite training, sports science, biomechanics and function, dietetics, psychology, pilates and yoga. This diversity fuels a deeply nurturing environment where adults of every background can explore and elevate their artistic and personal potential.

Driven by a core belief that dance is a universal language of belonging, healing, and lifelong joy, Lee’s leadership continues to transform the cultural landscape for adult dancers, shaping a future where ballet truly belongs to everyone.

Damian Smith is an internationally acclaimed ballet artist and educator whose distinguished career spans over two decades at the highest levels of the ballet world. A former Principal Artist with the prestigious San Francisco Ballet, Damian has performed on some of the most celebrated stages across the globe, working with leading choreographers and ballet masters of our time.

Originally from Newcastle, Australia, Damian trained at The McDonald College and The School of American Ballet in New York before joining San Francisco Ballet, where he rose to the rank of Principal Dancer. Throughout his career, he performed leading roles in a vast repertoire, including works by Balanchine, Forsythe, Robbins, and Wheeldon, earning critical acclaim for his artistry, versatility, and emotional depth on stage.

Following his illustrious performance career, Damian returned to Australia to take on the role of Artistic Director of The National Ballet School, where he dedicated himself to the next generation of dancers, shaping the future of ballet training with his extraordinary knowledge, mentorship, and creative vision.

As a Guest Artist at the Adult Ballet Centre®, Damian brings a wealth of international experience, technical mastery, and artistic inspiration to adult dancers. His classes and coaching sessions are renowned for their generosity, attention to detail, and deep respect for each dancer’s personal journey. Dancers have the rare opportunity to learn from a master who embodies both the elite tradition of classical ballet and a contemporary understanding of movement and artistry.

Damian’s presence at the Adult Ballet Centre® continues to inspire and elevate the community, offering a truly world-class experience for all who step into his classes.

Isabella McGuire Mayes is a distinguished ballet artist and educator whose inspiring work with adult ballet dancers has earned her international recognition. Known for her commitment to making ballet accessible, empowering, and artistically fulfilling for adults at every stage of their journey, Isabella brings a wealth of expertise and a dynamic, compassionate teaching style to the Adult Ballet Centre® community.

Trained extensively in Russia, Isabella completed her professional ballet studies with high distinction and has performed, taught, and coached internationally. Her teaching philosophy blends the precision and discipline of classical ballet with a contemporary understanding of adult learning, making her a sought-after figure in the global adult ballet movement.

In collaboration with the Adult Ballet Centre®, Isabella has served as a Guest Teaching Artist for Australian ballet tours, where her masterclasses provided adult dancers with unique access to a high level coaching in a supportive, world-class environment. Managed nationally by Lee Harrison, these tours offered dancers across Australia the opportunity to refine their technique, deepen their artistry, and reignite their passion for ballet under Isabella’s expert guidance.

Through her association with the Adult Ballet Centre®, Isabella has further enriched her own teaching practice, gaining deep insights into the Centre’s progressive and supportive approach to adult ballet education. She shares a strong alignment with ABC’s mission to create a welcoming and empowering space for adult dancers, and continues to integrate these values into her masterclasses and coaching.

Isabella’s classes are celebrated for their technical clarity, musicality, and uplifting atmosphere, creating space for adult dancers to achieve personal breakthroughs and rediscover their love for the art form.

Her contributions to the Adult Ballet Centre® continue to inspire adult dancers to dance with confidence, joy, and a renewed sense of possibility.

Bianca Carnovale, known worldwide as the Ballet Busker, is an inspiring ballet artist and performer who has captivated global audiences through her unique fusion of classical ballet and public art. With a deep commitment to making ballet visible, accessible, and celebrated beyond traditional theatres, Bianca transforms everyday spaces into living stages, bringing the beauty of ballet directly to people around the world.

Bianca received her early formal ballet training at Brent Street Performing Arts and The McDonald College, two of Australia's leading institutions for elite performing arts education. At just 17 years of age, she was accepted into the prestigious Ballet Academy East in New York City, USA, where she further refined her technique and performance artistry under internationally acclaimed faculty. Her training combined rigorous classical ballet foundations with a strong emphasis on contemporary versatility, preparing her for a dynamic international career.

As the Ballet Busker, Bianca has travelled extensively, performing in iconic public spaces across Australia, Europe, and North America. Her performances breathe life into city streets, cultural landmarks, and everyday places—creating magical encounters with ballet for audiences of all backgrounds and ages.

Bianca’s teaching philosophy closely aligns with the Adult Ballet Centre®'s mission to make ballet an inclusive, empowering, and enriching experience. Through her guest masterclasses at ABC, Bianca shares her extraordinary passion, creativity, and dynamic energy, encouraging adult dancers to explore artistry, musicality, and the joy of movement both within and beyond the studio.

Her collaboration with the Adult Ballet Centre® has further enhanced her teaching approach, embracing ABC’s progressive and supportive methodology for adult ballet education. Bianca’s masterclasses invite dancers to expand their technical skills, build confidence, and experience ballet as a living, breathing art form accessible to all.

Her dynamic spirit, artistic innovation, and unwavering commitment to making ballet accessible continue to inspire the Adult Ballet Centre® community.

Ty King-Wall is one of Australia's most celebrated ballet artists, renowned for his exceptional technical brilliance, commanding stage presence, and distinguished leadership within the ballet world. With an illustrious international career spanning both performance and artistic direction, Ty brings a wealth of experience, artistry, and insight to the Adult Ballet Centre® community.

Ty trained at the New Zealand School of Dance before joining The Australian Ballet, where he rose swiftly through the ranks to become a Principal Artist. Throughout his distinguished career, he performed lead roles in classical and contemporary masterpieces, including works by MacMillan, Ashton, Cranko, Balanchine, and Wheeldon. His performances were acclaimed for their depth, elegance, and powerful storytelling.

Following his celebrated stage career, Ty was appointed Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, leading one of the Southern Hemisphere's premier ballet companies with vision, artistry, and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of dancers.

As a Guest Teaching Artist at the Adult Ballet Centre®, Ty shares his extensive professional expertise, technical refinement, and deep knowledge of performance artistry with adult dancers of all backgrounds. His masterclasses offer a rare opportunity to learn from a world-class principal artist and artistic leader, inspiring dancers to deepen their technique, musicality, and personal expression.

Ty’s collaboration with the Adult Ballet Centre® reflects a shared belief that ballet is a lifelong journey of growth, artistry, and empowerment. His inspiring teaching approach encourages dancers to cultivate confidence, connection, and joy within their ballet practice.