Our Team
Behind every class is a team of passionate professionals dedicated to helping adults experience the benefits, challenge, and artistry of ballet. With expertise across teaching, performance, health, and movement education, we are united by a commitment to supporting every dancer's journey with warmth, passion, excellence, and care.
Lee-Anne ( Lee) Harrison
Founder & Director — Adult Ballet Centre®
Founder & Event Director — Australasia Adult Ballet Competition & Festival
Arts Leader | Community Development Specialist | Creative Producer | Business Innovator
Lee-Anne (Lee) Harrison is the Founder and Director of the Adult Ballet Centre®, one of Australia’s leading specialist adult-only ballet organisations. Under her directorship, ABC has developed into a respected centre for progressive adult ballet education, offering a complete training pathway created specifically around the needs, aspirations and lived experience of adult dancers.
With more than two decades of experience across national arts management, community development, education governance and cultural production, Lee provides strategic and creative leadership across ABC’s organisational development, adult education philosophy, programs, partnerships, faculty culture and long-term growth.
Her leadership is grounded in three values that guide every aspect of Adult Ballet Centre:
Inspiring. Inclusive. Artistic.
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Lee’s work sits at the intersection of arts leadership, adult education, community development and cultural entrepreneurship. Throughout her career, she has created programs, partnerships and organisational structures that make meaningful artistic experiences more accessible while maintaining high standards of quality, integrity and ambition.
Her professional background spans national ballet touring, cultural event production, education partnerships, audience development, marketing, community engagement and organisational growth. She has worked as Tour Manager for International Ballet Workshops and as Australian National Tour Partner for international ballet artist Isabella McGuire Mayes.
Lee developed the MICA education initiative in partnership with Coburg Secondary College and contributed to community engagement, auditions and marketing at the National Theatre Ballet School. Her work with Melbourne City Ballet included the development of gala events, strategic partnerships and community-facing initiatives. Her education governance experience includes school council presidencies, involvement with Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School governance, and leadership connected with a major $6 million school redevelopment.
Before moving fully into arts and education leadership, Lee established a successful career as an award-winning Melbourne stylist. This experience developed the creative direction, client understanding, entrepreneurship and brand-building skills that continue to inform her approach to leading Adult Ballet Centre.
Lee founded Adult Ballet Centre with a clear purpose: to create a specialist ballet organisation where adults could access structured, progressive and artistically meaningful training without being treated as an afterthought to children’s or vocational programs.
As Director, Lee leads ABC’s organisational vision, governance, business strategy, cultural direction, brand development, partnerships, faculty culture and long-term growth. She oversees an adult ballet ecosystem encompassing the six-level Steady, Strength and Soar pathway, pointe and conditioning, assessment, repertoire, performance seasons, masterclasses, professional education and international development.
Working closely with Co-Director and Head of Program Development Mollie Harrison, Lee supports the continued development of ABC’s adult training pathway and educational philosophy. She also supports Ballet IQ, founded and directed by Mollie, as it extends specialist adult ballet education beyond the physical studio.
Lee is the Founder and Event Director of the Australasia Adult Ballet Competition & Festival, created to provide adult dancers with a sophisticated platform for training, artistic development, performance, professional feedback and recognition. She also leads the strategic development of ABC’s adult-focused teaching framework and professional education resources, supporting a more informed, consistent and respectful approach to teaching adult dancers.
At the centre of Lee’s leadership is the belief that adult dancers deserve serious training delivered with intelligence, warmth and respect. She champions evidence-informed teaching, safe-dance practice, body-neutral communication and progressive technical development while protecting the confidence, individuality and long-term wellbeing of every dancer.
Through Adult Ballet Centre, Lee continues to challenge outdated assumptions about adult ballet and to build a lasting institution in which adults can train, perform, develop artistically and experience a genuine sense of belonging.
Mollie Harrison
Co-Director & Studio Manager - Adult Ballet Centre®
Classical Ballet Specialist | Private Coach | Head of Program Development | Director, Ballet IQ | Adult Pointe
Mollie Harrison is the Co-Director and Studio Manager of Adult Ballet Centre, where she plays a key role in shaping the organisation's programs, student experience, and future growth. As a classical ballet specialist teacher, private coach, and Director of Ballet I.Q, she combines her background in High-Performance Science with a passion for adult ballet education. Mollie is dedicated to helping dancers of all levels build confidence, develop strong technique, and achieve meaningful progress in a supportive and inspiring environment.
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With elite training from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Mollie’s classical foundation is shaped by industry leaders including Kirsty Martin, Tim Harbour, Beverly-Jane Fry, Tim Storey, and Michael Pappalardo.
Her professional performance career spans both classical and contemporary works, with highlights including:
Unlid Dance Theatre (Singapore, 2024)
Classical and Contemporary roles with Melbourne City Ballet
Carmen (Principal Role)
SYNC — Nils Christe (Australian Premiere)
Raymonda’s Dream Scene — Overall Winner, Ballet Teachers’ Workshop
As Head of Program Development, Mollie leads the creation of ABC’s full adult training pathway, including classical curriculum design, pointe and pre-pointe programming, repertoire studies, assessment preparation, and the Steady | Strengthen | Soar progression model.
A qualified High-Performance Sports Scientist and Master Personal Trainer, she integrates biomechanics, strength development, and safe dance methodology to support long-term dancer health and performance. Her classes are known for their clarity, precision, and emphasis on intelligent technique.
Mollie also plays a significant role in global pointe-shoe innovation. She is one of only four educators worldwide selected as an Actable Pointe Educational Research Tester, contributing her expertise to the development of next-generation German-engineered pointe shoes designed for safety, performance, and anatomical integrity.
As Director of Ballet IQ, ABC’s global online training platform, Mollie oversees curriculum design, filmed programs, and advanced technique modules for adult dancers internationally.
Mollie’s teaching and leadership are grounded in a deep belief that adult ballet is a powerful, evolving practice. She champions the idea that adult dancers deserve rigorous, intelligent, high-level training - delivered with respect, clarity, and an understanding of the unique strengths adults bring to their dance journey.
She is also a core member of the ABC National & International Tour Faculty, including the 2025 tour supporting Isabella McGuire Mayes, delivering masterclasses, repertoire coaching, and performance intensives across Australia and abroad.
Driven by expertise, compassion, and artistic integrity, Mollie is a guiding force in shaping ABC’s reputation as a world leader in adult ballet education.
Alex Cramer
Classical Ballet Specialist - Adult Ballet Centre®
Pointe Development Levels 1- 4 | Floor Barre | Repertoire & Solos | Private Coaching
Alex Cramer brings refined classical training, technical clarity, and a vibrant artistic spirit to the Adult Ballet Centre faculty. With professional experience shaped by The Australian Ballet School, The Australian Ballet, and international performance seasons with Universal Studios, she is known for her clean technique, musical precision, and encouraging teaching style.
Alex creates a supportive environment where adult dancers can build confidence, strengthen technique, and grow in artistry, making her a valued mentor within the ABC faculty.
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A graduate of The Australian Ballet School, Alex was accepted into the prestigious institution in 2016 under the directorship of Lisa Pavane. During her time there, she completed the Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Graduate Diploma of Classical Balleta trajectory that reflects not only exceptional talent but the discipline, intelligence, and work ethic required of world-class dancers.
Her performance credits with The Australian Ballet include major mainstage productions such as:
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland — Christopher Wheeldon (Brisbane & Melbourne seasons)
Coppélia — Regional Tour, directed by Dame Peggy van Praagh
Alex later expanded her career internationally, performing in large-scale entertainment productions across Japan and China with Universal Studios. These experiences allowed her to deepen her versatility, stagecraft, and expressive performance quality, qualities she now brings directly into her coaching at ABC.
As a teacher, Alex is known for her precision, patience, and supportive approach. She teaches across ABC’s full pathway, including beginners, intermediate and advanced levels, pointe development, floor barre, and private coaching for repertoire and performance refinement. Her classes blend technical accuracy with musical sensitivity, helping dancers develop beautiful lines, strength, and artistry, all within a safe and encouraging learning environment.
Alex’s creative practice extends beyond ballet. She is also an accomplished vocalist and songwriter, performing as the frontwoman of REX, an emerging project in Melbourne’s independent music scene. This broader artistic lens enriches her teaching, giving adult dancers a deeper connection to musicality, expression, and performance intention.
Above all, Alex is passionate about adult ballet. She believes that adult dancers deserve serious, high-level training delivered with warmth, clarity, and respect. Her goal is to uplift every dancer she works with, equipping them with the technical tools, artistic insight, and self-belief to realise their full potential in the studio and beyond.
Tonia Walker
Adult Ballet Assessment Coordinator and Classical Ballet Specialist - Adult Ballet Centre®
Classical Ballet I Private Coaching I AICD Adult Ballet Assessment Program I Pointe Development Level One & Two
Tonia Walker brings exceptional classical knowledge, pedagogical expertise, and calm authority to the Adult Ballet Centre faculty. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and a Cecchetti Licentiate, she is respected for her refined eye for detail and her ability to guide adult dancers through safe, intelligent, and meaningful technical progression.
Her thoughtful teaching approach and commitment to student development make her a highly valued mentor and leader within ABC.
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With formal qualifications in primary education, Tonia’s teaching is grounded in clarity, patience, and a deep understanding of how individuals learn. Her classes are thoughtfully structured, technically sound, and delivered with warmth and reassurance, qualities that create confidence and consistency for dancers at every stage of their training.
Tonia’s own return to ballet as an adult gives her a uniquely empathetic perspective. She understands the emotional courage, physical challenges, and personal triumphs involved in re-engaging with the artform later in life. This lived experience strongly informs her approach, allowing her to support dancers with sensitivity, realism, and encouragement, while maintaining high technical standards.
Beyond ballet, Tonia has worked as a Level 0 Artistic Coach in figure skating, specialising in flexibility development, choreographic design, and ballet-based conditioning for state-level athletes. This cross-disciplinary experience enriches her teaching at ABC, contributing a sophisticated understanding of musicality, coordination, alignment, and performance quality.
At the Adult Ballet Centre, Tonia teaches across multiple levels, from foundational beginner classes through to intermediate and advanced technique, pointe readiness, and personalised private coaching. She is known for her calm presence, meticulous attention to detail, and her ability to foster steady, sustainable progress in adult dancers.
Tonia contributes to the ongoing development of ABC’s AICD Adult Ballet Assessment Program, working collaboratively with ABC’s directors and teaching team. Her structured and attentive teaching supports adult dancers in developing classical technique, musicality and confidence. Supporting ABC dancers for Levels 1–5 of the Australian Institute of Classical Dance Adult Ballet Assessment Program. Her leadership ensures dancers receive:
clear technical goals
professional feedback and personalised guidance
a structured and inspiring performance environment
a non-competitive experience that honours adult progression
Tonia is deeply committed to helping adult dancers build strength, confidence, and artistry through thoughtful, well-designed training. Her quiet excellence, consistency, and genuine care make her a trusted guide and an integral part of ABC’s world-class adult ballet pathway.
Rebecca Anderton
Classical Ballet Specialist - Adult Ballet Centre®
Pointe Development | Floor Barre | Repertoire & Solos | Private Coaching | Contemporary Dance
Rebecca Anderton brings a wealth of professional performance experience, refined classical training, and thoughtful pedagogy to the Adult Ballet Centre faculty. A former soloist with the Victorian State Ballet and a qualified Royal Academy of Dance teacher, she is known for her expressive artistry, strong stage presence, and supportive teaching style.
Rebecca helps adult dancers build confidence, refine technique, and deepen their artistic understanding in a positive and encouraging environment.
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In 2018, Rebecca joined the Victorian State Ballet in Melbourne, where she toured extensively throughout Australia and performed a wide range of classical repertoire in featured soloist roles. Her performance credits include Big Swans (Swan Lake), Arabian Princess (The Nutcracker), Evil Queen (Snow White), and Carabosse (Sleeping Beauty).
Since concluding her professional stage career, Rebecca has focused on dance education and is completing a Master’s in Applied Learning and Teaching, specialising in Dance and Drama. She brings deep professional experience to the studio and a passion for blending strong technical foundations with expressive artistry in her teaching.
Rebecca is committed to performance excellence and arts education and believes in dance as a lifelong practice. She is delighted to join the Adult Ballet Centre faculty, where she supports, inspires, and empowers dancers of all ages and levels on their artistic journeys.
Ellena Nou
Classical Ballet Specialist - Adult Ballet Centre®
Pointe Development | Floor Barre | Repertoire & Solos | Private Coaching
Ellena Nou brings exceptional international training, professional performance experience, and a thoughtful teaching approach to the Adult Ballet Centre faculty. Trained at institutions including The Royal Ballet School and English National Ballet School, her career has spanned the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.
With a teaching philosophy grounded in classical excellence and genuine care for the adult dancer, Ellena helps students build strong technique, confidence, and joy in their training.
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Ellena Nou is a classically trained ballet teacher and former professional dancer whose career has taken her across the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and Australia. Her teaching is grounded in the British ballet tradition and enriched by extensive experience working within Russian, American and Cuban training methodologies throughout her professional career.
A graduate of the prestigious The Royal Ballet School, Ellena was awarded the Principal's Prize in Classical Ballet and worked alongside The Royal Ballet during her training. She continued her studies at Central School of Ballet and later English National Ballet School, where she completed her Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance.
Her professional performing career has included engagements with English National Ballet, Sibiu Ballet Theater, Opera Australia and Twisted Element Co., performing a wide range of classical, contemporary and operatic repertoire.
Alongside her performing career, Ellena has dedicated more than eight years to teaching ballet across leading dance organisations and studios in New South Wales, including Sydney Dance Company, Tanya Pearson Academy and DUTI Studios.
At Adult Ballet Centre, Ellena is passionate about helping adult dancers develop strong technical foundations while maintaining the joy, creativity and sense of community that make ballet such a rewarding pursuit. Her classes balance precision and artistry with warmth and encouragement, creating an environment where dancers feel supported to challenge themselves, grow confidently and deepen their understanding of ballet.
Ellena has a particular love of ballet history, repertoire and artistic development, and enjoys helping dancers connect technique with the rich traditions that have shaped classical ballet over centuries.
Outside the studio, Ellena is also an accomplished graphic designer. She sees many parallels between dance and design, both require attention to detail, spatial awareness, artistry and thoughtful communication. For Ellena, both disciplines are guided by the same belief: when every detail is considered with care, something truly beautiful can emerge.
Jennifer Fleenor - O’Brien
Contemporary & Modern Dance Faculty — Adult Ballet Centre
Artistic Director, UNLID.DANCE Company | Choreographer | Movement Specialist
Jennifer Fleenor-O’Brien is an internationally experienced contemporary dance artist, choreographer, and educator whose expressive and technically grounded teaching has shaped dance communities across the United States, Europe, and Asia for more than 20 years. As Artistic Director of UNLID.DANCE and a valued member of the ABC faculty, she brings depth, sophistication, and contemporary innovation to the adult training pathway.
Jennifer creates an inspiring environment where dancers can explore movement with confidence, creativity, and authenticity.
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Jennifer’s career began in New York City, where she toured and performed with celebrated artists including Michael Foley, Teri and Oliver Steele, and John Evans. In 2001, she relocated to Dublin, Ireland, where she performed extensively—most notably with CoisCéim Dance Theatre, one of Ireland’s leading contemporary dance companies. Her creative and educational work expanded internationally, leading her to teach and perform across the United States, France, Ireland, and Japan.
Her teaching is shaped by a rich movement vocabulary, including:
Limón Technique
Simonson Jazz Technique
African dance
Alexander Technique
Hip-hop and fusion styles
Laban Movement Analysis
Somatic and breath-based practices
This multidisciplinary background informs Jennifer’s dynamic approach to movement—one that blends artistry, rhythm, groundedness, and anatomical intelligence. She recently completed her Master of Dance at the Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne), further refining her creative, academic, and community-engaged practice.
At the Adult Ballet Centre, Jennifer teaches contemporary dance and modern technique, offering adult dancers an expressive, energising movement experience that complements and enhances their classical training. Her classes are known for their musicality, physical release, and emphasis on spinal activation, breath, and joyful exploration—always designed with accessibility and safety in mind (no floor work required).
Jennifer is deeply committed to adult dance education. Her teaching honours individuality, encourages confidence, and celebrates the diverse ways adults can move, express, and connect through contemporary dance. She brings a rare combination of international expertise, creative intelligence, and warmth to ABC’s faculty, enriching the studio’s artistic landscape and inspiring dancers at every stage of their journey.
Olivia (Liv) Day
Classical Ballet Teacher — Adult Ballet Centre
Olivia Day brings a lifelong love of ballet, a thoughtful approach to learning, and a strong educational background to her role on the Adult Ballet Centre faculty. Beginning ballet in Western Australia, she trained for fifteen years under respected teacher Michelle Madlener and completed examinations in the ISTD Imperial Ballet method.
Drawing on her experience as both a school and adult educator, Olivia creates a welcoming and encouraging environment where adult dancers can develop their skills with confidence and enjoyment.
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Olivia spent fifteen years training under respected teacher Michelle Madlener, completing examinations in the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Imperial Ballet method and earning a Highly Commended award in her senior assessment. Her long-term commitment to ballet, combined with a strong educational background, has fostered a thoughtful and analytical understanding of classical technique.
Olivia's teaching philosophy centres on precision, musicality, and adult-specific progression. She believes adult dancers deserve clear, structured, and supportive training that enables them to develop confidence alongside technical skill. Her experience as both a ballet teacher and educator allows her to break down complex concepts with clarity and accessibility, helping dancers understand not only what to do, but why it matters.
Professionally, Olivia has spent more than a decade teaching adolescents and adults across school, tertiary, and language-learning environments. Holding a Master of Teaching and extensive experience as an English and EAL educator, she is skilled at adapting to diverse learning styles and creating an environment where students feel both challenged and supported.
Her ongoing studies in psychology and counselling further inform her understanding of adult learning and personal development. Combined with her lifelong engagement in ballet, yoga, and movement practice, Olivia brings intellectual curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to continuous learning to every class she teaches.
At ABC, Olivia is valued for her ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, foster strong technical foundations, and create a welcoming environment where adult dancers can progress with confidence.
Saige Harrison
Classical Ballet Teacher — Adult Ballet Centre
Saige Harrison is a classical ballet teacher at Adult Ballet Centre in Melbourne, bringing extensive classical ballet training together with recognised strengths in leadership, communication and personal development.
Saige began ballet at the age of three and undertook her vocational training at the National Theatre Ballet School under the direction of Beverly Jane Fry and Damien Smith.
She trained extensively in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and achieved Distinction in her Advanced examination.
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Throughout her ballet training, Saige performed in numerous classical productions and participated in specialist masterclasses with Jacques Marsa in Melbourne, Perth and Canberra. A former artist of the Paris Opera Ballet and Director of International Ballet in Belgium, Marsa introduced Saige to the precision, artistry and traditions of European classical ballet.
Beyond the studio, Saige developed significant leadership experience through the Australian Air Force Cadets. She progressed to the rank of Warrant Officer, specialising in drill instruction, team leadership and communication, before becoming one of the organisation’s youngest managers in Victoria.
Saige was also a recipient of the Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award. Administered by the Department of Defence, the award recognises young Australians who demonstrate exceptional leadership, teamwork and commitment within their school and wider community.
Alongside her teaching at Adult Ballet Centre, Saige works as an Administration Assistant at Precision Health, a specialist neurological practice, while completing her Bachelor of Psychology. Her classical training, leadership experience and developing knowledge of human behaviour inform her calm, attentive and encouraging approach to teaching adult ballet dancers.
Saige is committed to helping adult dancers develop strong classical technique, confidence and a deeper understanding of ballet within a focused, respectful and supportive studio environment.
Masterclass Guest Artist and Development Supporters
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![Damian Smith Masterclass teacher at the Adult Ballet Centre and Former Principal Dancer of San Francisco Ballet]()
Damian Smith - Francisco Ballet
Guest Teaching Artist – Adult Ballet Centre® - Damian Smith
Guest Teaching Artist – Adult Ballet Centre®
Former Principal Artist, San Francisco Ballet | Artistic Director, The National Ballet SchoolDamian Smith is a former Principal Artist with San Francisco Ballet and former Artistic Director of The National Ballet School. Internationally recognised for his artistry and technical excellence, Damian brings world-class expertise, mentorship, and professional insight to Adult Ballet Centre®, inspiring adult ballet dancers through guest masterclasses and coaching.
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![Isabella McGuire Mayes, Ballet with Isabella Masterclass Intensive with the Adult Ballet Centre at Arnold Street Studio]()
Isabella McGuire Mayes
Guest Teaching Artist – Adult Ballet Centre® - Isabella McGuire Mayes
Guest Teaching Artist – Adult Ballet Centre®
International Ballet Artist and Adult Ballet AdvocateIsabella McGuire Mayes is an internationally recognised ballet artist and educator known for her leadership in adult ballet training. Trained extensively in Russia, Isabella combines classical precision with a modern understanding of adult learning. Her masterclasses at Adult Ballet Centre® inspire adult dancers to develop confidence, artistry, and a deeper connection to ballet.
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![Paul Knoblock Masterclass teacher at the Adult Ballet Centre and Ballet Master, Choreographer, Performer at the Australian Ballet company]()
Paul Knoblock
Guest Teaching Artist – Adult Ballet Centre® - Paul Knoblock, Former soloist of The Australian Ballet
Paul Knobloch is an acclaimed Australian choreographer, creative director, and répétiteur with an international career spanning performance, choreography, and education. A former Soloist with The Australian Ballet and Principal Artist with Béjart Ballet Lausanne, Paul brings exceptional artistic insight and professional expertise to Adult Ballet Centre® through guest teaching and coaching.
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![Ty- King Wall Masterclass teacher at the Adult Ballet Centre, former Principal Artsist The Australian Ballet company]()
Ty-King Wall
Ty King-Wall
Guest Teaching Artist – Adult Ballet Centre®
Former Principal Artist, The Australian Ballet | Artistic Director, Royal New Zealand BalletTy King-Wall is a former Principal Artist with The Australian Ballet and former Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Recognised as one of Australia's leading ballet artists, Ty brings world-class performance experience, artistic leadership, and inspiring mentorship to Adult Ballet Centre®, helping adult ballet dancers deepen their technique, artistry, and confidence.
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![Bianca Carnovale, "The Ballet Busker." Masterclass teacher at the Adult Ballet Centre]()
Bianca Carnovale
Guest Teaching Artist – Adult Ballet Centre® Ballet Artist | Ballet Busker | International Advocate for Ballet in Public Spaces
Bianca Carnovale, known worldwide as the Ballet Busker, is an internationally recognised ballet artist celebrated for bringing ballet into public spaces around the world. Trained at Brent Street, The McDonald College, and Ballet Academy East in New York, Bianca inspires adult ballet dancers through her creativity, artistry, and passion for making ballet accessible to all.
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![Susan Sargison]()
Susan Sargison
Guest Teaching Educational Expert - Adult Ballet Centre
Susan Sargison is a highly respected ballet educator, Royal Academy of Dance Examiner, adjudicator, and former professional dancer. Trained at The Australian Ballet School, Susan has dedicated decades to teaching, mentoring, and developing dancers across Australia and internationally. Her depth of knowledge and passion for ballet education make her a valued Guest Teaching Artist at Adult Ballet Centre®.
