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Joanne Simms RAD RTS
The Macarthur School of Ballet was established in September 2004.
After 25 years of teaching Classical Ballet in the Macarthur area, Joanne decided the area needed a Dance school specialising in Classical Ballet, providing strong Classical Ballet techniques, musicality and artistry in a caring and nurturing environment.
Now known as the only Ballet school in the Macarthur, the school offers:
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Skye Ashley Harrison
Skye started dancing at 3.5years at the Sharon Hardy School of Dance in Campbelltown.
By age 11 her National Character teacher Rita Dubovsky transferred Skye to begin her training with The Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy in St Leonards. At age 14 she began her professional training as a full time student under Tanya Pearson, which led her to audition for overseas schools in Europe by 15. Skye accepted a place with the Ballettschule of the Hamburg Ballet, John Neumeier and commenced her training in Hamburg, Germany at age 16.
Touring with the company to Japan and being involved with the company's productions of Swan Lake and La Bayadere the following year she was offered a full contract with the Hamburg Ballet. Skye, 22, has now completed her fifth season with the Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier.
The Studio is delighted to offer students the opportunity to learn from such a Beautiful Ballerina.
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Jessica Cockburn
Jessica completed her HSC in 2010 and has been offered a place at ED5 International studying a Certificate IV in Performing Arts Fulltime. Jessica has trained to Advanced Classical Ballet RAD, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap and Choreography.
Jessica has performed as a Dancer/Singer in 3 major West End productions whilst living in the UK, performed lead roles in amateur productions, as well as a Principal role in Opera Australia’s Premier of Batavia in the Sydney Opera House.
Jessica has choreographed winning eisteddfod routines in the contemporary and expressive style including 1st place in The McDonalds Performing Arts Challenge.
Jessica is also an accomplished singer, pianist and guitarist, this year she has written and recorded a cd of her own original songs.
Graduated ED5 International Certificate IV in Performing Arts 2011
Accepted into Sydney Theatre School - Diploma in Theatre Performance 2012
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Annette Farrugia
Annette started dancing at the age of 8, being a student of Joanne Simms for 8 years. At the age of 16 attended The McDonald College of Performing Arts, completing 2 Unit Dance, 2 & 3 Unit Classical Ballet in the HSC. Gaining 1st Place and the Academic Award for 3 Unit Classical Ballet. Annette danced with Premiere State Ballet and performed many traditional Classical & Contemporary pieces.
Annette lived in Melbourne for 3 years attending The Victorian College of the Arts completing a Bachelor of Dance Degree. Within this time Annette danced and performed with many International choreographers, receiving the Friends of the VCA Encouragement Award, ( an annual scholarship) inviting her to dance with the Royal New Zealand Ballet during their 2000 Australian Tour. Annette also completed a secondment with the Sydney Dance Company performing a solo from Free Radicals for her 3rd year solo piece.
Since graduating from VCA Annette has performed as an Independent Artist including a piece created for the Newtown Dance season ‘Bodies’, which was developed and showcased for emerging choreographers by One Extra Dance Company.
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Penny Lehtonen
Penny’s enthusiasm for Pilates and training of children is supported by 15 years of experience as a Primary School Teacher, Fitness Instructor and Gymnastics Coach
Penny also uses a gentle muscle balancing technique known as Emm Tech. Relieving sore and tired muscles, promoting recovery & injury and to overcome postural imbalances.
- Bachelor of Primary teaching
- Level 2 Mat Pilates instructor
- Pilates & Prop. Instructor
- Certificate 3 fitness & group fitness instructor
- Course presenter Gymnastics NSW
- Emm Tech
- First Aid
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Sarah Kennedy
Sarah has a wealth of knowledge in the performing arts industry, starting off life as a commercial dancer, moving into event production and choreography and all the while remaining passionate about sharing her love of dance with her students.
While working in the events industry, Sarah was involved in many events including production managing the Sydney 2000 Olympics, choreographing for the NSW School Spectacular, National Schools Coordinator for the Wakakirri Story Dance Competition as well as being on the technical team for the 2004 Athens Opening Ceremony, 2006 Commonwealth Games, 2006 Asian Games as well as a multiple of corporate events.
Sarah is committed to ensuring that she provides the best training for her students, and each year furthers her own training by working with choreographers and teachers such as Bill Prudich (Edge PAC, Los Angeles), Milton Meyers (Ailey School, NYC), as well as taking classes at world renowned studios EDGE Performing Arts Centre, Broadway Dance Centre, Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, Steps on Broadway, Alvin Ailey Dance Centre, Peridance Centre, Merce Cunningham Dance Centre, IDA Hollywood.
Students that Sarah has trained have gone on to dance at Moulin Rouge Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Australian Ballet, West Australian Ballet, Follies Du Lac, Royal Palais, Tropical Island Berlin, Mod Dance Company. Students have also gone on to further study at Raw Dance Company, Academy Ballet, VCA, WAAPA, Brent St Fulltime, ED5 International, Conlon College Fulltime, Tanya Pearson Fulltime, National College of Dance, Boston Ballet School, Wesley Institute, Danceworld 301.
Sarah holds a Bachelor Design and Technology with a major in Business Management and a Bachelor of Education (Secondary). She is a recognized HSC Dance Tutor, with students being selected for HSC Callback in 2008, 2006, 2003 & 2001.
Sarah is a member of the BAL and Pullars Dance Academy; and is also a certified Zumba® Fitness instructor holding Certificates in Basics 1, Basics 2, Zumba® Toning and Aqua Zumba®.
While Sarah’s classes are challenging, she is committed to ensuring that every student gets the most out of each class and most importantly develops a love for dance and has FUN!
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Allison Durrington
Miss Allison is an accomplished Dance Teacher in Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Modern, and has enjoyed teaching in the southern Highlands, Macarthur and Liverpool areas over the past 30 years. Miss Allison holds the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) teaching certificate in classical Ballet and FATD (Federal Association of Dance Teachers Association) teaching certificates in Tap and Jazz.
Over many years, Miss Allison taught at APA Macarthur alongside Mr Brett Morgan, Former Artistic Director of the Sydney Dance Company, guiding students through RAD Graded and Vocational Graded Ballet Exam classes, Pointe classes, Tap ,Jazz and Modern classes, Troupes and solo's.
In 1992, with demand for an RAD Ballet school in the Wollondilly area, Miss Allison opened a Dance School at Picton, which ran successfully for 5 years.
Over the last 3 years Miss Allison sent 108 students for RAD graded ballet exams from Primary through to grade 8 and 38 Vocational Graded students from Intermediate Foundation through to Advanced 1 level.
Miss Allison is committed to passing on her love of dance and ensuring she provides the best training for her students by completing continuing professional development courses;
- April 2010, RAD Grade 6,7,8, Intermediate and Advanced Foundation comprehensive Teachers courses.
- April 2010 First Aid course.
- October 2010 My Pointe Workshop, with Vicki Attard, former Australian Ballet soloist.
- January 2011 RAD New Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate Syllabi Teachers courses.
- January 2012 RAD New Grades 1-3 Syllabi Teachers courses.
Past students have gone on to further study at;
- The Academie Ballet, Alexandria
- National College of Dance, Newcastle
- Australian Ballet Junior school programme, Melbourne
- Ev & Bow, Sydney
- WAAPA ( West Australian Academy of Performing Arts)
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