Lizzy Ryan RAD CBTS
Principal and Founder of Pretty Little Ballerinas (2013)
Lizzy has trained in classical ballet since the age of 5 and has done various dance styles including contemporay and hip hop. After 14 years of RAD classical ballet training and attending full-time ballet college at The Conlan College, Lizzy went on to study the CBTS program at The Royal Acadmey of Dance (2009). Once qualified Lizzy started teaching ballet classes to preschool and primary school aged children and immediately fell in love with the joy that teaching brought to her and the students she taught.
Lizzy’s classes are full of fun and love whilst focusing on technique.
Sarah Robson
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Born in Newcastle, Sarah began her training in classical ballet at the age of 3, adhering to the syllabus of the British Ballet Organisation (BBO). Following the completion of her Jazz, Character and Ballet exams to an Advanced 2 level, Sarah moved to Sydney where she continued to train, teach and perform.
Whilst in Sydney, Sarah attended winter intensive programs, training at both the McDonald College and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). This instruction, paired with regular eisteddfod and professional performances, has shaped Sarah into a teacher who places emphasis on learning, and perfecting, ballet technique at an early age. Despite teaching students of all ages and abilities, Sarah most enjoys introducing tiny ballerinas to the world of dance and preparing them for accomplished and versatile careers.
Hayley Dwight RAD
Ballet Teacher & Marketing at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Hayley began her Classical Ballet training at Dance North Academy & SCECGS Redlands before moving on to The McDoanld College of Performing Arts for High School. Leaving school Hayley attended full-time training at The Conlan College & Alegria, completing all of her RAD Ballet Exams.
As a Graduate of Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Hayley was lucky enough to travel over to New York City to dance with Ajkun Ballet Theatre & ABT. Hayley spent just over 3 years dancing overseas until deciding to come back home. Hayley is a proud member of the RAD and loves to bring the joy of dance to the next generation of little ballerinas.
Alice Weber
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Alice has worked internationally as dancer, choreographer and dance educator, from a background of classical ballet and a portfolio that expands to contemporary and experimental dance.
Her work has been presented in Australia, New Zealand, UK, Germany, Canada, Italy and Spain. She completed full time ballet training under Vicki Attard in Sydney, before moving to the UK to pursue professional dance in numerous classical and contemporary performances.
Alice gained an MFA Choreography from Laban Conservatoire as a Leverhulme funded scholar in 2018 and has remained active as an international practitioner since returning to Sydney. She recently presented at Christchurch Arts Centre, Dance Centre Vancouver, Ausdance National Dance Forum, and regularly presents work in gallery and festival contexts.
From toddlers to adults, Alice loves teaching classical ballet with an ethic of care and open-mindedness, supporting each young dancer’s individual journey with the classical form.
Sarah Stoneham
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Sarah has been dancing a range of dance styles since 8 years old including classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre and hiphop. Her love for classical ballet led her to training at Tanya Pearson Academy under the RAD syllabus. After finishing school she studied full-time at Brent Street receiving her Diploma of Elite Performance focusing on Classical and Contemporary.
Sarah has been teaching since 2016 and is a qualified progressive ballet technique teacher and will be commencing her RAD teacher training in 2022. Sarah loves being a dance teacher as she sees the joy dance brings to every student and is lucky to be apart of a student’s growth and love of dance!
Phoebe Blundell
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Phoebe grew up in Port Macquarie and studied ballet in both RAD and BBO along with other styles of dance such as jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, hip hop and tap.
After graduating school she moved to Sydney to complete a year full-time at Brent Street and obtained her Diploma of Dance (Elite performance) Focusing on Contemporary. After finishing her full-time training in 2020 she is currently studying a Certificate 4 in Dance Teacher management through Ev and Bow.
Phoebe has found a love and passion for teaching and sharing knowledge with students as she enjoys seeing each student improve, build their confidence and have fun whilst doing something they love.
Ella Power
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Ella Power is a Sydney based dance artist. Ella began her dance training when she was 5 years old with Jenny Soulos and went on to Narrabeen Dance Academy to further her training.
Throughout her studies, Ella has trained in many genres of dance including ballet (RAD and Cecchetti), contemporary, jazz, tap and hip hop. Ella focused on her ballet, contemporary and jazz technique during her training at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA). During her studies at AMPA, Ella has worked with leading industry professionals. Ella has completed her Associate Degree of Dance and is now studying to receive her Bachelor of Dance.
Matina McAneney
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Matina McAneney is a Sydney based dance artist who’s both taught and performed across NSW. Matina began her dance journey when she was 5 years old with Dance Zone Productions and cultural dance.
Throughout her studies Matina has trained in various styles of Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop whilst completing her Bachelor of Dance degree with the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA). During her studies at AMPA, Matina majored in Contemporary dance and worked with leading industry professionals also creating her own major work performed at NIDA.
Whilst completing her studies Matina has been a member of Dance Makers Collective’s youth company Future Makers. Within the company she has been able to collaborate with various independent artists from across Australia, performing around NSW. She has also been able to create dance works alongside like minded dance artists which have been showcased in the Sydney Festival, Art Gallery of NSW, BOLD Festival Canberra, Blacktown Arts Centre and The Granville Centre Art Gallery.
Matina has found a love of teaching and sharing her knowledge from toddlers to adults. She has both taught and created a dance work for the Australian Performing Arts Grammar School (APGS) where she was able to collaborate with the students and bring their ideas to the NIDA stage.
Matina loves being a dance teacher as she enjoys the joy and happiness that comes with each class. She is lucky to be a part of the students’ growth of knowledge and love for dance!
Charlie MacArthur
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Charlie MacArthur grew up in Melbourne, undertaking training in Ballet, Pointe technique, Contemporary, Character and Jazz. Through this they have completed RAD exams from Primary to Grade 8, as well as her vocational exams to Advanced 1.
Charlie studied contemporary dance at Transit Dance in 2022 and relocated to Sydney in 2023 to continue her training in contemporary dance with Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year. She loves to teach ballet and conditioning classes to a variety of ages and abilities, and is always looking to both share and expand her teaching practice.
She enjoys working with children and creating a positive environment to learn and play safely. They seek to ensure a productive, positive and safe environment for dancers and teachers and are passionate about fostering a love of dance and performance in young people.
Lara Smith
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Lara has had an extensive dance background spanning over a decade. She began her training at the age of 5 and has been in love with ballet ever since. When Lara was 15 she accepted an offer to train full-time at Tanya Pearson Academy where she completed their elite classical training course for 3 years.
Lara was a featured dancer in the acclaimed film “The Red Shoes: Next Step”, showcasing her incredible talent and passion for dance. Her dedication to ballet has led her to complete Cecchetti examinations from Pre Primary to Advanced 1, achieving the title of Cecchetti Scholar. Lara has also completed Grade 5 to Advanced 2 RAD examinations, where she was a finalist in the Isobel Anderson awards for the “Advanced Foundation” Exam.
Lara has learned from some of the most renowned instructors in the world throughout her training. Even securing a place in the prestigious Royal Ballet Upper School Intensive Program in London.
Lara is known for her extensive knowledge in classical technique, attention to detail, and ability to inspire and motivate students. She is committed to helping each student reach their full potential and achieve their goals.
Georgia Stig
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Georgia Stig, started dancing when she was 5 years old at a local ballet school in Sydney, NSW. RAD trained by Marie Walton-Mahon and Lucinda Dunn and has completed every RAD exam from primary to Advanced 2 with Distinction. Georgia has trained with The Australian Ballet School in their Interstate training program and was lucky enough to perform with The Wiggles in their Television series “Carnival of the Animals”.
Georgia trained at The Tanya Pearson Academy in their full time classical ballet program for three years before accepting a full time position at The Joffrey Academy Of Dance in Chicago, where she trained for three years in their Conservatory, and Trainee program. Whilst dancing at the Joffrey she was offered a position in their JATTE (Joffrey Academy Trainee Teaching Endorsement) program in which she was able to learn from the faculty at The Joffrey Ballet and assist and teach the younger levels in the school.
After completing her training at The Joffrey, Georgia was offered a position to attend a summer intensive with Ballet Arizona and successfully obtained a position as a Studio Company Member in the Ballet Arizona Company. Georgia has her Certificate III in dance qualification and is currently completing my Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management.
Dance has been a major part of Georgia’s life from such a young age, and has taught her discipline, grace and commitment. Her passion for dance, Classical Ballet especially, and having the opportunity to share her love of dance to the students at Pretty Little Ballerinas really excites her!
Isabella Ciappara
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Isabella’s passion for dance began when she took her first ballet class at the age of 3. Since then she has continued dancing, extending her training to include contemporary, jazz and tap in her younger years and then deciding to focus on ballet and contemporary.
She trained at Academy Ballet and has completed all RAD examinations from Pre-Primary to Advanced 2. After graduating school, Isabella completed 2 years of full-time contemporary dance training in Sydney Dance Companys’s Pre-Professional Year course where she worked with many renowned industry choreographers and gained an Advanced Diploma in Professional Dance (Elite Performance).
Isabella loves nurturing children and hopes that through her classical teaching she is able to create a safe studio space for children to freely move, explore, create and discover things about themselves whilst building relationships with other ballet dancers and most importantly having fun!
Saskia Jones
Ballet and Jazz Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Saskia has trained in classical ballet since the age of 4, completing her RAD training up to Advanced 2 with the Ballet Class with distinction average. Saskia went on to attend full-time dance training at Ev & Bow Dance Centre completing her Certificate IV in dance.
Saskia trained in a variety of dance styles including; RAD ballet, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre and hip hop and has performed at corporate shows and events following the completion of her training. Saskia enjoys teaching and nurturing young students in hopes of sharing her passion for dance.