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.
Alice Weber
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Alice is a dancer, choreographer and academic, with a portfolio that
spans classical ballet to contemporary experimental performance. Her
teaching practice ranges from early years, syllabus (RAD/ATOD/open)
and tertiary-level teaching, alongside working in dance curriculum
development.
Alice started ballet at age 4 and completed all RAD exams to Advanced
II with Distinction. She completed full time classical ballet training
under Vicki Attard at Academy Ballet, before spending six years in the
UK and abroad.
She has performed nationally and internationally, including UK,
Germany, Canada, New Zealand, Italy and Spain. She regularly presents
work in galleries, theatres and festivals.
Alice is a funded PhD candidate at the University of Sydney,
researching ballet through a gender and cultural studies lens. She is
an academic tutor at the Australian College of Physical Education,
teaching on the BA Dance Education and BA Dance Practice degrees.
Alice gained an MFA with Distinction from Laban on scholarship.
Alice teaches ballet with an ethic of care, rigour and
open-mindedness, combining classical technique with feminist values
and age-appropriate developmental principles, to support each dancer’s
individual journey with the classical form.
Sarah Stoneham RAD CBTS
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 has recently commenced her RAD teacher training. 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.
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!
Emily Reed
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Emily grew up in the UK, dancing from the age of 4 upwards and taking RAD and ISTD exams in classical ballet and tap at North Wales School of Dancing, as well as training in jazz, modern and contemporary.
Growing up Emily performed in dance shows as well as musicals, and whilst studying at university, Emily competed for her university’s jazz, contemporary and tap competition teams, as well as performing at campus and city events. She also choreographed for competitions and shows, and was invited to perform a solo at the university’s Charity Gala.
Emily has taught ballet in her home dance school, as well as choreographing and teaching dance for summer intensives and weekly stage schools. She also has extensive childcare experience through work as a nanny and in schools. She is excited to continue teaching ballet now that she has moved to Sydney
Dana Kantor
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Dana has been dancing since age 5, undergoing the RAD program in her home country in Israel up until Advanced 2 level. Over those years, Dana completed the RAD examinations and achieved a Distinction average.
Dana performed across Israel at festivals and in the theatre. In addition to ballet, Dana dances jazz, contemporary, gaga and hip-hop. Outside of teaching hours, Dana practices ballet and contemporary at the Sydney Dance Company. In addition to dance, Dana is a lover of the outdoors, baking and people, and has a down-to-earth and easy-going nature.
Dana has experience with working with children and loves to share her passion for dancing.
Jessica Ciappara
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas
Jessica Ciappara began dancing when she was 3 years old, initially developing her love for ballet. Continuing to develop this passion, Jess has completed RAD exams from Pre-Primary to Advanced 1 and trained in Advanced 2 at Academy Ballet.
Her passion for dance spans across ballet, jazz, character, lyrical and contemporary. Across her studies she has consistently achieved first place in the academic excellence of Studies of Dance from year 9-12. In completing her HSC Dance studies, Jess was nominated for all performances; major performance, core performance and core composition which has also been selected to perform in the 2024 high achievers CALLBACKS showcase.
Jess aims to utilise her love, passion and knowledge of ballet and movement to create a safe environment to learn and grow with support. She feels grateful to be a part of the beginnings of each individual’s ballet journey, valuing a nurturing environment which allows children to move freely with joy and confidence!
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.
Ballet Teacher at Pretty Little Ballerinas.
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.