Ballet

A graceful and structured dance technique that can benefit anyone of any age. It provides strength and flexibility and is also a great technique to supplement other dance styles.

Explanation of Ballet Levels

Introduction to Ballet 10 week course – This course is designed specifically for adult beginners. We have been running this course since 2007 and it is proven to be the best place for adult learners of any age to start their dance journey.

This course provides a comprehensive foundation of ballet technique with a focus on co-ordination, balance and how to to develop core strength and flexibility. Often people choose to do a course twice before moving to either the Level 1 Preparation or Level 1 classes.

We generally have 3 Intro to Ballet courses running at the same time so If you want to fast track you can do more than one class a week, just purchase another card when the course card runs out.

Gentle Ballet – This is a slower paced class that includes warm up exercises for strength and flexibility and has a creative focus exploring self expression through beautiful music. Suitable for Seniors and beginners who have done just a little ballet.

Ballet Back to Basics – In this class the teacher will be breaking down the underlying technique of fundamental steps in ballet. If you have any steps you would like to work on come along and put your requests in. This is a great class to ask questions, practise steps and get feedback.

Ballet Level 1 Preparation – This class is a bridging class where you get to consolidate the content from the Introduction to Ballet course if you do not feel ready to move to Ballet Level 1. Alternatively you can take this class as a supplement to the Level 1 class.

Ballet Level 2 Preparation – This is a class for those that have been in a level 1 for a while and would like to learn and practise the steps you are likely to do in a level 2 class.

Ballet Level 3 Preparation – This class is a bridging class between Level 2 and Level 3. In this class the focus is on learning technical details to carry out the steps you will get to do in Level 3.

Ballet Level 1 – a beginner level class for those who have had a little ballet experience. It is a follow on from Introduction to Ballet. It’s a good place to start back if you did ballet as a child, or have done beginners ballet elsewhere. Its also good if you just want to go back to basics.

Ballet Level 2  – suitable for those that have done ballet for approximately one to two years. It is also a good place to start back if you did ballet as a child. It can be good class to come to if you did quite a lot of ballet when you were young and you want to come back slowly.

Ballet Level 3 – a medium level class is for those that have done ballet for two, three years or more.

Ballet Level 4 – an advanced class for those with four years of ballet or more.

Ballet Professional Level – Suitable for professional, ex professional and advanced dance students.

Beginner Pointe – a 30 minute class is for those who want to try pointe for the first time. If you aren’t sure if you are ready for pointe work just ask your teacher for advice.

nb: To start pointe you need at least I year minimum of ballet classes. Please make sure you consult your teacher before coming to class so they can advise you whether you are ready for pointe work.

Pointe Level 1This class if for those who have started pointe or have done a little pointe in the past.

Pointe Level 2For those with 2 years or more experience with pointe work.

Pointe and Variations Level 1/2 – A class for those with some pointe experience. Learn well known variations from famous ballets and some strength and techniques. Level one students can join the first fifteen minutes in their pointe shoes and learn the centre work in their flat shoes. Bring your own tutu or skirt to add to the fun.

Repertoire – All levels. In this class you will learn sequences adapted from either existing traditional ballets or new choreography. The sequences are taught for approximately 8 weeks before moving on to a new one.

What to wear

Dance or gym wear with soft ballet shoes (flats). Ballet flats come in leather or canvas, with or without split sole. All are fine, whatever feels most comfortable.

Our Ballet Teachers

Current Classes

See our timetable for ballet classes and courses

Dale Pengelly

His career started brilliantly with being accepted into the prestigious Australian Ballet School in Melbourne. Dale has been a leading light in the Australian and international theatre scene spanning over three decades.

Francois Klaus

Acclaimed former Artistic Director and Chief Choreographer for Queensland Ballet, French-born François Klaus has had an extensive career as choreographer, dancer and teacher.

Gemma Pearce

Gemma trained with Christa Cameron Ballet School, Ballet Theatre Of Australia and the San Francisco Ballet School. After working with Queensland Ballet she has worked on widely internationally and in many independent projects.

Kim Garreau

Kim commenced her early training at the Qld. Ballet School with teachers Mary Heath and Valerie Lisner before being accepted into the Australian Ballet School at age 15.

Kitty Smith

At age 16 Kitty trained at the National Ballet School in Melbourne for 6 months then at Valerie Tweedie’s in Sydney before being accepted to train at the Australian Ballet School.

Larissa Fletcher

Larissa began her serious dance training with Mary Heath at the Queensland Ballet School and then two years at the Queensland Dance School of Excellence.

Michelle White

Michelle is the co-director of 2ballerinas, and a celebrated dancer, performer and teacher. Beginning her career with The Queensland Ballet, Michelle was able to refine herself as an artist at the London City Ballet Company, before returning to a celebrated career at The Queensland Ballet.

Natalie Hammond

In 1994 Natalie graduated from the Australian Ballet School with Honours and whilst studying at the school, Natalie was a silver medalist at the Asia Pacific Ballet Competition in Japan and a bronze medalist at the Adeline Genee Awards in London.

Rani Luther

Former Creative Associate for Queensland Ballet, Rani has worked internationally as an award winning dancer, and a choreographer.

Renee Watt

After graduating from The Brisbane Dance Centre (now ADPI) with a Diploma of Arts (Dance) and Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate, Renee began her professional career dancing and performing at Movie World and in the circus-theatre show, ‘Inneuvre’ at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast.

Robyn Klaus

Former Company teacher and Artistic Associate of Queensland Ballet, Robyn is an internationally respected dance teacher, dance program developer and dramaturg.

Rosetta Cook

Rosetta, co-director of 2ballerinas and teacher, has had wide-ranging career as a director / choreographer and performer in dance, theatre, film and opera. An Australian Ballet School graduate, Rosetta was Principal Ballerina with The Queensland Ballet from 1982 – 1992. Rosetta has been dancing tango since 1999.

Sarah Thompson

Sarah started her early dance training at the Yvonne Britain Dance Academy on the Gold Coast before attending the Queensland Dance School of Excellence where she was awarded the Partricia McDonald Memorial Scholarship.

Shane Weatherby

Shane has had an extensive and varied career working with QLD Ballet, overseas and in dance education.

Tracey-Lee White

After graduating from the Australian Ballet School in 1990, Tracey-Lee joined the Queensland Ballet Company in 1992 dancing many soloist roles including Merthyr, Queen of the Willis, Fanny Ceritto in Pas de Quartre & Big Swans in Swan Lake.

Vanessa Mafe

After graduating from Stuttgart Ballet School in Germany, Vanessa joined The Queensland Ballet under the direction of Harold Collins becoming a featured artist in 1985.

Zoe Doonar

An alumni of the Queensland Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program, Zoe has performed as a Young Artist and Company dancer with the Queensland Ballet since 2016.

Dale Johnston Guest Teacher

Dale Johnston is a former principal with the QLD ballet who has worked extensively in dance education.

Edward Dobinson Guest Teacher

In 2007 Edward was accepted into the Queensland Dance School of Excellence, was awarded the Cecchetti Queensland Senior Scholarship and competed in the Cecchetti Queensland Medal Test state final.

Graham Fletcher Guest Teacher

Graham was accepted into the Queensland Ballet in 1990 and quickly moved through the ranks dancing Principal roles in “Carmen”, “Carmina Burana”, “Scherazade” and had principal roles created on him including “Sleeping Beauty”, “The Tempest”, “Bolero”, “Medea” and “Burning”.

Jacqui Carroll Guest Teacher

A well known choreographer, theatre director and dance teacher, Jacqui has worked widely in Australia and overseas.

Kathleen Doody Guest Teacher

Kathleen commenced her dance training at the Karen Jacobi Dance and Performing Arts Academy in Brisbane. An inaugural member of the Queensland Ballet Junior Extension Program, she was later awarded the Partricia McDonald Memorial Scholarship.

Kimberley Semple Guest Teacher

A former principal dancer, Kimberley enjoyed a long career with QLD Ballet. She taught at 2ballerinas for many years as a regular teacher and now returns as a guest teacher.

Lisa Bennett Guest Teacher

Lisa is a passionate dance teacher and before opening up her own dance studio in Sydney she taught various classes at Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Dance, Opera Australia, and Newtown Performing Arts High School.

Susan Hislop Guest Teacher

Susan performed with The QLD Ballet as Beauty in Beauty and the Beast, and in Sleeping Beauty. Susan performed as a member of the Corps de Ballet in Queensland Ballet Company’s “Giselle”, and also worked with Graeme Watson in “Backyard and Beyond” as Lindy Chamberlain.