Norwood Ballet Centre

Thank you for your enquiry regarding classes at our centre.  Our purpose built studios have fixed barres and mirrors and  brand new fully sprung non-slip wooden floors. It was opened by the then Premier of S.A. Don Dunstan in 1973, and since then we have had thousands of happy students pass through our doors, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers as dancers, teachers and choreographers in the wider dance community.

 A little about my background. After training here in Adelaide with Miss Wynne Lee for all my Cecchetti exams, and with Miss Gwen Mackie for my Royal Academy Major Exams – gaining my Advanced certificates in both methods, I joined the S.A.Ballet Company and as a soloist, danced in many of the major classics (Swan Lake, Giselle, Les Sylphides etc) being partnered on occasion by Gary Norman, former principal of the Australian Ballet.  As a child I was quite successful in exams and competitions, winning state scholarships at Grade 3 and Elementary level, as well as both Junior and Senior Cecchetti  Medal awards (one of very few dancers to do so).  My love of Flamenco dance took me overseas, where I lived and danced in Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid and Seville, later touring the world with the El Sali Flamenco Dance Co.. I also studied classical and modern jazz techniques in New York with Dance Caravan Blue, but was forced to retire from full-time dancing after sustaining a foot injury at the age of 25.  I then returned to Adelaide to gain my teaching qualifications, which I passed with distinction, running a small ballet school with branches at Morphett Vale, Flagstaff Hill and Mitchell Park.  I was then asked by my former teacher Miss Wynne Lee, to take over her school at Norwood, on her retirement.  I was honoured to do so, and thus the Norwood Ballet Centre was established. To assist me I have a small, dedicated, talented and fully qualified staff who all love dance as much as I do.

 In June of each year, we hold a mid-year Demonstration at Prince Alfred CollegeTheatre. This is a low-key performance, aimed at showing parents and friends what is done in class, and to help each student enhance their performance skills.  We also enter local Dance Competitions (Solos, Duos, Trios and Troupes) to help further develop performing ability, although I would like to stress that we do this only in a small way, and are not fanatical about them like some other schools who like to over-rehearse – to win at all costs.

 In December we hold a full-scale concert with costumes, lighting design, props and scenery. For  14 years we have held these end-of-year productions at the grand and beautiful Festival Theatre, and more recently at Her Majesty's Theatre where our students have performed to an audience of around 1000.  We pride ourselves on our creativity, and each production has been highly successful in terms of students’ and audience enjoyment. 

All costumes are made by a team of dressmakers for the students to keep. The total cost is between $20 and $50 depending on the fabrics and detail. Most students only require one costume.  Ticket prices are the lowest of any live production at the Festival Theatre, and are subsidized by an annual Easter Chocolate Drive. There are no other fundraisers or extra costs involved.

 The studio has a fully stocked shop selling all ballet, jazz and tap requirements at very reasonable prices. We have 3 large viewing windows from the waiting area into the studio so parents can watch the progress of their children without disruptions to the class. You are welcome at any time to watch a class in progress.  We hope to see you soon.