About Youth Ballet WA
Our Vision
- To provide young Australians with the opportunity to pursue an elite education in dance regardless of their background, race or gender.
- To strengthen the rich fabric of the West Australian performing arts fraternity.
Our Mission
- To provide opportunities for State, National and International guest Artists, Choreographers, coaches and teachers to work with elite young dancers.
- To provide scholarships to underprivileged, talented young dancers.
- To promote and support the integration of youth in dance.
Our Values
- Student centred: Our students are the most important element of our program. Their education, training and health are the focus of what we do.
- Professionalism and Excellence: We are committed to ensuring that all our training is maintained at the highest standards possible.
- Nurturing Environment: Through constructive encouragement we will promote self-belief and fulfillment.
- Mutual Support and Respect: We foster in our students respect for the physical, social and intellectual abilities of others.
- Pursuing Academic Education: We ensure that our students achieve a solid academic education which will enable them to support their careers in dance and have opportunities beyond ballet.
- Promoting Health and Wellbeing: The physical and mental health of our students is paramount, strong bodies and minds are essential for their growth as dancers and as well-adjusted members of society.
- Realising Potential: All students are assisted and encouraged to reach their maximum potential.
- Enrichment of Life: By developing a passion for dance our students thereby enhance the quality and value of their lives and by doing so enrich the greater community.
Board Members
Christian Stanes
(Chair)Mr Stanes is the Managing Director of Peritas Group. Christian is an award-winning structural engineer with strong leadership qualities.
As well as being passionate about the Arts, Christian is also a strong supporter in Cancer research.
Jacqui Ecclestone
(Secretary)Ms Ecclestone has a background in corporate communication and information dissemination as well as experience in community financial counselling.
Amanda Sparks
(Treasurer)Ms Sparks is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years' experience in finance, reporting and governance for entities listed on the ASX and unlisted entities.
John Hammond
- (Board Member) Mr Hammond (BA, LLB, LLM) has practiced as a Barrister and Solicitor in WA for over 35 years. In 2002, John was awarded the Centenary Medal for service to local government and can be heard quite regularly on 6PR and Channel 9 news commentating.
Sharon Dalla-Costa
(Managing Director of YBWA)Ms Dalla-Costa (BA Dip Ed) started as a professional dancer in Australia, later transitioning to become a qualified dance teacher. Alongside being the Managing Director, Sharon also coordinates both the Contemporary dance syllabus and the Dance ATAR course.
Sonya Shepherd
(Board Member)Ms Shepherd is the Performance Director of the Pre-Professional ballet programme for YBWA and has over 30 year's experience in dance.
Slava Tutukin
(Board Member)
Slava Tutukin studied with the Vaganova Ballet Academy, Russia. From 2010- 2018, Slava performed as a Principal Artist for a number of leading professional companies. Slava is currenlty the Managing Director of the Tanya Pearson Academy.
PATRONS
Youth Ballet WA is proud to have the Governor of Western Autralia, His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AMP, and
Ms Terri Charlesworth OAM, Cit.WA as our Patrons