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Our Staff


  • A FEW WORDS FROM OUR STAFF

  • Our hope at YBWA is to teach holistically, to impart not only technical skills but also help students to understand the life skills needed to be a dancer.
  • We are all so privileged to be a part of our students’ individual development, to help nurture them artistically whilst working on their personal goals.
  • We are passionate about sharing our knowledge and experience of Dance with our students.
Staff
  • Artistic Advisor - Terri Charlesworth (OAM, Cit. WA, former ballet dancer with West Australian Ballet)
  • Terri Charlesworth is a ballet luminary renowned globally for her profound impact on classical dance. From her formative years in Melbourne at the Australian Ballet School to teaching at Monaco's prestigious Princess Grace Academy, her journey is a testament to dedication and artistry. With accolades such as the Ulanova Award, a recognition as WA Citizen of the Year and a Medal of Order (OAM), Terri's legacy extends far beyond the stage.
  • Terri's influence transcends borders, shaping ballet education and nurturing young talent across generations. Her commitment to excellence is evident in pioneering programs and collaborations that elevate the art form. Today, at Youth Ballet WA, she continues to inspire the next wave of dancers while spearheading initiatives to further enrich ballet education in Western Australia.
  • Artistic Coordinator and Senior Classcial Teacher - Tatiana Pevneva (former soloist of the St Petersburg Theatre and Ballet)
  • Tatiana Pevneva, hailing from the ballet mecca of St Petersburg, Russia, brings a wealth of experience to the stage. A graduate of the prestigious Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, she began her illustrious career as a demi-soloist with The Russian Ballet Theatre before captivating audiences as a Soloist with St Petersburg Ballet Theatre.
  • Throughout her journey, Tatiana has portrayed iconic roles in the classics of 'Giselle,' 'Swan Lake,' and 'Sleeping Beauty,' gracing stages worldwide. Her passion for ballet led her to Australia, where she joined Youth Ballet WA in 2004 as a classical teacher and guest artist. As an esteemed educator, Tatiana has restaged numerous timeless ballets, including 'Swan Lake,' 'Giselle,' 'Sleeping Beauty,' and 'Don Quixote,' while also choreographing enchanting productions like 'La Fille Mal Gardee.' Her dedication to nurturing the next generation of dancers shines through in every performance and production.
  • Today, Tatiana continues to inspire, as a dedicated Classical teacher and Artistic Coordinator at Youth Ballet WA, sharing her love for ballet and her wealth of experience with aspiring young artists.

  • Full Time Teachers
  • Liam Blair - Classcial teacher (former principal dancer of Aalto Ballett, Germany, Certificate IV in Ballet Performance)
  • Liam trained at the Charlesworth Ballet Institute, the Australian Ballet School and the School of American Ballet. In 2009, Liam studied at the Académie de Danse Princesse Grace, where he performed with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and with Ballet Nice Méditerranée. Liam then joined Aalto Ballett Essen in 2011 and was promoted to principal dancer in 2018, Liam’s repertoire includes many works by esteemed choreographers. Liam has served as choreographic assistant to multiple choreographers, as well as ballet master to various companies.
  • Christian Luck Classical teacher (former soloist with the West Australian Ballet Company, Adv.Dip in Dance)
  • Born in Sydney, Christian commenced his training at The McDonald College of performing arts, before being accepted into The Australian Ballet School where he completed a 3 year course, graduating with a diploma in dance. In 2004, Christian joined The West Australian Ballet where he danced professionally for 18 years, making him the company's longest serving member in their 70 year history. He danced numerous roles over that time including several principal dancing roles and many more character roles over the course of his career.
  • Lauren Limmer - Contemporary teacher (former soloist with Landestheater Coburg and Stadttheater Bremerhaven, Germany. B.A in Dance) Lauren trained at Terri Charlesworth Ballet School (now Youth Ballet WA), Ecole-Atelier Rudra Béjart and Akademie des Tanzes Mannheim. Lauren went on to dance professionally for 7 years in Classical and Contemporary companies throughout Germany. She began her career in Badisches Staatsballett Karlsruhe and Theater und Orchester Heidelberg before dancing as a 1st soloist in Stadttheater Bremerhaven and Landestheater Coburg.

  • Part time and Casual Teachers
  • Lynn Martlew (former dancer with Danza Viva Spanish Company, Adv. Dip in Dance) Spanish Coordinator
  • Katie Chown (former dancer of Remnant Dance Theatre Collective. B.A in Dance and Bsc OT) Foundation and Juniors teacher.
  • Tamice Puckridge ( Certificate IV in Ballet Performance) Foundation teacher
  • Ivan Tarakanov (former dancer with Mikahilovsky Ballet Theatre, Israel Ballet and Atlanta Ballet) Foundation and Juniors teacher
  • Cassie Walton (Certificate IV in Ballet Perormance) Foudation and Juniors teacher
  • Performance Director - Sonya Shepherd (Dip in Dance) , Senior Classical coordinator and teacher
  • Managing Director - Sharon Dalla-Costa (former dancer with Chrissie Parrot and various Sydney Dance Companies, B.A, Dip Ed) , Contemporary and ATAR Dance coordinator
  • Administration
  • Suana Arboleda (B.A in International Business)
  • Wardrobe Coordinator Kathy Gargett
  • Events
  • Amy Duplex (BCom in Management)
  • Academic
  • Liz Gordon (B.A Education) Academic Supervisor
  • Seanne Sparrow (B.A, Dip Ed) ATAR Dance teacher
  • Pianists
  • Ewa Jelonek
  • Vas Jelonek
  • All YBWA staff have a current Working with Children Check, a First Aid Certificate (with many staff having also completed a Mental Health First Aid course), they uphold and adhere to Ausdance safe dance practices both in the classroom and within the studio spaces. YBWA staff are committed to the welfare of all our students providing a safe environment and community for our students to grow and learn with the highest of standards.
Guest Artists
  • Aymeric Aude (Introdans, The Netherlands)
  • Terrance Etheridge (International teacher and choreographer
  • Yuri Vasilkov (St Petersberg State Theatre Arts Academy)
Our Facilities
Our premises are located in Burswood just a short 3 minute walk from the Burswood train station ensuring minimal travel distance for students who need to catch public transport. Our building contains 4 beautiful, purpose-built ballet studios with tarkett , sprung floors, full length mirrors, revearse cylcle air-conditioning and a large classroom area to accomodate academic school work.
Student Wellbeing
At Youth Ballet WA, our staff hold our students' wellbeing in the highest regard. All our staff can assist students with the correct care needed. We have access to a range of services to ensure our students develop to the best of their ability throughout the course of their time with our Pre-Professional Ballet Programme.
  • Governance
  • YBWA staff, students, guest and famlies, are covered by AON public liability and indemnity insurance. Our ballet school are coporate members of both Ausdance Australia and the WA Classical Ballet Teachers' Association. Appropriate teachers also have their teachers registration with the education department.
  • On joining our community, all members will recieve information on our policies and procedures that help to govern our school ensuring our values of excellence, well being and inclusion, are met.
  • We are passionate about ensuring we are doing our best for our ballet commnuity and value any and all feedback.