Our Teachers
"Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body - Matha Graham"
Artistic Coordinator and Senior Classical Teacher - Tatiana Pevneva (former soloist of the St Petersburg Theatre and Ballet)
Tatiana Pevneva is an acclaimed classical ballet teacher and Artistic Co-ordinator at Youth Ballet WA, bringing world-class expertise to Perth dancers. Originally from St Petersburg, Russia, she is a graduate of the prestigious Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet and began her professional career as a demi-soloist with the Russian Ballet Theatre before performing as a Soloist with the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre.
Tatiana has performed internationally in iconic classical ballets including Giselle, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. Since joining Youth Ballet WA in 2004 as a classical teacher and guest artist, she has restaged celebrated productions such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty and Don Quixote, and choreographed works including La Fille Mal Gardée. Passionate about developing the next generation of artists, Tatiana combines elite training, professional stage experience and a deep love of classical ballet to inspire and mentor young dancers at Youth Ballet WA.
Artistic Advisor - Terri Charlesworth (OAM, Cit. WA and former dancer with West Australian Ballet)
Terri Charlesworth is an internationally respected ballet leader and educator, celebrated for her lifelong contribution to classical dance. Trained in Melbourne at the Australian Ballet School, she has worked globally, including teaching at Monaco’s prestigious Princess Grace Academy.
Recognised with major honours including the Ulanova Award, WA Citizen of the Year and a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Terri has shaped ballet education across generations. At Youth Ballet WA, she continues to inspire and mentor young dancers while leading innovative programs that strengthen and enrich ballet training in Western Australia Classical Teacher - Christian Luck (former soloist with the West Australian Ballet Company, Adv.Dip in Dance) Born in Sydney, Christian began his dance training at The McDonald College of Performing Arts before being accepted into The Australian Ballet School, where he completed a three-year program and graduated with a Diploma of Dance.
In 2004, Christian joined West Australian Ballet and enjoyed an exceptional 18-year professional career, becoming the company’s longest-serving dancer in its 70-year history. Throughout his time with the company, he performed a wide range of leading and character roles, earning recognition for his versatility, artistry and dedication to classical ballet. Classical Teacher - Sonya Shepherd (Diploma of Dance) Sonya is a highly respected dance educator and leader, recognised for her lifelong dedication to elite ballet training and youth development. With a strong foundation in classical ballet education, Sonya trained under the guidance of her mother, internationally acclaimed ballet educator Terri Charlesworth, developing a deep understanding of both technical excellence and artistic expression from an early age.
Throughout her career, Sonya has been mentored by some of the most influential figures in international ballet, including Marika Besobrasova, Yanina Clunovas, Carlo Garcia and Maris Leipa, shaping her refined teaching approach and passion for developing well-rounded dancers. Contemporary and ATAR Dance Co-Ordinator - Sharon Dalla Costa (former soloist dancer with Chrissie Parrot & various Sydney Dance Companies, B.A, Dip Ed) Program Teachers Spanish and Pilates Co-Ordinator -Lynn Martlew (Adv. Dip in Dance and former dancer with Danza Viva Spanish Company) After-school Classical Teacher - May Cheah (Adv. Dip in Performing Arts and former Soloist with the Singapore Ballet Company) After-school Contemporary and Pointe Prep Teacher - Katie Chown (B.A - Dance B.A.Sc - OT and former dancer of Remnant Dance Theatre Collective) After-school Foundation Teacher - Tamice Puckridge (Certificate IV in Ballet Performance) After-school Classical Teacher - Ivan Tarakanov (Former dancer with Mikahilovsky Ballet Theatre, Israel Ballet and Alanta Ballet)After-school Classical Teacher - Cassie Walton (Certificate IV in Ballet Performance)
Recognised with major honours including the Ulanova Award, WA Citizen of the Year and a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Terri has shaped ballet education across generations. At Youth Ballet WA, she continues to inspire and mentor young dancers while leading innovative programs that strengthen and enrich ballet training in Western Australia Classical Teacher - Christian Luck (former soloist with the West Australian Ballet Company, Adv.Dip in Dance) Born in Sydney, Christian began his dance training at The McDonald College of Performing Arts before being accepted into The Australian Ballet School, where he completed a three-year program and graduated with a Diploma of Dance.
In 2004, Christian joined West Australian Ballet and enjoyed an exceptional 18-year professional career, becoming the company’s longest-serving dancer in its 70-year history. Throughout his time with the company, he performed a wide range of leading and character roles, earning recognition for his versatility, artistry and dedication to classical ballet. Classical Teacher - Sonya Shepherd (Diploma of Dance) Sonya is a highly respected dance educator and leader, recognised for her lifelong dedication to elite ballet training and youth development. With a strong foundation in classical ballet education, Sonya trained under the guidance of her mother, internationally acclaimed ballet educator Terri Charlesworth, developing a deep understanding of both technical excellence and artistic expression from an early age.
Throughout her career, Sonya has been mentored by some of the most influential figures in international ballet, including Marika Besobrasova, Yanina Clunovas, Carlo Garcia and Maris Leipa, shaping her refined teaching approach and passion for developing well-rounded dancers. Contemporary and ATAR Dance Co-Ordinator - Sharon Dalla Costa (former soloist dancer with Chrissie Parrot & various Sydney Dance Companies, B.A, Dip Ed) Program Teachers Spanish and Pilates Co-Ordinator -Lynn Martlew (Adv. Dip in Dance and former dancer with Danza Viva Spanish Company) After-school Classical Teacher - May Cheah (Adv. Dip in Performing Arts and former Soloist with the Singapore Ballet Company) After-school Contemporary and Pointe Prep Teacher - Katie Chown (B.A - Dance B.A.Sc - OT and former dancer of Remnant Dance Theatre Collective) After-school Foundation Teacher - Tamice Puckridge (Certificate IV in Ballet Performance) After-school Classical Teacher - Ivan Tarakanov (Former dancer with Mikahilovsky Ballet Theatre, Israel Ballet and Alanta Ballet)After-school Classical Teacher - Cassie Walton (Certificate IV in Ballet Performance)