Amanda Bollinger
Director / Classical Ballet
After graduating from the Berlin State Ballet School, Germany, Amanda's extensive career included principal contracts with the Metropol Theatre Berlin, Space Dream Musical Theatre, Ballett-Compagnie Deutschland, Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Sommernacht der Klassik" at the Semper Opera house, Dresden. Since moving to Australia in 2002 and opening her own dance academy, Amanda has established herself as one of the leading classical teachers in the country and is a fully registered member and international examiner of the BC. She maintains close relationships with international companies, schools & directors.
Taylor Murphy
Classical Ballet / ABDA Alumni
Taylor began dancing at age four. She competed in numerous local and international competitions, including the Alana Haines Australasian Awards, gaining a scholarship to The Australian Ballet School, Summer School. Taylor achieved Distinction in all her grades and also spent three seasons with BCYB. In 2017, she received the Australian Day Award, Cultural Award, for the her contribution to the Arts. Taylor continued her classical training at The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet (ACB) in Melbourne. Taylor has become an accredited teacher for the BC and continues her tertiary studies in Sport and Exercise Science.
Ariane Murray
Character Dance & Classical Ballet
Born in Paris, Ariane commenced dancing at 5, later studying full time at the Victorian College of the Arts for 4 years where she completed her Bachelor of Arts (Dance). She performed with Bellder Ballet Theatre for 3 years before changing to the commercial dance industry for 10 years. Ariane has been teaching ballet and contemporary for over 35 years, however, as a registered teacher for the ICDS (International Character Dance Syllabus), she has spent the last 10 years focusing on her love of Character Dance, which is essential to today's dancers.
Riannon McLean
Contemporary
Riannon is a professional dance artist, creator, mentor, and choreographer with over 20 years of experience in Australia and internationally. She has performed with Merenia Grey Dance Company (NZ), Dance North (Townsville), Australian Dance Theatre (Adelaide), and Expressions Dance Company. Renowned for her strong character portrayals and mature artistry. Riannon has taught and created works for companies and schools throughout Australia and internationally. Since 2018, she has been the Youth Ensemble Director for ADC in Brisbane, a role she established. Riannon has been with ABDA for many years as a teacher and creator, finding joy in teaching talented, passionate students.
David Semple
Classical Ballet
David completed his training at the Australian Ballet School before joining the Queensland Ballet Company. He danced classical solos and principal roles including Swan Lake, Copeilia, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and Othello. He also enjoyed performing in many other works from choreographers including Natalie Weir, Paul Boyd, William Forsythe, John Neumeier, Stephan Thoss and Davide Bombarda. David began his teaching journey as a Pilates Instructor working in injury rehabilitation, later added ballet teaching where he combined his experience with Pilates to help young dancers gain a greater understanding of their bodies.
Giselle Poncet
Classical Ballet
Giselle began dancing at age 4 on the Gold Coast. At 16, she received a scholarship to John Neumeier's Hamburg Ballet School in 2003, where she also performed with the company. After graduating, she danced with prestigious companies such as Vienna State Opera Ballet, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and Slovak National Ballet. Giselle performed in classics like The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty, as well as contemporary works created for her. With 15 years of teaching experience, some of her students were accepted into European ballet schools. Returning to Australia in 2018, she is now a qualified teacher of the BC syllabus, dedicating herself to nurturing the next generation of dancers.
John Sandurski
Classical Ballet
John is a ballet teacher and former Director of the Melbourne Conservatoire of Ballet. His training began at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School before he continued at the Australian Ballet School where he completed an Advanced Diploma of Dance. He danced with Introdans in the Netherlands performing work by leading choreographers, then moved to Munich to join the Staatstheater am Gaertnerplatz while completing a Degree in Ballet Pedagogy. Returning to Australia he taught for many schools including ABDA, Griffith University and QUT. After several years directing in Melbourne, he returned to Brisbane where he now teaches freelance and at ABDA.
Kiarna Kennair
Jazz
Kiarna is from Mareeba in North Queensland. Kiarna started dancing at the age of two, studying all styles of dance including -Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap & Musical Theatre. Kiarna has studied RAD ballet, BDA tap, jazz and CSTD contemporary, gaining her teachers qualifications in Tap and Jazz at the age of 16. Kiarna has worked with many industry professionals: Jack Chambers, Andrew Fee, Matthew Browning and Carly O'Connor just to name a few. Kiarna studied with RAW Dance Company, graduating in 2015 with her Diploma in Musical Theatre. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Education, applying her academic knowledge to her classroom where she strives to inspire tomorrow's performers.
Mary Bertossa
Yoga
With extensive experience of practicing for over 30 years and teaching for over 25 years, Mary has certificates in E-RYT 200, E-RYT 500, and Yoga Therapy, with a background in lyengar, Ayurveda and specialises in Ashtanga Yoga Method, being one of the very few who have completed all six series. Inspired by her yoga journey Mary has created an artwork and clothing brand. Zen Buddhism also plays an important role which compliments living and teaching in accordance with the philosophy of yoga Classes may be dynamic or therapeutic with strong emphasis on quietening the mind, connecting to the breath, to eventually create a moving meditation.
Marija Simonds
Gymnastics
The love for rhythmic gymnastics began at the age of 4 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. From age 9, she was coached in Sydney by Australia's Commonwealth & Olympic gymnastics pioneer Edith Peluso. Marija continued her journey in Adelaide, competing in state- and national championships until her transition to coaching and judging in her early 20's. An accredited coach with over 10 year's experience, she has trained gymnasts from the age of 4 up to level 10. Having also trained in the RAD ballet stream, Marija's understanding and love of dance compliments her gymnastics background, helping dancers to further develop their physical capability, spatial awareness, coordination, reflexes, strength and flexibility.
