Dunsborough School of Ballet offers something to students of all ages. We offer creative and fun classes for the very young; Cecchetti exam preparation for older students; and the dynamic and evolving movement of Contemporary dance. Students are offered a variety of performance opportunities: Each year culminates in a full length production at the Old Dunsborough Hall and Happs Winery. Students learn both the discipline of technique as well as a love for the stage.
Classes
Dunsborough Ballet offers classes to suit all ages; including Classical Ballet, Contemporary and Adult Barre classes.
Little Stars
These classes are a creative introduction to dance for the very young. In Little Stars, Mum or Dad participates alongside their child with an emphasis on learning through watching and repetition. We have lots of fun dancing to songs and classical music as well as venturing onto the stage for our end of year show! For ages 2–3. In First Steps, Kindy and Pre Primary children begin to learn classical technique and co-ordination with an emphasis on improvisation and creative dance. Children take part in the end of year production and each class performs their own creative story. The children adore dressing up and just love getting up on stage at this age. For ages 4–5.
Classical Ballet
These classes follow the internationally recognised Cecchetti Ballet syllabus. Students have the choice of attending for recreational purposes or have the opportunity to prepare for Cecchetti Ballet Examinations which take place in August each year before a national examiner. The syllabus work builds strong ballet technique and the exams really increase confidence and discipline. Improvisation during class continues to play a role in the younger years, while older students are able to train to an advanced level including pointe work. After the examinations we begin rehearsals for our annual production, which include an outdoor performance at Happs Winery. Past productions include: The Nutcracker; Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella and Peter Pan. For ages 6 and up.
Contemporary Dance
These classes are a wonderful addition to the study of classical ballet in which students are able to explore other ways of moving their bodies. Contemporary dance is very interpretive in its choreography and often focuses on emotions; it can be performed barefoot, with ballet or pointe shoes, and with or without music. Music may be classical or contemporary. Contemporary dance almost defies description because it can be balletic or wholly abstract, jazz-influenced or lyrical, structured or unconventional. Contemporary dance can be both fun and challenging as it pushes the boundaries of dance and forces audiences to think and take chances. Students can study contemporary alongside ballet from Grade 1 to Advanced.
Teachers
Caroline Jensen
Caroline began Ballet in South Africa at the age of 3. She has trained in both Cecchetti and the Royal Academy of Dance attaining teacher qualifications in both methods. Caroline attended the University of Cape town ballet school where she also explored Contemporary, Spanish and National Dance; She was awarded best final year student teacher. Caroline also has teaching qualifications in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and Barre Body (Adult Barre Class) She is also a keen yoga practitioner. Caroline has stage experience both within and outside of Ballet school. She choreographed and performed in art festival programmes. Caroline ran a large studio in South Africa before moving to Australia. She began the Dunsborough School of Ballet in 2006. Over the years the school has become known for her annual full length Ballet productions of well known Ballets adapted for her students to perform.
Annelise Colman
Annelise began her dance training in regional WA studying Cecchetti Ballet, contemporary and theatrical dance. After representing Western Australia at the National Lucie Saranova Memorial Awards, Annelise was then offered apprenticeship programs at Ajkun Ballet Theatre and the Joffrey Ballet School New York. Annelise completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and during her final year undertook secondments with Leigh Warren and Dancers, The Australian Ballet and performed in Coppelia with the West Australian Ballet company. Since graduating, Annelise has contributed to a contemporary dance work which was presented at Adelaide Fringe in 2019. Recently she co-produced and performed at Perth Fringe World Festival 2020. Annelise has taught and choreographed for several prominent dance schools in Perth and the South West.
Timetable
Timetable for Semester 1, 2024
| Day | Time | Class | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9:15am–10:30am | Adult Barre Class | Home Studio |
| Monday | 3:30pm–4:30pm | Grade 2 Ballet | Dunsborough Hall |
| Monday | 4:30pm–5:30pm | Grade 3 Ballet | Dunsborough Hall |
| Monday | 5:30pm–6:30pm | Grade 6 Ballet | Dunsborough Hall |
| Monday | 6:30pm–8:00pm | Advanced 1 Pointe | Dunsborough Hall |
| Tuesday | 3:30pm–4:15pm | First Steps Ballet Pre Primary | Dunsborough Hall |
| Tuesday | 4:15pm–5:00pm | Preliminary Ballet (Year 1 school year) | Dunsborough Hall |
| Tuesday | 5:00pm–6:00pm | Grade 4 Ballet | Dunsborough Hall |
| Tuesday | 6:00pm–7:00pm | Grade 5 Ballet | Dunsborough Hall |
| Tuesday | 7:00pm–8:30pm | Intermediate Ballet and Pointe | Dunsborough Hall |
| Wednesday | 9:15am–10:30am | Adult Barre Class | Home Studio |
| Wednesday | 11:00am–11:40am | Little Stars | Dunsborough Hall |
| Wednesday | 3:30pm–4:30pm | Grade 2 Ballet | Dunsborough Hall |
| Wednesday | 4:30pm–5:30pm | Grade 3 Ballet | Dunsborough Hall |
| Wednesday | 5:30pm–7:00pm | Advanced 1 Ballet and Pointe | Dunsborough Hall |
| Wednesday | 6:00pm–7:00pm | Grade 6 Ballet | Home Studio |
| Thursday | 3:30pm–4:15pm | First Steps Ballet Kindy | Dunsborough Hall |
| Thursday | 4:15pm–5:15pm | Grade 1 Ballet | Dunsborough Hall |
| Thursday | 5:15pm–6:15pm | Grade 4 Ballet | Dunsborough Hall |
| Thursday | 6:15pm–7:15pm | Grade 5 Ballet | Dunsborough Hall |
| Thursday | 7:15pm–8:45pm | Intermediate Ballet and Pointe | Dunsborough Hall |
| Friday | 3:30pm–4:15pm | Contemporary Level 1 | Dunsborough Hall |
| Friday | 4:45pm–5:30pm | Contemporary Level 2 | Dunsborough Hall |
| Friday | 5:30pm–6:30pm | Contemporary Level 3 | Dunsborough Hall |
Contact
Please don't hesitate to contact us for any inquiries. Contact details can be found at linktr.ee/dunsboroughballet. Enrolments can be made on the dancestudiopro portal.