FELICTY RYAN – OWNER/PRINCIPAL
ARAD; Advanced Certificate in Classical Ballet (National Theatre Ballet School)
BA in English (Tasmania University)
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Felicity Ryan studied classical ballet under local teacher Hazel Maddox for 10 years before being successfully awarded her Advanced 2 level of the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus at only age 16. Following this, she was accepted into The National Theatre Ballet School in Melbourne under the tutelage of former Principal of The Royal Ballet Ann Jenner, where she undertook full-time training for 2 years in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Pas de deux, Character Dance, Contemporary, Repertoire, Jazz, Tap, Musical Comedy, Music Appreciation, Drama, Flamenco, and Production and Performance. In 1993 she was awarded a Diploma in Classical Dance and freelanced professionally both as a dancer and teacher.
After a considerable break from the world of dance, and having started her own family, Felicity decided to combine her love of children with ballet, and in February 2012 established Baby Steps Ballet. These classes grew rapidly, and in 2014, Baby Steps Ballet was nominated and went onto become a finalist in the Telstra Business Start Up awards. Riding on this success, Felicity was able to launch Felicity Ryan Ballet.

While Felicity primarily teaches the RAD method, she does not enter children into examinations. Felicity does however offer a diverse range of set and open classes that provide students, who are both experienced and beginners, with the full spectrum of classical training. Her approach is to balance technique and artistry in a creative and caring environment. Felicity always fosters and encourages children in her classes equally, because for her ballet is not just about developing the best technical ability, but building personal self-esteem.
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Felicity Ryan Ballet offers non-competitive classes for children and adults of all ages and levels of experience. So whether you are wanting to learn ballet for fun, or inspired to extend yourself further, Felicity Ryan Ballet offers a comprehensive program, with highly trained and professional staff, that can deliver both.
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Children in our middle school are expected to participate in our end of year concert, but this is always extremely relaxed and inexpensive.
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Felicity believes in teaching classical ballet in its purest form, while nurturing and inspiring children and adults alike to develop confidence, individuality and strength through this beautiful art form which is in no small part why Felicity Ryan Ballet was recently announced the state winner for the Telstra Best of Business Awards for 2024 and was a national finalist.
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She and her amazing team look forward to meeting and dancing with you.
LISA CHAMBERS – BALLET TEACHER
ARAD; Intermediate SATD; Intermediate Checchetti
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Lisa began ballet lessons at The Ballet Centre with Marie Burridge in Hobart. She continued here for the next 10 years before attending The St Michaels Collegiate School of Performing Arts for college.
Lisa successfully auditioned for the Australian Dance Performance Institute, Brisbane and Dance World Studios, Melbourne. Choosing to study at Dance World, she stayed here for a year before being accepted into The National Theatre Ballet School. There Lisa studied under Beverly Jane Fry, Principal Ballerina with The London City Ballet.
On returning to Tasmania Lisa became a ballet teacher at several local dance schools. She is very excited to be working at Felicity Ryan Ballet where she teaches adult ballet , senior ballet and pointe alongside Miss Felicity.
She very much looks forward to meeting and dancing with you.
LENKA FERGUSON - BALLET TEACHER/PRE-PROFESSIONAL DANCE COACH
Conservatoire of Dance BRNO (Diploma of Dance and pedogigical practice)
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Originally from Slovakia, Lenka completed her formal ballet studies at the conservatoire of dance in Brno, in the Czech Republic receiving a diploma of dance and pedagogy. She performed in many different performances whiile studying in brno in the ballet company there, including Swan lake and the Nutcracker.
After her studies, Lenka joined Ballet liberec where she performed both in their corps de ballet and in many soloist roles.She then continued to dance for a year in Olomouc ballet before deciding to move with her husband
to Hobart to move on to her next adventure.
RORY FERGUSON - BALLET TEACHER/PRE-PROFESSIONAL DANCE COACH
ARAD (with distinction); Diploma of Classical Dance; Marie Walton-Mahon Dance Academy & Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy; Genee bronze medalist; Youth American grand prix finalist; former soloist of The Czech Republic Ballet.
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Rory Began dancing at the age of 12 under Karen Barker-Rogers at Central School of Dance in Newcastle. He then went on to study at Marie Walton-Mahon Dance Academy/National College of Dance under Marie Walton Mahon and then later under Brett Morgan. He continued his full-time training at Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy under Tanya Pearson in Sydney, during which time he achieved his RAD Advanced 2 Certificate with Distinction.
In 2013 Rory was a Youth America Grand Prix New York finalist and also went on to win the bronze medal at the Genee international ballet competition in Scotland. He then moved to Switzerland to finish his studies at Ballettschule Theater Basel, under the tuition of Rafael Avnikjan,where he graduated with a Diploma of Classical Dance,
In 2015 Rory began dancing at Liberec ballet in the Czech Republic where he was quickly promoted to soloist. During this time Rory won 2 Liberec Thalie awards for his performances, and received 3 nominations for the Czech Thalie awards for best performance in the Czech Republic for the years 2018, 2020, 2022.
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Rory then moved to Olomouc Ballet where he also performed many roles and was again nominated for the Czech Thalie award for the best performance in the Czech Republic for the year 2023.
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Rory recently returned to Tasmania with his wife Lenka, where they intend to settle down. He joined the teaching staff of Felicity Ryan Ballet in 2024, can offer private tuition, and we are so privileged and honoured to have him on our team.
ANA CAROLINA CEBALLOS – BALLET & CONTEMPORARY DANCE TEACHER
Bachelors Degree in Classical Ballet Panama; Masters Degree in Developmental Processes in the Teaching of Arts, University of Habana, Cuba.
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Ana studied ballet with Terpsicore Ballet Academy (Russian and Cuban methods) in Panama City, Panama. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Ballet and a Masters Degree in developmental processes in teaching of the arts, from the University of Arts in Habana, Cuba.
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Ana has danced with various companies in Cuba and Panama and worked as a dance teacher in a number of private academys and dance faculties at the University of Panama since 2016.
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We are so ortunate that Ana moved to Tasmania, and are extremely proud and excited to have her join our dance community in 2025 as a contemporary dance and ballet teacher.
CHARLOTTE ALLEN-RHODES – BALLET TEACHER
​Miss Charlotte first joined Felicity Ryan Ballet as a student in 2012 and has trained with MIss Felicity since she was 4 years of age.
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Charlotte has been mentored by Miss Felicity under her teachers program and has developed an excellent understanding of both the terminology and steps. She has trained in RAD method to an advanced 2 level and is known for her strong technical ability, musicalily and artistic expression.
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​​​We are so grateful to have Miss Charlotte on our teaching staff She is loved by both her peers and is greatly admired for her skill, integrity, and kindness when teaching all our students.
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She cannot wait to meet and dance with you!
OUR ASSISTANT TEACHERS
