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 in the cateogory of Building Communities, and will be attending the national finals in Februrary.
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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.
CATHARINE ALLEN – BALLET TEACHER
RAD Intermediate; BA (Honours) in Clinical Psychology​
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Miss Catharine joined Baby Steps Ballet in 2013 before it evolved into Felicity Ryan Ballet in 2014. and is treasured by both students and staff alike.
Catharine began her first ballet class with Carol Warner at the age of 3 in the late 1970s. At age 8 she moved onto lessons with Anne Shaw, and a few years later trained with Hazel Maddox along with Miss Felicity until she was aged 20.
For Catharine, ballet is not simply a discipline and form of exercise. It develops creativity through grace, strength and personality, and is also a lot of fun!
On a personal note, Catharine is a mother to 4 children, and she enjoys being actively involved in their development both in and outside school. She has a great passion for teaching children, which she also applies to her masters in clinical psychology, which she studies part time. It brings her such joy to see the delight in the children's eyes when they are joining in, learning and having fun doing it!
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Miss Catharine cannot wait to meet you and your little dancers!
JOHANNA ROFF –CONTEMPORARY DANCE TEACHER
BA Hons Contemporary Dance
(London Contemporary Dance school)
In 2023 we were so lucky to secure Johanna Roff as our new contemporary dance teacher.
Johanna originally studied in Cunningham in Ballet and Release and Improvisation techniques. Johanna’s journey towards becoming a professional dancer began with a successful audition and acceptance into a dance college in Stockholm, Sweden (Stockholm Estestika gymnasium) and was later accepted into the Theatre Academy of Finland, where she commenced her BA in contemporary dance.
Later, she auditioned for the London Contemporary Dance School where she graduated after 3 years of full time study. She also spent 3 summers in Budapest, and Hungary, where she trained with Lázsló Meszaros (teacher from the Royal ballet school of Sweden) in his Dance Summer Intensive Course.
Johanna has performed with Xaris dance company based in Helsinki Finland. During her time with Xaris dance company Johanna toured, performed, and taught contemporary dance in Finland, Estonia, Kosovo and the UK. She also worked in several independent dance performances and projects including short films.
Johanna is looking forward to seeing you in the studio to learn and explore contemporary dance.
KITTY RAYNER – BABY STEPS BALLET TEACHER
RAD Elementary, B. Commerce (Accounting Major)
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Miss Kitty first joined Felicity Ryan Ballet as a Baby Steps Ballet teacher in 2018.
Kitty completed her classical training with Hazel Maddox, where she danced up to Elementary level, and showed a particular flare for creative movement.
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In 1991 she graduated from Tasmania University with a Bachelor in commerce majoring in accounting, after which she worked extensively in international banking, treasury and spent many years on the money market.
But it was home schooling her 4 children, who now range from ages 9 to 18, where Kitty discovered her true passion for creativity and educating children.
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We are so grateful to have Miss Kitty on our teaching staff. She is particularly wonderful when she works with our littlest dancers, 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!
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 joins the teaching staff of Felicity Ryan Ballet in 2024, and will be offering weekly open classes and privare tuition, and we are so privileged and honoured to have him on our team.
OUR ASSISTANT TEACHERS
