Dance Faculty
Adele Hyland
MEd(Ed Admin), GradDipEd(Comp Stud), Bed(Music)
Head of School
Fellow and Examiner, Choreographer, Adjudicator, Dance Educator
Adele has had an extensive and varied career in Dance, having performed, adjudicated and choreographed to international acclaim. As a performer, she has represented Australia in 3 World Championships and is one of only two Australian dancers to have won National Titles in 4 styles of dance. She choreographed for Strictly Ballroom, multiple television shows, commercials and television shows, including ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and ‘Strictly Dancing’. Adele was also awarded the United States Heritage Award for International Services to Dance in 2001 for the coordination and choreography of the Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony.
Meanwhile, she has maintained a private Dance studio over a period of 35 years, whilst also teaching from Primary to Tertiary levels within the NSW Education system. Currently, Adele is the President of the International Dance Organisation (Australia) and a director of the Australian National Dance Association. She has taught and enjoyed many styles of Dance, with a particular passion for the Latin American style. She has had a great deal of success as a teacher and mentor to both aspiring and international prize winning Dancers and is grateful for the opportunity to pursue high standards in holistic Dance practice at Wesley Institute.
Terri-Ann Bolger
Cert IV AWPT
Dance Co-Ordinator
Growing up in Adelaide, Terrie-Ann completed her advanced RAD exams and studied at the Centre for the Performing Arts, Adelaide achieving an Advanced Associate Diploma in Dance. After graduating in 1986, Terrie-Ann performed with Expressions Dance Company, The Queensland Ballet, The Australian Dance Theatre and Dance North, Townsville. Terrie-Ann travelled to London in 1995, performing and teaching for several project Companies throughout the UK before joining Rambert Dance Company as their Company Animateur in 1996-97. Upon returning to Australia, Terrie-Ann taught Company classes for Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra Dance Company and Opera Australia. In 2000 Terrie-Ann was Rehearsal Director for TasDance and upon returning to Sydney took up a position as Lecturer in Dance at Wesley Institute, where she is currently the Dance Coordinator.
Ronne Arnold
DipDance, DanceNotatCert, BMus (Dance), MADance, CertIVA&WT
Dance Lecturer
Ronne has an extensive career in Dance and Choreography, having trained in both Australia and the USA. Ronne completed his degree in Dance with a special emphasis on Laban notation in the USA then he moved to Australia and completed his Masters Degree in Dance at the University of Sydney in 1991. Ronne has a career spanning over 30 years in Dance teaching, Directing, Choreography, and Performance. Ronne is also a member for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship committee at the University of New South Wales. He is the representative for the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group on the NSW Board of Studies. Ronne has been teaching at the Wesley Institute since 2003
Anca Frankenhaueser
BA (Hons) ContempDance, MDAMvtStud
Dance Lecturer
Originally from Finland, Anca studied at the London Contemporary Dance School. Anca danced with the London Contemporary Dance Theatre (LCDT) for 15 years touring worldwide. In 1987 Anca was appointed Rehearsal Director and Company Teacher for LCDT. In 1985 she graduated with BA(Hons) Contemporary Dance from the University of Kent. Anca finally travelled and settled in Australia where she has been Teaching and performing since 1990.
Patrick Harding-Irmer
BA, GradDipEd, BA(Hons) Dance
Dance Lecturer
Patrick Harding-Irmer graduated from Sydney University in 1971 with BA, Dip.Ed, Majoring in Philosophy and German. In 1972 Patrick travelled overseas and in 1973 he joined the London Contemporary Dance Theatre and remained for 17 years as performer, teacher, choreographer and on two occasion Acting Artistic Director. In 1985 he Graduated with BA(Hons) Contemporary Dance from the University of Kent, the same year he was voted “ Best Male Modern Dancer in Britain” by the readers of Dance and Dancers magazine. Patrick returned to Sydney in 1990 where he has been involved in performing projects with many different companies and is constantly in demand as a lecturer, choreographer and performer.
Alyssia Hodges
BA (Hons), DanceEd (current)
Dance Lecturer
Alysia has an extensive career in dance teaching and choreography spanning over 18 years. In addition to Jazz technique Alysia has taught RAD classical Ballet, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary technique to students of all ages. Her works include Channel 7’s Carols in the Domain, MO awards, Sydney Festival Global Dance weekend, NSW Premier’s concerts and three dance tours to the USA. Some of her students have appeared in Billy Elliot, Shout, and another has been selected for the Australian series of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. These are only some of the examples of Alysia’s wealth of experience.
Susan Bond B. App. Sc (physio), Cert Pilates Instructor, MAPA
Lecturer in Body Science and Pilates, resident Physiotherapist.
Susie graduated as a Physiotherapist from Cumberland College’s Sydney University campus in 1987. She has been lecturing Body Science at Wesley institute since 1994. Susie’s training and interest in dance and health science have led her to establish a physiotherapy private practice incorporating Pilates, Dance Medicine and Physiotherapy.
Susan Bond
B. App. Sc (physio), Cert Pilates Instructor, MAPA
Lecturer in Body Science and Pilates, resident Physiotherapist.
Susie graduated as a Physiotherapist from Cumberland College’s Sydney University campus in 1987. She has been lecturing Body Science at Wesley institute since 1994. Susie’s training and interest in dance and health science have led her to establish a physiotherapy private practice incorporating Pilates, Dance Medicine and Physiotherapy.
Nicola Baartse
BADance, DipDanceTech&Choreog, CertIVA&WT
Dance Lecturer
Nicola holds a BA in Dance from the University of Adelaide and a diploma in Choreography from London Contemporary Dance School. In 1998 Nicola founded Mercury Dance Theatre (MDT) in London. MDT performed at music and dance Festivals throughout England, culminating in an independent London season in February 2000 featuring her works Fire Immersion and Dream Sequence. Nicola returned to Australia in June 2000 after studying and working in London for 6 years. Since her return she has been choreographing and performing with Ask Dance Theatre, Stretch MK1 Theatre Co. and One Vision Dance Company. In March 2001 she formed Vibrant Dance Co. to perform in primary and high schools. Nicola is currently studying an MA by research in Dance at the University of New South Wales.
Sarah Vyne
RADAdv, CertIVDance, DipPerfArts
Dance Lecturer
Sarah Vyne has been working professionally in the Entertainment Industry for over a decade, in many sphere’s of the Industry, as Dancer, Actor, Singer, Choreographer, Director and Producer. Within these roles her skill set has varied from Show Director, Tour Manager, Team Co-ordinator, Assistant Choreographer, Production Assistant, Casting Consultant, Movement Coach and Master Teacher. Highlights in her career have been working along side ‘Emmy Award Winning’ Choreographer Doug Jack as Assistant Choreographer on the Rugby World Cup and The Sydney Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Sarah has worked professionally in the corporate and theatre scene all across Australia; with companies such as Sidetrack Theatre Company, Disney, Australia’s Wonderland, World Soccer Federation, The ARL, Variety Club of Australia and The Australian’s Girls Choir. She has also toured Australia extensively with the ABC for ‘Children’s Entertainer’ Don Spencer. Her International credits include several tours to Los Angeles, New York and China.
Further acting credits include a featured 12 month role on Channel 7’s All Saints and some commercials. Sarah has been privileged to work with such artists as Delta Goodrem, Kylie Minogue, Natalie Imbruglia, Leah Haywood and Vanessa Amarosi.
Linda Pritchard
BA.Perf. Arts/Dance, Grad Dip DT
Dance Lecturer
Linda holds a BA Performing Arts/Dance and has a post Graduate Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy. Linda has danced with the Dance Centre Company, the Queensland Ballet and the State Opera of South Australia. Linda has also been Choreographic Coordinator for Toadshow Productions. Throughout her career she has taught Ballet, Modern and Creative Movement Classes.
Tiarna Joubert
Dance Lecturer
Tiarna has been dancing for more than 15 years with 8 of those years dedicated to teaching and choreography. She has dance experience in Hip Hop, Funk, Reggation, Afro, House, Dancehall, Jazz, Krump and Afrobea. Her latest achievement has been as choreographer on the Australian series of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ 2008. Tiarna’s skill set varies from dance teacher, choreographer, to stage director and actor.
Norman Hall
GradDipEd
Dance Lecturer
Norman’s career started in athletics and very quickly moved into dance and then into choreography. During his dance career Norman has worked as a performer, choreographer, teacher, director and producer. Norman’s teachers include Margaret Chapple, Valrene Tweedie, Elisabeth Dalman and Jennifer Barry-Knox. Norman has freelanced around Australia creating for companies such as Ballet Victoria, Queensland Ballet and Tanya Pearsons Sydney City Ballet before forming his own group called Busybodies. He has taught actors at NIDA and Australian Theatre for Young People. Norman has toured both nationally and internationally. In Australia he has also worked on the syllabus advisory committee for the Board of Studies as planner for the current HSC syllabus.
Guy Harding
B.Eng, OH&SCons
Lecturer in Performance and Production
Guy has been heavily involved in the technical aspects of theatre and dance productions since 1995.
He has been the Technical Director for productions at the Footbridge theatre, Glen Street theatre, Playhouse, The Edge theatre and the Seymour Centre's York theatre, and is currently the Production/Theatre Manager for the Wesley Institute. Guy's longest association has been with the sound department of Spiritwing Studios. During this time he has recorded 3 albums and many Demos and EPs in both Classical and contemporary genres. He has also engineered and mixed final sound designs for six short films, and countless dance performances and dramatic productions. More recently Guy has moved into Film Production as the Producer for Obsidion Productions, where he has completed four episodes of a dramatised educational program, produced two TVS pilots and over 15 corporate training, awareness and marketing programs for companies including Sunglass Hut and OPSM, Hyder Consulting, 2Significance and Leighton Contractors. Guy has a strong command of tools available in the technical fields to create and enhance dramatic, dance, and filmic projects.
Corinne Urquhart
Dip. Ed, Dip. Spec. Ed.,Grad. Dip. Dance Therapy
Lecturer in Performance and Production
Corinne is a trained dancer in ballet and contemporary/modern dance, and has experience in Hip-Hop, Street Dance, Jazz and Ethnic Dance. She has danced professionally with several dance companies nationally and internationally including a USA national tour ‘Dayuma’ with Impact Production and International Festival of the Arts. She has also work in many cultural community arenas and has experience in Events Management and Production.
Educated in Switzerland, she is a qualified primary and special education teacher and has 12 years experience in the field. She also worked in the area of Dance Movement Therapy with people with developmental, physical disabilities and/or emotional disorders.
Currently she is offering workshops in creative movement, contemporary dance and choreography, directing rehearsals and choreographing her own works.. She is studying at UTS, a Post Graduate Certificate in Media Arts and Production.
Chrishanthi Nagendra
ARAD, AISTD, LCDD Teaching Dip: (Lon) Examiner RAD Grades,
Dance Lecturer
Chrishanthi’s initial classical ballet training was in Sri Lanka. She continued in the teacher training course at the London College of dance and Drama. Chrishanthi has over thirty years of teaching experience in leading Dance institutions in Sydney. She has trained young dancers and teachers engaged with reputable companies in Australia and Europe and directed / produced 2 ballets in Sri Lanka in aid of charity. She is currently a RAD assessor which involves travelling nationally and internationally.
Valerie Lloyd
A.R.A.D. L.L.C.D. R.A.D.Tchrs Dipl.(London) L.C.D. Tchrs Dipl. (London)
Dance Lecturer
Born and raised in Oxford UK, Valerie has dedicated her working life to the teaching of dance and is proud to acknowledge the success of her pupils. Valerie trained at Elmhurst Ballet School and the London College of Dance. After teaching in the UK for 2 years, she migrated to Australia in 1963 to teach for the Lorraine Norton Ballet School, subsequently becoming a partner. The year 1991 saw the start of Danzartz Performing Studio, which Valerie ran successfully until 2005.
Valerie has adjudicated extensively and been in many related activities including the Suzuki Association of Australia for whom she staged 20 Opera House Graduation Concerts involving over 800 musicians.
Her passion and involvement coupled with a love of theatre has resulted in her being able to give her students the benefit of learning about artistry and musicality, together with a strong technical base.
In 2006 Valerie was invited to take up a teaching position in Osaka, Japan and returned to Wesley in 2008 .
Hannah Cooper
BCA (Dance choreography), MVPA
Dance Lecturer
Hannah Cooper graduated with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Dance) from Wesley Institute in 1998. Since then she has been part of Sydney's performing arts community, initially performing at Sydney's premier contemporary dance seasons, including Bodies and Dance on the Edge. A founding member of Ask Dance Theatre and RockSalt Arts, Hannah has collaborated with several local companies and has directed, choreographed, performed, taught, toured and produced shows around Australia. She has also spent time performing, choreographing and working in arts administration with New Trails Dance Theatre, Collage and the Planting Project in East Bay San Francisco, USA. She has recently completed a Master of Visual & Performing Arts through Charles Stuart University with an emphasis on dance creation and collaboration.
Linda Badger
AdvDip (Creative Arts Ministry Dance), Cert IV (Performing Arts), Cert IV
Dance Lecturer
Linda Badger has over a decade of experience in the performing arts industry as dancer, teacher and choreographer. Highlights of Linda’s career include touring extensively as a dancer throughout Los Angeles with Imprint Performance Company also choreographing works for the company, dancing in Times Square, New York for Project Dance and teaching at the Alvin Ailey studios, New York, for Project Dance.
She has worked as a performer for Kelly Clarkson, at the NRL grand final, The World Dental Federation at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, ‘Hair the Musical’ promotion for David Atkins and more, with choreographers such as Jason Coleman and Michael Boyd.
Linda has also choreographed several works for Hillsong events and album launches, being performed in front of audiences up to 20,000 at venues such as Sydney Superdome, Sydney Entertainment Centre and has also choreographed a production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ for the Seymour centre.
Linda is also a dedicated dance teacher at many of the well known schools in Sydney. Her most recent achievement in this area is being made dance course head trainer for Hillsong International Leadership College, having also headed up the writing of the course.
Greg Holdaway
M.ATI, AUSTAT cert, NLP(prac), Dip PA(Dance)
Lecturer in Alexander Technique
Greg has over twenty years of professional experience in movement education, initially as a dancer and dance teacher and now with 14 years experience as an Alexander technique teacher. He has trained accredited Alexander Technique teachers and is recognised as a Sponsor of Alexander teacher trainee by Alexander Technique International (ATI Inc).
Greg has been teaching AT based classes in full-time performing arts courses in theatre, dance and music for many years and has worked at many Adult Education colleges across the Sydney region. This has included the development of teaching methodologies in the university sector, and publication of a manual of procedures for dance educators via the University of Western Sydney.
Zoran Kovic
BA (Social Science), BA (Performing Arts), MSc (Cognitive Science)
Lecturer in Feldankrais
With over 30 years experience in the field of human movement, Zoran has a deep passion for learning and teaching. Drawing on his knowledge of Somatic Education systems, cognitive science, performing arts, education, social science and the martial arts, he creates practical lessons and workshops that address people’s personal and professional needs and interests.
Since 1990 Zoran has been lecturing in University and college performing programs, designing and presenting courses in Somatic Education, Feldenkrais, Experiential Anatomy, Functional Kinesiology and Movement Analysis. His teaching focuses on enhancing performing artist’s technical abilities and performance quality by deepening their experience of their bodies, movement and themselves.
Conrad Page
Dance Lecturer
Conrad has over 18 years experience in teaching Physical Theatre. Acrobatics, Acting, Improvisation, Mime, Mask, Circus Skills and Movement. He has taught in Drama Institutions, Theatre Companies and schools Australia wide. Conrad has also directed many stage productions for schools since 2002. He has been involved in the choreography of the famous opera A Midsummer Nights Dream directed by Baz Luhrman in 2000. In addition to his teaching, Conrad brings a wealth of skills to the faculty such as Stage Combat and Fight Choreography, Balance/Sports Acrobatics, Tumbling, Aerial /Abseiling, Breakdance and much more.
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