ADV CLASSICAL ACADEMY
Academy of Dance Victoria offers both a general classical ballet stream and a Classical Academy Extension stream.
"The Classical Academy" is the ballet extension program of Academy of Dance Victoria offering a separate high level ballet program for talented students who show potential for focussed training.
Academy of Dance Victoria offers a seperate general ballet program in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) system of training that is available to all students.
The Classical Academy offers excellence in classical ballet training for students seeking a future career in the industry with focussed classes in the Vaganova system of training.
Providing students with a pathway from school aged after school hours training through to part time professional industry relevant dance training with skills that prepare and support each student beyond the studio.
The Classical Academy stands out in its bespoke approach to student development and welfare. Our carefully constructed training programs are designed to specifically meet each dancer’s individual learning needs, nurturing their progression as artists and individuals.
Our faculty’s focus on dancer wellbeing, as well as technical and artistic excellence assists each dancer to flourish within the disciplined world of classical ballet and contemporary dance.
Class sizes within each course are kept deliberately small to ensure the Academy can focus on each student to bring them to their full potential.
Students have successfully gained entry into
Australian Ballet School
Victorian College of the Arts
Queensland School of Dance
Ballet Theatre Australia
Ballet teachers workshop finalists
Scholarships and company traineeships
1. GENERAL STREAM - RAD Ballet Classes
Academy of Dance Victoria offers a high standard of ballet lessons in the internationally renown Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus for school aged children & teens. Those classes can be seen in our timetable and are related to the dancers grade at school. These classes area open to all students from school age through to adults.
Prep at school: Pre Primary RAD Ballet (1 class a week)
Grade 1 at school: Primary RAD Ballet (2 classes a week)
Grade 2 at school: Grade 1 RAD Ballet (2 classes a week)
Grade 3 at school: Grade 2 RAD Ballet (2 classes a week)
Grade 4 at school: Grade 3 RAD Ballet (2 classes a week)
Grade 5 at school: Grade 4 RAD Ballet (2 classes a week)
Grade 6 at school: Grade 5 RAD Ballet (2 classes a week)
High School Age: Pathways of RAD Grades 6,7,8, or Majors from Intermediate Foundation and above
2. ELITE STREAM - CLASSICAL ACADEMY - VAGANOVA PROGRAM
In addition to our standard classes we operate our Classical Academy Classes which are separate to our RAD Ballet classes. The Classical Academy is a selective program which is also audition based and has 3 separate programs. The Classical Academy classes train in the Vaganova ballet syllabus including exams in the ACB Syllabus. For more detailed information please visit our Classical Academy website by clicking the button below.
1. Extension Program - Elite after school program for talented ballet students ages 6 to 15 includes classes in RAD, Vaganova, ACB Exams, Pilates & Progressing Ballet Technique.
2. Progression Program - A half day ballet program for students aged 11 and over with the intention of preparing for full time training for a career in ballet
2025 Placements & Auditions for the ADV Classical Academy Extension programs
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Auditions for 2025 Acceptance into the classical extension programs are by appointment. Please contact us on 0325 353 600 to book your assessment class and also look at our Classical Academy website
CLASSICAL ACADEMY
7-16 years
An after school hours program for younger classical ballet students who show passion and potential.
Our Extension Program involves intensive training in both the Russian Vaganova method and Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Methods. Students attend at least three days a week, and training includes classical ballet, pilates, and conditioning, pre-pointe technique & preparation with optional classes in contemporary.
Entry is by assessment or placement audition. Placement in levels is carefully overseen by our directors who ensure dancers are placed in their ability level rather than by age. Students progress is carefully monitored with achievement planning, regular parent feedback and assessments.
Classes include
Classical Ballet Technique
ACB and RAD classes
Pilates
Ballet Conditioning
Pre Pointe/Pointe
Contemporary Technique (optional)
Competition preparation (optional)
Private coaching (optional)
PROGRESSION 1
10-14 years
A classical ballet program with a difference. Each student’s program is individually tailored to their specific level and training requirements.
Carefully overseen by our directors, the dancers are nurtured to ensure they can achieve their goals, with close monitoring and support throughout their journey.
Core classes include
Classical Ballet technique
Repertoire & Variations
Pointe technique
Open Classes
Contemporary technique
Character
Pilates
Progressing Ballet technique
ACB & RAD Exams
Electives include
Competition Preparation
Private Technique Coaching
Jazz
Lyrical
Acrobatics
Musical Theatre
PROGRESSIONS 2
13 years & over
A boutique classical ballet programme offering dedicated students aged 13 and over an intensive, focussed and nurturing training environment.
Limited class sizes mean individual attention and tailored pathways for each dancer as they progress towards recognised company-affiliated pre-professional programmes.
Core classes include
Classical Ballet technique
Classical Open classes
Pointe technique
Classical repertoire & Variations
Contemporary technique
Character
Pilates
Ballet Conditioning
Private Coaching
Audition preparation
Strength & conditioning
RAD & ACB Exams
Electives
Jazz
Musical Theatre
Acrobatics
Classical Academy Director
Hayley Arundel
A highly skilled, passionate and sought after dance educator, Hayley is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience of Classical Ballet (English & Russian styles) with her students. Hayley trained at The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) and gained a degree in dance from the VCA, before embarking on an international career. In the United Kingdom Hayley worked with two of the countries most acclaimed dance companies: English National Ballet and Rambert Dance Company. Her role as dance artist for both companies saw her tour extensively through England, Scotland, China, Hong Kong and parts of Europe delivering repertoire based workshops, classes and large scale choreographic projects. In addition Hayley performed for Biserk Dance Company (UK), Project Volume (UK), Moore Entertainment and Sankio Promotions (Japan). On returning home, Hayley was appointed manager of The Australian Ballet’s Dance Education Ensemble touring workshops and performances to thousands of school children Australia wide. Now also a professional pilates instructor, Hayley has an artistic, anatomical, inclusive approach to Classical ballet technique teaching.
Classical Academy Teaching Staff
IONA MARQUES
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Iona began her professional career with Cia Dance 2000 in Brasilia, where she performed in Swan Lake (Moscow Ballet version), among other productions. Since then Iona has worked with a number of companies and independent choreographers in Europe such as Opus One Dance Company, Lorn MacDougal and Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam, Holland. Also in Amsterdam she has been a guest teacher with Dance Street studios and co founded the production company Movement Network. Iona joined the West Australian Ballet in 2006 where she performed in various productions, including Simon Dow’s Red Shoes and Alice, and danced a featured sole role in Francis Ring’s Debris. In 2008 Iona joined Queensland Ballet where she worked until January 2013 under the direction of Francois Klaus and later Li Cunxin. During the time with the company she toured to Japan, China and Europe, as well as Northern Queensland tours, and performed in countless productions. Her favorite roles are Carabosse in Francois Klaus’ Sleeping Beauty, Eunice in Streetcar named desire and her favorite ballets are Gareth Belling’s Refraction, Nils Christie’s Sink and Fearful Symmetries and Mario Schroeder’s Erdbeermund.
Jasmin Johnson
Jasmin took her first ballet class at the age of three and immediately fell in love with dance. She grew up in Marietta, GA training in ballet, jazz, contemporary and modern at the Georgia Dance Conservatory. She began intensely studying ballet at the age of 12 upon acceptance to the North Carolina School of the Arts. Over the years she has trained at the American Ballet Theatre, the Orlando Ballet and the Rock School of Dance Education and received scholarships to the Joffrey Ballet, BalletMet and the Orlando Ballet.
At the age of 15, Jasmin left home to continue her training at the prestigious Nutmeg Conservatory of the Arts in Connecticut. There, she was fortunate enough to work with a number of incredible choreographers such as Elearnor D’Antuono, Victoria Mazzarelli, Moses Pendleton, Alexi Tchernichov, and Kirk Peterson. While attending Nutmeg, Jasmin was fortunate enough to perform for Pope Benedcit XVI with the cutting edge contemporary company, Momix. Upon graduation Jasmin relocated to Orlando, FL where she was a member with the Orlando Ballet II.
Jasmin moved to Los Angeles in 2011 and signed with the Movement Talent Agency to begin her commercial dance career. She performed with a number of the leading choreographers such as Christopher Scott and was honored to work with him at the Teen Choice Awards dancing with the famed pop group Paramore! She can also be seen on the popular TV show Glee. She was also in the Samsung commercial “Smart Switch” choreographed by Michael Rooney.
She has lead and directed the Vaganova program at the San Marino Dance Academy in Pasadena, CA since 2014. She has also created the Youth American Grand Prix program at the studio, where many of her students have achieved scores over 92.
Jasmin relocated to Melbourne, Australia in March of 2022 and is looking forward to sharing her love of ballet with students across the country!
Nikki O'Shea
Nikki O’Shea commenced vocational training aged 11 at The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary schooland completed a Diploma in Performing Arts at The West Australian Academy of Performing Arts with Distinction.
Professionally Nikki has danced with the West Australian Ballet Company and Sydney Dance Company, and throughout Germany Holland and Belgium over a 13-year international career in ballet, contemporary dance, and musical theatre.
After becoming a Mum, Nikki returned to Australia and worked as a dancer with Opera Queensland and Opera Australia, while simultaneously transitioning to the roles of assistant Director, Dance Captain, and teacher.
Since retiring from the stage, Nikki has been bringing ballet to a broad range of students, sharing her love and passion for the art form. A kindy Dance Time teacher, RAD grades from pre-primary to Advanced 2, designing a complete program of ballet for gymnasts, ballet for opera singers, adult ballet from beginners to professional, vocational ballet as head of ballet at The Space Dance and Arts Centre and Transit Dance, and most recently ballet for tweens and adults with Down’s Syndrome. Nikki is currently creating a specialised ballet program for the disability sector.
Nikki has a Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance), a Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management. A CertIV in Training and Assessment, CertIV in Small Business Management, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Dance Teaching through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She is also a qualified Progressing Ballet Technique teacher.
Nikki is currently working towards a Masters in dance teaching and loves teaching the Classical Academy students
