our ballet school
Get to know our school and meet our teachers
Our school
An introduction to our ballet school and the Russian Vaganova teaching method.
The Melbourne Studio of Ballet was established in January 2017 by Director and Principal Ballet Lecturer Luanne Hyson - “fostering the art and technique of ballet is our expertise”.
The school is open to passionate and dedicated students from four years old to adults. Students are taught classical ballet following the Russian Vaganova Method of Classical Ballet which is recognized as the foremost training method and syllabus of classical ballet the world over - Vaganova Method.
Our children’s ballet classes and training follow the Ballet Conservatoire (Vaganova based) Syllabus. The Ballet Conservatoire training and assessment program emphasizes correct placement, dynamics, discipline and performance quality which are all attributes of the Vaganova method. Classes of repertoire, character and contemporary dance are introduced at the appropriate level and students have the opportunity to participate in annual examinations, solo preparation for competitions, mid-year performance opportunities and our end of year theatre performance.
Children’s classes are capped to ensure it is possible for our expert and professionally trained teachers to give the individual attention to detail required to develop each student’s ballet technique correctly and safely.
Our studio is spacious, flooded with natural light and is professionally equipped with fully sprung tarkett dance flooring, barres and mirrors, providing our students with the best possible facilities to dance.
The Melbourne Studio of Ballet is linked with performance opportunities and activities of professional dance company Dancebourne Arts.
Our teachers
Get to know the wonderful expertise of our teachers
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Luanne Hyson
Director/Principal Ballet Lecturer
Founder and director of Melbourne Studio of Ballet, Luanne Hyson has more than sixteen years of experience in the art of teaching classical ballet.
Luanne received scholarships to several prestigious professional schools including The School of American Ballet in New York and went on to dance for many years in Europe and her hometown of Melbourne.
Luanne holds a Postgraduate degree in Classical Ballet Teaching from the Victorian College of Arts / University of Melbourne and completed Teaching Training from Ballet Conservatoire based on the Vaganova Method.
Luanne is also the founder, artistic director, practising choreographer and dancer of independent professional company Dancebourne Arts.
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Mariangela De Rosa
Ballet Lecturer
Mariangela started her ballet training in Italy with Ugo Ranieri, former Etoile of S. Carlo theatre in Naples, and currently maître de ballet for world ballet companies.
As a member of various dance companies and as a freelancer dancer, she worked in Germany and Italy.
Mariangela began teaching ballet in 2016 in Germany, giving classes to students of all levels: from young children to the intensive advanced program. Her Teaching is based on the Vaganova method, with French and Italian (Cecchetti) technical elements.
Mariangela moved to Australia in 2022 and is delighted to be teaching in Melbourne.
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Benjamin Harris
Ballet Lecturer
Benjamin commenced ballet training at the age of 8 in his hometown of Bendigo, Victoria. In 2018 he commenced full time training in Melbourne at the Jane Moore academy of ballet, continuing there for 2 years before being accepted into Queensland Ballet pre-professional program for 2020. At Queensland Ballet he had the opportunity to work with many world renowned teachers and choreographers on a number of new and established works which he found to be an invaluable experience.
Benjamin joined Victorian State Ballet as a corps de ballet member in 2022 and has continued to develop his career since. Benjamin is excited to be newly appointed to our teahing staff and looks forward to passing on his knowledge and passion for dance to the students of Melbourne Studio of Ballet.
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Gaye Tutus
Ballet/Contemporary Dance Lecturer
Gaye's journey in ballet commenced at the age of 8 at the Ankara State Opera and Ballet. Her talent quickly became evident, leading to admission to the Ankara Conservatory where she completed her 4-year curriculum in just 3 years, earning top honors in her class.
At 17, Gaye began her professional career as a ldancer at the Ankara State Opera and Ballet and danced in many classic productions such as Swan Lake, Giselle, and Sleeping Beauty. Alongside her performing career, Gaye ventured into teaching, imparting her knowledge at the Arzu Dirin Ballet Academy and conducting contemporary classes while choreographing at the Yakin Theater.
In 2022, Gaye embarked on a new chapter, relocating to Australia. Eager to continue her dance journey, she enrolled in classes at the Sydney Dance Company. Currently based in Melbourne, Gaye is enthusiastic about sharing her passion and expertise to students whilst teaching and nurturing their love for dance. Gaye is thrilled to join the teaching staff at Melbourne Studio of Ballet.
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Ariane Quellier Donatella
Senior Ballet & Character Lecturer
Ariane was born in Paris, and is formally trained as a dancer and ballet teacher. She began her studies at the age of eight at l'Opéra de Paris.
For the past 25 years, Ariane has been teaching classical ballet and folklore character dance for beginner to advanced students in France and Italy.
Ariane has choreographed for her own dance company “Baccara”, and has travelled and performed extensively throughout Europe, Canada and South Korea as a classical ballet dancer.
Ariane moved to Melbourne several years ago, lives with her Australian husband and enjoys teaching and bringing her wealth of knowledge and experience to the local students here in Melbourne.
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Geraldine Lett
Senior Ballet/Contemporary Dance Lecturer & Examiner
Geraldine began her dance training at the age of six studying at the Victorian College of the Arts, Australian Ballet School and the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts completing a Bachelor in Performing Arts.
Geraldine has danced and choreographed extensively with the West Australian Ballet Company, One Extra Dance Theatre Company in Sydney and later with the Dance Company of Cologne, Germany.
Geraldine's teaching and choreography skills were recognised when she was appointed as a lecturer in modern dance and choreography at Cologne’s school of Dance and Music. Upon her return to Australia in Geraldine enjoys choreographing, teaching and coaching aspiring young dancers.