Faculty » Permanent Teachers
Associate Principal: Kit Lethby 
Kit Lethby ARAD PDTC (Dip.) Voc. Grade Examiner RAD. Among England's most respected dancers, Kit Lethby was a principal/leading dancer with international companies such as Scottish Ballet, Basel Ballet, Australian Ballet and PACT Ballet. 
He has danced roles produced by renowned choreographers such as Ashton, Cranko & Kylian, and worked with numerous others including Massine, Lifar, Dolin, Gore, Tetley, Choo San Goh, Carter and Darrell. During his career he also had many roles created for him. 

In 1983 he began teaching and on his early retirement from dancing in 1988, went on to complete the Royal Academy of Dance Professional Dancer's Teacher Training Course, from which he graduated with Distinction. 
Mr Lethby has been associated with Ecole Ballet and Dance Theatre for more than 20 years and during this association has seen many of the students graduate with success to the world's top vocational schools. As well as choreographing over 100 solos for competitions and eisteddfods, 
he has mounted various ballets for Ecole including 'Graduation Ball' and 'La Sylphide Act 2' and several original works. 
Invited on an almost continual basis to be a Guest Teacher for Vacation Schools held by the Royal Academy of Dance around Australia and New Zealand Mr Lethby has been has also guest taught for Royal New Zealand Ballet and Sydney Dance Company. 
Mr Lethby became an examiner for Royal Academy of Dance in 2004. 
Senior Teacher and Pilates Instructor: Crystal Wong
Crystal Wong RAD RTS, LRAD, ARAD, BA (Hons), Grad. Dip Choreography (VCA), Certified Pilates Instructor (DMA). 
Born in Hong Kong, Crystal started her ballet training at Jean M. Wong Ballet School where she received a scholarship. She then pursued full time training at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) in 1994 where she gained her Diploma. She was awarded the Heinz Bosl Memorial Scholarship by the Hong Kong Ballet Group 1995. Crystal then went to London for three years where she completed the Royal Academy of Dance degree BA (Hons) in the Art and Teaching of Ballet. In 1999 she moved to Melbourne where she further pursued her study towards a Diploma in Choreography at the Victorian College of the Arts. Trained under Craig Phillips, she became a certified Pilates Instructor at Dance Medicine Australia (DMA) in 2000. In Melbourne she taught at Dance World Studios (DW301), and worked closely with Gelsey Kirkland in 2004. Crystal joined Ecole in 2005. Her depth of experience teaching all levels of students, combined with her knowledge of the application of the Pilates system to dance training makes her an invaluable member of the faculty. 
Junior School teacher: Bonnie Bennett 
 Bonnie Bennett ARAD TC DIP began her dance training at a young age at Lamont Dance Studios. As a student she also trained in acting and modelling and featured in several commerials and stage productions. At Lamont Dance Studio, Bonnie trained and taught many forms of Dance, including Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary as well as Classical Ballet. Her love and passion for Ballet had her come to Ecole Ballet and Dance Theatre as a full time student and with this she achieved her Advanced Vocational Certificate from the Royal Academy of Dance. In this time, Bonnie performed in several of the school productions and began as an assistant teacher with Beginners, Pre-Primary and Primary classes, with great success. After completing her training with Ecole, Bonnie studied and achieved her Royal Academy of Dance Classical Ballet Teaching Certificate. Since then, Bonnie has continued teaching all styles of dance at Lamont Dance Studios as well as teaching at Ecole Ballet and Dance Theatre. Bonnie has also taught dance in the Primary and High School System and has competed in various dance eisteddfods, representing Ecole, Lamont and a number of Primary Schools.Miss “Bonnie” now teaches all Grade level students at Ecole, as well as Beginners, Pre-Primary and Primary. She choreographes and rehearses Ecole’s “10 years and under” and “12 years and under” Classical Groups as well as choreographing Classical and Demi Character Solos.  Bonnie Bennett has been promoted to Head of Junior School from 2011.

Leslie Abraham (Classical Ballet and HSC Dance Permanent Faculty) 

trained in Sydney with Joan and Monica Halliday and then danced with Opera Australia. In 1983 – 1993 she danced in Japan, Canada and England. In Toronto she worked in folk dance and drama and in UK gained a teaching position at the renowned Hammond School.From

1990, Miss Abraham taught full time at The McDonald College, Sydney and has been teaching at Ecole Ballet and Dance since 2007. Here she coaches both practical and written components of the HSC Dance syllabus students at various levels throughout the school. All are inspired by her experience and enthusiasm.






Olivia Ansell (Contemporary Dance and HSC Dance Permanent Faculty) - biography on HSC page 

Valerie Bayley (Permanent guest RAD syllabus teacher) 

 

Geraldine Higginson (Permanent HSC Dance Coordinator) 



Robyn Ross (Permanent guest teacher Cecchetti style and syllabus) 

 Jason Winters (Contemporary Dance - Permanent Faculty) 
From a very early age the soundtrack of life has inspired Jason, pushing and pulling his mind and body in many directions. He studied classical piano and percussion and this was the beginning of an insatiable appetite to explore the boundless world music had to offer. Soon followed the overwhelming need to express this musical arena through the physical form. Jason trained in south/central Florida in theater as well as Classical Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Modern dance. 
Jason's professional work began in every genre and medium available. Getting the opportunity to perform, assist, and eventually choreograph with influential people/companies has truly shaped his artistry and approach to movement. The list includes Mia Michaels, Marc Dendy, Demetrius Klein, Odyssey Dance Utah, Southern Ballet Theater, Sol Kerzner’s Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas, Radio City Music Hall Productions, The Walt Disney World Co., and Cirque Du Soleil. 
 
Jason Winters' teaching has taken him far and wide: he has held staff positions at Joe Michaels (Miami, FL), Raskin (Orlando, FL), and recently at multiple Studios in New Jersey, Boston, and Tokyo. He conducts master classes at universities and conventions around the world. 
Students and faculty alike are delighted to have Jason teaching three vibrant classes per week at Ecole Ballet and Dance Theatre. 

Meet Ecole's teacher of Ballroom Dance!

Lottie Henrikson F.A.T.D., I.S.T.D  

is a fully qualified Ballroom Teacher,

Licensed Coach and Adjudicator

with Dance Sport Australia.

She has trained in ballet, jazz, modern ballroom and Latin American dancing, and has more than fifteen years teaching experience. She enjoys sharing her love of dance with students of all ages.