teachers

Nicole Ryan

Principal

Nicole’s experience both as a teacher and a dancer are invaluable. As a teacher she inspires her students through her own love of dance, art and the theatre.  She has an amazing ability to motivate children from a young age to be both creative and to achieve the technical requirements of ballet.

Nicole has been Principal of WPBA since 2011 prior to which she was Artistic Director of Young Dancers Company for six years. Nicole’s dance teaching experience exceeds 20 years.

Nicole studied dance with Merilyn Byrne, Laurel Martyn, Dianne Parrington, Sue Hayes and Raymond Tricket. Her full time dance training took place at The Dance Factory and Tony Bartuccios. She has danced professionally in Europe, the UK and Australia, and was a Principal dancer with the Young Dancers Theatre.

Nicole holds a Graduate Diploma in Dance from the VCA and has been a qualified examiner with Movement & Dance Education since 2007. She is currently undertaking further study with RAD, UK. Nicole regularly undertakes continuing professional development to further develop her skills as a teacher.

Leah Peace

Ballet Teacher

Leah loves being Miss Leah, teaching ballet and imparting her love of the story telling and the magical elements of ballet to our students along with her knowledge of how the body works.

Leah started dancing at age five and has not stopped since then. She was trained by Nicole Ryan in the Vaganova Russian style of ballet and RAD.

Leah is a very exceptional dance teacher with over seven years of dance teaching experience gained at WPBA and other dance schools.

Leah holds a Bachelor of Science from Melbourne university. She majored in Physiology and Anatomy and is currently completing her Masters in Chiropractic studies. Leah has successfully completed RAD graded examinations through to Grade 8 and vocational qualification Intermediate, Vaganova Degree 4/5, ATOD Silver Medal, Gold Star and Gold Medal and Cecchetti Intermediate and Advanced 1.

Jessica McCracken-Bell

Contemporary Teacher

Jess brings her love and working knowledge of contemporary dance to our students. Jess loves watching her students experience self expression through movement.

Jess has been dancing since age six and joined WPBA in 2010. Initially she danced jazz and tap but discovered a love for ballet and contemporary dance at age fourteen.

From 2012 - 2014 Jess danced and performed with Yellow Wheel, a pre-professional dance company. Currently Jess dances, performs and studies with Transit Dance. Jess is in her second year of a full time Diploma of Dance in Elite Performance, with a focus on contemporary dance.

Jess also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Melbourne University and has successfully completed RAD graded examinations and vocational qualification Intermediate as well as Vaganova Degree 6.