Yarra Valley Ballet
Meet The Team
Bianca Lennon | Director/Principal
Bianca was 3 years old when she asked her mum if she could join a dance class. Her mum said ‘ask me again on your next birthday.’ So Bianca waited patiently for a whole year until her 4th birthday, when she asked her mum again about dance classes. The year she turned 4, Bianca started dance classes at Siobhan’s Dance Studio where she completed SFD Classical and Jazz Exams, graduating Level 8 Jazz with “Honours with Distinction.” Bianca also enjoyed choreography from a young age and entered her first jazz choreographic competition at 9 years old, where she placed 1st!
In 2013, Bianca pursued full-time study at Spectrum Dance Full Time Performing Arts. In 2016 she added Aerial Tissue and Lyra to her technical repertoire. Performance highlights for Bianca include performing at ’The Footy Show’ Grand Final at Rod Laver Arena, corporate events at Crown Casino, and Billboard the Venue.
As a teacher, Bianca is intuitive, inventive and encouraging. She has a knack for knowing exactly where a student is ‘up to’ in their social-emotional development and can tailor her approach to each student, building individual trusting relationships within a positive group dynamic. She loves being able to pass on everything she has learned in her dance career - not only technical skills but also the unseen elements that can shape young lives - confidence, courage, perseverance, determination, self-belief.
Bianca stepped into the role of Director/Principal in Term 3, 2022 and looks forward to leading the school and community into 2023 and beyond.
Favourite Sayings: "Amazing!!"
Favourite Quote: "Just like fire, burning out the way; If I can light the world up for just one day; Watch this madness, colourful charade; No one can be just like me any way.’ Pink
Victoria Kett (nee Cunneen) | Classical Teacher
Victoria's early training took place at the National Theatre Ballet School, where she was taught by a star-studded cast of teachers including Kathy Gorham, Eileen Tasker, Lucette Aldous, Gaileen Stock, Gary Norman and Alida Segal. At age 11, she was selected to perform as a Page Boy in the Australian Ballet's 'Cinderella' and graced the stage with the renowned Colin Peasley and Robert Powell (who played the ugly stepsisters).
Victoria continued her secondary studies at VCASS (Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School). Here she studied a variety of dance styles and completed her RAD Classical Training to Advanced level. During her years at VCASS she was also fortunate to take part in both local and international performance tours to Scotland, England and Hong Kong.
One of Victoria's career highlights occurred at age 15, when she was invited as one of only 5 Australian students to study a Summer Intensive course, held at the prestigious Princess Grace Dance Academy in Monte Carlo, under Russian teacher Marika Besobrasova. This was considered a great honour and remained a memorable experience for many years to come.
Sadly, Victoria sustained career-ending injuries when she was just 19 years of age. Medical information in the late 80's was simply not what it is today, and at the time she was told that it would take her many years to recover sufficiently to dance again.
Victoria redefined her career with a Business Degree and moved into Corporate Marketing, Sales and Event Management. She has over 20 years experience in Business Administration and Hotel Management. During this time, she continued to dance and compete in Modern & Latin Ballroom styles before returning to ballet in 2017. In 2019, Victoria became a qualified PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) Teacher, an area of expertise she continues to develop.
Victoria brings a measured and focused approach to the classroom. She is genuine, sincere and thoughtful in her instruction, which creates an atmosphere of steady composure.
Favourite sayings: "How did that feel? It looked amazing, did it feel amazing?" "Remember to Breathe!" "Each time you train, train for a 2% improvement and consistency."
Favourite Quote: "Don't judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes." "Life is a journey, not a destination." "the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart."
Catherine McCormick | Classical Teacher
Catherine began dancing at three years of age with Lynn McNabb at Mooroolbark Ballet School. Over her years of study, Catherine graduated with honours in both R.A.D and Cecchetti syllabi to Intermediate and Advanced levels respectively. In 2009 she received the National Bursary and Solo Seal Award, and the following year she competed in the Genee Awards in London with The Black Swan variation.
Catherine's full-time training took place at Ballet Theatre of Australia with Leanne Rutherford. During these years,
Catherine performed the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, variations from Le Corsaire, Paquita, Stars and Stripes and Madam Butterfly. In 2005 Catherine danced with The Australian Ballet in The Sleeping Beauty and with The Victorian State Ballet as the White Swan in Swan Lake and contemporary pieces.
Catherine struggled with the travel in a dancers life and decided to commence teaching. She has taught dance and pilates to students of all abilities for approximately 8 years now. Following the birth of her two fun-loving boys, she formed 'Bright-Eyed Ballet' and commenced teaching at their local primary school, Manchester Primary.
Now four years into teaching beginners, she says ‘Dancing and teaching ballet is where I thrive." "It’s heart-warming to watch my students grow and become more confident individuals, not only in their dancing but in their lives.’
Favourite sayings: "I know you can do this!" "YES!!!" "Alrighty then!"
Favourite Quote: "What you find hard today, will one day be your warm-up."
Esther Gulley | Classical & Tap Teacher
Miss Esther and has been dancing for over 17 years, starting out at the age of 2 years old. She grew up in Brisbane (Northern Suburbs) where she trained at the Brisbane Academy of Dance for more than 10 years. During this time she was taking classes in all styles such as Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-hop,
and Heels. She completed her RAD Advanced 1 Ballet Exam and Level 4 of the CSTD Jason Winters Contemporary Syllabus in 2021, while also completing Year 12 with an ATAR. She was also a member of the Australasian Dance Collective for 2 years (2020/2021) where she trained in contemporary dance under the leadership of Amy Hollingsworth and Riannon McLean.
In early 2022 she moved to Melbourne alone to start full-time
training at Transit Dance as a Performing Arts student. In this
course, she developed her skills in jazz technique, tap, and musical
theatre, while also maintaining previous training in the other
styles. Full-time was a rewarding experience where she was able to
experience many performing opportunities while creating a dance
community for herself here in Melbourne. She graduated in 2023 with a Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) and an abundance of knowledge that she is excited to share with the students at Yarra Valley Ballet.
Teaching is something she is am very passionate about and she believe in fostering creativity, self-expression, and technical proficiency in students of all ages. She love to create new ways to move and is excited to encourage the students on this journey. She looks forward to being a part of each students dance journey and she only hopes that they fall in love with dance as much as she has.
Favourite Sayings: "Focus on what you can control and not what you can't.
Things you can control: “Your attitude and training"
Best Suited Quote: "When dancing you don't want to impress people, you want to make them feel something"
Christine Whalley | Classical Teacher
Christine began dancing for fun at the age of 9 at an afterschool program, where the teacher noted her natural aptitude and told her mum “you need to get her some proper training”.
In her first year learning ballet she received a high distinction in Grade 2 from the Royal Academy of Dance (London) and quickly progressed through the syllabus to an Intermediate level. She discovered a love for teaching after winning the first choreography competition she entered and then began to create individual pieces and eventually entire productions for amateur theatre companies, schools, churches and community events.
Currently completing her Masters in Social Work, Christine especially loves working with children and is a very proud Auntie to two nephews and four nieces, as well as an adopted Auntie to countless more. From complete beginners to experienced performers, Christine loves being a facilitator of the joy learning dance always brings.
Favourite sayings:
“Lovely!” “Fantastic!” “I’m so impressed!” “Well done!”
Favourite quotes:
“Love is never wasted, for its value does not rest upon reciprocity”
– C.S. Lewis
“I always get to where I am going by walking away from where I have been”
– Winnie the Pooh
Nadia Lockwood (Kocz), Founder, Teacher
Nadia commenced her classical training (aged 8) at the Victorian Ballet School. Her family moved to Canberra in 1989 and Nadia continued to study at the Dell Brady Ballet School, completing RAD Syllabus examinations to Advanced level.
Nadia went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Dance at the Queensland University of Technology between 1997-1999. During this time, Nadia performed at public events, collaborated with numerous Independent Artists and worked closely with Expressions Dance Company, now Australian Dance Collective. Nadia also worked with the Australian Opera Company in both Queensland and Melbourne before transitioning into the world of Insurance.
After a decade-long career, marriage and the birth of two beautiful children, Nadia decided to make a return to dance. As an adult, Nadia realised that she understood so much more about the world of dance than she ever did as a young student. This is the understanding she seeks to share with aspiring students of the arts.
“I have become the mentor I needed most when I was an aspiring dancer, and now my desire is to share what I know.”
And therein, Yarra Valley Ballet was born…
Nadia continues to love all things dance and pursues ongoing professional development to continue her own betterment as a person, teacher and artist. Nadia stepped down as Director of YVB in 2022 to commit more time to her family at home.
Favourite Sayings: "Never Say Never." "If you don't ask, you don't know what the answer would have been."
Favourite Quotes: "I'm not bossy. I just know what you should be doing" ... "Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion."
