At Ballet Theatre Australia we inspire, nurture and guide dancers of excellence. Developing mature and professional individuals through meticulous technique, musicality and artistry.
Ben Davis - Director
FACULTY
BEN DAVIS
DIRECTOR &
CLASSICAL COACH
RACHEL RAWLINS
CLASSICAL COACH
JAYNE BEDDOE
GUEST TEACHER
THE DIRECTOR
A former Soloist of The Australian Ballet, Ben Davis commenced his formal training with Ballet Theatre Australia under the direction of Leeanne Rutherford. During his 5 years of training at the school, Ben also spent time in New York City where he received further coaching from a multitude of industry greats.
Ben began his career performing throughout Germany and Austria before returning to Australia and joining The Australian Ballet in 2005. In 2008 he was awarded a professional development scholarship from The Australian Ballet to travel abroad, spending time with the Royal Ballet in London, Paris Opera Ballet and Vienna Staatsoper. During his 13 years spent with The Australian Ballet, Ben worked with some of the world’s finest dancers, choreographers and coaches, performing various featured and leading roles in the company’s expansive repertoire.
Following his retirement from the stage Ben taught extensively in both professional and student environments throughout Australia. In 2020 he was appointed Director of Ballet Theatre Australia, where his journey toward a professional career all began. Ben is now passionate about sharing his numerous years of stage and industry experience with the school’s next generation of young artists.
BTA PROGRAMS
JUNIOR PROGRAM
ACCEPTANCE FROM 13 YEARS OF AGE
FULL-TIME
The Junior Full-Time Program focuses on developing and nurturing the individual within a serious but encouraging environment. The course aims to give each student a strong and refined classical technique, along with an elegant style and professional attitude toward their training. Students are given a variety of challenging performance opportunities as well as the prospect of private coaching for national and international ballet competitions.
Dancers are guided across all aspects of classical technique, the curriculum also includes:
Repertoire
Body Conditioning
Contemporary
Theatre Makeup
Junior students participate in a four-day weekly schedule whilst maintaining their academic studies via Virtual School Victoria (VSV).
SENIOR PROGRAM
STUDENTS 16 TO 21 YEARS OF AGE
FULL-TIME
The Senior Program focuses on extending upon the individual's artistry whilst further refining a level of technical excellence, preparing the student to enter directly into a career with a professional ballet company. Students are given a variety of performance opportunities as well as the prospect of private coaching for national and international ballet competitions.
Dancers are guided across all aspects of classical technique, the curriculum also includes:
Repertoire
Pas de deux
Body Conditioning
Contemporary
Theatre Makeup
Senior students participate in a five-day weekly schedule whilst maintaining their academic studies via Virtual School Victoria (VSV).
AUDITION
Auditions for entry to BTA's 2025 programs are conducted via morning class in our South Melbourne studios. To book an audition, download the application form below and forward to contact@ballettheatreaustralia.com
Upon receiving an application you will be contacted to schedule a suitable morning to attend your class.
Prospective students unable to attend a studio audition are invited to submit an online audition reel. Submission details can be found on the application form.
Let's start your journey.
BTA ALUMNI
Ben Davis. The Australian Ballet
Natalie Barbis. Teatrul de Balet Sibiu
Tamra Burke. London Ballet Company
Rebekah Davey. Hong Kong Ballet
Hayley Farr. San Francisco Ballet
Breeana Flannery. Arts Ballet Theatre Florida
Jack Gibbs. Melbourne Ballet Company
Bethany Headland. Washington Ballet Apprentice. Vienna Festival Ballet
Walter Isaacson. Teater Vanemuine. Tartu Estonia
Marina Job. New English Contemporary Ballet
Alexandra Kearney. Bolshoi Ballet Academy
Taline Kenar. Colorado Ballet
Emilia Lakic. Ballett Vorpommern
Jennifer Lawrence. Ballet de Printemps British Columbia Canada
Matthew Lehmann. Monaco Ballet. Alberta Ballet Canada. West Australian Ballet
Vanessa Morelli. Queensland Ballet
Rob Moorcroft. Professional Development Queensland Ballet. Ballet Cymru Wales
Amber Munro. The Australian Ballet. National Ballet of Canada
Lana Panfilow. Royal New Zealand Ballet. Harleijn Dans Theater
Gemma Pearce. Queensland Ballet
John Pickup. Lithuanian Ballet
Ethan Slocomb. ABT School. Washington Ballet. Finnish National Ballet
Kristy Tancred. Various companies throughout the United States
Valerie Tereshchenko. The Australian Ballet
Alice Topp. Royal New Zealand Ballet. The Australian Ballet
Jack Traylen. Lithuanian National Ballet
Gus Upchurch. Milwaukee Ballet Apprentice
Alice Vincent. Alberta Ballet Canada. Zurich Ballet
Shai Voorham. Vancouver Ballet Canada
Sugar MacGillivray. AUSTI Dance Theatre