our story
Discover OUR aCADEMY
South Yarra Ballet Academy has been a pillar of the Melbourne dance community for over forty years, nurturing countless generations of technically strong, thoughtful, and resilient young dancers. Established in the early 1980s by the brilliant Miss Penelope Nunn, the Academy was founded on the values of creativity, self-expression, and the healthy development of young minds. Miss Penelope’s classes were known for balancing enjoyment with discipline, always placing student wellbeing at the heart of the studio. Under her guidance, the Academy became a long-standing staple of the South Yarra community and now continues to evolve today, carrying forward its legacy into a new era.
Today, the academy enters a new chapter under the artistic direction of Miss Isabella Rose Cort. Miss Bella’s vision builds on this strong foundation, maintaining Miss Penelope’s deep commitment to the arts and student wellbeing, while introducing a more pre-professional approach to classical ballet training. The academy now places increased emphasis on developing strong technical foundations within Vaganova-based training, preparing students with the discipline, knowledge, and capability required for today’s dance industry.
This evolving approach is grounded in balance: fostering wellbeing at every age and level, while also supporting students to pursue excellence with focus and intention. Training is designed to develop technically prepared, resilient, and thoughtful dancers; following the guidance and training syllabus of the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet (as established by ex-principal ballerina and director Christine Walsh). As the first program of its kind within Australia, the Ballet Conservatoire (BC) syllabus was established over thirty years ago to provide a codified entry into Vaganova-based classical ballet training; a methodology most highly regarded within leading ballet institutions across Europe. Today, the BC syllabus continues to support strong pre-professional pathways, with over a thousand dedicated ballet studios working with the program across Australia, the United Kingdom, the USA, and throughout Asia, including China, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Macau, and Singapore.
From its beginnings as a creativity-led studio to its current identity as a nurturing and increasingly pre-professional training environment, South Yarra Ballet Academy continues to look forward with clarity and purpose and remains committed to shaping the next generation of dancers.
Our Values
At South Yarra Ballet Academy, we value excellence in classical ballet training delivered with care and purpose. We focus on building strong technical foundations while also nurturing self-expression, discipline, and a love for the arts.
We prioritise student wellbeing at all ages and promote a supportive environment where dancers can grow with confidence, resilience, and respect for their art form.
Our Faculty
Each of our faculty members are carefully selected for their strong classical or contemporary dance knowledge, professional experience, and dedication to working alongside dancers of all ages. Each teacher brings a deep understanding of their art and a shared commitment to high-quality training.
Our team are passionate about nurturing the next generation of dancers, providing guidance that supports both technical development and a positive and focused learning environment.
Our Programs
South Yarra Ballet Academy offers tailored, age-appropriate training, designed to support each stage of a dancer’s development with clarity and progression. Our programs include studies across classical ballet, contemporary dance, stretch and conditioning, and private coaching, for dedicated young classical ballet dancers.
We also provide structured preparation for examinations, competitions, and awards, supporting students to pursue their goals with confidence and strong technical foundations.
Our Studios
South Yarra Ballet Academy is based at the St Martins Youth Arts Centre, a dynamic creative space in the heart of South Yarra that we are proud to be a part of. Our studios provide a professional and welcoming environment designed to support focused training and artistic development.
St Martins offers two professional, well-equipped spaces with tarkett flooring, mirrors, and barres, and an additional adaptable gallery space. With two onsite theatres, students also have access to valuable performance opportunities in a professional stage setting.
