Suzanne Pettit:Licentiate Diploma (History and Anatomy) with Cecchetti Ballet Australia Inc. Principal, teacher, choreographer.

Suzanne began her ballet training aged 6 years with Connie Murray. Aged 10 she trained with Prudence Bowen in Sydney and after completing her Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) examinations, up to and including Intermediate, she went on to do a full time ballet course (1971).

In 1973 she won a scholarship to the Royal Ballet School, London. During this time she trained with Julia Farron, Joan Lawson, Barbara Fewster and David Gayle. Additional classes at The Dance Centre, Covent Garden, enabled her to enjoy further lessons with Maria Faye, Anna Northcote and Errol Addison. Whilst at The Royal Ballet School Suzanne learnt Benesh Notation from The Institute Of Choreology receiving certificates in Grade 3 and Elemantary. She also danced with The Royal Opera Company in its production of "Falstaff" at Covernt Garden.

At the conclusion of her training Suzanne took up a contract with the Israel Classical Ballet Company in Tel Aviv (1974-5).

After taking a break from ballet to return to academic studies she commenced a Science Degree at N.S.W University but the pull of dance drew her back and during the late seventies and early eighties she performed with a number of classical and contemporary companies in Sydney ( Kinetic Energy Dance Company, Busybodies Theartre of Dance, Classical and Contemporary Dance Company, Sydeny Festival Ballet Company). She performed a wide variety of dance genres and rols. At the same time she commenced her Cecchetti training with Valrene Tweedie receiving Honours for Elementary, Intermediate and Teachers Associate (1978-9).

Suzanne also ran her own ballet school in Chatswood, taught for Valrene Tweedie's branch school in Willoughby and taught ballet at St Catherine's School Waverly.

After marrying in 1982 she moved to Maitland and founded, directed and danced in the Hunter Vally Dance Ensemble. (1983-4). The ensemble toured extensively to country and regional schools and received accreditation from the Department of Education.

Suzanne has continued to study with Cecchetti Ballet Australia (formerly Cecchetti Society of Australia) throughout her career and also holds her Licentiate (1992-Distinction),Licentiate Diploma (Distinction 2009) BSZ40198 Cert 4 in Assessment and Workplace Training (2003, updated TAA04 2006, 2009), Advanced Ballet (2005- H Com)

Her teaching posts have included guest dance teacher at East Maitland Public School (1989-90) and Linuwel School (2003-4,2007) specializing in folk. creative and contempory dance.

Suzanne's choreographic experience has included annual performances for HVDC, scenes for Maitland High School's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (2002), Linuwel's year nine "Romeo and Juliet" (2003) and she collaborated with Dr David Banney from the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music University Orchestra in their production of "Peer Gynt Suite" (2003).

Suzanne also holds her Workplace First Aid Cert Level 2/Senior and attends four study courses throughtout each year as part of her ongoing study with Cecchetti Ballet Australia.

Elizabeth Reid: Administrator, teacher and costume designer/maker.

Beth commenced her ballet training with Robyn Lankshear in 1962 and continued her studies with Marian Walker. She attained Honours in all her grade examinations with the Brithish Ballet Organization (BBO). Intermediate (1969-Commended) Pre-advanced(1971). In 1970 she was placed 1st in the Dollee Brooks Memorial Trophy ( Senior Section) and BBO Incentive Scholarship(Senior).

She went on to dance full time with Joan and Monica Halliday and gained her RAD Ellimentary, Intermediate (1972-Highly Commended) and Advanced (1973-Commended).

Beth also trained in contemporary and jazz at the Bodenwieser Dance Centre studying with Keith Bain, Margaret Chappell, Jacquie Carroll and Graham Watson.

Her Cecchetti training began in 1988 when she received Honours for Ellimentary, Intermediate, Teachers Association (1989-Distinction) and Advanced (2005-Credit).

Over the years Beth's dancing accomplishments have led her to perform in many and vairied roles.

1983-4 Perfomed with Hunter Valley Dance Ensemble

1979-84 Beth ran her own ballet school in Maitland.

Beth took a break from the dance world in 1994 when she attended Newcastle University. She holds her Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting. She also holds her First Aid Cert Level 1/Sen. She continues to attend ongoing study courses with CBA and enjoys designing and sewing the beautiful costumes in our wardrobe.

Amelia Bowsie: Jazz Teacher. Amelia has had extensive ballet, jazz and modern dance training with The Rivers Dance Studio in Bellingen, NSW. She has attained her Advanced 1 Cecchetti Ballet and has recently completed her Year 11 and 12 at The Hunter High School of Performing Arts in Newcastle where she studied Dance for her HSC. In 2011 she performed one of the lead roles in The Metropolitan Players' production of "Grease". She brings her years of experience as well as her youthful enthusiasm to the HVDC.

Leisa Johnson: Guest teacher. She commenced dancing at the age of 4 and has completed her RAD exams up to and including Intermediate. She received Honours for 10 out of 12 exams. During this time she trained with many teachers, including Jennifer Wells, Karen Thomas, Donna Potts and Tessa Maunder.

As a student Leisa enjoyed performing and winning many different competitions and eistedfodds- in a variety of styles: ballet, jazz, modern and character.

In 1996 she attended The Australian Ballet Summer School in Melbourne and trained with a variety international teachers.

Her Cecchetti training began in 2001 with HVDC. She recieved Honours for the Elementry (2003). She also learnt Afro Jazz (2005-2006) with Francoise Ingenieux (formerly Sydney Dance Company)

Leisa has choreographed dances for high school performances, rock eisteddfods (regional winners) as well as dance sequences in University productions and annual productions with HVDC.

Leisa also trained with Sydney Dance Zone (03) Pivot Studio (Funk, Newcastle) Sydney Dance Company ( Contemporary) and has taken classes in Hip Hop and Funk in New York City and Contemporary in Boston. She continues to attend workshops and classes in Newcastle and Sydney.

In 2005 Leisa travelled to the USA and taught dance at a Summer Camp. She has been teaching jazz with HVDC since 2002.

During her dance training Leisa managed to continue her academic studies receiving a UAI of 90.75 and going on to Newcastle University to complete a Bacherlor of Arts ( Communications Studies) in 2002. She achieved distinctions in drama at all university levles.

Leisa has been working as a children's entertainer/ actress since 2000, curently directing "Pixieland Parties" which provides characters such as clowns and fairies for all childrens events and magic shows, story telling , games, face painting and balloon sculpting. For more information click on the Links pages.