Lara began her dancing career with her mother, Terri Charlesworth OAM CitWA, and travelled extensively studying at many major dance institutions throughout the world. In 1981 Lara successfully auditioned for the Victorian College of the Arts, and later at age 15 she was accepted into the Australian Ballet School where she once again trained under Terri. In 1985 she was awarded a scholarship to attend ‘L’Academie de Danse Classique de Princess Grace’ in Monte Carlo, studying with Marika Besobrasova and many other world-renowned dance teachers. From 1986 Lara was chosen to perform professionally with ‘Ballet de Monte Carlo’ and ‘L’Opera de Monte Carlo’, performing throughout France and Italy.

After settling back in Perth, Lara performed in numerous guest performances in WA and also embarked on a dance teaching career. She was quickly promoted to Senior Classical Ballet Teacher for elite training programmes including the Graduate College of Dance, and more recently the Junior Professional Course and Youth Ballet WA. From 1991 to 1996 Lara was also Assistant Director of the Terri Charlesworth Ballet Centre where she managed the ballet school of 12 locations. To this day she remains a Senior Examiner for Classical Ballet examinations.

Throughout her career, Lara has worked very closely alongside her mother Terri and has had extensive professional development training in dance teaching, including international teacher training tours of the Kirov Vaganova Ballet Academy in St Petersburg, Russia; GITIS Teacher training school in Moscow; Hambuurg Staatsoper Ballet Schule and other leading dance schools throughout Europe. Her studies have included teaching methodology; anatomy; music theory; dance history; contemporary and creative dance; prevention and care of injuries and much more.

With two young pre-schoolers of her own and recognising her passion for a quality dance programme in the early childhood years, Lara commenced teaching for Kindy Dance Time® in 2001. In 2005 she became Director.

Avril brings a wealth of dance and teaching experience to Kindy Dance Time, having commenced her dance studies from a young age including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Highland, Drama, Singing and Acrobatics. In 1996 she was accepted in John Curtin School of Performing Arts in the Theatre Arts programme. From there she attended Hampton Senior High School specialist dance program and was awarded DUX OF DANCE in 1997 and 1999. Avril has vast dance and teaching experience over the past 13 years with 2-17 year old students and has obtained a Graduate Diploma of Education (Teaching & School Psychologist). We are very excited to welcome Avril on board our team!

Cheri has been heavily involved in performing arts for 8 years. Her love of performance has seen her gain experience in dancing, acting, modeling and theatre tech work. Cheri was an integral member of the Youth of Health Drama Festival committee for several years playing an important role in coordinating school drama festivals on a state-wide level. After completing a degree in Communications from ECU, and wishing to pursue her love of working with children, Cheri has chosen to further her studies by undertaking a Graduate Diploma in Education at Murdoch University to become a fully qualified teacher. Due to her enjoyment of performance and working with children she is currently fulfilling a role as Acting Director for a children’s drama club … and is loving her teaching position with Kindy Dance Time®!

Donna commenced her dance training as a young child, studying all forms including Classical, Jazz and Tap dance. She continued her training specialising in Tap and Jazz and was also engaged in Modelling work. In her early twenties, Donna danced professionally in Japan and Korea. After the birth of her child in 1998, Donna completed her Diploma in Teacher Assistance at ECU, and has been employed at Kindergarten and Primary schools throughout Perth. She has also been involved in implementing a Perceptual Motor Program for Early Childhood Units at schools and has had great experience teaching a dance program in Child Care Centres. Donna began teaching for Kindy Dance Time in 2005 and has just returned from Maternity leave. She has proven to be an extremely motivating and inspiring dance teacher.

Fiona’s training was undertaken in classical ballet and related subjects with Beverley Rowles in her native Wollongong and completed with McDonald College in Sydney.

In her fourteen years with West Australian Ballet, Fiona performed many featured roles in diverse works from the repertoire, many of those created for her. Choreographers in many genres valued her collaborative nature and artistic input, best seen in her full use in choreographic workshops throughout her performing career.

Other threads which ran through her performing career were her pivotal role and active participation in, WAB’s Education Program at the time, and her active mentoring of younger company members. Fiona has spoken to thousands of school children around WA as a positive role model as part of the WAB Education Program. She also volunteered as adjudicator and teacher in a number of awards and bursaries for dance students.

Since 2004, Fiona has amassed a large amount of teaching experience at many levels from pre-primary to tertiary dance students but, currently having two of them herself, guiding kindy-aged children is her first love.

We welcome Fiona on board the Kindy Dance Time team!

Jaylene’s love for dancing started at the age of 4, where she studied various dance styles including Jazz, Tap, Acrobatics and Modern. In her teenage years Jaylene performed professionally in many productions, including musicals and showcase events throughout WA. She also choreographed many dance routines for performance. A naturally talented teacher, Jaylene began her dance teaching career at Studio 24 in 2001 and was later offered the management position, where she managed the company for over 5 years. During this time she also studied Health and Fitness obtaining her Certficate 3 and 4 in 2002. Jaylene has also taught Kindy Gym classes for 18 mth to 4 year olds, gaining much experience in early childhood development. Now living in Melbourne, with her husband and 2 year old son, Jaylene is extremely excited to have the opportunity to combine her talents and experience and begin teaching at Kindy Dance Time® this year. We are thrilled to have her on board our team!

Jude began her dance training at six years of age, studying many varied styles including Classical, Jazz and Tap dance. Her love of children lead her into a career in early childhood. With a Diploma in Social Science obtained from Meeralinga, Jude has worked with young children for over 20 years. She incorporated her love of performing arts, by creating and implementing dance and music sessions for children aged 2-6 years, in weekly developmental programmes. She has also enhanced her education of early childhood development attending many varied courses on growth and play, learning, and music. Jude also holds a Diploma in Nutrition and is a mother to two teenage children. She began teaching for Kindy Dance Time® in 2005 and has endeared herself to many hundreds of students!

Kristie has had extensive theatrical experience over the past 18 years, performing in many musical productions including “Les Miserables”, “Oklahoma”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Aida”, “Oliver”, “Singing in the Rain” … and more. Throughout her career, she has also directed and rehearsed children of all ages in musical theatre. Her training began at an early age in Jazz dance, Drama, Singing and Movement lessons. Now a mother of 4, Kristie is extremely enthusiastic to pass on her wealth of experience and passion of dance to our young Kindy Dance Timer’s in Mandurah!

Lisa studied Ballet and Jazz in her earlier years and is now a fully qualified Primary School teacher with great experience, particularly in the early childhood years and also in gifted education. Her teaching career has lead her to various schools throughout WA and the UK. As a mother of two preschool age children, Lisa identifies the enormous benefits dance and music brings to young children. She is extremely excited to share her passion and wealth of experience with our Kindy Dance Timers!

Natalie began her dancing career as a young child and continued to study Classical Ballet, Jazz and Tap dancing. As a teenager she was awarded dance scholarships to MLC and John Curtin SHS. Natalie began her dance teaching career during this time and opened her own dance school at the ripe old age of 16! In 1984, Natalie was accepted into the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. From here she professionally performed extensively overseas including Japan, Singapore, London, Philippines, Spain and Paris. During this period Natalie also choreographed many dance performances internationally and nationally. Her dance teaching career has incorporated teaching toddlers through to adults. Now with two young pre-schoolers of her own, Natalie is keen to pass on all her wonderful experience to our young Kindy Dance Timers!

Penny began dancing at four years of age, studying Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Song & Dance. She continued her dance education for over twenty years, broadening her passion into studying such styles as Flamenco, African, Belly Dance, Contemporary, Hip-hop, Salsa and Tango. As a teenager, Penny also studied drama at the National Theatre Drama School and has been involved in numerous theatre productions – a love that she still actively cultivates through her involvement with the Williamstown Little Theatre. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies, providing her with a rich education in the modern and post-modern movements of dance, and went on to create and perform in numerous independent performances. Penny also has great experience teaching creative movement to adults and children with intellectual disabilities. Now, with two pre-schoolers of her own, she is thrilled to bring her dance and performance experience to our Kindy Dance Timers in Melbourne!

Bio coming soon…

Rebecca has studied various forms of dance including jazz, tap and classical for over 25 years and has enjoyed combining her love of dance, singing and drama in a range of performing and teaching ventures. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Arts / Teaching in 1999, Rebecca widened her performance experience through various musicals and plays, Theatre-in-Education productions, and energetic performances with popular Melbourne children’s band, ‘The Jellybugs.;’ She also enjoyed a run of appearances on television series such as ‘Neighbours,’ ‘Stingers’ and ‘The Crash Zone.’

Although she still loves to perform in amateur productions and as a vocalist, Rebecca has primarily been teaching since 2002. She has taught singing, drama and dance in Primary and Secondary schools and directed numerous musical productions. Her theatre school, ‘Perry’s Young Stars’ opened in 2005, with Kindermusik classes being added in 2008.

Now with two energetic, young boys at home, Rebecca is particularly interested in the role of creative dance and music in early childhood development and is thrilled be joining the Kindy Dance Time team in Melbourne.