Classical
Kinetic Educator
Janet Karin OAM, VGCEBI
A former Principal Dancer of The Australian Ballet, Janet Karin established her teaching career in Canberra, devising her own teaching system and training many outstanding dancers, choreographers and teachers. These include the late Ross Stretton, former Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet, and Joanne Michel, former Principal Dancer of The Australian Ballet and now Level 8 teacher at the School.
Ms Karin developed a series of dance studies courses for the Australian National University and for the ACT Department of Education. She has lectured at under-graduate and post-graduate level with the University of Sydney, Australian National University and the University of Melbourne. Ms Karin’s publications include a variety of papers and studies in dance training, dance education and cultural development. She has received awards for direction, teaching and services to dance, including the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Ms Karin has worked extensively within the area of cultural development, notably in her positions on the Australia Council Dance Board and the ACT Cultural Council and as Chair of its Performing Arts Committee. She has designed and facilitated a range of national and international courses, conferences and workshops including several consultancies in Asia. Ms Karin also lectures throughout Australia on movement efficiency and injury prevention.
In 2009 the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) elected Ms Karin as a member of its Board of Directors and as Chair of its Education Committee. She has presented papers at IADMS conferences since 2002. She was Chair of a consortium formed by The Australian Ballet School, Australian Dance Council-Ausdance and the Australian Sports Commission to present the 2007 IADMS Conference in Australia.
Dance science research is an important aspect of Ms Karin’s work as Kinetic Educator at The Australian Ballet School. In 2010 she was awarded a Centre of Clinical Research Excellence grant to carry out a study into imagery and dynamic pelvic stability with Professor Paul Hodges, international expert in spine health. This year she is investigating the neuroscience and management of pain, and also the development of movement efficiency in adolescents.