About Us
Established in 1964, the School was envisioned by The Australian Ballet’s founding Artistic Director, Dame Peggy van Praagh. The School's ongoing commitment to dance and education excellence has been achieved through visionary leadership, provided by the late Dame Margaret Scott AC DBE, the late Gailene Stock AM, Marilyn Rowe AM OBE and, since 2015, Lisa Pavane.
Over 60 years, The Australian Ballet School has transformed hundreds of aspiring dancers and produced professional artists of the highest calibre.
The School has a long relationship with The Australian Ballet, but has always been independent with its own legal status, staff, finances and Board. The School's annual income comes from federal government funding (43%), tuition fees (32%) and philanthropy, partnership and events such as performances (25%). The Australian Ballet School is a registered charity.
Our students come from across Australia and neighbouring countries; young artists and athletes in training with exceptional talent and a commitment to dance. Entry to our full-time and after-school programs is by audition. Currently, more than 100 students train at The Australian Ballet School full-time.
The Australian Ballet School’s Boarding Program allows students from outside Melbourne to live in a safe and nurturing environment with their peers while they train full-time.
The Australian Ballet School also delivers community classes, early learning programs, school holiday intensives for all abilities, and masterclasses nationally for hundreds of children each year.
The Australian Ballet School presents two performance seasons annually at Arts Centre Melbourne, and one interstate. Our senior students perform in The Australian Ballet’s annual National Tour.
We are a Registered Training Organisation offering accredited courses. Our eight-level program combines studio dance training and academic classroom studies, led by expert teachers and supported by health and wellbeing professionals.
Our graduates include the former Artistic Director and most of the Principal Artists of The Australian Ballet, world famous choreographers such as Graeme Murphy AO, and dancers who have succeeded in the very best international companies such as Hannah O'Neill of Paris Opera Ballet.
Over 60 years, The Australian Ballet School has transformed hundreds of aspiring dancers and produced professional artists of the highest calibre.
The School has a long relationship with The Australian Ballet, but has always been independent with its own legal status, staff, finances and Board. The School's annual income comes from federal government funding (43%), tuition fees (32%) and philanthropy, partnership and events such as performances (25%). The Australian Ballet School is a registered charity.
Our students come from across Australia and neighbouring countries; young artists and athletes in training with exceptional talent and a commitment to dance. Entry to our full-time and after-school programs is by audition. Currently, more than 100 students train at The Australian Ballet School full-time.
The Australian Ballet School’s Boarding Program allows students from outside Melbourne to live in a safe and nurturing environment with their peers while they train full-time.
The Australian Ballet School also delivers community classes, early learning programs, school holiday intensives for all abilities, and masterclasses nationally for hundreds of children each year.
The Australian Ballet School presents two performance seasons annually at Arts Centre Melbourne, and one interstate. Our senior students perform in The Australian Ballet’s annual National Tour.
We are a Registered Training Organisation offering accredited courses. Our eight-level program combines studio dance training and academic classroom studies, led by expert teachers and supported by health and wellbeing professionals.
Our graduates include the former Artistic Director and most of the Principal Artists of The Australian Ballet, world famous choreographers such as Graeme Murphy AO, and dancers who have succeeded in the very best international companies such as Hannah O'Neill of Paris Opera Ballet.
The Australian Ballet School is proud to be a member of the Arts8 alongside the following elite performing arts training organisations: