Staff

Dr Melinda Purnell - Principal

PhD (Dance Physiotherapy), University of Sydney.
Bachelor of Applied Arts (Dance & Physical Education), University of NSW.
Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy Honours 1), University of Sydney.
ADA, Advanced Teacher's Diploma
International lecturer to dance teachers and health professionals.

Melinda is a qualified and registered teacher with the Australasian Dance Association of Teachers of Dancing (ADA), and a holder of the ADA Advanced Teacher's Diploma. The diploma was passed with an Honours distinction in both tap and modern dance.

Melinda is a graduate of the University of NSW with a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Dance & Physical Education) and has been teaching professionally for the past 24 years in several schools around Sydney. She has held her current position of Principal for the past 22 years.

Melinda is also a Dance Physiotherapist with a PhD and first class Honours degree for her research on adolescent dance training and injury prevention. Melinda has presented this research at numerous international and Australian conferences. She has been selected to lecture on five occasions at the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) annual conferences attended by world leaders in dance education, injury prevention, and dance company directors.

As a Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor, Melinda works with many dance students from all over Sydney and NSW, including elite dancers such as Australian Ballet School students and international level acrobats. She currently works in her private practice, Dance & Artistic Sports Physiotherpy at Sutherland, and North Strathfield at The McDonald College of Performing Arts, which caters for dancers and acrobats. Melinda has worked with:

The WA Ballet.
How to Train Your Dragon Arena Show.
High School Musical Live Show.
The Australian and NSW Acrobatics Gymnastics Teams.

She has lectured on dance technique and injuries for the University of Sydney, University of NSW, Sports Physiotherapy Australia, and Ballet Australasia Limited.

With 32 years of dance training, Melinda has performed in many events, and has 22 years of competitive dance experience. Melinda continues to perform as a Christian dancer. She attends Gymea Baptist Church and has been a Christian since primary school.

Maree Kennedy - Head Ballet Teacher

RAD Registered Teacher
Bachelor of Education (Primary), Edith Cowan Cowan University.
Master of Arts (Theology), Australian Catholic University.

Maree Kennedy (Jones) has studied ballet since the age of 4, working through the Grades and Vocational exams of the Royal Academy of Dance. She studied at the Beryl Yopp Studio, Halliday Dance Centre, and Rogerson Ballet Academy.

She began teaching at the Rogerson Ballet Academy at the age of 13, continuing there for 7 years. She also taught at the Pam Cossey School of Dance Cronulla and the Beattie School in Orange NSW.

Maree holds Registered Teacher Status for the Royal Academy of Dance. She has been a mentor teacher to students studying for the RAD Certificate in Classical Ballet Studies. Maree is also a Registered Teacher of the Capricorn Ballet and Arts Academy. She has adjudicated at dance eisteddfods and scholarships.

From 1988 until 2008 Maree and her two sisters ran their own dance studio at Miranda and Sutherland - Kennedy Dance Academy. Two former students were accepted into the Australian Ballet School's Junior Interstate Programme. Other former students have been accepted into Victorian College of the Arts, Ev and Bow, Ed5, the University of NSW Dance degree, the Academy Ballet School Semi Professional Programme with Vicki Attard and the professional training year at Hilary Kaplan School of Dance. Another former student, Tess Sturmann, is currently dancing with the Hett National Ballet in the Netherlands. Other students were just as important, gaining valuable skills in technique, team work, confidence, and goal setting.

Maree is a trained Primary school teacher with a Bachelor of Education from Edith Cowan University. She has also completed a Masters of Arts degree in Theology from the Australian Catholic University, and is currently completing a Certificate in Pastoral Education.

Maree has a passion for working with children to help them develop their confidence as they learn to be the best they can be in a safe, affirming working environment.

Renée Kennedy - Ballet, Jazz, and Tap Teacher

Renée has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Renée has competed successfully in many eisteddfods over the past 15 years. Renée studied RAD ballet from Maree Kennedy, Sue Seaton, and Rhonda Pickering, completing her advanced 1 certificate. Renée has performed in many school performances, as well as teaching dance at her school as a performance class. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of Notre Dame.

Renée is heavily involved in her parish community regularly attending church, helping out at a primary school as a teacher's aid, and helping run camps for young kids - enabling them to connect to God in a fun and friendly environment, as well as choreographing various liturgical movements for the parish masses and school events.

Renée started teaching at the age of 14, and has achieved great results with all her students. She has a real passion and enthusiasm for dance.