Staff

Dr Melinda Purnell - Principal, Tap, Ballet, Jazz & Company Teacher

• 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 commenced her dance training at the age of 5 and soon after wanted to become a dance teacher. This goal was fulfilled at the age of 19, when she became Principal of a small school in Bundeena which after 3 years moved out to Sutherland. As Melinda's passion for dance ministry grew, the school became Genesis Performing Arts 9 years ago. Melinda is a qualified and registered teacher with the Australasian Dance Association (ADA), and a holder of the ADA Advanced Teacher's Diploma with Honours (Dist) in tap and jazz 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 27 years in several schools around Sydney. She has held her current position of Principal for the past 25 years. Former students have placed first in the prestigious McDonalds Performing Arts Challenge, and have been accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts, Ev & Bow Full time dance training centre, USA university dance programs, Newtown High School of Performing Arts and are dancing professionally.

Melinda's other passion is the study of human movement and anatomy, which led her to become a Dance Physiotherapist and was awarded her PhD from The University of Sydney for her research investigating knee pain and ankle instability in adolescent dancers and acrobatic gymnasts in 2015. She also has been awarded a 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 six 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 Physiotherapy at Sutherland 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.
• The NZ, TAS and WA Gymnastics Teams.

She has lectured on dance technique and injuries for the University of Sydney, University of NSW, Sports Physiotherapy Australia, Ballet Australasia Limited, and SCECGS. She has also been a physiotherapy clinical educator for the Australian Catholic University.

With 35 years of dance training, Melinda has performed in many events, and has 24 years of competitive dance experience. She attends Gymea Baptist Church and has been a Christian since primary school. She has two young daughters and adores being a mum!

Grace Baird - Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz & Company Teacher

Beginning dance at the young age of 3, Grace has been training in various styles for over 16 years. Completing her RAD Advanced 1 ballet exam under the direction of Joanne Ansell, Rhonda Pickering and Kim Traynor as well as completing her ADA Jazz and Tap exams up to Gold Star. Since finishing the HSC, Grace began studying at Ev and Bow Fulltime Dance Centre under Lisa Bowmer and Sarah Boulter where she has completed her Certificate IV in dance performance and has recently completed her Diploma in Elite Performance. At Ev and Bow, she trained in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap and Commercial everyday giving her a vast range of knowledge in all styles.

Since graduating Grace has performed in contemporary works by Roy Munro and Stephanie Lake where she performed in a season at Carriageworks as apart of Sydney Festival. Grace has also been in music videos for Australian music artists, 'Erthlings' and Montaigne both choreographed by renowned choreographer, Larissa McGowan. Grace has completed her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment along with educational studies at university to assist her work as a dance teacher.

Grace has a passion for dance and a passion for teaching and sharing dance but more importantly a passion and heart for Christ. She attends Menai Anglican Church and regularly serves in both children and youth ministries.