|
Jane Pirani - PrincipalAs the Principal of The Ann Roberts School of Dance, Jane Pirani leads a team of dedicated and talented teachers to deliver the very best dance instruction possible. Joining Jane in managing the school is her husband André.
Jane's mother, Ann Roberts founded the school in 1957, and Jane trained at the school prior to leaving Townsville to study fine art at University. She is the mother of two adult children; Emmanuel and Isabelle, both of whom have developed their own careers in performing arts. After completing her degree in fine arts, Jane become a professional dancer in France, where she worked for two years with Maggi Sietsma who went on to direct Expressions in Brisbane for 25 years. It was in France that she met her husband, André. |
After returning to Australia, Jane taught dancing at The Ann Roberts School of Dance and in 1986 founded Extensions - the youth link to Dance North. Jane was Artistic Director of Extensions for eleven years before taking on the role of Artistic Director of Dance North in 1997, a position she held for eight years. During this time, Jane took the professional dance company to a national and international stage with new works produced each year by herself and guest choreographers. She worked collaboratively with other choreographers, producing unique works including Luuli and performed with the Lardil dancers from Woomera Aboriginal Islander Corporation, Mornington Island. This production toured across the top of Australia, regional Queensland and capital cities over three years.
Jane has worked as a freelance choreographer before and after her time with Dance North. She has choreographed works for New Zealand School of Dance, Queensland Institute of Technology, Queensland Dance School of Excellence, Expressions, Queensland Ballet, Adelaide Centre for Performing Arts and Buzz Dance Theatre.
Her experience also includes work with young performers creating large scale productions that have toured Adelaide, Perth, Townsville, Brisbane, Xian City, China and Aberdeen, Scotland. In addition she has directed large scale community events such as VP50 where she worked with 650 school children to create a lantern extravaganza for the closing celebrations.
In 2007 Jane and André began Ulysses Dancers in memory of her mother who founded the school and loved butterflies. Ulysses have now produced 10 major works performed at Riverside Arts Centre. They toured to Scotland in 2015 for the International Youth Festival and again in 2018, taking the production of 'Blue Worlds' to the international stage.
Jane has nurtured many students who have gone onto professional careers in the performing arts sector, and many who have held dance close to their heart after their time with the school. She is particularly proud of The Ann Roberts extended dance school family who are now returning with their children and their children's children to pass on the love of dance.
Jane has worked as a freelance choreographer before and after her time with Dance North. She has choreographed works for New Zealand School of Dance, Queensland Institute of Technology, Queensland Dance School of Excellence, Expressions, Queensland Ballet, Adelaide Centre for Performing Arts and Buzz Dance Theatre.
Her experience also includes work with young performers creating large scale productions that have toured Adelaide, Perth, Townsville, Brisbane, Xian City, China and Aberdeen, Scotland. In addition she has directed large scale community events such as VP50 where she worked with 650 school children to create a lantern extravaganza for the closing celebrations.
In 2007 Jane and André began Ulysses Dancers in memory of her mother who founded the school and loved butterflies. Ulysses have now produced 10 major works performed at Riverside Arts Centre. They toured to Scotland in 2015 for the International Youth Festival and again in 2018, taking the production of 'Blue Worlds' to the international stage.
Jane has nurtured many students who have gone onto professional careers in the performing arts sector, and many who have held dance close to their heart after their time with the school. She is particularly proud of The Ann Roberts extended dance school family who are now returning with their children and their children's children to pass on the love of dance.
|
André Reynaud - Commercial and Production ManagerAndré leads the commercial and production operations of The Ann Roberts School of Dance alongside his wife, Jane Pirani. Together they have two adult children; Emmanuel and Isabelle, both of whom have developed their own careers in performing arts.
Prior to moving to Australia, André trained as an engineer in his native country, France. He worked in the field for several years In France and Africa in the Sudan. During his student days Andre spent all of his spare time designing, making and operating puppets. This grand passion took over and transferred itself into the theatre where he began a new career as a lighting designer in his late twenties. It was during this time that he worked in the same company as his future wife, Jane Pirani. |
In 1982 André became an Australian resident and added another skill to his portfolio - theatre design and construction which he continues to do to the present. His first commissions included lighting design for the North Queensland Ballet (now Dance North), set design for The Music Man at the Civic Theatre and set and lighting design for the Ann Roberts School of Dancing. André has designed over seventy works for performing arts organisations including the Choral Society in Townsville and Cairns, North Queensland Opera and Music Theatre, Dance North, Extensions, Seaview Steak, Trellis of Lizards, New Moon Theatre Company, Expressions in Brisbane, REM in Sydney, Tropic Line, Hard Sun, Theatre INQ and the James Cook University theatre department.
In addition to set and lighting design, André designs costumes, mascots and puppets. These have included the Recycling Alien Baggit for the Townsville NBL Crocs, Captain Catastrophe, Jabberwocky, Fred the Frilled Neck Lizard for the NQ Games, Penguin for the Warrina Ice Skating Rink, Aslan the Lion from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the animal heads from Alice in Downunderland are but the tip of the iceberg of Andre’s creations.
Since 2005, André and his wife Jane have owned and managed the Ann Roberts School of Dancing. André manages the administration of the school and all production aspects. Andre’s experience in the theatre is vast and comprehensive so he is an ideal leader to nurture and promote the arts industry in Townsville. André believes that a diverse performing arts culture strengthens the cultural identity and practice of young Australians.
In addition to set and lighting design, André designs costumes, mascots and puppets. These have included the Recycling Alien Baggit for the Townsville NBL Crocs, Captain Catastrophe, Jabberwocky, Fred the Frilled Neck Lizard for the NQ Games, Penguin for the Warrina Ice Skating Rink, Aslan the Lion from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the animal heads from Alice in Downunderland are but the tip of the iceberg of Andre’s creations.
Since 2005, André and his wife Jane have owned and managed the Ann Roberts School of Dancing. André manages the administration of the school and all production aspects. Andre’s experience in the theatre is vast and comprehensive so he is an ideal leader to nurture and promote the arts industry in Townsville. André believes that a diverse performing arts culture strengthens the cultural identity and practice of young Australians.
Our Staff
Our staff have a broad range of teaching experience in a wide variety of dance forms, and a genuine interest and concern for all of our dance students. Knowledge and experience is passed onto our students, whilst promoting a spirit of cooperation and friendliness both in the classroom and outside the studio.
Our teachers stay abreast of the developments in Dance by regularly attending seminars and performances. Our school currently has a teaching staff of eighteen and four assistants. As well, we have two office co-ordinators and a manager. The school employs specialist guest teachers regularly.
Our teachers stay abreast of the developments in Dance by regularly attending seminars and performances. Our school currently has a teaching staff of eighteen and four assistants. As well, we have two office co-ordinators and a manager. The school employs specialist guest teachers regularly.
|
Debbie O'DonnellDebbie’s journey with the Ann Roberts family began at the age of six when she commenced learning ballet at a small church hall in Currajong. It was there she met Miss Roberts, a lady who opened up a world and a pathway that would play a major role in her future.
Moving to the city studio in Sturt Street, Debbie was introduced to Tap and Modern. When she was 12 Pirani Hall was built in Fletcher Street, and it was there that Debbie finished her studies in ballet, tap and modern. Debbie was one of the founding members of the North Queensland Ballet Company (now Dance North) and danced for 10 years with the company. Encouraged to take up a career in teaching, she went on to achieve an Advanced Teachers Certificate in Tap and Modern with the Federal Association of Theatre and Dance (now the Australasian Dance Association) and after further study, an Advanced Diploma in ballet with the Royal Academy of Dance. In 1975 Debbie furthered her studies in dance at the Joffrey Ballet and Alvin Ailey schools in New York and achieved the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Award for young Australians to further studies overseas. Debbie has had the pleasure of seeing her two daughters Deanne and Penny become teachers in their own right at the studio. Miss Roberts taught both the girls and would be so proud to see them passing on the passion that she instilled in them... and us all! |
|
Ann ThurleyBorn in Townsville, Ann was the first student enrolled at the "new" Ann Roberts Studio, Pirani Hall, in Fletcher Street. Ann studied Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Highland and Irish dancing under the experienced direction of Ann Roberts, and also attended Ballroom classes as a teenager for recreation.
Working with professional guest choreographers was the highlight of the six years Ann performed with the North Queensland Ballet and Dance Company which toured to numerous regional Queensland towns. Ann also performed in many musicals with the Townsville Choral Society. Holding Advanced teaching qualifications in Tap and Jazz with the ADA, Ann enjoys teaching young students and watching them grow to become confident and capable young adults. |
|
Alison TierneyAlison started dancing at Ann Roberts School of Dancing in 1962 at the age of 6 at the Latchford Street studios. The following year she sat for her Primary Ballet exam and began Modern (jazz) and Tap. From there Alison sat for all her exams in all disciplines all the way through to Advanced 2 Ballet.
In 1969 Miss Roberts founded the North Queensland Ballet & Dance Society (now Dance North) to which Alison was accepted as a founding member. Alison continued to dance with the company for the next ten years performing in such classics as Swan Lake, Giselle, Les Sylphides, Pas de Quatre and working with guest artists from the Australian Ballet Company. Alison then moved to Melbourne in the 80’s where she taught all Ballet, Jazz and Tap and sat for her teachers exams in C.S.T.D. before opening her own school – Alison Tierney School of Dance. In 1994 Alison returned to Townsville to take up a teaching position with the studio and has since been teaching Ballet and Jazz ever since. In 2019 the Australasian Dance Association (A.D.A) invited Alison to become an examiner, and she hopes to soon be travelling throughout Australia helping the next generation of dancers find their true potential and passion. |
|
Kylie TillackBorn in Townsville, Kylie trained with the Ann Roberts School of Dancing from childhood. Kylie is passionate about Townsville’s strong arts community and in the development of the creative voice within young people. She holds Advanced RAD and teaching qualifications; Advanced ADA and teaching certificate; and a Bachelor of Education from James Cook University. Kylie’s dance training includes Classical, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap and competition Ballroom.
Over the past twenty-five years Kylie has worked in the dance industry within the Townsville region. She has worked on numerous and diverse productions such as Boy From Oz, we Will Rock You, Chicago, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, Titanic, Cats, Saturday Night Fever to name a few. Kylie directed Oliver! for NQOMT in 2015, directed and choreographed Hot Shoe Shuffle and co-directed Rock of Ages in 2016. In 2018 Kylie directed Strictly Ballroom, and in 2021 Kylie also added "Jersey Boys" to her directing credits.. Kylie loves teaching dance and helping young people strive to achieve their goals in dance. |
|
Melissa WyattMelissa began dancing at the Ann Roberts School of Dance at the age of 6. She completed exams in Tap, Modern and Classical Ballet and completed her FATD Modern Teachers Exams in 1999. Melissa was a member of Extension Youth Dance Company from 1994- 1998 and travelled to various interstate dance festivals including the Aberdeen International Youth Festival in 1998.
In the year 2000 Melissa began competitive Ballroom dancing and competed successfully in the amateur and professional field for 16 years. She currently owns ‘Dancensations’ Ballroom studio, teaching Ballroom, Latin American, New Vogue and wedding dance lessons. In 2009 Melissa became a member of the Ann Roberts ‘Ulysses Dancers’ and performed roles such as “Kate” in ‘Taming of the Shrew’, “Lady Capulet” in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, “The Queen of Avalon” in ‘King Arthur’ and “Hermia” in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Melissa currently teaches Teeny Tots through to Solo Seal Ballet and has completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies though the Royal Academy of Dance. |
|
Jasmin LawsonJasmin started dancing at the age of 5 learning in Ayr and began teaching in Ayr in 2013. In 2016 she started at Ann Roberts teaching ballet, contemporary, jazz, song and dance and hip hop.
Jasmin is qualified in her RAD CBTS ballet teachers and is a registered teacher with the RAD, as well as being a qualified pilates instructor. Jasmin is also a senior member of Ulysses Dancers and will travellled to Aberdeen in 2018 for the International Youth Arts Festival. |
|
Chris Davis
Chris originally studied dance in his formative years in Brisbane at Southern Academy of Dance under Sandra Breen. He studied Tap, Jazz and Ballet before graduating high school and completing a double Bachelor’s Degree (BA/Bed) at QUT. There he studied Contemporary dance as well as Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Folkloric dance. He performed with Diana Laska Moore’s World Dance Company in Brisbane in 2000 as well as performing at Groucho’s Theatre Restaurant for 3 years as a singer/dancer entertainer. Chris was also one of the founding members of the tap dance group, Raw Metal (now known as Raw Dance Company).
Since moving to Townsville to teach as a specialist High school Dance and Drama teacher in 2001, he has been involved in the local Arts community through choreographing and performing in various musicals for both NQOMT and the Townsville Choral society. His list of choreographic credits for local theatre include The Full Monty, Grease, All Shook Up, West Side Story, Happy Days, Mary Poppins, Wicked and Annie. Chris has been taking the adult tap classes at Ann Roberts since 2016. |
|
Deanne TownsendDeanne first started dancing with the Ann Roberts studio at age 3 and continued through to RAD Advanced 2 ballet. Her studies also included Jazz, Tap and Contemporary. She further pursued her love of dance by studying a Diploma of Dance at QUT, Brisbane. Deanne was a member of Extensions Youth Dance Company for 5 years where she performed regionally and at the Youth Arts Festival in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Deanne has expanded her passion for movement, by gaining her Pilates Instructor Certification and holds classes outside of the studio as 'Defined Pilates'. She has combined her dance and Pilates training, offering a technique strengthening class for our senior students. Deanne is proud to be back with the Ann Roberts studio that instilled her love and excitement for dance, as she hopes to do for her own students. |
|
Nikki RobinsonNikki Robinson began her training at the Croft Gilchrist School of Dance at the age of 4. After completing Grade 12, she moved to Brisbane and continued her studies at QUT Kelvin Grove, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Drama. During her studies, Nikki worked with choreographers Natalie Weir, Paul Mercurio, Grant McLay and Rosetta Cook, and performed in both professional and amateur musical productions such as the King and I, Cold Comfort Farm, Li’l Abner, To Kill a Mocking Bird and Sweet Charity.
Whilst studying at Kelvin Grove, Nikki delved into the field of Lighting Design with the well-regarded David Walters and she completed her teachers in Highland dancing with the Colleen Loon School of Highland and Irish Dancing in Brisbane. To further her experience, she moved to the Gold Coast where she participated in classes at Dance Headquarters and the Ransley Ballet and Dance Centre. Relocating to Melbourne, Nikki participated in classes with Chunky Moves, and attended external workshops with the Victorian College of Arts and Dance Factory. Nikki continued developing her acting skills by attending workshops under casting director Faith Martin, Screen Actors Australia and TAFTA (The Australian Film and Television Academy). Nikki has performed both nationally and internationally and developed her skill-set to include Stilt Walking, Magicians’ Assistant, TV Commercials, Showgirl, Theatre Productions and Movies. Upon her return from the UK, where she lived for 6 years, Nikki embarked on a new journey and gained a Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching from CQU Rockhampton. Currently employed with the Catholic Education Office, Nikki spends her days at the Marian Catholic School. |
|
Danielle KingDanielle started ballet at the age of 6 while living in Papua New Guinea with her family. On moving back to Melbourne, she started training at the National Theatre Ballet School where she eventually completed a 3 year Fulltime Advance Diploma of Arts (Classical Dance). In this time she performed many roles, including the title roles in “Giselle” and “Cinderella” and ‘The Sylph’ in “La Sylphide”.
Danielle then left Australia and moved to Europe where she danced seasons with Ballet Ireland, Les Ballet Persans and Vienna Festival Ballet companies. She has been lucky in her professional dance career to perform with Melbourne Opera, Melbourne Theatre Company, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and at many corporate events in the commercial dance world. Meeting her now husband whilst overseas, they moved back to Australia together and she began teaching at her previous school in Melbourne. They moved to Townsville and Danielle started teaching ballet at Ann Roberts School of Dance in 2012. She loves all the staff and students at the school and the beautiful “family” she has found at Ann Roberts. Danielle is now also a qualified Dental Assistant, but when she’s not teaching ballet or assisting at the Townsville Orthodontic Specialists, she is home with her husband Chris and two beautiful children Macey and Camden. |
|
Amanda LawsonAmanda commenced her first dance lessons in Townsville at age 3 and have trained in Ballet, Tap, Highland, Irish jazz and Ballroom. She has always aspired to teach Highland Dancing and in 1998 obtained her first teaching qualifications. She then went on to complete all three Highland dance teaching levels - Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced. Over the years she has travelled and competed in competitions and eisteddfods in all forms of dance. However, two of her most memorable achievements are winning the Qld Highland Dancing Championships and competing in the prestigious Champion of Champions Championship.
In addition to teaching highland dancing Amanda works full time and is a wife and mother to two wonderful children. Amanda says that she cannot imagine life without dance and still enjoy's participating in classes and performances whenever she can. Teaching Qualifications: NDA Highland Dancing Teachers (Advanced) |
|
Lynda TamaBorn in the Burdekin, Lynda trained at The Dance House School of Dancing, training in RAD classical, FATD tap and jazz. Lynda Completed her elementary in classical. Lynda always had a passion to teach dance and choreograph from a young age. She currently teaches kinder ballet.
Lynda is also heavily involved in Townsville Musical Theatre community. She has choreographed many musicals some including Spring Awakening, Legally Blonde and Rock of Ages. Choreographing musicals is one of Lynda’s passions as well as she also teaches movement/dance for Trinity Musical theatre exams. Lynda has also performed in Ulysses Dance Group for the past 7 years and had the privilege to travel to Aberdeen in 2015 to perform at the Aberdeen Youth Festival. With all that Lynda also runs her own salon Wild Lilly Hair. |
|
Grace KongGrace has been dancing since the age of 4 and has been with Ann Roberts since the age of 8. In 2016, Grace received a distinction for her Advanced 2 RAD ballet exam as well as Honours Plus in her Bar-to-Gold ADA Jazz exam.
Grace started as a student teacher in 2015, teaching Tiny Tots and Kinder, Pre-primary, and Primary jazz. She has now progressed and teaches Teeny Tots, Tiny tots, and Pre-Primary Ballet, as well as Kinder through to Bar-to-Gold Jazz. Grace has been a member of Ulysses Dancers since 2013 and travelled with the group to Aberdeen in 2018. Grace has a great time teaching the students of Ann Roberts and loves watching them develop into wonderful little dancers. She has always had a passion for teaching and sees it as a way of giving back to the school. |
|
Lucy FagezLucy Fagez has always loved dancing and joined the Ann Robert’s School of Dance at the age of 10 in 2009.
She values cultural heritage, feeling fortunate to practise highland dancing, which connects with her Scottish side. She particularly enjoys ballet and is part of Ulysses and the Shaughnettes. Upon return from a gap year attending a school in France (to connect with her French side), she is now a student at James Cook University and plays violin in Townsville’s Barrier Reef Orchestra. |
|
Claudia LeslieAt three years of age Claudia squeezed into a leotard and a pair of ballet slippers, marched into the Ann Roberts School of Dance and she has been there ever since! Claudia has been fortunate to participate in exams, eisteddfods and concerts and even had the privilege to travel with the Ulysses Dancers overseas to the Aberdeen Youth Festive in 2015. Also in that year she completed her Advanced 2 Ballet and Supreme Tap exams and has been a teacher for all ages in these two disciplines ever since.
Claudia was awarded The Frankie Bliss Student of the Year in 2015 - the highest award given by the Ann Roberts School of Dance. |
|
Lauren CrosbyLauren has been a member of the Ann Roberts family since 2004 and has completed her Advanced 1 and 2 RAD examinations with distinctions in 2016 at the age of 15 and her solo seal Award in 2017, age 16. Among her achievements, Lauren was a Semi-finalist and the Genee International in Portugal and a Finalist in the Genee Dance Challenge in Sydney.
She has been awarded the title of Classical Ballet Champion in many eisteddfods across North Queensland and been a member of the Australian Ballet School ITP, Ulysses Dance Company and both Brisbane and Gold Coast City Company’s. Lauren is now undertaking a teaching role in classical ballet, contemporary and pilates and looks forward to assisting students achieve their greatest potential in class and on the stage. |
|
Dane ReidDane Reid is a young male ballet/contemporary dancer, who has been a student teacher at Ann Roberts School of Dance since 2017. Beginning at the age of 4, he moved to Ann Roberts to refine his technique in 2011 and since then has achieved many awards, plaques and bursaries.
In 2017 he won the Townsville Classical Ballet Championship. He strives to teach younger generations, communicating the skills and capabilities beneficial to the students. In 2017 he also sat for his solo seal exam and travelled to Portugal as a participant at the RAD Genee International Competition. |
|
Manu ReynaudLead creative of IVRE+MORT, Arts Project Atelier, Emmanuel has over ten years international experience in the performing arts industry as a dancer, performer, teacher and rehearsal director.
After graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance in 2006, Manu took up a position in the Characters and Parades Department at Disneyland Resort Paris before travelling to the UK to take up an apprenticeship with Diversions The Dance Company of Wales then work with RanciDance in London for two seasons. Returning home to Australia in 2009, Manu performed the lead role in Ulysses Dancers season of Giselle in Townsville and was invited to perform as a guest with Compagnie Mado in New Caledonia for their season of Bijoux. In 2011, he took up a position with Footnote New Zealand Dance for four years allowing him to work with many of New Zealand’s most prominent choreographers, tour internationally to the USA, Germany, the UK, France and Belgium as well as choreograph Strive in collaboration with Levi Cameron and Jason Wright. Manu is also a regular collaborator with the Borderline Arts Ensemble, most notably 2017’s award winning season of Lobsters, has featured in 7 of the World of WearableArts Awards Shows, danced for Black Sheep Production's Everything Anyone Ever Wanted, toured with Atamira Dance for their international tour of PANGO and was rehearsal director for Taki Rua’s national tour of Tiki Taane Mahuta. Since initiating IVRE+MORT in 2016, Manu has produced Empathy Test, a solo experiential dance piece, as well as Appetite for Destruction, which is being developed into a full length piece and Forget to be Human, currently in development stages. At present, he is co-producing and rehearsal directing for projectMUSE with his partner Hannah Tasker-Poland. |
|
Lenore NielsenLenore started at Ann Roberts School of Dance at the age of 6 learning ballet and tap. She advanced through the grades, passing her tap teachers exam at the age of 14. While teaching she also assisted in the office administration and when she retired from teaching in 2003, became the senior office administrator.
Miss Roberts was training debutantes when Lenore made her debut at 17, and from then on she assisted Miss Roberts in this task. In 1969 Lenore took over the training of the debutantes from Miss Roberts, and has continued to train debutantes each year since that time. Miss Roberts also encouraged Lenore to join the Townsville Eisteddfod committee, of which she has been secretary for the past many years and is now a Life Member. |
|
Janelle CroftJanelle began dancing at Ann Roberts as a tiny tot. Her mum, Maureen, had been taught by Miss Roberts as a young girl, and her Dad thought that ballet might help with her poise and co-ordination, and stop her being a complete klutz who constantly tripped over her own feet. Sadly, that was not the case! However, she continued with dance until finishing her ballet exams at age 19. Janelle’s daughters Hannah, Lucy and Eliza have also danced with Ann Roberts continuing the family tradition.
Janelle’s real passion has always been singing and she has combined that talent with her dance training over many years of performing in musicals with the Townsville Choral Society and NQOMT. Janelle began teaching our song and dance classes in 2005, and joined our office staff in 2013. |
