THE TEAM
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Lyrical and Teens Ballet
Abby began her dance journey at age 7 when she attended her first ever Jazz class. Since then she was hooked and has indulged herself in a range of styles.
She has completed her exams in both Jazz (Elementary ATOD) and Ballet (Intermediate Cecchetti) and continues to work towards her RAD Advanced 1 exam.
Abby loves dancing and choreographing and is excited to bring her range of experience into the Lyrical classroom. Exploring movement is a passion of hers and is thrilled with the opportunity 6P has given her to bringing this love of movement outside of her bedroom.
Outside of dance Abby is passionate about children and child development, having completed her Certificate III in Early Childhood and Education. She is excited to be able to combine this with her love of dance in bringing forth the 1st Position Program.
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Beginner Ballet and Beginner Pointe
Amelie had grown up dancing since the age of three, when she was asked by her mother to choose between ballet, and swimming.
Being a three year old girl who loved all things pink and tutus, she obviously chose ballet, and that was that. Since then Amelie has completed all her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet exams up to Advanced 1, and is currently working towards her Advanced 2 exam here at 6P!
Amelie has competed in eisteddfods in ballet, jazz, lyrical and contemporary, and has performed as the Sugar Plum Fairy in 6P’s 2025 The Nutcracker.
When she isn’t spending all her limited free time in the studio, Amelie can be found (maybe) studying for the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery at ANU, or spending time with her cat.
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Beginner, Elementary and Intermediate Ballet, Pre-Pointe, Beginner and Intermediate Pointe, and Silver Swans
Foremost, Anouska is an educator at heart. All she ever wanted to be was an excellent ballet teacher and choreographer! Anouska promotes excellence in dance artistry through safe technique in a holistic classroom setting.Anouska is qualified under the Australian Teachers of Dancing, holding a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management, a certificate in the Silver Swans training from the Royal Academy of Dance, her Progressing Ballet Technique certification and all the certifications in dance physiotherapy training from renowned dance physiotherapist, Lisa Howell.
She has choreographed and staged several narrative ballets and also occasionally runs ballet repertoire workshops. Another passionate Canberra local, she was dancing in Canberra her entire life before teaching ballet to all ages for the past seventeen years. She believes very strongly in turning ballet into a highly accessible art form for everyone to participate in.
In July 2024, Anouska took over as business owner and director of 6th Position, a title she feels incredibly honoured to hold. Making safe spaces for adult dancers to receive the same care and attention that children’s studios offer their students is now her life’s work and she won’t stop until nobody bats an eyelid when an adult says “I do ballet!”.
In her free time (what’s that?!) Anouska enjoys camping or travelling to Japan with her husband Billy, her two young daughters, and her dog Shadow.
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Elementary and Intermediate Ballet, Beginner and Intermediate Pointe, and Broadway Jazz
Astrid is a recently retired professional dancer now living in Canberra, with an impressive career spanning over a decade long, travelling and living abroad. She has worked and performed with Tokyo Disney Japan, Costa Cruises, Mystic Ballet Company, Connecticut and The Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in New York.
Astrid trained in ballet and contemporary fulltime at the National College of Dance in Newcastle completing a Diploma of Dance Performance. While training she was a finalist at the Youth American Grand Prix International Ballet Competition in New York, appeared as a backup dancer on The Voice Australia, featured on the ABC TV series Dance Academy and was a frequent dance model for Dancetrain Australia Magazine.
Since hanging up her beloved dance shoes, Astrid has been mentoring and sharing her knowledge and skills to students in Canberra. Her genres are, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz technique and musical theatre. Students can expect a technical class with a mix of performance presence to build confidence. In every class Astrid encourages a level stage presence like you’re performing on stage and having fun.
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Elementary and Advanced Ballet, and Beginner Pointe
Belle Smalley is a professional ballerina and character dancer with 20 years of dance experience.
She is Vaganova-trained by Irina Sitnikova and Galina Enikeeva of the Vaganova Ballet Academy, along with Oleg Demchenko from the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre.
Belle has extensive classical repertoire experience, performing internationally from as young as nine years old.
She has performed full classical productions under the direction of the ballet master of the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre, Vyacheslav Khomyakov, including Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, La Bayadere, The Nutcracker and many more.
She has also toured internationally with Kharkiv Choreographic College, Kiyanochka and the Ukrainian National Opera for productions of Snow White, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty.
Belle has been fortunate to dance alongside incredible dancers including Iana Salenko, Ekaterina Borchenko, Hyo-jung Kang, Rainer Krentstetter, Arina Varentseva and Marina Kanno.
Her character dance training began with the Vaganova levels with character master Alexander Mishutin, obtaining Level 6 Vaganova Character qualifications.
She continued on to specialise in Ukrainian traditional dance with the Virsky style and is currently an artist with Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company.
Some of Belle's notable roles include the Lilac Fairy from Sleeping Beauty, the Ballerina Doll from The Magic Toyshop, La Flute from Suite en Blanc, Red Riding Hood from Sleeping Beauty and Clara from The Nutcracker.
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RAD Grade 3
Caitlin’s dance journey began at three years old, when her biggest birthday wish came true— her very first pair of ballet slippers! From there started a life long love of dance, she explored a variety of styles, competing and moving up through the RAD grades from Pre-Primary to Grade 8. After taking a short break for university, 6P helped Caitlin rediscover her passion for dance and performance, and she’s now working toward her RAD vocational exams (currently working towards Advanced 1!).
‘I feel incredibly fortunate to have learned from some amazing teachers, including those from companies all around the world, and I can’t wait to pass on the wisdom that has fuelled my lifelong love of ballet.’
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Ballet Foundations, Floor Barre, Barre, Lunchtime Ballet, Silver Swans, Advanced Ballet, and Advanced Pointe
Caitlin-Rae is an ex-professional dancer and now teacher with experiences both as a dancer and teacher expanding over Germany, Belgium, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, China, USA and Australia.
Born in Canberra, Caitlin-Rae’s training started at Kim Harvey School of Dance. In 2005 she competed as a semifinalist in the Genee International Ballet Competition (now Margot Fonteyn Ballet Competition) held in London that year. After graduating with an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts from WAAPA, she headed overseas to start her international career joining Mystic Ballet Company, USA and then Tanzcompagnie Giessen/Stadttheater Giessen, Germany in 2012 until 2020.
Currently she is teaching for dance schools in Germany and as a ballet trainer for Tanzcompagnie Gießen. She holds a certification as a fitness trainer and is currently working on a Woman’s Specific Training course.
As a teacher she loves to watch students accessing their full potential of their bodies through imagination, understanding, connections and discovery.
“Often in dance we look at the surface, but dance comes from the inside out. A passion for playing with dynamic, quality and musicality and a philosophy of ‘it’s not what you have, it’s how you use it’, drives my approach to look at the class full of individuals all with unique pathways.
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RAD - Grade 7 & Adv 2 and Silver Swans
Carys is qualified and registered Royal Academy of Dance teacher having completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, she is also a certified Silver Swans and Progressing Ballet Technique teacher. Carys has been dancing and teaching at 6th Position since opening in 2017.Carys has been dancing for her whole life and has trained in a range of styles. She has completed her Royal Academy of Dance Graded and Vocational exams up to Advanced 1. Carys is passionate about dance and loves getting into the nitty gritty of the mechanics of ballet technique.
Carys loves being a part of the wonderful community of 6th Position and has enjoyed contributing to and participating in many of the opportunities for adult dancers in Canberra that 6th Position offers. Carys has been preparing and entering 6th Position students for Royal Academy of Dance exams since 2018, all of which have passed with flying colours.
Outside of the studio, Carys is a practicing lawyer and cat lover.
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Tap (all levels)
With over 15 years of tap dance experience, Chloe brings a deep love for rhythm, musicality, and expression to every class. Growing up in Gympie, QLD, she discovered her passion for tap at a young age and has been honing her craft ever since.Outside the studio, Chloe works in communications, using her creativity in new ways. On weekends, you’ll often find her at concerts or cheering on women’s sports teams. She believes dance is for everyone and loves sharing the joy of tap with students of all ages and skill levels.
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Beginner Ballet and Pre-Pointe
Danielle is an experienced dance teacher with a strong classical ballet background and training across jazz, contemporary and ballroom. She trained at the Irina Norris Ballet School in Perth, completing all Borovansky (AICD) ballet examinations to Advanced level and was awarded a full merit-based scholarship in her final year.
She also attended the Cecchetti Ballet Summer School five-day intensives for four years and on arriving in Canberra, spent two years learning and competing in the APDA Physie syllabus. She also completed the International Style Ballroom syllabus in Ballroom, Latin and New Vogue, and gained bronze, bronze-star and bronze-cross medalsShe is looking forward to specialising in teaching adult dancers and is passionate about creating classes that are welcoming, supportive and enjoyable, regardless of previous experience. Danielle’s teaching is grounded in safe dance practice, with clear explanations of technique, anatomy and musicality to help students understand the why, not just the how. Her classes offer options and modifications for different bodies, abilities and injuries, with a strong emphasis on choice, consent and individual expression, so adult dancers can move with confidence and ease.
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Assisting in Tap
Ellie grew up dancing in her hometown of Maitland, NSW, and traces her passion for tap dance back to those inspirational teachers of her childhood.With over ten years of experience in tap, ballet, and assorted styles, including training in Glenn Wood Tap and RAD Ballet syllabi, Ellie is excited to share her love of performance with the 6P Community!
Ellie has been dancing with 6th Position since 2024, is a member of the Performance Troupe, and took part in the Choreography Mentor Program in 2025.
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Public Relations Manager
Jazz (All levels), Advanced Tap, KLT, and Troupe
Emily’s dance journey began when she was 4, dancing around the house and unable to sit still. From that first Tap class she was hooked! From there she would complete exams - earning 95+ in most Glenn Wood exams, and compete in eisteddfods across the Canberra and NSW regions for 15 years in solo and troupe pieces.
In 2013 Emily made the move to Sydney to complete her Cert 4 in Performing Arts at Urban Dance Centre, whilst there she appeared on Channel 7’s ‘The Morning Show’ multiple times, an extra in Justice Crew’s ‘Everybody’ film clip and a Channel V commercial. Since returning to Canberra in 2014, Emily has been teaching at various studios in both casual classes and creating eisteddfod pieces as well as performing at various corporate gigs.
Emily’s Studio Manager career began in 2017 where she was lucky to have an insight into the adult dance world at Subsdance Dance Studio. Although it was with styles she was unfamiliar with she learnt how wonderful teaching and looking after adults can be. With a life of teaching children, she knew she had to make the move to making a difference in adults lives.
In 2019 previous 6P owner, Gen, got in contact with Emily and asked if she would teach, of course she said yes! In 2020 Emily became the marketing and studio manager for 6th Position and has a big role in looking after the students and studio over the last 5 years.
When Emily isn’t doing things for 6P you can find her making beautiful bouquets in the flower shop or caring for her children - her Staffy Remi and her indoor plants (haha!)
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Contemporary, Teens Jazz & Lyrical, and Barre
Eva grew up training in a range of styles from classical ballet, jazz, tap through to acrobatics.
Through her training she completed her advanced ATOD exams, competed nationally winning scholarships and awards, and took part in workshops and events like the Brisbane International Contemporary Dance Prix.
This and her further training at Sydney Dance Company (PPY 2023) where she received her Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) shaped her passion and understanding of classical ballet technique and the world of contemporary dance.
Eva has completed her Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) level 1 qualification, her reformer Pilates training and is currently studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy.
She has a passion for applying her understanding of the human body to her teaching so prepare for inbuilt anatomy lessons and don’t mind if she nerds out about muscle activation!
She loves house music and classical music with strings so be ready to jam out to a whirlwind of music styles in her contemporary class.
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Contemporary, Beginner and Intermediate Tap, and Beginner Jazz
Georgie has trained in many styles from a young age and fell in love with contemporary and choreography during her training at Hunter School of the Performing Arts.
Georgie has also been tapping for almost 10 years and loves how it brings a new dimension of fun (the sounds!) to dance.
Since 2020, Georgie also trained in pole dance and has performed and choreographed for performances and competition.
Georgie is a member of the 6th Position performance troupe and loves taking any opportunity she can to perform!
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Beginner Ballet, Pre-Pointe, and Beginner Pointe
Imogen grew up dancing in Brisbane across a range of styles and completing all Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams and Australasian Dance Association jazz exams. She has previously taught jazz, ballet and contemporary classes for kids and adults in Brisbane.
Since moving to Canberra to work as a public servant, Imogen continues to foster her love of dance through regular classes, workshops and performances. Imogen encourages anyone and everyone to take up (or return to) dancing and is excited to share the joy of ballet with others.
When not dancing, Imogen enjoys reading, embracing nature, supporting live theatre, and making friends with dogs and cats.
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RAD - Adv 2, Elementary and Advanced Ballet and Beginner Pointe
Jessica began dancing at the age of 4 and has loved dance ever since. She completed RAD ballet exams up to Grade 8 and Advanced 2 (with distinction) earning her the title of Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD). She also had many years of experience in other styles of dance including lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap and Broadway/musical theatre.Jess has performed in many productions and has played lead roles including the role of Sugarplum in The Nutcracker In July (2024) and will be performing the principal role of Clara in The Nutcracker later this year!
She has experience in competitive dance including winning the 2023 FYD National Open age Classical Champion earning her scholarship to attend the San Diego Ballet Company pre-professional summer intensive (2024).
Since beginning teaching in 2023, she has developed a passion for teaching and choreography. She also obtained a teaching qualification from The Dance Apprentice and is certified in Active Mobility by Injury Prevention Alliance. Since 2023, she has taught at 4 dance schools across a large variety of styles and age groups. She even choreographed The Battle Scene in 6th Position’s own Nutcracker production! She has also been an adjudicator for a university dance competition.
2025 marks Jess’s third year teaching at 6th Position. She is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance by challenging dancers to continue to develop their technique, confidence and love of dance.
Jess is currently studying a Bachelor of Health Science (pre-med) at Australian National University (ANU) and has been accepted to the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery at ANU commencing in 2026.
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Beginner and Intermediate Jazz, KLT, Lyrical and Musical Theatre
Dance has been a part of Jess’ life for as long as she can remember, with a strong foundation in jazz and a deep passion for lyrical that grew later in life. Jess has been dancing at 6th position since 2017 and has had the privilege of teaching adult dancers for the past three years here.‘For me, dance is all about connection — to the music, to emotions, and to the body. I love how movement can express what words cannot, and I love creating a space where adult dancers can feel free to explore, grow, and experience the joy that comes with each step.’
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Intermediate Ballet and Pointe
Juliet is a previous pre-professional ballet dancer, having done ballet in various forms for over 10 years.
When she was 12, Juliet committed to studying dance at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) with the aim of becoming a professional ballet dancer. During her time at VCASS, Juliet studied a range of styles including ballet, contemporary, world dance, jazz and tap. At 16, Juliet auditioned for professional ballet schools in Europe and landed a position at the English National Ballet School in London (ENBS), where she continued her training for two years.
Juliet has performed in the Australian Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, as well as George Balanchine’s Serenade, and excerpts from classical ballets including Giselle, Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, La Baydere and more.
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RAD - Discovering Repertoire, Tap and Ballet Foundations, and Ballet and Conditioning
Leah has been dancing since the age of 4 and has 18 years of experience performing at concerts and events across Canberra.
She completed a Diploma in Professional Dance at Brent Street and is always excited to share her passion for dance with others.
Whether it’s your first class or you’re an experienced dancer, Leah’s goal is to create a welcoming environment that builds confidence and brings good vibes.
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Beginner Jazz, Musical Theatre, Beginner Ballet and Pre-Pointe
Lauren has always loved to move — and dance was where it all began. She started dancing at the age of four, training in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary/lyrical and character dance, and spending many weekends and school holidays competing in eisteddfods across the Newcastle and Hunter region.
After completing her Royal Academy of Dance Graded and Vocational exams to approximately Intermediate level (equivalent under the old structure), Lauren took a sharp (and slightly sweaty) turn into the world of sport aerobics. She began competing nationally at the start of high school, won her first National Championship at 12 years old, and went on to represent Australia at World Championships from the age of 17. Competing internationally in Belgium, France and Australia in pairs and team events, she retired from elite competition at the ripe old age of 24 with a world ranking of 4.
Teaching quickly became just as important as competing. Lauren began coaching and choreographing in her early teens and later coached members of the NSW team. This experience continues to shape her teaching style today — especially Jazz — energetic, musical and with a little bit of sass.
When she’s not dancing, Lauren still loves to move. She has trained in Muay Thai, Tai Chi, Qigong and Wushu, and before moving to Canberra was the Victorian Tai Chi Champion for three years in a row.
After moving to Canberra, Lauren returned to her first love after discovering 6P. She is a big believer in studios that welcome adult dancers of all experience levels, creating spaces where people can show up, move their bodies and have fun. Sometimes dancing is important simply because it makes you happy.
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Beginner Jazz, Musical Theatre, Heels and Hip Hop
Dancing since she was little, Maddi always had a passion for grooving about! Being trained in various styles like contemporary to jazz, and hip hop to broadway, there’s always been a likeness for self expression on the dance floor.
Hip Hop and Heels being some of her favourites, her classes are set to be full of energy, creating a atmosphere that’s comfortable for dancers to build on self-confidence, performance dynamics, groovy rhythm and attitude!
Outside of the studio, Maddi is continuing her creativity through studying a Bachelor of Visual Arts, specialised in print media and painting.
If not in the art studio you’ll likely find her out on the soccer fields, practicing her creative passes and taking inspiration from her favourite Matildas players.
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Dance Conditioning
An enthusiastic amateur across a variety of dance styles, Veronica has a passion for moving your body in whatever way makes you feel best. She’s lived a varied life and has been a champion Highland Dancer, a state-level swimmer, and a keen hiker, rock-climber, and cyclist. She teaches Pilates at a number of studios across Canberra and is thrilled to be part of the team at 6P.
In her “day” job, Veronica is a classically trained singer and pianist, and if she’s not at dance, she’s gallivanting around the world to perform. Among other things, you've heard her vocals in a number of movie soundtracks and you've probably spotted her in an allhomes ad recently...