ERIN BARRETT - WESTERN AUSTRALIA
At 5 Erin started classical ballet training at The West Australian Conservatoire of Classical Ballet. She later moved to Katherine Mantle Performing Arts Academy to complete more technical training in all dance styles including classical ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and contemporary.
Erin was also a member of the Australian Performing Arts Network (APAN) for many years. She also performed on Telethon and for the City of Perth in their Christmas Nativity and was cast in APAN’s productions of Fame and Grease.
During high school, Erin completed the Propel dance course in ballet and contemporary at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Erin has also been fortunate enough to have competed in many local and interstate competitions for both singing and dancing where she found great success. As well as competitions Erin was also part of many community and professional theatre shows across Perth.
In 2020 Erin moved to Ballarat, Victoria, to complete her Bachelor of Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) at Federation University Australia. This course allowed Erin to further refine her skills in singing, acting and dancing as well as learn new skills including screen acting and stage combat.
Erin is looking forward to sharing her love of dance and music at schools around Perth and hopes to show students how amazing ballet can be for the body and mind.
SARAH MADDOCK - SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Sarah began her ballet training at the age of five and has completed her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations up to Advanced Foundation level.
After returning to ballet in her 30s, she was inspired by a growing emphasis on dance as a lifelong practice, open to people of all ages. This perspective led her to pursue teaching, and in 2021 she completed her RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies.
Sarah has taught students across a wide range of ages. She loves helping her students discover new ways of expressing themselves through movement. Alongside her work with Ballet Without Borders, she works with older learners, including teaching seated ballet classes in nursing homes.
JACKELINE VALENTE - SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Jackeline Valente is one of our new South Australian teachers. Jackeline is currently dancing with Adelaide Ballet Company and teaching at Star Academy.
With a strong foundation in Vaganova, RAD, and contemporary techniques, she brings both technical excellence and expressive artistry to her teaching.
Jackeline Valente is a professional classical ballet dancer and teacher from Brazil, currently based in Adelaide, Australia. She trained at the Escola de Bailado Municipal de Santos and has performed with companies including Cia Paulista de Dança (Brazil), Ballet del Centro del Conocimiento (Argentina), and Ballet da Cidade de Santos (Brazil).
She believes ballet is a powerful tool for building confidence, discipline, and self-expression, and is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where every child feels inspired, capable, and welcome.
MYRIAM NICHOLS - NORTHERN TERRITORY
Miriam Nicholls is a principal dancer, teacher and choreographer with Duprada Dance Company and founding director of Dusty Feet Dance Collective in Alice Springs. A graduate of the National Capital Ballet School and the Victorian College of the Arts, Miriam has worked with choreographers and companies across Australia and overseas, and taught dance in schools, company and community settings. Miriam also teaches with Ballet Without Borders in the Alice Springs, NT area bringing an added element of movement and classical ballet to the outback.
Why Ballet Without Borders? I believe that kids from all walks of life should have access to learning dance, and BWB helps to provide that. I was a late starter to ballet, encouraged by my high-school dance teacher at age 15, and it opened up a whole new world for me that previously I had thought inaccessible. As an artform, ballet has given me strength and confidence and joy, and led to my dance career around the world. I love being able to share this through Ballet Without Borders now, and give back through teaching in schools, where my own ballet journey began.
REBECCA JADE - VICTORIA
Rebecca is an expert teacher with a deep and has been immersed in the performing arts since the age of seven, training in jazz, tap, and ballet, hip hop, acrobatics and music theatre as both a student and teacher. She completed Classical Ballet and Tap examinations through the British Ballet Organisation (2001–2011), and was invited to participate in the BBO Scholars program in Victoria. Rebecca studied at Australia’s The University of Ballarat’s Arts Academy, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre.
Rebecca later completed a Master of Teaching at La Trobe University, qualifying as a specialist teacher in dance, drama, and music, as well as a primary classroom educator. With 18 years of teaching experience across all age groups and skill levels, she has held various school leadership roles and is recognised for her expertise in trauma-informed teaching, emotional intelligence education, and her work within arts and engagement programs.
Rebecca is passionate about using the arts to empower individuals of all ages, fostering confidence, creativity, and personal growth. A dedicated advocate for arts education, she is committed to ensuring that the performing arts remain a vital and transformative part of all learning experiences, which is why we love having her work with us at Ballet Without Borders.
Why Ballet Without Borders? I am a passionate arts educator and believe all children deserve the opportunity to explore performing arts in their formative years. BWB is doing amazing work, and the students engaging in this program show so much love for this art form. I feel privileged to work alongside BWB to bring arts outreach programs to regional and rural kids.
KAREN GAUCI - VICTORIA
Karen has studied a wide range of dance styles, including VCE Dance, and holds a Diploma in Dance (Teaching and Management). She has also achieved her Licentiate Teaching Status with Cecchetti Ballet.
Karen broadened her artistic perspective through time spent in New York in 2010 and 2012, where she learned from and danced alongside inspiring teachers and artists. She returned to New York in 2014 to complete an Independent Study Program at Steps on Broadway, focusing intensively on ballet technique. Driven by her passion for helping young dancers develop strong technical, professional, and personal skills, Karen interned at the Department of Education and Training at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. During this time, she worked closely with faculty across the Children’s Division (ages 3–14), the Pre‑Professional Program (ages 12–18), and Educational Outreach initiatives.
Karen continues to pursue ongoing professional development. In 2018, she completed her Licentiate teaching qualification in the Cecchetti Method, and in 2019 she attended training sessions led by The Royal Ballet School at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.More recently, Karen has worked with children from six months of age and up across private dance schools, where she has taught Cecchetti Ballet Examination classes for over ten years. She has also delivered recreational dance and creative‑movement programs in daycare and kindergarten settings. For the past seven years, Karen has also been a dedicated teacher with Kinderballet, nurturing children’s gross motor development, creativity, and self‑confidence.
Why Ballet Without Borders? To share my passion for ballet with children and make the joy of dance accessible to all.