STAFF

Daniel began recreational training in 1980 at the age of 5 where he studied Cecchetti under the tutelge of Athol Willoughby (former dancer of The National Theatre of Australia and student of Enrico Cecchetti's very own protege, Dame Lucie Saranova). Upon completing all exams, he was successful in gaining a place at the Australian Ballet School, where he studied for 3 years. There he was offered many amazing opportunities in and outside of the school, including several trips to Japan to dance in international galas.

After graduating from the school, Daniel went to Italy via request to dance with the Italian neo-classical company, Aterballetto and enjoyed dancing professionally in various galas throughout Italy. When returning to Australia, Daniel began teaching at some of Melbourne's premiere vocational ballet schools including the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS), and Christine Walsh and Ricardo Ella's Australian Conservatoire of Ballet, while still dancing whenever it was possible, guesting once again as well as teaching, in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka and Nara), Belgium, South Africa, and in Sydney and Canberra with various projects and companies, as well as with many vocational ballet schools whenever they required a tall partner for their leads.

For the last twenty years, Daniel has relished his teaching posts, loving learning more and more as ballet continues to evolve and be re-invented, and as the technical proficiencies forever continue to increase. As a teacher he has taught and coached for many competitions locally, nationally and internationally (two finalists of the Prix de Lausanne and a third prize winner at the AHA, New Zealand).

He has had numerous students who have gained acceptance in to The Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow Russia, Houston Ballet Academy, Ballet Universal Theatre US, Dutch National Ballet Academy, Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, Australian Conservatoire of Ballet, Tanya Pearson's in Sydney, the New Zealand School of Dance, and the Australian Ballet School full time program and Intensive Training Program.

Daniel teaches RAD, Cecchetti, and the ACB syllabus, and one of his highlights was going to Russia in 2016, with his then fiancé to whom he is now married, Zara (Principal of The Studio International) to watch classes at the Vaganova Academy, St Petersburg. He is unwaveringly passionate, inspiring, and dedicated not only to his area of immense expertise but also to all the students he invests his heart and soul in teaching.

Zara is an avid balletomane, inspiring as much as she is inspired, the reason for which she has sought to continue to invest in bringing out amazing guest artists to her hometown to perform alongside her student from places afield as Cuba, the US, and from Russia including the incredible Joy Womack in her school's 2017 production of The Nutcracker. Zara's focus is upon helping and guiding each dancer, regardless of level or achievement, to realise their individual potential.