welcome to WACBTA
Supporting teachers.
Inspiring dancers.
Building Community.
The West Australian Classical Ballet Teachers’ Association Inc. provides professional development, resources, networking and advocacy for ballet teachers, students and families across Western Australia.
quick links
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Workshops, seminars and practical training opportunities for teachers and students, based on direct feedback from teachers
MEMBERSHIP
Connect with a community of passionate ballet educators and access exclusive member benefits
rESOURCES
Newsletter
Financial support for teacher qualifications
Articles and educational materials to support teaching and learning.
Welcome to WACBTA
Since 2021, WACBTA has supported the Western Australian ballet community through professional development, educational initiatives, networking opportunities and advocacy.
Our aim is to give ballet teachers in Western Australia access to education, engagement , peer support and connections, and to actively share knowledge and best practices in teaching. .
We believe great ballet training begins with great teachers. By bringing teachers, students and families together, we help create a stronger and more connected ballet community throughout Western Australia.
Featured event
WACBTA is proud to support Australasian Classical Gala 2026. One of the highlights will be the Gala Performance on 7 July.
This special event celebrates the achievements of participating dancers and showcases the talent, artistry and dedication of young performers from Western Australia, across Australia and internationally. Teachers, families, students and dance supporters are warmly encouraged to attend.
The Gala Performance is an opportunity to celebrate excellence in classical ballet and support the next generation of dancers.
For teacher registration for the workshops and the final gala performance, see the links below.
upcoming events
TEACHING BOYS IN BALLET & INTRODUCTION TO PAS DE DEUX
Practical teaching tips
& introduction to Pas de Deux
28 June 2026
Boys' Club
Help your boys find their tribe!
Male students, male teachers…
30 August, 20 September, 18 October, 15 November
Swan Lake Summer: Beyond the Barre
A summer intensive – with a difference!
11-15 January 2027
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more about us
The West Australian Classical Ballet Teachers’ Association Inc. (WACBTA) came into being in 2021, as the brainchild of two eminent Perth teachers, Terri Charlesworth, and Diana de Vos. It was registered as an incorporated not-for-profit entity in November 2021.
Who we are
Our office-holders
Helene Gowers
Chairperson
Barbara Thomas
Deputy Chairperson
Robyn Cooper
Secretary
Rachel Riberi
Treasurer
our committee members
Stephen Hale
Jasmin McGregor
Matilda Oakes
Tania Shillington
Tabetha Vagliviello
Our life members
Terri Charlesworth OAM
Barbara Thomas
What we do
Education
WACBTA runs regular educational events, available to members and non-members.
Our educational programmes are under ongoing development, based on direct feedback from teachers, and will explore areas such as preparation of the body, teaching methods and strategies, lesson planning, safe dance, improvisation, preparation of barres, centre practice, allegro and pointe work for recreational or vocational levels, musicality, managing physical anomalies, and other areas of interest to teachers.
Engagement
Our aim is to be responsive to the needs of our members, and provide practical information on issues and topics that will be of concrete benefit to our members, and assist them in enhancing their teaching practice.
Our regular meetings (generally at least every 2-3 months) provide the opportunity for our members to actively engage in on-going professional development, and to help position the Association to be optimally effective in achieving its objectives of enhancing teaching in Western Australia through the sharing of knowledge. Members are provided with an avenue to have direct input to help shape their profession into the future.
Peer support
Whether members are experienced ballet teachers prepared to share their knowledge with others, teachers new to the profession who would like the chance to learn from experienced colleagues, or teachers at any stage of their career who wish to keep up with the latest information on best practices in ballet education, WACBTA provides a forum for passing on information, sharing common problems and potential solutions, and identifying and managing trends or issues within the profession.
Our founders
DIANA DE VOS OAM, MA
Diana was a Principal Dancer with WA Ballet from 1958/66. In Sydney, she performed with Dance Concert, Northside Ballet Co and Kalinka Character Dance Ensemble from 1967/76.
Her teaching career commenced in Perth, followed by ten years in Sydney. She returned to Perth in 1977 to teach for the Graduate College of Dance, and later at WAAPA.In 1982, she became a member of the RAD Advisory Panel of W.A, and in 1992, she became a Vocational Examiner of the RAD.
In 1981, she began higher education graduating with a B.A. majoring in History from UWA (1991), followed by achieving a Master of the Performing Arts from ECU (2018).In 2015, she received an Order of Australia Medal for her services to the arts.In 2012, she was a recipient of the RAD President’s Award and in 2017, she became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Dance.
In 2018, she completed a Certificate IV, Vocational Education and Training.In 2021, she was awarded the Dr June Jones Award for the most Inspiring Old Collegian at Presbyterian Ladies’ College.
In that same year, she was instrumental in establishing the WA Classical Ballet Teachers’ Association Incorporated (with Terri Charlesworth) and was elected inaugural Chairperson of the Association, holding that position until January 2023. She was honoured with Life Membership of the Association in 2023.
Sadly, Diana passed away on 9 March 2026, but her memory will live on in the dancers and teachers she inspired, and in the success of the organisation she helped to create. WACBTA owes her its gratitude and deep respect.
TERRI CHARLESWORTH OAM
Terri is a former international classical ballet teacher, choreographer, performer & educator.
Terri joined the WA Ballet in 1952 under Kira Bousloff, and in 1957, she was invited to perform at the International Arts Festival in Moscow, where she won the prestigious Ulanova award for her performance of the Brolga theme and story. She also performed in China, Italy and London before returning to WA and working with the company as its principal ballerina.
In 1960, she established her own school, and later visited and studied with the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow on a cultural exchange programme. In 1979, she established a junior professional dance course, and founded WA's first professional contemporary dance company, Kinetikos Dance Theatre.
In 1981, she joined the Australian Ballet School as a senior classical teacher, and also taught in Japan, Hong Kong, Monaco, Greece and Italy. She came back to WA to establish a full-time dance course for talented students, which is now Charlesworth Ballet School and Youth Ballet WA, under the direction of Terri's daughter, Sonya Shepherd.
In 2021, she was one of the co-founders of WA Classical Ballet Teachers' Association Inc, (with Diana de Vos) and became its very first Honorary Life Member.
AWARDS
1957 – The Ulanova Laureate – Moscow – Youth Arts Festival
1970 – Advanced Teachers Certificate of the R.A.D.
987 – Fellow of the Classical Dance Teachers Australia Inc.
1994 – Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) Arts & Culture
2006 – Western Australian Citizen of the Year for Arts, Culture & Entertainment
2015 – Lifetime Teacher Award– Australian Independent Teachers Assoc.
2016 – Lifetime Achievement – Australian Dance Awards - Ausdance
