Meet our staff
and students
About the school and classes
The Vivienne Winter School of Ballet was established in Glenelg in 1967 and over those many decades has trained thousands of students, some have gone on to forge careers in dance, some as teachers, some as dancers, classical and contemporary, some as choreographers and many have just had the enjoyment of learning the wonderful art form.
The school has a reputation for teaching great technique and artistry, together with supportive and nurturing care of all students.
The majority of students have become members of The Royal Academy of Dance by successfully completing examinations and have continued their interest in dance in numerous ways, many for the rest of their lives.
We offer ballet classes for all ages, young children from 3 yrs to adults.
Students may enter for Examinations or Class Awards with the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus for all levels of ballet from Pre-Primary to Grade 5 and to senior levels, including Higher Grades 6, 7, 8 and Discovering Repertoire and Vocational Grades from Intermediate Foundation through to the ultimate Solo Seal Award.
Not every student is interested in taking part in examinations so recreational ballet and contemporary and jazz and strength and conditioning classes are offered for those wanting exercise and fun.
Adult classes can be arranged at suitable times to fit in with work and family schedules.
Miss Natanyas Andonas is a licensed and registered teacher of the RAD Silver Swans syllabus especially created for adults either beginners or people with some dance experience wanting to reconnect.
Dance and music are scientifically recognised as being very helpful for older people to offer cognitive and social as well as physical health and well being. Helping with balance and strength, keeping mobile and mentally alert as we age.
Vivienne Winter
ARAD RAD RTS
Miss Winter is a trained classical and contemporary dance teacher and a Registered Life Member of The Royal Academy of Dance.
She gained her Associate of The Royal Academy of Dance A.R.A.D. after completing the Advanced 2 examination.
Her training started at age 5 years with Mrs Dorothy Hendry, Miss Audrey Parsons, Miss Eileen Hogarth, Mr Leslie White, former dancer with The Royal Ballet UK and Mr Cecil Bates, former dancer with Rambert Company UK.
Vivienne was the principal dancer with the South Australian National Ballet Company where she performed all soloist roles in Coppelia, Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Facade, Peep Show, Pineapple Poll and was exposed to other guest choreographers, all the time gaining knowledge and experience.
She was chosen by Elizabeth Dalman and Mr Leslie White to be a foundation member of the Australian Dance Theatre , ADT, at age 15 in 1965 and danced in Horizons, Hallucinations, Monday’s Child, This Train, pas de trois from Paquita and others.
Miss Winter is very proud that the school Vivienne Winter School of Ballet will celebrate 60 years of teaching in 2027.
Natanya Andonas
ARAD RAD RTS
Registered teacher of The Royal Academy of Dance.
Principal ballet coaching
Natanya began her classical ballet training at age 2 at Vivienne Winter School of Ballet and then with various teachers including Gwen Mackey studying classical ballet, contemporary, CSTD, jazz and tap in Adelaide. During her training she won numerous awards and competitions, and at 17 she was awarded Honours Advanced two.
In 1986 she accepted a contract with Rex Reid Dance Company in Melbourne and toured Australia extensively, dancing in Sydney opera house , Melbourne and Perth concert halls among numerous others.
During this time she also danced with Victoria state Opera and State Opera Australia.
In 1988 Natanya travelled to London to audition and gained a contract with Wiener ballet company as soloist based in Munich . She performed in over 150 theatres in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Belgium, Poland and Italy and danced the following classical repertoire…
Swan Lake , Nutcracker, Paquita , the Marriage of Figaro, Aida, Peter and the Wolf, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, la Sylphide, la Bayadere and Raymonda.
After returning from Europe Natanya started a family with her husband in 2000, in the same year she attained her Royal Academy of Dance Teachers Diploma and joined as a teacher at her mother’s ballet school. “Vivienne Winter School of Ballet”.
Natanya’s past students' accolades include 24 years of high RAD examination results, international ballet competitions in Australia, New Zealand and America. And have competed at The Fonteyn, (formerly known as Adeline Genée Award) and have been accepted to Australian Ballet School, New Zealand Ballet School, Queensland Ballet School , Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts, ACArts, Bolshoi Ballet School Russia and New York City Ballet School, New York.
Jessie McKinlay
Jessie McKinlay has worked as a dancer, choreographer and dance educator; graduating from Adelaide College of the Arts (Bachelor of Dance, 2004) and University of South Australia (Master of Teaching, 2019). Her diverse experience working in Melbourne, Europe, Malaysia, and New York, have broaden her ideas on dance and her practice as a dance maker and educator. Jessie has a passion for arts education, and has worked across many areas including teaching in schools, dance studios, tutor of the Arts Education course at Flinders University, and works at the Art Gallery of South Australia facilitating dance and visual art workshops.
Jessie has been teaching dance for 20 years, teaching in various styles including Contemporary, Ballet (RAD and Open classes), Tap, Jazz , and SACE Dance Stage 1 and 2.