Staff Profiles

Marilyn Larsen – Principal

Marilyn Larsen has had extensive ballet training and experience over a thirty year period in both the Cechetti and R.A.D methods of training. She studied initially with Rosslyn Charlesworth, then continued her classical training at the National Theatre Ballet School.  Marilyn worked as a professional actress for six years in the Australian film, theatre and television industry during the mid to late seventies appearing in many locally made television dramas (such as “Bellbird”, “Homicide”, “Cop Shop” and “The Box”). In 1976 she enjoyed a season performing with the Melbourne Theatre Company. Marilyn is a registered teacher with the Classical Dance Education Board. She holds a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood from the University of Melbourne and has worked for many years as a kindergarten teacher in private schools (most recently at Christchurch Grammar School in South Yarra and Toorak College in Mt Eliza). Marilyn spent two and a half years studying for a diploma of Dance Teaching and Management at Box Hill Institute for Performing Arts from 2003-2005. She took majors in Dance at both Melbourne University and Monash at Peninsula. Marilyn regularly attends classes at the Mt Eliza and Peninsula Ballet School and at the City Dance Centre in Armadale, and is a member of the Classical Dance Education Board. Marilyn is a fully qualified instructor in the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet  Method.

Caprice Larsen – Co-Director

Caprice studied classical ballet from an early age other various forms of dance including tap, contemporary, musical comedy, repertoire, character, Spanish and Jazz. She began her early training at Steppes School of Dance and later moved to study at The National Theatre Ballet School under the direction of Ann Jenner. In 1993 Caprice was awarded “Top of the Class” in Pre-Elementary.
In 1994 she gained the Associate Diploma in Classical Dance after completing a year’s full time study at The National Theatre Ballet School. In 1996 Caprice gained top marks in V.C.E Dance with her solo being included in the ‘Top C.A.T.S’ selection for that year and achieving V.C.E excellence

STAFF PROFILES:

Erin Barton:

We are delighted to welcome Erin back in 2008 to teach Junior, Inter and Senior Jazz, Contemporary, and Junior, Inter and Senior Tap. Erin commenced her training at a very early age studying Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Contemporary. In 2007 Erin performed in the musical 'Cats' at the Whitehorse Theatre. She has studied at many different schools, including Tony Bartuccio's; The Space Danceworld, and The Dance factory. She has danced alongside the cast of Neighbours in the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Regent Theatre and in Christine Anu's video clip 'Lets Talk About Love'. Erin's other talents include classical piano, having completed grade 5 AMEB. Erin completed her Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management at Box Hill Institute for Performing Arts in 2006.