Academy Faculty
Under the supervision of Artistic Director Leanne Benjamin OBE AM, and directed by Academy Director, Christian Tàtchev, students are professionally trained by a world-class teaching faculty across all programs and Levels.
![Faculty](/generated/1440w-3-2/ballet-147-jpg-1709697253.jpg?1709697264)
![](/generated/960w-16-9/039a1679-jpg.jpg?1655257458)
With backgrounds as professional dancers, choreographers, and coaches in companies across the globe, Queensland Ballet Academy faculty are among the best in the industry. Our faculty has extensive experience in all aspects of dance training across the full spectrum of disciplines, and bring years of professional expertise to their roles.
Students also benefit from access to an exceptional Wellbeing and Performance Health team, while an expert business team support the Academy’s operations and seamless delivery of training programs and events.
#Meet Our Faculty
![Christian Tàtchev](/generated/96w-1/christian-tatchev-headshot-jpg.jpg?1657691644)
Christian Tàtchev
Academy Director
Artistic Staff
![Paul Boyd](/generated/96w-1/paul-boyd-1-jpg.jpg?1657691644)
Paul Boyd
Academy Ballet Master and Resident Choreographer
![Veronika Sheremetieva](/generated/96w-1/veronika-sheremetieva-edit-jpg.jpg?1657691721)
Veronika Sheremetieva
Head of Lower School
![Louise Deleur](/generated/96w-1/459a4295-louise-deleur-headshot-jpg.jpg?1657691643)
Louise Deleur
Head of Contemporary Dance and Resident Choreographer
![Claire Phipps-Males](/generated/96w-1/claire-phipps-edit1-jpg.jpg?1657691649)
Claire Phipps-Males
Pre-Professional Program Coordinator
![Camilo Ramos](/generated/96w-1/camilo-ramos-jpg.jpg?1657691643)
Camilo Ramos
Pre-Professional Program Coordinator
![Kym Stokes](/generated/96w-1/kym-stokes-jpg.jpg?1679978987)
Kym Stokes
Foundation Program Coordinator and Academy Teacher
![Guy Wheatstone](/generated/96w-1/guy-wheatstone-jpg.jpg?1679978988)
Guy Wheatstone
Guest Academy Program Coordinator and Academy Teacher
![Lisa Edwards](/generated/96w-1/lisa-edwards-jpg-1.jpg?1657691644)
Lisa Edwards
Academy Teacher
![John Sandurski](/generated/96w-1/john-sandurski-jpg.jpg?1657845677)
John Sandurski
Academy Teacher
![Tabitha Buttsworth](/generated/96w-1/tabitha-headshot-jpg.jpg?1657691717)
Tabitha Buttsworth
Academy Teacher
![Amelia Waller](/generated/96w-1/amelia-headshot-jpg-1.jpg?1688443478)
Amelia Waller
Associate Teacher
![Grant Aris](/generated/96w-1/grant-aris-web-profile-jpg.jpg?1669333355)
Grant Aris
Associate Teacher
![Clare Morehen](/generated/96w-1/clare-morehen-edit-jpg.jpg?1657691645)
Clare Morehen
Associate Teacher
Paige Ristevski
Associate Teacher
![Gary Dionysius](/generated/96w-1/gary-dionysius-jpg-1657853942.jpg?1657858328)
Gary Dionysius
Academy Pianist
![Benjamin Drozdovskii](/generated/96w-1/benjamin-drozdovskii-jpg.jpg?1657846012)
Benjamin Drozdovskii
Academy Pianist
![Michelle Kim](/generated/96w-1/michelle-kim-1-jpg-1687932612.jpg?1687946203)
Michelle Kim
Academy Pianist
![Mark Leung](/generated/96w-1/mark-leung-jpg.jpg?1657846855)
Mark Leung
Academy Pianist
Lucas Lynch
Academy Pianist
Sunny Na
Academy Pianist
Brett Sturdy
Academy Pianist
Catherine Yu
Academy Pianist
Business Staff
![Gabrielle Johnston](/generated/96w-1/gabbie-johnston-1-jpg-1657847376.jpg?1657847388)
Gabrielle Johnston
Head of Academy Operations
![Kali Harris](/generated/96w-1/kali-harris-jpg-1657847451.jpg?1657847463)
Kali Harris
Academy Manager
![Nicola Pierrepont](/generated/96w-1/nicola-pierrepont-jpg-1657847500.jpg?1657847509)
Nicola Pierrepont
Wellbeing Manager
Verity Barnes
Enrolments and Pathways Specialist
Jane Wilkinson
Academy Coordinator
Abbey Brown
Academy Receptionist
Performance Health Team
![Melissa Tattam](/generated/96w-1/melissa-tattam-profile-jpg.jpg?1674010840)
Melissa Tattam
Academy Physiotherapist
Grace Williams
Academy Physiotherapist
![Tony Lewis](/generated/96w-1/tony-lewis-jpg.jpg?1657692146)
Tony Lewis
Academy Strength Coach
Facilities
Riley van der Werf
Facilities Officer
Stephen Grenfell
Facilities Officer
#Discover more
Support Academy
Queensland Ballet Academy would not be where it is today without the generous support of donors who share our vision.
Contact us
Have specific questions you'd like answered? Contact us or read our frequently asked questions.
Facilities
Opened in 2020, the Academy's home boasts world-class dance studios, performance spaces, wellness spaces and more.