Darwin School of Ballet was originally opened by Anita Campbell.  Madam Lily Vita commenced teaching with Anita Campbell in July 1974, upon her arrival from France.  Whilst still in France Lily was trained in the Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet and danced professionally.  Anita and Lily both taught the Cecchetti method.  

Darwin School of Ballet’s first ballet concert was held in November 1974 at Nightcliff High School (now Nightcliff Middle School).  From the very beginning Darwin School of Ballet embraced a philosophy of encouraging a love of dance for anyone and everyone!

After Cyclone Tracy Christmas 1974 and the departure of Anita, Lily was the only ballet teacher here in Darwin.  Lily remembers, “Darwin was destroyed  -  there was no music  -  nothing worked  -  but everyone tried very hard to re-build ballet.  Everyone came to help and with hard work ballet grew from strength to strength through a strong community spirit.”  Lily remembers in the early days how supportive Cecchetti Ballet Australia was, how the visiting examiners gave so much knowledge and help to the dancers, and many visitors came to passionately teach and share their knowledge and experience.  Ceccehetti Ballet Australia along with Carole Hall, Chairperson Cecchetti Ballet Australia, still strongly continue this tradition.

From 1975 to 1996 with the beauty of continuation and hard work Lily put hundreds of dancers for their annual Cecchetti ballet examinations.  Lily had many dancers accepted into various interstate organisations ie. Adelaide University - Dance, Australian Ballet School, Bangara Dance Company, Victorian College of the Arts and Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.  The school grew in strength and reputation upon Lily’s passion, dedication and hard work.

From 1994 to 1996 Lisa Heath taught and presented dancers for examinations under the tutelage of Lily.  Upon Lily’s retirement at the end of 1996 Darwin School of Ballet closed for 1997 as Lisa (and Ashley) backpacked their way around the globe.

In 1998, after consultation with Lily, and a promise we would ‘put children for examinations … you must put them for exams … it is the only way to get the standard’.  Lisa and Julia Quinn (ex student of Lily’s) re-established Darwin School of Ballet.  Over these 24 years we have tried hard to continue the traditions and philosophy set by Lily of encouraging a love and enjoyment of dance, with a strong focus on artistry, musicality and technique.  We will forever be in her debt for the teaching and guidance she has given and shown us over all these years!

In 2011 Michele Dott was invited to teach for Darwin School of Ballet as a senior ballet teacher where her understanding of technique, musicality and artistry is greatly appreciated.

In 2012 Sharrynne Glover was also invited to teach for Darwin School of Ballet as a ballet teacher for our Grade students where her positivity and connection with the dancers was immediate.  Sharrynne moved to Queensland with her family in 2021.

At the end of 2019 Julia moved to Perth with her family.

In 2022 Trudi Thomas commenced teaching our Pre-primary, Primary and Grade 1 students.  Trudi has always been involved with Darwin School of Ballet since she started dancing with us in our inaugural year.  Trudi’s love of anything dance is completely infectious.

Darwin School of Ballet continues to value the importance of supporting guest teachers with our annual Carole Hall Clinic.  The employment of local teachers to conduct classes ie. Alfiya Pocock (Ukrainian), Marita Smith (Flamenco) and Gary Lang (contemporary).  We also encourage and assist dancers to develop choreographic skills through Darwin School of Ballet performances.

In more recent times, Darwin School of Ballet has had dancers accepted into Australian Ballet Junior Interstate Program, Queensland School of Excellence (now Queensland Ballet Academy), Tanya Pearson Coaching Academy (now Tanya Pearson Academy), Victorian College of the Arts and Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. 

For more information regarding Cecchetti Ballet Australia please visit https://www.cecchettiballet.org/