Our Mission
Bluebird Dance Theatre aims to instil a love of dance through high quality technique classes, production creation and local performance opportunities.
What We Do
We are a youth dance theatre first and foremost, we offers technique classes in Ballet, Irish, Character and Contemporary Dance. We give our young dancers ample opportunities to perform for our local and surrounding community of Romsey.
Classes
Kinder Dance – Ages 3 - 5. A great introduction to dance, these classes draw on elements of ballet, modern dance and movement.
Ballet – Ages 5 and up.
Pre Primary Ballet - In preps at school
Primary Ballet – Ages 6 - 7
Level 1 Ballet – Ages 7 - 9
Level 2 Ballet – Ages 9 - 11
Level 3 Ballet – Ages 11 - 13
Elementary Ballet and Pointe – Ages 13-15
Intermediate Ballet and Pointe – Ages 14 & Over
*Note that age recommendation is just a guide, students' technical ability will be considered and
taken into account.
Character Dance – Ages 5 and over. Ballet levels Primary, 1, 2 & 3.
Character Dance is an extension of folk dance, refined and enhanced for stage. It is traditionally studied alongside Classical Ballet, and as such is incorporated into our junior ballet levels as part of weekly technique classes.
Contemporary – Ages 7 & Over. Contemporary Dance draws heavily from ballet technique combined with elements of modern, jazz and lyrical.
Level 1 Contemporary – Ages 7 - 12
Level 2 Contemporary – Ages 12 & Over
Irish Dance – Ages 5 & Over
In Irish Dance students will learn traditional and modern step dances (solo work) as well Céilí Dancing (group work). It is a fun, aerobic and social dance form.
Production – Production class is available to all students enrolled in any technique class. During this time students will learn specific roles and characters within a story or themed dance performance.
Being part of production class enriches individuals and strengthens our dance community through the creation and re-creation of dance performance. It fosters self-esteem, confidence, resilience and team-work
and educates students as viewers, makers and performers of dance.
WHAT TO WEAR
BLUEBIRD UNIFORMS
Uniform leotards and waist elastics will be phased in during 2019 and compulsory in 2020 for all Primary Ballet to Intermediate Ballet, Contemporary and Irish students. Leotard packs in 4 shades of blue, Copen, Periwinkle, Peacock or Royal Blue will be available to purchase for $20 through Bluebird (waist elastic is included, extra leotards are $15 and extra waist elastics are $5).
Students may choose which blue they would like, but sizing in each colour may vary and is subject to availability.
Click here to see un uniform colours
Kinder Dance
A leotard of any colour (get one that you love), ballet shoes (leather
is more durable), tights or socks. In the cooler weather it is important to have tight fitting warm clothes. It is difficult to teach a student properly if they are dressed in a baggy clothing.
BALLET
Boys - White cap sleeved leotard, navy blue leggings or shorts, socks, black or white ballet shoes.
Girls - A leotard or a leotard and waist elastic from uniform pack, ballet shoes, salmon pink tights or socks. In the cooler and very cold weather, having fitted warm clothes is important. NO loose or baggy clothing as It is difficult to teach a student properly if the body is not visible.
CONTEMPORARY
A leotard from the uniform pack or a black or blue t-shirt, singlet or leotard with black tights, black leggings, black shorts or black track pants. No shoes required but having socks or hand is important.
IRISH
.Uniform leotard, black netball skirt, tights or socks; 'soft' and 'hard' Irish dancing shoes. Ballet shoes and tap shoes may be worn until Irish shoes are purchased.
HAIR
Ballet: hair should be off the face, ideally in a bun.
Contemporary: a ponytail, high bun (rough or neat) or single plait is best for enabling comfort during floor work.
Irish: hair off the face, in a bun or ponytail.
Meet Our Teachers
Claire Byrne
Claire commenced dance training at the age of two. She completed her RAD ballet and Modern ISTD examinations with Louise Dulac and later with Barbara Everson. Claire performed with the youth dance company, Ballet Theatre of Queensland during her teenage years and at the age of 15, started Irish Dancing classes, competing in state competitions and completing Irish Dancers Diploma examinations.
Claire was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts, commencing her undergraduate study, where she was awarded the Most Outstanding Student in Choreography bursary in 1999. She went on to complete a Bachelor of Education at the University of Melbourne where she majored in Drama.
Claire taught a year 4/5 class at Stonnington Primary School before becoming a founding teacher at Candlebark School. After several years of full-time teaching, she returned to the Victorian College of the Arts to compete a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance Creation in Choreography.
Claire has performed in numerous independent productions for festivals such as Next Wave and Melbourne Fringe, has performed with CARP children's theatre company, and appeared as a resident dancer at the Bijou Cabaret in Melbourne. She has taken a short course in acrobatics at Circus Oz in 2007 and has engaged in various adult classes at The Space from 2006-2013 including jazz, hip hop, breakdance, contemporary and lyrical.
Claire is currently studying a Master of Education at the University of Melbourne where she is researching teacher education and professional development in dance. She also teaches Performing Arts at BeveridgePrimary School.
Amy Mullan
Amy began dancing at the age of 4 learning tap and Jazz at her local dance school.
At 5 years old she moved on to a Melbourne Ballet school and under Shirley Jones, a Cecchetti Diploma holder and life member, trained in the Cecchetti Classical Ballet method for 19 years. In this time Amy completed all the Cecchetti pre grade and grade level exams, as well as the Major examinations of, Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced 1.
Amy has also completed her Modern ISTD examinations and has extensive experience in Character Dance and Support Adage, also known as Pas de Deux.
She completed her VCE Dance Styles studying units of Contemporary Dance, Ballet, and the life and works of Maestro Enrico Cecchetti.
Amy took part in many Rock Eisteddfod Challenges throughout her teenage years and was part of an award winning choreography team two years in a row. It is here that she took an active role is all aspects of production. After Secondary College Amy went to study Sports Administration and Management at Victoria University, and also completed Certificate IV in Hairdressing. She enjoyed a 10 year career in the hair and beauty industry before becoming a mum of three.
In recent years she has been teaching Ballet and Character Dance whilst continuing her own classical training and professional development.
In early 2019 Amy completed Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management, earning high grades in Anatomy and Nutrition, Dance Teaching and Production Management .