Meet The Team...
Meet The Team...
Principal - Jessie Garbellini
(A.R.A.D, C.B.T.S, R.T.S, B.Env. Sc)
Jessie commenced ballet at the age of 11 and at the age of 16 began studying ballet full-time. This included comprehensive Ballet Technique, Pas de Deux, Repertoire, National Character, Jazz and Contemporary.
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Jessie was accepted into several national and international schools and in 2003 Jessie took up a place at the New Zealand School of Dance as a Classical Major. Due to injury she returned to Australia and completed her HSC, receiving 94% for HSC dance and being selected for the “Callback” showcase.
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Jessie has completed the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Advanced 2 exam with distinction and gained the Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (A.R.A.D) qualification. Jessie taught for eight years at dance schools in Penrith and the Blue Mountains before opening Glenbrook Ballet Theatre in 2008. Jessie has completed the RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, and is a fully registered and qualified teacher and teaching mentor with the Royal Academy of Dance.
Bio Coming Soon...
All the GBT Teachers make every lesson so enjoyable. I love all the time spent in the studio - there is constant joy!
Carolina - GBT Student for 13 years
Teachers & Staff
Ilona Blake
Classical Ballet, Silver Swans, Pre-Jnr/ Jnr Jazz & Lyrical, GBTA, Performance Groups, Solos
(A.R.A.D Teachers Dip [Dist.]
Ilona started ballet at age 3 with Warren Gasson at the Penrith Academy of Ballet. In 1990, she left school to study full-time ballet at Glen Street Academy under the direction of Tanya Pearson and Janice Graham. In 1992 she won a rotary award for her Contribution to dance in the community and in 1994 opened her own dance studio, Dance Creation, which she operated successfully for 20 years.
Ilona has studied all facets of dance and has many students, still working in the dance industry today. Ilona joined the GBT faculty in 2016. With over 30 years experience in teaching, Ilona enjoys sharing her love of dance with the students of Glenbrook Ballet Theatre.
Isabella Bonanno
Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Musical Theatre,
Open Ballet, Adults Class, Solos
(Cert IV in Dance Performance)
Isabella has trained in many styles of dance including Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre and Classical Ballet. She has completed ballet examinations in both RAD and Cecchetti. has received numerous Cecchetti ballet scholarships and was awarded runner up in the Cecchetti Medal Awards. Isabella also had both her HSC dance pieces selected to be performed at "Callback".
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In 2016 Isabella completed the prestigious Pre- Professional course at Sydney Dance Company and attained a Certificate IV in Dance.
Remy Carveth
Petite & LaunchPad Program
(Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management)
Remy is a graduate of Glenbrook Ballet Theatre who participated in the student teacher ‘Dance Step’ program and was the first student Australia wide to successfully complete the entire program.
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Remy began ballet at the age of 4 and studied dance at Glenbrook Ballet Theatre from 2010 where she completed vocational examinations in RAD.
Remy has a particular interest and skill in working with our younger students and enjoys supporting them to achieve success in all aspects of their development through movement and creative expression.
Brooke Smith
Petite 1 & 2 Ballet
(Cert Ballet Teaching Studies RAD - Enrolled)
Dance has been a significant part of Brooke's life since she began at the age of 4, She has Trained in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Acro. Brooke Graduated from Year 12 at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. Brooke trained full time with Glenbrook Ballet Theatre in 2014 and in 2015 she completed a 2 year Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts at ED5 International.
In October 2016, she was delighted to begin a 12 month contract as a Dancer in Franz Harary's "House of Magic" Show at Studio City, Macau.
Brooke is currently studying RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS).
Eve Baker
Classical Ballet, Solos
(Adv Dip Dance. Cert IV Pilates - Enrolled)
Eve grew up on the Northern Beaches in Sydney and started dance at the age of 11. Eve studied full-time at the Sydney College of Dance completing her Advanced Diploma in Dance.
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Eve has completed her vocational RAD syllabus to Advanced 1 with distinctions, Eve has a passion for ballet and contemporary but has also trained in Jazz, Acro, Musical Theatre and Lyrical.
Eve was fortunate enough to compete in Brisbane Contemporary Prix with interviews from international schools and receive a secondment from Sydney Dance Company.
Currently Eve is studying a Cert IV in Pilates Matwork and Reformer, and will be fully qualified by April 2022. Eve is excited to be joining the GBT Team.
Anna Koutzas
Saturday Studio Concierge
Anna started dancing at age 4 at Glenbrook ballet Theatre. She has completed all RAD exams up to Intermediate and various alternate styes over her many years as a GBT student.
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Anna has also completed all 6 levels of the DanceStep student teacher program.
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Anna is currently completing her HSC and is School Captain at Nepean Creative & Performing Arts High School.
Anna is available on Saturday mornings from 9 - 11am to assist with boutique purchases or enquiries.
Currently on maternity leave for 2022
"DanceStep" Student Teachers
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We are proud to be an official Studio Partner of the "DanceStep" program. "DanceStep" is a formalised and progressive Dance Student Teacher Education Program which empowers students to serve as role models, grow as leaders and care for others in their dance studio community. (https://dancestep.com.au/)