About Us
Our mission is to nurture and support the development of young dancers.
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Since opening in 2010, Volar Dance Centre has developed a strong reputation for being an inclusive and family friendly atmosphere within the dance community of the Western suburbs.
We offer a variety of classes that foster a love of dance and a strong work ethic through technical expertise. Our classes are fun, energetic and aimed to inspire all students to be the best they can be. Whether for fun, fitness or to fulfill dreams of dancing as a career, we cater to all young dancer’s needs.
Meet the Team
Ash Barratt
Artistic Director (she/her)
Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies (RAD)
Progressing Ballet Technique Certified
Ash's journey in the world of dance commenced at a tender age, culminating in her achievement of distinction in all RAD exams by the age of 16, under the expert guidance of Christine Bowman. Following a decade devoted to full-time classical ballet study, Ash further honed her skills during a two-year immersion in performing arts at Ministry of Dance & The Space. This experience broadened her repertoire to include Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre.
Collaborating with renowned figures such as Paul Malek, Gideon Obzarzanel, Kelly Akyers, Troy Phillips, Adam Wheeler, and international choreographers Daniel Brown and Michelle Zeitlin enriched her artistic journey. Notably, Ash is also a qualified RAD teacher, bringing a wealth of expertise to her dance education.
Drawing from years of stage and studio experience, Ash took a significant step by establishing Volar Dance Centre, where she has served as owner and operator for the past decade. Ash's ardor for the classical art form is evident in her dedicated approach to teaching students of all abilities, reflecting her commitment to nurturing a passion for dance in every individual.
Kira Mitchell
Classical Ballet (RAD) and Competition (she/her)
Acrobatic Arts Certificate of Teaching
Progressing Ballet Technique Certified
Progressing Contemporary Technique Certified
Kira began her dance journey at the age of 9 discovering her passion for ballet & contemporary finding herself absorbed by the technical and expressive nature of both styles sparking her interest in teaching and choreography.
Over the years, Kira pursued a variety of academic endeavours to further her personal and professional knowledge within dance teaching. Kira completed her Diploma of Dance, specialising in the contemporary stream in 2020, followed by achieving her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management in 2021. Kira also found herself fascinated with the human body, driving her to complete her Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science in 2023 and recently adding Mat & Reformer Pilates to her repertoire completing her certifications in 2023 alongside her Bachelor.
Kira is currently undertaking her Certificate of Dance Teaching (Ballet) with the Royal Academy of Dance.
Kira has a huge love for teaching, providing knowledge and sparking creativity with her students to help them grow and reach their full potential. Kira strives to create a safe and welcoming space for all to express themselves through the art of dance.
Bri Emrich
Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap & Musical Theatre (she/her)
Bri is a highly versatile, multidisciplinary teacher and artist specializing in dance (classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, musical theatre and more), physical theatre, acrobatics, and aerial arts. She began dancing at the young age of four in her hometown, Perth, studying all styles of dance including two classical ballet syllabi; RAD and Borovansky. She went on to study classical ballet and contemporary at WAAPA (The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts). Bri began her aerial arts training when she was 17 while also training fulltime in dance and acrobatics at Lee Academy in NSW.
Bri has toured globally, performing internationally as an aerialist for Porsche, and as a dancer at many major national corporate events, including those for Westpac, NextGen and CommBank. Bri was cast in Broad Encounters’ immersive theatre production A Midnight Visit in the role ‘Madeline Usher’. Bri proceeded to perform as Madeline Usher in the ensuing, hugely successful seasons of A Midnight Visit in Perth, Melbourne, and then Brisbane! Bri appeared in the world premiere of L’Hotel, directed by Craig Ilott, at Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and then at the Sydney Opera House. More recently Bri was cast in the leading role of ‘Sandy’ in Broad Encounters work LOVE LUST LOST for their Melbourne season, and Broad Encounters new show When Night Comes as ‘Thea’. Most recently Bri has been working with Dream Productions in their acclaimed dance shows.
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Bri takes her wealth of experience, from studio to stage, back into the studio again to teach and nurture the next generation of dancers and performing artists.
Alley Rees
Senior Jazz, Tap, Lyrical & Stretch (she/her)
Originally growing up on the Mornington Peninsula Alley begun dancing at the age of 3 at Peninsula school of dance with Melanie Gard. Dancing for the past 17 years She has trained in various styles of ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, acrobatics, and commercial. Holding a strong passion for dance, in 2023 Alley moved to the city to further her training at Transit Dance in their 2 year full-time performing arts course. Here she trained with several industry professionals such as Jayden Hicks, Paul Malek, Kim Adam, Jillian Green, Karen Malek and several more in a wide variety of styles. Throughout her training at Transit she was also provided with countless opportunities such as working at The Melbourne Cup 2024, performing for Challenge Cancer at Crown Palladium, performing at The Moonee Valley Racing Club, as well as assisting choreographers such as Kim Adam, Jillian Green, and Leah Hamlet. After her 2 years of training Alley graduated with a Diploma of Professional Dance (elite performance) and a Cert IV in Dance Teaching and Management. Alongside her career as a dancer Alley also holds a passion for teaching dance to younger generations. Heading into her 5th year of teaching Alley begun her teacher training as a teacher assistant, and later worked through the Dance Step teacher assistant levels at Peninsula School of dance where her journey as a Teacher flourished. Dance has always been a safe place for Alley with her love for dance being something she wants to share with the students she teaches, hoping to inspire them and always ensure they feel included in the dance community.
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Destini Damon
Contemporary & Classical Ballet (she/her)
Destini started her training at the age of six at Volar Dance Centre, where she quickly developed a love for performing. Over the years, she has studied many different styles of dance but has a strong foundation of ballet and contemporary dance. At the age of 13, she then started to study full-time pre-professional training at Ballet Theatre Australia under the direction of Leanne rutherford, Oleg Timursin and Ben Davis.
Destini later on joined Transit Dance, where she is currently completing her Diploma of Dance in the contemporary stream. Where she is training with Jayden Hicks, Paul Malek, Lachlan Hall, Kaitlyn Malone, Chimene Steele-Prior, Karen Malek, and many more. Her training has provided a solid foundation in both classical and contemporary techniques.
In addition to her studies at transit, she had the opportunity to tour with Transit Dance, performing in Suite 13B in Shepparton and Warragul, further expanding her performance experience.
Addison John
Preschool, Junior Ballet & Contemporary (she/her)
Addison’s love for dance began the moment she stepped foot into Volars doors in 2012. Addison is a passionate and creative dancer and continues to grow this passion everyday through teaching and working with the young dancers at Volar.
Since beginning her journey she has spent her time working with and learning from many incredible teachers and choreographers, some being those of the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne, The Queensland Ballet Academy and many more.
Through this she sprouted her passion for teaching and working with the next generation of dancers.
Addison has been training and preparing to take on the role of teaching at the studio for many years, working along side other staff and learning new skills and language from then every day.
Addison’s love for dance began in ballet and has spread across to many styles, some being Contemporary, Jazz and Character dance , though her true passion remains in the beauty of classical ballet.
