About Us
Our mission is to nurture and support the development of young dancers.
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
Junior Ballet, Contemporary 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.
Brigee Bundy
Classical Ballet & Pointe (she/her)
Registered Royal Academy of Dance Educator
Brigee is a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) registered teacher with 20 years teaching experience. She is a mentor for the (RAD) teacher training courses and has mentored numerous teachers.
Brigee teaches in a freelance capacity, and has worked with studios and students in London, Melbourne, Geelong and country Victoria.
During her time in London she was a trained pointe shoe fitter for Sansha London.
She has experience teaching all dance styles and all age groups.
Brigee loves working in a industry that is ever evolving and loves to mentor students and teachers to realising their own full potential.
Zayneb Zerzouri
Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap & Musical Theatre (she/her)
Zayneb is a Melbourne based artist originally from Wellington, New Zealand.
Zayneb started learning ballet in NZ at the age of three, adding Modern Jazz and Tap throughout her primary school years. She continued her training throughout her secondary college years and loved performing in the studios' ballet and multiple genre productions. In 2017 Zayneb moved to Melbourne to train in dance full time, completing an Advanced Dip in Dance, Elite Performance. She completed RAD Advanced 2 with a distinction through Brunswick School of Dance and VCAS.
Since graduating Zayneb has toured with the Australian Arena Tour of Paw Patrol Live as Zuma and the understudy for Mayor Goodway. She has travelled and performed as a cast dancer with Princess Cruises, performed in the Broadway Musical, Songs For A New World and other reputable productions.
Zayneb is also a qualified mat and barre pilates instructor, teaching at various studios in Melbourne.
She is passionate about diversity, representation and equal opportunities in the performing arts industry and looks forward to bringing this into her classes this year at VDC.
Peyton Harvey
Preschool Classes (she/her)
Peyton started her training in dance at the age of 2 years old. She started her pre-professional dance career at the age of 13 years old performing in different contemporary companies around Melbourne.
Peyton has obtained her Certificate III in Fitness and her Certificate IV in Dance. Peyton now works in the industry dancing in events for Crown Casino, Groovy Face Entertainment Live Show, and also cheerleads for the Melbourne Aces.
Peyton trained full-time at The Space Dance & Art Centre working with leading choreographers and has worked intensively on her dance technique, training in the styles of Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Contemporary,Commercial Jazz, Broadway Jazz, and Lyrical. Peyton is now studying full-time under the guidance of Robert Sturrock.
Growing up in Canberra, Kynan completed his training at Lisa Clark Dance Centre, under the tutelage of some of the finest teachers in Canberra, such as Lisa Clark and Samantha Leeman. Beginning dance at the age of 6, he completed numerous exams across the styles of Jazz and Classical Ballet, though completed training in all other various styles.
With a love for Classical Ballet he attended numerous competitions, workshops and auditions, receiving great accolades and the opportunity or offer to train at renowned institutions such as the Royal Ballet School, Houston Ballet Academy, and Bolshoi Ballet Academy, to name a few. At the age of 15 he moved with his family to Melbourne to attend the Australian Ballet School fulltime.
Now having branched out from Classical Ballet, Kynan is further extending his dance training at Transit Dance - completing the Diploma of Dance (performing arts) and Cert IV in Dance Teaching and Management simultaneously.
