ABOUT IGNITE
Our mission is to provide accessible, high quality and comprehensive dance education programs that engage each unique individual.
Pure Artistry and Technique
From entering our bespoke facility, we will commit to developing, in consultation, the best program and journey for each dancer.
Located in Joondalup in Perth's northern suburbs, we offer high-quality and comprehensive classical ballet and contemporary dance education for students six years of age to pre-professional. Ignite additionally offers complementary programs and styles to engage all dancers, no matter their age or experience.
Our community at Ignite is made up of many different people on different journeys, but with a common goal - to provide or receive accessible, high quality and comprehensive dance education programs that engage with each unique individual. We are committed to honouring everyone’s journey an encourage determination, confidence, resilience and a passion for the arts.
Our Values
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Quality dance training programs, teachers and work ethic.
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Commitment to sustainable and long-term journeys of students, staff, business development and community impact.
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Inclusive learning and collaboration respecting all individuals and their needs.
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Curiosity, open-mindedness and willingness to take up a challenge.
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Nurturing the growth of each individual physically, mentally and emotionally.
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Communication between all stakeholders.
Our Studios
Located at 4/22 Franklin Lane in Joondalup, we have two large studios each with sprung floor, air conditioning, barres and mirrors. The entrance to the studio is at the rear of the building, with plenty of parking.
Meet The Ignite Team
Jenny Trafford
Director
Ballet and education have been a part of Jenny’s world from a very young age. She has been fortunate to have ballet throughout her life; first as a student, then a dancer and now a teacher and director at Ignite.
Jenny enjoyed a career in ballet and contemporary dance both in the United Kingdom and Australia. On returning to Australia, she became a successful primary school teacher working both in Sydney and Perth. Her passion and love for dance, however, brought her back into the studio where she enjoyed many years of guiding and teaching both boys and girls the joys and technique of classical ballet. Jenny’s 21 years of experience and studies within the field of education give her a holistic approach towards dance and its role in childhood development. Her passion for providing outstanding learning opportunities begins with the Cygnets Dancers, where she is the director, and continues through her work and co-directorship at Ignite and private coaching at the Graduate College of Dance.
As a mum to three wonderful children, she understands the importance of creating a supportive environment for children to learn and grow! As the co-director and founder of Ignite, Jenny brings a wealth of experience and expertise from her training and career. She aims to create a love of ballet within every child she meets: we could be teaching the next principal dancer, soloist, performer, teacher, allied health professional or dance enthusiast!
Miss Jenny holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary), Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (RAD) and Associate status within the RAD (ARAD) and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (AISTD). Miss Jenny is a mentor and practical teaching supervisor with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and has been a panel member and Chairperson of the WA RAD Regional Advisory Panel for six years.
Holly Pooley
Director
Holly has always discovered a lot of joy and love through dance.
From a young age, she began her training in Perth through the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus completing all of the examinations with distinction. Later, Holly moved to Leeds, England to train at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance graduating with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (First-Class Honours) in Contemporary Dance.
Holly worked professionally in England and Australia as a freelance contemporary dance artist choreographing and performing dance works and films. During this time, she developed a passion and curiosity in supporting individuals to realise their potential and decided to pursue this interest and follow a career in teaching and education.
Furthering her studies, Holly has a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching (Distinction) through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and is a registered teacher with the RAD. Having taught in private, public and community schools, as well as working on the Royal Academy of Dance Western Australian Regional Advisory Panel, Holly aspires for her students to learn that ‘where there is a will, there is a way’, and gain empowerment through their dance education.
Now as a co-director and founder of Ignite, Holly aims is to inspire determination, confidence, resilience and a passion for the arts with the Ignite community. Having had the opportunity to have dance engrained her own education, it opened her mind to different ways one can communicate, express and share ideas. Today as a teacher, Holly aspires to be able to facilitate this learning and understanding for a new generation. She believes that by developing these skills in individuals through an expressive medium will not only benefit those directly involved, but additionally those around them.
Hayley Cumming
Teacher
Hayley has enjoyed dancing from a young age, training in Perth and on the Sunshine Coast in a range of styles including ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap. Upon completing her WACE examinations, she quickly discovered her passion for dance teaching, receiving the opportunity to teach at secondary schools and in regional locations.
Hayley is currently studying her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) through The Royal Academy of Dance. Additionally, she is completing her Bachelor of Science at Murdoch University and has received the opportunity to complete her Honours degree the following year. She also holds her Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) Certification.
Nicole Ostler
Teacher
Nicole has always loved and been dedicated to ballet. She attended and completed her vocational training at The Graduate College of Dance. After graduating, Nicole quickly discovered a passion for teaching. She believes strongly in developing her students love for dance while at the same time promoting high quality and safe dance training. She loves guiding and aiding each of her students' growth and improvements in their individual dance journeys.
Nicole recently completed her Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and is now a RAD Registered Teacher. She also has her certification in Progressing Ballet Technique. Nicole has completed her Bachelor of Science (Psychology degree) and is currently studying her Honours.
Laura Pedro
Teacher
Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Laura began her dance training at the tender age of five at the Pio-X Conservatory of Music and Dance in Jundiai, moving to the prestigious Halina Biernaska Ballet Academy to complete her studies in dance. Laura is qualified as Professional Dancer by the Union of Dance Teachers from Sao Paulo State - Brazil, a full member of Royal Ballet Academy, a registered teacher of Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) and an Elementary Body Alignment System (EBAS) instructor.
She has a wide and varied professional resume including being a company membership with Pio-X Dance Company, UNICIRCO Circus Company as Dancer, International Hotels Magic Life Resorts in Turkey and Greece and in Perth, Kuerazo Latin Dance Productions as a Choreographer/Artistic Director, a guest soloist with Perth City Ballet, Dance Captain and Dancer with ICW Productions on the musical, The Phantom of the Opera. During her years in Brazil, she has developed many works as a teacher and dancer in different schools and with special needs children and as a volunteer dance teacher with children from Sao Paulo slum. In Australia, she had a prestigious internship with TRACKSUIT Dance Company with disabilities in 2014.
In Perth, Laura teaches Classical Ballet and Character Dance in a variety of prestigious dance schools and is one of the original and leader teachers in Western Australia to train with Ms Alida Segal on her International Character Dance Syllabus (ICDS). Since 2013 Laura has participated in 5 seminars and qualified to teach students from level 1 to level 4 and has prepared candidates from level 1 to level 3 for ICDS examinations over the last 5 years. She has been to the 1st ICDS Teacher’s Tour to Moscow in 2017, where she had the privilege to observe classes and performances at Igor Moiseyev Ballet company and school and at Bolshoi Ballet. Most recently, she has participated in the 1st ICDS Teacher’s Workshop in Melbourne.
It is Laura’s wish to further her studies in the ICDS with Ms Alida, as she believes this dynamic and passionate system of dance can aggregate an immense level of excellence on the studies of many of our dedicated dancers.
Emily Pittendreigh
Teacher
Emily started ballet at the age of 3, she developed a love for dance and decided from that moment to pursue it as a career. Emily trained with The Studio of Classical and Contemporary Dance under the direction of Melissa White before Amy Barningham later took over. She has trained in contemporary since the age of 11, dabbling with jazz and tap in her younger years.
On completion of her schooling years, she moved to Fremantle to do full-time ballet and contemporary. In 2017 she moved to NSW to train full time and gain more diversity. She now has experience in all styles including jazz, musical theatre, heels, commercial, hip hop, tap, Acro, as well as maintaining her ballet and contemporary. In her time in NSW, Emily has gained her Advanced Diploma in Dance and Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management and currently teaches all styles.
Emily loves teaching and is excited to work with the younger generations.
Evelyn Roberts
Evelyn Roberts Fitness
Evelyn began dancing at the age of 2 at West Coast Dance before moving to the Gail Meade Performing Arts Centre a few years later to study RAD classical ballet and CSTD jazz, tap and acrobatics. Throughout the years Evelyn competed in numerous competitions with some of the highlights being awarded the Joan Stacey Scholarship at the West Australian RAD Festival (2013 – 2015) and the Linley Wilson Scholarship at the same Festival (2016 – 2017), being the WA representative for the RAD Bursary in 2013, attaining the prestigious RAD Solo Seal Award in 2015 and being the recipient of the ECU Paulette Carson Scholarship in 2017. Evelyn’s greatest achievement to date was being one of 12 Finalists at the Genée International Ballet Competition in 2016.
Evelyn was accepted into WAAPA in 2015 and completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree (Dance) in 2017. Evelyn toured Europe for three months taking company classes and attended the ART of Summer Intensive Zurich 2017, learning from many choreographers and company directors. A teacher, coach and choreographer for many years, Evelyn has also been a part of the WA Ballet Education Team since 2018 and, most recently, was the Rehearsal Director for children for WA Ballet’s season of Alice in Wonderland. Evelyn is currently studying a Masters of Teaching (Primary), is a certified Pilates Mat-work instructor and runs her own personal training business focusing on training dancers as athletes.