top of page

Our mission:

We will nurture your passion for dance -
one step at a time!

Whether you’re pursuing a career in dance or simply wanting to express yourself through artistic holistic movement - our dedicated team understands what it takes to maximise your potential.

 

We understand the expectations and demands of classical ballet in the 21st century. We take the best elements from our predecessors, base our training on Russian methodology, and combine this with current industry knowledge to best suit the needs of Australian dancers today.

 

Reflecting an ever-changing artistic landscape, contemporary dance training is another component of our comprehensive programme.

 

Committed to quality and service, Melbourne Institute of Dance is your premier school of choice.

​

Kalman Warhaft
Director
_MG_4987_LG_1_opt.png

Our Team

Our Team

Kalman Warhaft

Director
Kalman's lifetime dedication to dance allows him to direct Melbourne Institute of Dance, providing quality and service in dance education.
Read more

Natalie Clarke

Teacher
Natalie is a dance instructor specialising in classical ballet, she is passionate about sharing her knowledge of the art form and giving back to the dance community.
Read more

Chimene Steele-Prior

Teacher
Originally from Darkinjung Country, Chimene is a Naarm (Melbourne) based performer, teacher and choreographer. She studied at the New Zealand School of Dance (Diploma of Dance Performance) and at WAAPA as a member of LINK Dance Company (Bachelor of Performing Arts - DANCE). Her movement practice is concerned with the expressivity, nuance and capacity of the human body to hold, endure and transform.
Read more

Hiroko Kaneko

Teacher
Hiroko is passionate about fostering joy for her students in a positive learning environment helping them develop the skills they need to reach their highest potential.
Read more

Elisha Torres

Teacher
Melbourne Institute of Dance is thrilled to have Elisha join our teaching team. She began dancing at the age of five studying the Cecchetti Method under the tutelage of Ms Peta Byrne.
Read more

Olivia Paine

Teacher
Originating from the NSW North Coast, Olivia started dancing with Karen Ireland Dance Centre, Lismore NSW.
Read more

Lauren Slade

Teacher
From Johannesburg, South Africa, trained at the National School of the Arts and joined The State Theatre Ballet in 1996 before becoming a founding soloist of The South African Ballet Theatre (now Joburg Ballet) in 2001, where she performed and served as Ballet Mistress. After 22 years of distinguished service, she retired in 2023. She is continuing her passion through dance education.
Read more

Sharnie Foot

Teacher
Sharnie's love for ballet radiates in her skilled teaching of our Tiny and Pre-Ballet students. Trained primarily in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus; she has completed Intermediate Foundation-level exams. She has also successfully competed in numerous competitions, including the Ballet Teacher’s Workshop and Royal South Street.
Read more

Audra Tory

Teacher
Audra fell in love with dance at a young age. Having trained in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Musical Theatre.
Read more

Dr Linda Sastradipradja

Dance Educator
Linda Sastradipradja is an internationally renowned dance performer, researcher and educator whose work emphasises the centrality of the dancer to dance making, dance teaching and dance performance processes.
Read more

Carolina Pais

Teacher
Carolina started dancing from a young age in Brazil. At 15, she took part in the Prix de Lausanne, where she accepted a scholarship to The Australian Ballet School.
Read more

Annaliese Macdonald

Teacher
Annaliese danced professionally with The Australian Ballet and the Royal New Zealand Ballet. She trained full-time at The Australian Ballet School and Victorian College of the Arts, graduating with a Graduate Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance).
Read more

Ashley Ward

Teacher
Ashley found her passion for dance and ballet when she started at 4 years old. She has experience with both Vaganova and RAD methods and has completed her Advanced Foundation examination in 2018.
Read more

Elena Sanina

Character Teacher
Elena is originally from Russia where she started to do character dancing and performed with various groups since 1992.
Read more

Dr Jason Lam

Guest Teacher
Dr Jason Lam has over two decades of experience working in the performing arts space at an elite level. He was formerly a professional dancer with Sydney Dance Company, Tasdance, Opera Australia as well as performing as an independent artist before retiring and studying medicine.
Read more

Testimonitals

Jean

Kalman is an exceptional teacher and leads a team of great teachers who are passionate about what they do. My daughters can't wait to start classes again

Anna

Miss Elisha is an absolute champion for keeping the kids engaged in a lesson over zoom – it’s such a difficult thing to do and it’s been lovely for the kids to maintain some sense of normalcy through this ultra-weird time. It really takes a special teacher to do what she does with the little ones so please pass on my thanks and admiration.

Marrila

Returning to dance after a very long time has been such a great experience. Kalman and the team at Melbourne Institute of Dance provide a nurturing, high quality and most importantly fun environment to get yourself immersed in. The end of year Gala Show is a definite highlight and is a buzz to be a part of !!

Bridie

The girls comment all the time how they love coming to MIoD. They have also met lovely friends without any competitiveness between them just support and kindness. It is certainly hard to find that these days and we are sure this is due to the culture you have developed at MIoD.

Submit testimonial

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page