Meet the Minds Behind the Magic 💫
Elena Lambrinos, PhD
Director
Elena is a dance teacher, studio owner, and dance education researcher. She has a Ph.D. in the sociology of education exploring children’s dance classes and a MA in Cultural Studies that examines the intersections of dance styles, identity, and belonging. Straddling both academic and professional roles, Elena's aim is to transform the way we think about, do, and teach dance. As a TEDx speaker and an Inner West Council International Women’s Day Honour Roll member for equality, empowerment, social justice and inclusion, Elena advocates for the power and potential of inclusive dance education.
Millie Hing
operations & project manager
Millie works her magic to modernize and streamline operations to ensure our members get the very best. As a certified Leap 'N Learn teacher and experienced studio manager, Millie's knowledge of what happens on the dance floor and behind the scenes makes her an unstoppable force when it comes to understanding the needs of dance teachers and studio owners.
Alice Weber, MFA
Alice is a dance artist and teacher working with performance, choreography and research outputs. She holds an MFA in Choreography. Using her various backgrounds across classical ballet, contemporary performance and critical dance studies, Alice’s work considers dance as the embodiment of cultural value, and what this means for classical technique in the contemporary context. Alice teaches in private dance studios and tertiary institutions, combining classical dance training with open-mindedness and a rigorous critical lens. She believes there is a place for the codified aesthetics of ballet within progressive dance education, through a process of care, criticality and reflection.
sally reay
curriculum developer
Sally is a teacher, facilitator and program developer with extensive experience in creative arts education. She has a Masters of Teaching and has worked across studios, schools, and arts programs, creating high quality learning experiences for students of all ages and levels. As well as facilitating creative movement courses at disability services across Sydney, Sally was the founder and director of a dance school for people with intellectual disabilities. She is passionate about inclusion and accessibility in the arts. As a teacher, Sally believes connection and creativity are the key ingredients for instilling a love of dance.
beverly spell
Leap ‘N learn creator & early childhood dance expert
Beverly incorporated the insights, ideas, and years of intense study of ballet, childhood development and creative movement into the comprehensive and progressive early childhood dance curriculum that Leap 'N Learn is today. A leading authority on early childhood dance education, Beverly has since shifted her focus back into the classroom. Beverly passes on her knowledge and expertise to Licensed Members and their teams at our annual training events.
Dr Annie Spell
Child Psychologist & Leap ‘N Learn creator
Child psychologist, Dr. Annie Spell, Ph.D. first began working with Beverly in 2004 while completing her master’s in child clinical psychology. Through casual kitchen conversation with Beverly the idea for the original Leap ’N Learn syllabus was born. As the child psychology consultant for Leap ’N Learn, Dr. Annie merged her knowledge of research and theory into Leap ’N Learn to expand dance edicators' understanding of child behavior and development.
Leap 'N Learn was co-created by Beverly F. Spell and child psychologist Dr Annie Spell. Beverly incorporated the insights, ideas, and years of intense study of ballet, childhood development and creative movement into the comprehensive and progressive early childhood dance curriculum that Leap 'N Learn is today. A leading authority on early childhood dance education, Beverly has since shifted her focus back into the classroom. The Leap 'N Learn team is proud to further Beverly's legacy and to develop Leap 'N Learn for years to come.