Effie Papoulias
From Rosebud Ballet School student to Cecchetti Ballet State Organiser
Effie Papoulias has over three decades of experience teaching Cecchetti ballet. She did her first class with Sandra Allan in 1976.
“When I would see an arabesque, there was a feeling of joy.”
Effie, tell us how you first came to dance.
I remember first walking into Sandra’s studio at the Rosebud Memorial Hall. I suspect it was Open Day as there were quite a few mums and grandmas sitting there. I felt a bit awkward – you know what it’s like when you’re new and don’t have the right uniform?
Sandra came up and asked “Who do we have here?” and invited me to join the class. Then, she asked my mum if we had more time as she wanted me to do the next class too. I was caught hook, line and sinker. There was no looking back. I couldn’t wait to come back next week.
A young Effie in her first concert with Rosebud Ballet School in 1976 in ‘Land of the Toys’
“No matter what the music, I’d always do balletic steps.”
At that time, the school was called SARBS, which stood for Sandra Allan’s Rosebud Ballet School. I know that because I knitted myself a crossover and I embroidered SARBS on it. I still have that crossover!
My sisters and I used to dance around the house. We’d put on Young Talent Time and my sister would dance in a jazzy style but, no matter what the music, I’d always do balletic steps.
When we moved to Rosebud, my mum didn’t drive and my parents ran a busy business, so there wasn’t much time for recreation. Both my sister and I wanted to dance and, when we finally found the school, it was my dad who drove us there and then it encouraged mum to get her licence.
What is it about ballet that has kept you enthralled all these years?
For me, it’s the grace, the artistry. When I would see an arabesque, there was a feeling of joy.
My first concert was in 1976, at the end of my first year of classes. To this day I remember exactly where I was on stage and the choreography. We started in little groups and one of the girls, who I wished was me, came on, sprinkled fairy dust and we came alive. I then moved to centre front and I thought “Wow, this is the pinnacle of everything!”
“I had my chin on my hands, looking up at her thinking ‘this is magic’.”
After dancing, we were allowed to sit in the audience in our dressing gowns. Sharyn Peters did a classical solo and I remember one part was a circle of pas be bourrée couru. I had my chin on my hands, looking up at her, thinking “This is magic”.
I did play netball too, but it meant nothing to me. Everything was ‘ballet this, ballet that’.
Ballet class with Miss Peggy Sager in 1985.
Effie and her ballet class friends at the Rosebud Ballet School
Effie next to her dance partner before a ballet concert.
Effie and her ‘drummer boy’ ballet friend Vicki posing together before a concert.
Effie and her friend in a photo taken and developed as part of one of Effie’s school projects.
You were one of the first Cecchetti Scholars? What was that like?
Being a Cecchetti Scholar was such a highlight. I was selected the first time they ran the event, in 1981. Colin Peasley and Dame Peggy Van Praagh were the adjudicators. It was a fabulous result for Miss Allan, as five of the chosen twelve scholars were from her school.
I remember her phone call telling me I’d been selected. I didn’t know what to say. I was excited but, at the same time, so nervous, as I didn’t know what to expect.
Scholars was an amazing program. In my autograph book, I have all the teacher’s signatures. Patricia Cox, Colin Peasley, Sergio DeVincenizo, Luchette Aldous, Laurel Martin, Allen Aldar, Peggy Sagar, Gailene Stock. What a privilege it was to have class with these greats!
Watching my daughter also become a scholar – in 2008 – and follow her journey through this wonderful program has been another highlight of my life.
Fast forward to 2020 and, thanks to my role as Cecchetti Victoria’s State Organiser, I had the privilege of being at Colin Peasley’s last Scholars class. I had been at his first Scholars class and I was at his last.
Effie Papoulias as a young ballet dancer – this photo hung on the studio wall above the barres for many years.
“Being a Cecchetti Scholar was such a highlight for me.”
“I always knew I wanted to teach.”
What led you to teaching?
I did audition for the Australian Ballet School and was devastated when I didn’t get through the final round. It was not meant to be and, then, I was too old to audition again.
I didn’t know it at the time but something greater and more rewarding was awaiting.
I always knew I wanted to teach. I started hanging around the studio and Miss Allan would say “Effie, could you come demonstrate?”. Then, she’d ask me to take one of the little girls who couldn’t get a step down to the back of the room and help her.
Effie works hard in a ballet class.
I really like the buzz that I’d get from when this little girl would head back into the line and could do the step. The more I watched Miss Allan teach and her mannerisms with the students, the more I wanted to be the same. I watched more classes, helped more and became convinced this was my future.
These kids would look at me the way I’d looked at Sharyn performing at my first concert. At the end of the day, Mum would ask how ballet was and I’d say “I helped someone do a pas do chat.”
After leaving Miss Allan’s school, I moved to Sydney. I was happy to be married and starting a new life but there was something missing. Ballet! I rang Miss Allan and she suggested I give Miss Valrene Tweedie a call. I did and she directed me to Diane Pokorny, former dancer with the Australian Ballet and a NSW examiner who is now one of my besties. As a bonus, her school was two minutes from where I was living. I hung up the phone and headed on over to introduce myself.
Effie Papoulias seamlessly transitioning to teaching online for her students via Zoom in 2020!
“It was like coming home.”
So, I got back into ballet, did my Associate exam and started teaching. Our business then took us to Greece, where I taught private lessons in the basement of my in-law’s home. On returning to Australia, we went back to Mum and Dad’s place in Rosebud, so I went back to see Miss Allan.
It was like coming home. Some people I’d danced with were still there and others, like Sharlene Harvey, were not so little any more. Miss Allan was pleased I’d come back, full circle. I did the next teaching exam with her and have not stopped since.
What are you doing these days?
I’ve been teaching ballet for over 35 years, at various schools. Currently, I am at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance in North Melbourne and Dance Revolution in Epping.
Jason danced at Rosebud Ballet School in the same year as my middle sister. At one year’s concert, in a comedy called ‘The Wedding’, Jason was the groom and I was the bride, so I like to call myself his first wife. And now he’s my boss!
“Jason was the groom and I was the bride … and now he’s my boss!”
Rosebud Ballet School students surround a young Effie Papoulias and Jason Coleman, who danced together in this comedy ballet at an annual performance, and who are now working together at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance in Melbourne.
What my students have achieved over all my years of teaching has been a highlight of my life. I’ve taught thousands of students, including the odd famous one. It was beautiful seeing Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes join their daughter, Suri, in doing gallops during private lessons when she was aged around three.
In 2015, I became the State Organiser for Cecchetti Ballet Victoria. I took over the role from Miss Allan, who had done it for nearly 25 years. I have big shoes to fill. Her attention to detail, great management skills and organisation are praised by all in the society. She approached me and I felt honoured she thought I was capable.
We did the role together for the first two years, then I took the ‘crown’. The first teacher’s refresher day, I wore an ‘L’ plate around my neck, then a ‘P’ plate the next time! It’s a big responsibility but I am part of a fabulous committee where everyone is so supportive.
When I’m not teaching? I like doing some DIY. It’s unusual for a ballet person but I have quite a collection of power tools and love doing anything around the home from tiling, plastering, painting, and even a bit of carpentry.
Effie Papoulias standing with a lineup of renowned Cecchetti teachers.
“Miss Allan offered me the opportunity to find out what I love and where I fit into this world.”
What are your best memories of Rosebud Ballet School and what connection do you have with PSD now?
Miss Allan offered me the opportunity to find out what I love and where I fit into this world.
My best memories are from concert time. The excitement in the air was electric. Miss Allan would give us all a strawberry freddo frog before the show for good luck. Trying to fit seven of us in a dressing room no bigger than a laundry was hilarious! The friendships we formed we still have today.
Effie and her friends take class at the Rosebud studio.
For Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance 10th anniversary performance recently, I performed for the first time in many years. I wore the costume that I had worn for my last performance with Rosebud Ballet School, a blue chiffon and tulle dress. Miss Allan was in the audience. That felt incredibly special.
“I’m one link in the chain that has kept the love of dance going.”
I still have connections with PSD. My nieces danced there for a few years, I have been invited by Mel to adjudicate on a few occasions and my daughter has also been a guest teacher for Mel.
Melanie upholds all the original traditions and then offers so much more, including new dance genres that cater for every age group and personality. The school has gone from strength to strength.
The friendship you form through dance are amazing and are intertwined between the schools. Miss Allan, Miss Steilow and Miss Blackbourn were, along with many others, our mentors; the start of the chain. They instilled in us the love of dance and the passion to pass that love onto others after us.
I’m one link in the chain that has kept the love of dance going. We’re all related. They’re our dance parents, we’re their children, and we’re all cousins.
What a story of connection and passion! Thank you for sharing your love of ballet, Effie.
END
Effie and her ballet class posing for a photo at the Rosebud Memorial Hall.