celebrating 65 years of dance
The stories of our studio
In our 65th year of delivering exceptional dance education to the Mornington Peninsula community, Peninsula School of Dance is proud to relaunch a very special project: The Stories of Our Studio.
First created to mark our 60th anniversary, this series of interviews explores the rich and inspiring history of our studio, from our beginnings as Rosebud Ballet School in 1961 to the vibrant, inclusive community we are today.
As part of this refreshed initiative, we are once again working with writer and Cecchetti ballet teacher Vivienne Pearson to collect and share the stories that have shaped who we are. From former students who now work professionally in the arts to cherished teachers, families, and alumni, these stories honour the legacy of Peninsula School of Dance and the transformative power of dance education.
We invite you to explore these reflections of growth, resilience, connection and creativity and to join us as we celebrate 65 remarkable years where excellence and empathy go hand in hand.
Our Stories:
Sophie and Alison Gould; Two Generations of Dance
Sophie Gould danced and taught at PSD from age 4 until she moved to Melbourne for study in 2020. Did you know that her mother, Alison, also danced at the school? Let’s hear from this mother-and-daughter duo.
Jason Coleman: The Dancing Man From Rosebud
Vivienne Pearson sits down for our next 60th Anniversary Alumni interview with superstar choreographer and producer, Jason Coleman! Read about his inspiring story below as we look at his life from his first steps in Rosebud to performing in cities all over the world.
An Interview with Carly Doctor
Carly Doctor combines her loves of dance and teaching teens at Transit Dance in Melbourne. She remembers asking her mum if she could start ballet classes when she was just three years old. And she soon did - at the blossoming Rosebud Ballet School.
An Interview with Effie Papoulias
Effie Papoulias has over three decades of experience teaching Cecchetti ballet. She did her first class with Sandra Allan in 1976. This is her story of a life filled with ballet that took her from student to Cecchetti State Organiser.
An Interview with Melanie Gard
After being invited by Sandra Allan to take over the Rosebud Ballet School in 2005, Melanie Gard has taken the school, now renamed Peninsula School of Dance, to all new heights. And in its 60th year, Melanie is excited to look back on the incredible history of the school and its community.
Sharlene Harvey
Introducing Sharlene Harvey; probate clerk, photographer, mother and dance student. Sharlene started classes at Rosebud Ballet School when she was six and still does classes every week. Read her interview with Vivienne and find out more about her life spent dancing.
Interview with Sandra Mckay OAM
An Interview with Sandra Mckay (or Sandra Allan as we all know her!), founder of the Rosebud Ballet School and resident Cecchetti Ballet royalty.
She started the Rosebud Ballet School (now Peninsula School of Dance) sixty years ago. And, she still teaches every single week. Read her interview with Vivienne Pearson about her incredible journey over the past sixty years and a life immersed in dance.