Our People – Centenary Dance Academy

Founder

Inara Svalbe OBE

Inara trained in Brisbane with Charles Lisner OBE, the founder of the Queensland Ballet and then with Phyllis Danaher MBE. At age 15, Inara was the youngest student accepted into the inaugural year of The Australian Ballet School in Melbourne. An acclaimed performer, Inara  performed with Borovansky Ballet, J.C. Williamson in musicals, and The Australian Ballet with Fonteyn and Nureyev. She has also performed soloist roles with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and principal roles with the Ballet Theatre of Queensland under Phyllis Danaher MBE. Her contemporary performances include with the Queensland Modern and Contemporary Dance Co. As an accomplished dancer, choreographer and costume designer, Inara began teaching dance. She was appointed Assistant Artistic Director of BTQ and the Artistic Director of QMCD while continuing choreography with The...

Directors

Director of Ballet

Kristin Belsham

Kristin is an experienced and knowledgeable professional with over 20 years teaching experience, and a lifetime of involvement in the Performing Arts industry. Holding teaching qualifications in the Royal Academy of Dance and Comdance organizations as well as a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, Kristin is passionate about passing on her love of the Performing Arts to students of all ages and abilities. Her students have been very successful in various facets of the Performing Arts, many progressing on to further training institutions and flourishing professional careers in the industry. Additionally, Kristin is a full member of the Australian...

Director of Tap & Jazz (Currently on Leave)

Rosanna Evola

Rosanna Evola is a seasoned dancer and dance teacher with over 28 years of experience to the stage. Starting as young as 2.5 years old, Rosanna has trained in a diverse range of styles, including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre. She has studied under the Royal Academy of Dance ballet curriculum and Comdance Jazz and Tap syllabi. Additionally, she holds credentials in both Comdance and a bachelor’s degree in education, with a minor in Middle Years Dance. At the age of 19, Rosanna took a leap of faith and opened her own dance studio, which...

Acting Director of Jazz & Tap

Belen Sobarzo

Belen began her dancing journey at 3 years old at Debra Whitten School of Dance, and Clarrissa Hill Dance Centre shortly after where she trained extensively in RAD Ballet, COMDANCE Jazz, COMDANCE Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acrobatics and Musical Theatre. In 2014, Belen moved to Sydney to train full time in dance, voice and acting at ED5International, graduating in 2015 with a Diploma in Performing Arts as a Vocal Major. Upon graduating, Belen enjoyed auditioning and performing in gigs across the live entertainment, corporate, sport, film and non-profit industries, as well as teaching recreational, competition and vocational students at schools...