About Us

OUR TEACHERS

Katrina Barker: Director and Teacher

Katrina trained in RAD Ballet, Contemporary Dance and Jazz Ballet at the Scully Borovansky School of Dance in Sydney. After leaving school, Katrina became a full time ballet student for 2 years before embarking on a 10 year career as a proffessional dancer. Katrina accumulated experience in a wide variety of dance styles throughout her career, performing in theatre, clubs, television and on P&O Cruise ships where she travelled the world.
While raising her family Katrina enjoyed choreographing musicals for local societies, and creating dance items for the schools her children attended. This lead to forming the very popular Boys Dance Group at Glenbrook Public School, which continues to thrive since its formation in 2004. Katrina was also a KINDA DANCE Teacher in the Penrith area for 7 years, where she gained a wealth of experience in preschool dance.
Katrina started Barker Dance School due to popular demand from Glenbrook parents, and is thrilled to have her daughter Rachel as a teacher. The mix of Katrina's extensive experience and Rachel's modern styles and techniques has proved to be a success with the outcomes our students are acheiving.

Rachel Barker: Teacher

Rachel trained from the age of 5 years at Robyn Kirkland School of Dance and La Danse studios in Penrith where she studied RAD ballet, Contemporary Dance and Jazz. Rachel gained experience in all styles of dance at Blaxland High School where she did dance as a subject from year 7 to year 12. Rachel represented the school in junior and senior dance company, all the school musicals and was also selected to represent the school in various selective dance camps.
After completing her HSC Rachel attended a full time dance course in the city and studied under well known choreographers and teachers where she furthered her training in jazz, contemporary and modern dance and hip hop. Rachel is also a qualified Zumba instructor.
Rachel is undertaking her certificate in ballet studies for Royal Academy of Dance and has become a very talented and much loved teacher since she began teaching for us in 2004. Rachel leads the way with our senior students with her innovative choreography and beautiful dance style.

Tonia Kelly: Teacher/Mentor

Tonia is a graduate of the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne, and was a principal dancer for Sydney Dance Company for 11 years. Tonia then went on to attain her RAD Teachers Certificate Distinction and taught ballet for David Atkins at Dynamite Studios and for other large dance schools in the city. Tonia also regularly adjudicated in many of the high profile eisteddfods in Sydney including McDonalds Performing Arts Challenge. Tonia and Katrina have been best ballet buddies and friends since they were in primary school, and day dreamed as youngsters of running a dance school together. Tonia is so excited to be involved with Barker Dance School and take an active role in our ballet tuition.