about us

Bayside Ballet Academy founder, lydia

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

My journey in dance spans more than fifty years as a student, performer and teacher. Throughout this time, I have remained deeply passionate about sharing the true joy, discipline and artistry of dance with every student I encounter.

My belief is that not every dancer will pursue a professional career, but the lessons learned through dance such as confidence, resilience, creativity, teamwork and lifelong friendships will stay with students for years to come.

As Principal of Bayside Ballet Academy, my goal is to provide more than just technical training. I strive to help each dancer grow as a person creatively, developing skills, work ethics and values that they will carry with them throughout their lives.

I genuinely love what I do, and it is a privilege to guide students of all ages as they discover the many rewards that dance can bring. I truly treasure each and every student, and am excited for their future and where dance may take them.

Lydia Cagney Morris
Principal, Bayside Ballet Academy

“To teach is to touch a life forever. To teach dance is to touch a soul forever.”

Lydia

Bayside Ballet Academy (BBA) was founded in 2016 by Lydia Cagney Morris with a clear vision, to provide high-quality, inclusive and welcoming dance education for families across Bayside Melbourne.

What began as a small community dance school offering classes in Mordialloc, Parkdale, Hampton and Brighton has grown into a thriving local academy proudly based in Beaumaris.

In 2018, BBA expanded to Beaumaris, and in 2019 moved into its current home at St Martin’s Uniting Church Hall on Dalgetty Road, Beaumaris, located directly opposite the local primary school. This central Bayside location has allowed BBA to continue serving families from Beaumaris, Black Rock, Mentone, Cheltenham, Sandringham, Hampton, Highett, Parkdale and Mordialloc, creating a true community hub for dance.

In 2026, Bayside Ballet Academy proudly celebrates its 10-year anniversary, a milestone that reflects a decade of dedication, growth and community support. Lydia is incredibly grateful to the many local families who have trusted her with their children’s dance journeys and helped shape the warm, welcoming culture BBA is known for today.

All our BBA Teaching Team have the relevant state required child safety checks, are first aid accredited and trained in child safety. 

BBA TEACHING TEAM 2026

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    Lydia Cagney Morris

    Principal/Founder/Cecchetti Ballet/Kinder Dance/Speech & Drama

    A popular and well-loved ballet teacher, examiner and adjudicator Principal Lydia Cagney Morrishas been involved in dance for 45 years. Lydia started her early dance training in the R.A.D Ballet syllabus in Ulverstone, Tasmania. Lydia obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies from Victoria University of Technology in 1993 and is a qualified Licentiate Diploma teacher with Cecchetti Ballet Australia. Lydia has been the state organiser of the Cecchetti Ballet Victoria’s Choreographic Competition since 2003 and is an AMEB PAA Examiner. 

    Lydia also obtained a Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management- CUA50311 with the A.T.O.D- Australian Teachers of Dancing in 2014.

    In addition to her dance teaching work Lydia has worked as an Adjudicator of Dance, Speech and Drama all over Australia and New Zealand for over twenty years. Previously a dance a teacher at the MLC-Methodist Ladies College in Kew Lydia was also a W.A.G (Women’s Artistic Gymnastics) Beginner Coach at Waverley Gymnastics in Melbourne.

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    Ellie Martin

    Tap, Musical Theatre, Acro, Ballet, Tinies

    Ellie Martinis a very talented and popular teacher at Bayside Ballet Academy joining the team in 2021.Ellie has experience in both musical theatre and dance with extensive training in all areas. She trained in the R.A.D syllabus with Jane Moore up to Intermediate level which she obtained in 2009 with Distinction. Ellie also undertook a 2year full time Musical Theatre training with Robert Sturrock and full-time acting course at the Acting Performance Studio graduating in 2018.Ellie has performed in numerous shows with both CLOC and the Beaumaris Theatre Company since 2011. Ellie was also a dancer in both the Starlight Foundations Charity Ball and with Rob Mills at Crown Casino in 2008.

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    Taya Cameron

    Contemporary, Jazz, Acro

    Taya Cameron     is currently in her second year of full-time Performing Arts training at Patrick School of the Arts, while also dancing professionally with the Southeast Melbourne Phoenix NBL team. In 2024, she graduated from full-time dance training at Dance Force in Queensland, where she obtained a Certificate IV in Dance. As part of her training, Taya participated in a national graduation tour, performing in prestigious theatres across Australia. 

    Taya has extensive classical ballet training, completing ACB (Vaganova) Classical Ballet exams from Pre-Primary to Level 5, as well as ATOD Classical Ballet exams from Test 1 through to Advanced level. Throughout her training, she has been involved in programs such as Dance Prescription, SCIMM, PAC, and RISE, in addition to performing in numerous theatre productions. Her stage credits include Annie, Mary Poppins, High School Musical Jr. (as Sharpay), and Frozen Jr. (as Elsa). 

    With over four years of dance teaching experience, Taya is passionate about creating a fun, supportive, and encouraging environment where students can grow in confidence, skill, and artistry.

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    Julie McLean

    Cecchetti Ballet, Pointe

    Julie McLean is a passionate and highly skilled dance teacher with over 30yrs of experience in teaching various styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, pre-pointe and pointe and has a strong background in Cecchetti Ballet and Southern Federation of Dance (ballet, jazz, tap). Julie ran her own dance school for over 22yrs where students gained excellent examination, and competition results across multiple genres and many continued on to full time dance and professional dance and teaching careers. Julie believes in creating a fun, inclusive and supportive environment where students of all levels can explore their creativity, develop their technique and express themselves through the art of ‘DANCE’

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    Madi Jonasz

    Hip-Hop

    Madi Jonasz has been dancing for 17 years and has just completed fulltime studies at Jason Colemans Ministry of Dance in North Melbourne. She has a Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) CUA51520 and is currently studying Dance Teaching and Management CUA40320. Her on stage performances include Dancing with Tones and I at Rod Laver Arena 2024, Dancing at events for The Monash Children’s Hospital 2025, The Victoria Racing club 2025, The Master builder Awards 2024 and The Queensberry Cup 2024. Madi will be teaching Hip-Hop this year at BBA.

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    Catherine Bam

    Ballet, Silver Swans

    Catherine Bam-RAD CBTS started ballet at the age of 3, and completed her RAD exams in Johannesburg, South Africa. She attended the National School of Arts, where she studied Ballet, Contemporary and Spanish dance, as well as Music, Anatomy and History of Ballet. Catherine moved to the UK in 1999 and became a senior member of the GL14 Dance Company, performing many styles on stage, including ballet, tap, hip hop, and contemporary. She moved back to South Africa in 2009, where she completed her RAD CBTS (Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies) qualification. Catherine has been teaching the RAD syllabus since 2010, she has extensive experience in entering candidates into examinations and boasts a 100% pass rate for her students in all levels. Her patience, dedication, professional and caring manner are great assets that she continues to bring to each lesson. In July 2019, Catherine and her family moved to Melbourne, Australia. Since then she has completed her Level 1 Dance Teaching and Level 2 Pointe Intensive with Physio Lisa Howell. In 2025, Catherine obtained her RAD Silver Swans License and is very excited to be teaching both Adult and Kindergarten ballet classes at BBA as part of her continued dedication to bring ballet classes to all ages.