NSW International Ballet Academy - Pymble, New South Wales

Iana Z.

What a wonderful ballet school!
My daughter's been attending the lessons for more than 2 years now, and she's just so happy to go there. Always, when it's a lesson time, she's happy and excited, which is truly precious to see for me as a mum.
The teachers are very professional, and the atmosphere is very friendly, warm and supportive.
During these years I can see the progress in my daughter's abilities to perform. She's motivated and she feels that staff truly cares.
Huge support and many thanks to the administration and teachers, who really cares and do their best to meet the highest standards in teaching.

Shannon J.

From the first day we entered the glass doors, my daughter has felt very happy and at home at the NSW International Ballet Academy. They have been so welcoming and friendly. The teachers are amazing and there are so many opportunities available for the children that love Ballet. Their productions are very impressive and it is clear that the staff are so dedicated to their students. My only regret is that we didn't find you sooner! Thank you very much for providing an incredible Ballet environment for my daughter! Extremely grateful to you all.

Callista P.

My daughter has been attending NSW international since she was 3 and has thrived in their environment. The studios are beautiful and the teachers are all excellent, if you would like your child to be taught ballet correctly this is a wonderful choice of school. My daughter has been offered incredible extension opportunities and it has really helped her to become a beautiful little dancer. Having grown up in the ballet world I wish I had been part of such a wonderful school.

Naz R.

A wonderful ballet school! My daughter loves her classes, and her passion for ballet continues to grow thanks to the dedicated and caring teachers. The warm and nurturing environment makes us feel like we’ve found the perfect dance family.

Elizabeth C.

Ms. Susan and her team do remarkable things for this community and current/future/retired ballerinas. Most of all, my daughter absolutely adores going to this place. NSWIBA isn’t one of those places that qualifies your child’s enrollment based on toilet training or Bloch-approved ballet tights. It’s not a place that offers sensory/parachute play for twinkle toes and a burlesque evening class for adults. This is a proper ballet school that teaches solid technique, respect for one another (regardless of age), and a sense of community belonging. As a parent, you can get involved in making recital costumes and volunteering backstage at the concert if you want to. They take child protection very seriously, and I appreciate that immensely.

Rocio G.

I cannot be happier and so as my daughter. She is 3 years old and she loves her twinkle twinkle class. The whole staff and teachers are very kind and always ready to help at any time.
Thank you very much for everything.

Suren R.

Parent be forewarned!

My 10 year old daughter and 7 year old son commenced ballet lessons twice weekly at NSW International Ballet Academy (formerly known as Conlan College) at the beginning of 2024 upon a recommendation from a friend.

After paying for lessons and purchasing various dance items throughout the year to the amount exceeding over $8000 and then attending 4 weekly rehearsals, my 7 year old son missed the last dress rehearsal the day before the annual ballet concert (held on a Friday @ 4.00pm after school at the Chatswood Concourse) due to a car accident that caused a huge traffic jam that made getting from Hornsby to Chatswood in a timely manner impossible.

When we did make it to the venue my 7 year old son was told he was not able to take part in the concert the following day as he had missed the dress rehearsal. My daughter however was told she can perform as her dress rehearsal was later in the evening and she didn’t miss it.

My little boy was heart broken and out of solidarity, my daughter, despite having a significant role in her item, refused to perform as her little brother would have to miss out and come and sit and watch not only her but his friends performing!

It was absolutely unbelievable that a teacher could break a young students dream to dance and perform for such a trivial thing. After a year of learning a dance routine and attending 4 extra rehearsals every Sunday if NSW IBA is not confident sending their dancers to perform then they have failed. These are children not professional ballet dancers!

Also the excuse they gave that the Concourse did not allow students to perform if they don’t attend the dress rehearsal is a load of crap as three of my children have performed at the Concourse with SXL gymnastics having never attended a dress rehearsal!

My son now says he does not like ballet where as in before he used to love it.

This was our extremely disappointing experience at NSW International Ballet Academy in 2024. We are most disappointed as the writing on the walls in their studio did not reflect their actions and reasoning for not letting my son dance at his concert and does not reflect any of the values we expect from a dance school for children.

We had been at Mosman Dance academy prior to this but since moving the kids to Barker College in Hornsby we were not able to get to Mosman for dance lessons. We had the best experience for over 5 years with MDA and miss their amazing and well organised concerts with minimal fuss and their kind and understanding dance teachers so much!

Suren R.

In response to my previous review,

Thank you for taking ownership of not allowing my son
to perform the following day in the concert as opposed
to the excuse you gave on the day as it being “ Policy of
the Concourse” and that it was out of your hands, which
is clearly not true. We were not 2 ½ hrs late but 60-90
mins late and if your backstage is so dangerous with
props, that is a reflection of your company’s
incompetence at putting on a show. My children have
attended many ballet concerts which have not put them
in such danger or caused such heartache and
disappointment. I would recommend you learn those
skills rather than comment on parental dedication to a 7
year old child’s love for dance. I can’t speak on behalf of
other parents, but I will speak on behalf of my children
who were deeply traumatised by this incident. We can
sign all the forms you give us but we cannot control
situations that are simply out of our control. Surely if you
have done this for long enough you would have
encountered similar circumstances and learnt how to
navigate them with more grace, which you did not.

As for the money we paid you in fees and accessories
required for dance lessons, including ridiculously
expensive shoes (which you charged $150, similar of
which can be bought from Block for half the price!), after
the first term we paid you IN CASH to avoid the
exorbitant credit card charges on your credit card machine!!! I think I can add your bookkeeping skills to
the list of your incompetencies.

Thank you for your reply and in so giving me this
opportunity to tell the whole story! So parent’s know
EXACTLY what to expect and why!