Our History
Who We Are and Where We Came From
Our Founding Members
Paul Hammond
Mabel Pryde
Frances Naylor
The idea of the Ballet Teachers’ Workshop Victoria Incorporated (BTW) was first conceived in February, 1964 when sixteen Melbourne based ballet teachers met to discuss the new syllabus introduced by the Royal Academy of Dancing earlier that year. Having visited a teachers’ workshop in London, Frances Naylor suggested that a workshop be started in Melbourne to provide teachers with a forum to discuss their questions and uncertainties about the new syllabus and to create opportunities for their students to be exposed to the broader world of ballet.
The first organisers of the BTW were Frances Naylor and Mabel Pryde, with Paul Hammond as BTW’s mentor. The first official event was held in early 1964 at the Black Rock Civic Hall when Patricia Blaxland gave a major open class to students from all over Melbourne. A class in the Russian method was given one month later by Sue Patching.
Without funds and without a suitable venue in which to hold large open classes, the organisers were concerned that after such an excellent beginning, the entire workshop would collapse. A tremendous ally was found in Dame Margaret Scott, the Director of The Australian Ballet School, who allowed the workshop to use the Australian Ballet School’s facilities in Albert Street, Melbourne. Classes at that venue were given by a great number of distinguished teachers, including Paul Hammond, Martin Rubinstein, Robina Beard and Tamara Des Fontaine.
The first committee of the Ballet Teachers’ Workshop was formed at a meeting in 1966. The first president was Avril Binzer, the treasurer was Mabel Pryde, and Frances Naylor was appointed as secretary. As the Australian Ballet School had moved studios, the workshop was once again looking for a suitable venue in which to hold open classes. A new venue was found in July 1966, when Paul Hammond opened a studio in the city centre. Masterclasses at that venue were given by Madame Janina Cuinovias, Dame Margaret Scott, Paul Hammond, Paul Gnatt, Dame Peggy Sager, Bert Shaw, Leon Kellaway and Beth Dean, amongst others.
In December 1966, by order from Royal Academy of Dancing the workshop was designated as “The Royal Academy of Dancing Teachers’ Workshop (Victoria).” In 1968, the BTW committee decided to give students performance opportunities in addition to the open master class series and a “Ballet Premiere” performance was put on at the Princess Theatre. Students from all schools auditioned to take part and the performance was a huge success.
Since 1971, the BTW has held annual scholarships for the purpose of encouraging and supporting the development of young Australian dancers, with the exception of 2020, when the awards were cancelled and 2021, when the awards were delivered in an adjusted format owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Paul Hammond OAM
BTW Founding Member
1922-2010
Paul Hammond was a teenager in Sydney when he was inspired to take up dance after seeing Russia's renowned Ballet Russes. In his early 20s, he was the principal soloist in the Kirsova Ballet, Australia's first professional ballet company, and became a principal artist with Melbourne's Borovansky Ballet Company, receiving great acclaim for his role as Carabosse in The Sleeping Beauty. Paul went on to dance with international companies such as Britain's Glyndebourne Opera and, together with Robert Helpmann and Moira Shearer, appeared in Michael Powell's film "The Red Shoes". Between 1964 and 1969, Paul choreographed ballets for ABC Television as well as musicals for the Garnet Carroll organisation.
At 31, Paul started his own school in Little Collins Street and in 1975 began teaching at The Australian Ballet School, where he would continue to teacher for 20 years. Paul also continued his work as dancer and choreographer, working with Channel 9, the Crawford Television School, Luisillo's Spanish Dance Theatre, Nederlands Danse Theatre and Royal New Zealand Ballet Company and School. He taught at international summer schools, becoming a respected examiner and the Victorian organiser for the Royal Academy of Dance.
In retirement, Paul continued to contribute to the arts community, volunteering at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the Victoria Green Room Association, where he received life membership. He also became a life member of the Royal Academy of Dance in 1997 and received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2008, along with an Australian Dance Award for lifetime achievement. BTW patron, David McAllister, was on the panel for both awards and said, "He was my first ballet teacher at The School in 1981...It's wonderful that he's receiving this prestigious honour."
The BTW continues to honour Paul's commitment to the Australian dance and arts community, as well as his role as a founder of the BTW, with the Section E: Paul Hammond Award.
Mabel Pryde
BTW Founding Member
Mabel Pryde was one of the original founders of the BTW and worked as Treasurer for the committee. Her husband, George Pryde, was later President for several years and together they spent many hours supporting the success of the BTW.
She ran her own ballet school in Melbourne and sent students to Paul Hammond's city studio.
We continue to honour Mabel Pryde's contribution to the BTW with the Section F: Mabel Pryde Award.
Frances Naylor
BTW Founding Member
Frances Naylor was one of the original founders of the Ballet Teachers’ Workshop and worked in many positions within the committee over the years.
Of Scottish heritage, Frances immigrated to Australia and became involved in Scottish dancing, first as a student and later teaching it. Her love of ballet won out and, studying the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, she commenced classes at the Black Rock Community Hall. It was here that the first “BTW Open class” was held in 1964, which our past president, Robyn Wilson, was part of. The late Walter Bourke, a student of Paul Hammond’s and later soloist with the Australian Ballet Company, would attend her classes and later, at her request, take classes for her. Frances always sent her most promising students to Paul Hammond’s Ballet School in the city.
Today, we honour Frances’ commitment to the Ballet Teachers’ Workshop with the Section D: Frances Naylor Award.