Our History

The opening of the Gay Wightman School of Ballet marked the introduction to the eastern suburbs of classical ballet based on the finest tradition of training in the acclaimed Russian methods. The school rapidly grew to be one of Melbourne's acknowledged balletic training centers, with unprecedented success as a private dance institution. This success has been maintained for 50 years.

Gay Wightman was Borovansky trained under the tutelage of Xenia Borovansky, Martin Rubinstein, Janina Ciunovas and other prominent teachers during the fifties. She opened her school in the absence of any company activity due to the death of Edouard Borovansky. By the time the Company reformed as the Australian Ballet Company, her school had grown to a very prestigious level and she decided against abandoning her students to further a promising professional career. Gay joined Madam Borovansky in the establishment of the Australian based Borovansky Memorial Australian Academy of Dancing (BMAAD) examination society.

Over the years a large number of our graduate students have auditioned successfully into the Australian Ballet School and Company, many others dance professionally with International companies. Gay Wightman’s daughter Alisa Finney took over as Principal of the school in 1991.

Our Principal: Alisa Finney

  • Alisa Finney is the Principal of the Gay Wightman School of Ballet and the Artistic Director of the Melbourne Ballet Company. She works hard to ensure the future of dance in Australia and uses her knowledge and experience to inspire and teach over 400 students.

  • Qualifications
    • Australian Ballet School Advanced Teachers Diploma – Distinction
    • Advanced Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management – Box Hill TAFE
    • Australian Institute of Classical Dance Licentiate Diploma
    • Borovansky Memorial Australian Academy of Dancing (BMAAD) Advanced Teachers Diploma
    • Certificate in Child Psychology – Australian Ballet School
    • Advanced Certificate in Child Psychology – Australian Ballet School
    • Safe Dance Certificate – Box Hill TAFE
    • VIC FIT Training Certificate
    • Certificate IV in Work Place Training and Assessment
    • Artistic Director of Melbourne Ballet Company
    • Bachelor of Business Administration RMIT
    • Bachelor of Applied Science RMIT