Laurel Martyn (1916-2013), is one of Australia’s most revered dance figures. In what she described as a fairy-tale life, winning the Adeline Genée Gold Medal (1935 – the first Australian to do so), her experiences in the early years of the Sadler’s Wells (1935–1938) and Borovansky (1940–1945) companies were a marvellous grounding for her 30 years of directing Ballet Guild (later Ballet Victoria) and its associated school. Her interest in choreography emerged early during her London training years, continued to develop during her years with Borovansky, and flourished in her work with Ballet Guild. She placed great importance on using new works by Australian composers and engaged Australian artists for set and costume designs. Laurel was always concerned with providing comprehensive training for dancers and insisted that a school associated to the company was set up right from the start. This was a thriving concern that branched out into suburban and regional centres and introduced a tertiary Diploma. She promoted dance to the public through a range of innovative programs which included radio, early TV and tours to schools. She was also very concerned about improving the standard of dance teaching, developing a comprehensive system of dance training, and initiating a ground-breaking 2 year diploma for dance teachers.In this webinar, Jane Andrewartha and Dr Michelle Groves will discuss Laurel Martyn’s career and influence both as a dancer, choreographer and ballet teacher educator. The conversation will be accompanied by historical visual resources which will be of interest to balletomanes, dance teachers and dance historians.AimsThe aims of this webinar are to:• To chart Laurel Martyn’s career as a dancer, choreographer, ballet teacher, educator and influencer• To gain knowledge and understanding of Laurel Martyn’s contribution to ballet as training and educationLearning outcomesParticipants will have:• Knowledge and understanding of Laurel Martyn’s career as a dancer, choreographer and teacher• Gained insight into Laurel Martyn’s philosophies, practices and influences as a ballet teacher educator (Laurel Martyn Dance Teaching System (LMDTS), and the relevance of her approaches to the training of today’s dancers.Presenter BiographiesJane AndrewarthaJane Andrewartha is Director for the Movement and Dance Education Centre and Trustee of the Laurel Martyn Foundation. She has Diploma Dance (Teaching and Management), Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Certificate in Safe and Effective Dance Practice Trinity College London. She was a sessional teacher for Box Hill Institute (TAFE; Dip Dance Teaching and Management) 15 years; developed VET training and assessment resources for Australian Dance Institute and Australian College of Dance. For the Laurel Martyn Dance Teaching System (LMDTS), she is the executive, senior teacher and assessor of the LMDTS. Andrewartha is curator of personal memorabilia collection of Lauren Martyn OBE. She has presented at international conferences including the annual IADMS (2012 – 2017), DaCi 2015 and 2018, and RAD 2016 and 2018. Her publications include Dance Is.., a comprehensive manual for dance teachers working in the preparatory years.Dr Michelle GrovesPrior to joining the Royal Academy of Dance Faculty of Education in 2000, Michelle taught extensively as a freelance dance teacher and academic tutor covering a range of areas such as dance technique, Labanotation, movement for actors, child development, motor skill acquisition and practical dance education workshops in compulsory and post compulsory education. In 2016, Michelle was appointed Director of Education, providing strategic vision for dance teacher education, qualifications, continuing professional development and research initiatives related to dance and dance education. Michelle regularly presents at dance and education conferences internationally, and has written several programmes of study for teacher education. Her research interests are in are in learning, teaching and management in higher and professional education as well as professional identity formation of creative arts practitioners and teachers. She was awarded Doctor of Education by University College London, Institute of Education, with her research focusing on the development of professional identities of dance teachers across time, space and practice.