Who are we?

History

Billy Lids Theatre Company opened in 2011 as an extension to the popular Musical Theatre classes taught by Billy-Jo Royle on the Mornington Peninsula. The students of Billy Lids have been involved in many productions within the school and many of our pupils have gone on to perform in amateur musicals, TV commercials and films.

In 2015, Billy-Jo handed the reigns to Annette Precht who aims to continue to foster an environment where children can grow  and learn and be free to use their imagination.

Teaching Faculty

It is with great excitement that I’m stepping into the role as Artistic director at Billy Lids Theatre company for 2015.
 

I'm a fully qualified ballet teacher and have only renewed my qualification recently in 2011 with ATOD (Australian Teachers of Dance). Prior to this my first Teachers Certificate was obtained in 1985 with ‘The Australian Federation of Dance”, as Junior Teacher of Dance syllabus.

In that time I  have instructed in both the Gippsland and Mornington Peninsula regions, including Classical, Jazz, Song and Tap techniques. Drama, song and Dance have played a large role in my life, with participating in both large and small productions.

My experience as wardrobe coordinator and assistant in such productions as “SHINE” at the Palais Theatre 2014, Alice in Wonderland, CATS and Tangled just to name a few..

I look forward to the times ahead with such wonderfully talented youth and I can't wait to hop, skip, sing, dance and pirouette with you all!

Jane has been singing for a very long time performing in choirs, small vocal groups, rock bands and musicals. She has been teaching vocal performance at Billy Lids for the past 3 years. Jane believes that everyone should enjoy learning to sing and have the opportunity to learn skills and technique which will maximise their own individual unique voice. She particularly loves working with children and is a fully qualified early childhood educator as such she has many years experience in teaching children. Jane is also fully qualified in first aid. She is the mother of 4 beautiful children who also love to perform. Jane’s favourite part of teaching children to sing is seeing them grow in ability and confidence and watching them radiate joy as they perform.

Kayla is currently enrolled as a Student at Dwan-A-Dance in Dromana and Transit dance in Kensington, Melbourne.

Kayla is currently working towards her Advanced 1 Cecchetti Classical ballet exam,  completing units 3 and 4 in VCE Dance and her Certificate IV in Dance Management as well as an ATOD ( Australian Teachers of Dance) tap exam. Kayla is currently enrolled in Yr. 11 for 2015 at Padua College in Mornington, where she has been involved in two productions; the Wedding Singer and Little Shop of Horrors.

Kayla had achieved many awards over the years, recently achieving a Highly Commended in her Intermediate Cecchetti Exam and a 34/35 for her Units 1 and 2 VCE Dance solo (Year 11).  Kayla also was awarded the 2014 winner of the Aggregate Trophy for Classical improvisation at the Latrobe Valley Dance Eisteddfod, runner up for Neo-Classical Championship 2014 at the Moe Festival of Dance, winner of the Trophy for Adjudicators Choice for Best Solo at the 2014 Moe Festival of Dance and Adjudicators Encouragement award at the Victorian Cecchetti Choreographic competition in 2014.

Kayla is looking forward to her busy years ahead with her studies, dancing and performing as well as assisting with Billy Lids when required.

Kayla’s future goal is to complete her VCE and then continue to study at Melbourne University in a double degree in Visual Arts/ Drama.

"I am 23 years old and am currently studying nursing at university and would love to go into Pediatrics where I can work with kids. I have been singing since I was a little girl, and have always loved music. The first time I performed was when I was 5 years old for my church and I loved it so much I knew I just had to do more. When I started school at Flinders Christian Community College, I joined the choir as soon as I could. I loved singing in a group with other kids. In grade 4 I began formal singing lessons at the school and in grade 6 I was asked to be the choir captain.
 

When I moved  up to the senior school I continued choir in voices of Flinders, the Chamber choir and Southern Harmony, also making the choir captain in my final year. We sung all over the Peninsula, made CD recordings yearly, and I went on music tour in grade 9 for three weeks up the East Coast. In year 7 I changed singing teachers to Martiene Pavey whom I was with for three years, where I learnt jazz, classical, musical theater and modern repertoire.
 

In year 9 I decided classical and musical theatre were more suited to my voice and I continued my studies with Margaret Brown, where I also continued my AMEB exams, completing up to level 7, with high distinctions. I was also involved with Mrs Brown's female choir Bel Canto for two years.
 

In 2014-2015 I took a break from singing lessons, but at the end of last year resumed my studies. I am currently learning with John Carlo Belotti, who was trained at the London Symposium of Music, and who is a professional opera and classical performer. I am currently focusing on my classical singing. I still continue to regularly perform at church and am involved with the church choir.
 

I love singing and learning different techniques, performing, choral singing, and I love singing in different languages (Italian is my favourite!) I am looking forward to meeting you all and can't wait to sing with you!"

Matthew is currently a 2nd year full time Ballet student at Ballet Theatre Australia, based in South Melbourne, Victoria. Matthew is a student of Leeanne Rutherford and Oleg Timursin, these wonderful teachers support Matthew in his first year of teaching and with their guidance they have enabled Matthew to offer a Full rounded program.

Leeanne Rutherford-Leeanne has had a long and distinguished career in both Australia and abroad. As an internationally acclaimed ballerina

Oleg was born in Bashkirien, Russia and attended the famous Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg We are very excited to welcome Matthew Precht to the teaching staff at Billy Lids we know he will bring a wonderful collection of

Alice Stinchcombe is studying year 10 at Balcombe Grammar School. Alice has been taking private singing lessons since she was 8 and has been taught by Louise Barton, Cal Wardel and Justine Beach. Alice loves Billy Lids Theatre Company and has been attending since she was in Year 3. At Balcombe Grammar, Alice is currently studying VCE Theatre Studies Units 1&2. Alice has been in over 25 musicals and plays. Some of her most recent performances were Millie in Billy Lids Theatre Companies, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Lumiere in Sprout Theatre Companies Beauty and the Beast; and Annie in Panorama Theatre Companies, Annie. Alice loves singing and is super excited about teaching the intermediate vocal class.

Liv Steny is a versatile performer with a strong technical background. Liv is currently studying her second year of full time dance at Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance and through this has worked multiple professional jobs including performing on live television for the Footy Show, representing large corporations such as KIIS fm for the Pride March, providing entertainment for events such as the Victorian Racing Club's Young Members Ball, raising awareness for the Alannah & Madeline Foundation at the MCG, Modelling for White Night Melbourne and Tourism Australia as well as many others. Liv has had experience choreographing for school productions with Flinders Christian Community College and has taught at Billy Lids for 2 years. Liv hopes to pass on her knowledge to her students and offer a safe space for them to find themselves as artists.

Jade has studied dance since the age of 4 at Miss Anita’s School of Dance, now Dwan-A-Dance, and has been an assistant teacher for the past 9 years. She has worked with the younger dancers from kinder through to Grade 3. Most recently, Jade has been in the reception on a Saturday morning at Dwan-A-Dance.

Jade, among other Cecchetti exams, completed her Grade 6 Cecchetti exam in 2012 receiving 97 - Honours, and hasn’t further completed her exams due to an injury. She passed VCE Dance Units 3 and 4 in 2014.

She had a a lead role, as Clara, in the Nutcracker in 2012 at Dwan-A-Dance and enjoys ballet as her preferred genre of dance.

Jade has just completed her year 12 studies at Padua College, whilst planning to go to university, she has decided to have a gap year and broaden her horizons whilst becoming involved in projects within the performing arts community.