Marie Walton-Mahon OAM

Progressing Ballet Technique

Marie Walton-Mahon OAM stands as a monumental figure in the world of dance, reaching an incredible milestone of fifty years in dance education this year. Her illustrious journey in the realm of dance began as a professional dancer with Les Ballet de Marseille, paving the way for her profound contributions to dance training and pedagogy.

In 1974, she laid the foundation for her own dance school in Newcastle, a cornerstone in her career that signalled the beginning of her remarkable journey as an educator. In 2007, she went on to establish the National College of Dance, further amplifying her influence on the dance community in Australia and beyond.

During her 12 year tenure as an examiner and tutor for the Royal Academy of Dance, she exhibited an unwavering commitment to raising standards in dance education and performance. Her exceptional dedication to the discipline culminated in her being awarded life membership with the Royal Academy of Dance.

A key highlight in her career is the creation of the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) in 2012. PBT is now taught in over 40 countries worldwide, a testament to Marie's foresight, and her innovative and meticulous approach to ballet pedagogy. The PBT focuses on safe dance training, which Marie passionately shares through Certification PBT workshops globally. Notably, the Royal Academy of Dance recognises PBT as an external provider for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, a significant achievement that affirms the effectiveness and quality of Marie's programme.

Marie has also presented her programme on prestigious international platforms such as the En Avant Conference in Toronto, Canada, in 2016, and the Regional Dance America Conference in Phoenix, USA, in 2017. Today, PBT has ten official tutors across the globe, each a testament to Walton-Mahon's commitment to spreading knowledge and elevating standards in ballet training.

Marie is excited to share her expertise with the students at Dance North Academy to assist them with their RAD technique in preparation for their upcoming examinations.