Our Directors
Dr. Jennifer Podesta
After training with some of Australia’s leading dance teachers, Jennifer completed her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Teacher's Certificate, alongside further studies in Dance History, Child Development and Psychology, and Kinesiology. Her dedication to advancing her knowledge laid the foundation for an extensive career spanning over 40 years as a dance educator. Jennifer has taught children as young as two years old, vocational students, and professional dancers, imparting her passion for dance and nurturing the next generation of artists.
Jennifer firmly believes in the transformative power of dance training to develop the whole person—enhancing physicality, creativity, musicality, self-discipline, and confidence. She also emphasizes the social benefits of collaboration and connection through shared movement experiences. In her career, Jennifer has extended her teaching beyond traditional settings, working with dancers of mixed abilities, children from disadvantaged backgrounds, community groups, outreach programs, and the elderly. More recently, she has found immense joy in working with adults rediscovering or exploring ballet for the first time, celebrating the physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits of dance while embracing the beauty of music and movement.
In addition to her teaching career, Jennifer has been a vital collaborator with Tim Podesta Creative, serving as co-producer and artistic adviser on numerous national and international projects and tours. Her vision and leadership also shaped the Australasian Ballet Challenge, which she convened with great success.
Jennifer’s passion for learning led her back to academia as a mature-age student. She completed a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in English and Sociology at La Trobe University, followed by a PhD at the University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on early childhood development, the sociology of childhood, equality, and social inclusion. She continues to apply her expertise as a faculty member at Charles Sturt University, where her work bridges the worlds of education, sociology, and the arts.
Tim Podesta
Tim Podesta is a versatile artist whose career seamlessly blends artistic finesse with scientific exploration. A soloist dancer upon graduating from the Australian Ballet School, Podesta's journey evolved from interpreting renowned choreographers' works to exploring human movement and physiology, spurred by a persistent knee injury. This transition ignited his passion for choreography and scientific inquiry, culminating in a unique approach that merges artistic expression with clinical myotherapy and exercise science.
Podesta's creative vision has graced stages worldwide through collaborations with esteemed companies such as The Queensland Ballet, The Hong Kong Ballet, Singapore Dance Theatre, Ballet Cymru, and the Covent Garden Dance Company. As the driving force behind Tim Podesta Creative, he has expanded into diverse interdisciplinary projects, including innovative collaborations with Davine and AKIMBO, showcasing his imaginative prowess in film and architectural installations.
Beyond his artistic endeavors, Podesta is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and professional development in the dance community. Initiatives such as the Dis/assemble Dance Project and Dance For Humanity exemplify his commitment to humanitarian efforts and mentorship. As an exercise scientist, Tim Podesta explores innovative approaches to optimising performance and reducing injury risks in dance. His work encompasses the development of evidence-based training methodologies that enhance physical conditioning, support recovery, and promote long-term health for dancers of all levels, from beginners to elite athletes, through his high-performance clinic, Projection Health & High Performance.
In 2025, Podesta’s Honours research will delve into workload management and periodisation in classical ballet. This study addresses the critical balance between managing the physical demands of training and performance and tackling cognitive challenges, such as memory retention and learning complex choreography. With ballet dancers facing intense schedules involving daily technique classes, strength and conditioning, rehearsals, and performances, Podesta's research aims to identify strategies to enhance performance quality while minimising errors and injury risks.
Globally, Podesta’s influence extends through his roles as an educator, competition judge, and motivational speaker. His engagements in 2025 span Australasia, Europe, the United States, and the United Kingdom, reflecting his dedication to excellence in both artistic and scientific realms.