Our Founder

Phyllis Danaher MBE, FRAD (1908-1991)

Phyllis Danaher was a dancer, teacher of dance and choreographer.

Miss Danaher was born in Brisbane. She founded Ballet Theatre Queensland in 1937 and was the first Queensland teacher to gain the Advanced Teacher Certificate from the Royal Academy of Dance.

From 1957 to 1982, Miss Danaher was a children’s examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance. Her contributions were recognised by her designation as Fellow of the Royal Academy of Dance and the award of Member of the British Empire for service to dance in Queensland.

Two of Miss Danaher’s more successful students were Principal Artists with the Australian Ballet, Garth Welch and Lucette Aldous.