World Class Principal Artist Lisa-Maree Cullum to take the artistic helm at Tanya Pearson Academy in 2024
Sydney, September 2, 2023
Sydney based and world-renowned ballet and dance school, Tanya Pearson Academy (TPA), has today announced the appointment of international ballet star and current Associate Artistic Director of the Bavarian Ballet Academy in Munich, Lisa-Maree Cullum as Artistic Director of the Academy.
Lisa-Maree’s new role as Artistic Director of the TPA will begin in the new year. She will be working with students as a guest teacher again this year from September onwards. As a former student of TPA, she brings with her decades of dancing and teaching experience combined with the expertise of company artistic direction.
Lisa-Maree’s return to Sydney is a homecoming after many years spent overseas as one of the Academy’s most successful alumni, even featuring on TPA’s marketing material for over 20 years. Currently working as the Associate Artistic Director of the Bavarian Ballet Academy in Munich, Lisa-Maree’s career has been largely spent in the UK and Germany, where she is considered one of the most successful Principal Artists of her generation and was awarded the highest honorary title ‘Kammertänzerin’ by the German government for her contribution as a world class artist. Her technique has been described as flawless with exceptional artistry in her performances in all iconic Principal roles. During her career with the English National Ballet, Deutsch Opera in Berlin and Bavarian State Ballet, Lisa-Maree has performed as a guest artist with prestigious international companies around the world.
The appointment as the Artistic Director of TPA marks an exciting next chapter for the Academy, which in 2023 moved to architectural designed, and custom built, state of the art premises under the leadership of owners and Directors, Xanthe Geeves and Gregor Thieler.
Lisa-Maree Cullum is looking forward to her role in preparing and guiding future generations of young artists.
“I am delighted to be joining the TPA family and feel inspired to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of dancers, providing them with the tools and empowerment to follow their artistic vision.” Lisa-Maree Cullum
Lisa-Maree’s appointment presents a wonderful opportunity for the Academy and its students to further continue the legacy of the TPA and its reputation for excellence in Dance Education.
“Lisa is one of TPA’s finest success stories. The training that she received at this very school set her up for an illustrious international career, and her return to where it all began, coupled with her willingness to share her depth of knowledge and experience with the next generation of young dancers, is incredibly exciting for everyone involved.” Gregor Thieler
