Ashmole Winstanley, Petal: - Petal Ashmole Winstanley was born in Australia in 1946, and left home at the age of 18 to pursue a career in ballet. After working with London Dance Theatre, PACT Ballet and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet she joined Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet under the directorship of Peter Wright in 1975, later promoted to the rank of soloist. Petal retired as a dancer in 1984, and was immediately appointed as Assistant to the Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet-creating her first full-length ballet, 'Snugglepot and Cuddlepie' with the company in 1988. She went on to choreograph several further works, including ballets and divertissements for schools and companies worldwide. In addition to her work in ballet management, Petal has extensive experience in coaching, teaching and producing, which, during the latter part of her career, took her to five continents. She worked in this capacity for most major ballet schools and companies worldwide, including ten years teaching the world's finest young dancers at The Royal Ballet School.