She influenced the theatre designer, Kenneth Rowell, and her students that rose to have major careers in dance include Stephen Baynes, Jacqui Carroll, Rosetta Cook, Roma Egan, Lisa Heaven, Josephine Jason, John Nobbs, Paul Saliba and Wendy Walker.
In 1954, she opened her Studio Theatre in a converted church in Adelaide, presenting performances of original ballets.
Between 1959 and 1964, she spearheaded development of Southern Stars, a children's television program screened regularly by Channel 9.
Priest produced the Australian premiere of Britten's Let's Make an Opera (The Little Sweep) at the Palace Theatre, Sydney on 7 September 1951.
Priest also produced Let's Make an Opera for the New South Wales Division of the Arts Council, and Amahl and the Night Visitors for both stage and television.