Dance Writer Contributors

Ahead In Health Nutrition

Nutrition

Ahead in Health Nutrition and Lifestyle Centre is a unique and innovative nutrition and dietetics practice combining the expertise and experience of two Accredited Practising Dietitians – Liz Beavis and Milena Katz.

We are conveniently located in Randwick and Newtown, in the heart of the Eastern and Inner West Suburbs of Sydney.

http://www.aheadinhealth.com.au

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Kelley Abbey

Chroeographer

For over two decades Kelley Abbey has performed, danced and choreographed for theatre, film and television. A leading lady in musicals like Sweet Charity and FAME – The Musical, Kelley has won as many hearts as awards. Her choreography has been showcased on all levels from television and film to the live stage.

Kelley’s work has been seen on The Logies, MTV Awards, Packed to the Rafters, SYTYCD (AU & US), Boy From Oz, Happy Feet, Grease and FAME. Kelley has worked extensively overseas and has made a name for herself as Australia’s Queen of Dance.

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Stephen Agisilaou

Choreographer

Stephen Agisilaou is an extraordinary choreographer, producer and director who has and continues to forged a career of remarkable distinction. Stephen has earned nationally renowned recognition in his native home of Australia, thanks to his innovative dance productions he conceives and directs through his own company Vertical Shadows Dance Company. His full length dance shows, short films and festival appearances have garnered him the strongest possible praise from mainstream media outlets.

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Olivia Ansell

Performance Director

A graduate of QUT, Olivia Ansell was voted one of VIVID Festival’s Top 100 creative catalysts. A producer, choreographer and versatile artist, she is the Artistic Director of Sydney Comedy Festival’s Sydney Town Hall program, Creative and Co-Executive Producer of the hugely popular immersive theatre show Hidden Sydney, Curator of Kings Bloody Cross for Vivid Ideas, and recently produced large outdoor spectacular HOME,featuringTim Minchin,for the 2016 Perth International Arts Festival.

She has produced and toured dance works across the United Kingdom including Sadler’s Wells, USA, Middle East, Asia, Europe and Australia. Previous appointments include Executive Producer for internationally acclaimed dance company Shaun Parker & Company, Program Director (Dance) for Riverside Theatres, Dance Education Writer for Sydney Opera House,Artistic Director of Short Sweet+Dance.

Choreographic credits include productions for Belvoir Street, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Cracker Comedy Festival, Newtown Theatre, Darlinghurst Theatre, Luna Park Sydney, Somersault Productions, Dreamworld Theme Park, Melbourne Fringe and Sydney Olympic Park Authority’s Kids in the Park. Performance credits include Opera Australia, Fox Studios Australia,The Glynn Nicholas Group,The Comedy Store, Disney Australia,ABCTV, Foxtel, Baz Luhrmann’s Bazmark, Imac Productions, Entertainment Alliance, Opera Queensland, P&O, Grayboy Entertainment, Marcia Hines, K.D. Lang,William A Forsythe and (MEI-Live).

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Mia Ballenden

Dietician

Accredited Practising Dietician and the founder of Body Fusion, Mia Ballenden specialises in advising dancers and performers. A career as a professional ballet dancer in Europe and a lifetime’s enjoyment of food has formed the basis of Mia’s dietetics career.

Mia completed her Bachelor of Science (Nutrition) and went onto complete first class Honours in dietetics from The University of Sydney. In addition to this Mia holds her Certificate 3 in Gym Instruction, her Associate in Classical Ballet and is a qualified Pilates instructor.

Today, Mia continues to develop her skills with particular interest in weight management, sports dietetics, diabetes, eating disorders and working with dancers.

Mia’s interest in working with dancers had lead to her delivering lectures to dance schools on the “Nutrition edge”, writing and consulting to many professional and pre-professional dancers.

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Ryan Daniel Beck

Dancer

Ryan Daniel Beck has done commercial dance work for ESPN, MTV, Fuse TV, Mini Cooper, Givenchy, Microsoft, FedEx, and Sandals Resort, and appeared in a series of Mercedes Benz commercials in Frankfurt, Germany. Recently, he danced for the Samsung Times Square 3D Launch with the Black Eyed Peas, and Beyonce’s C&A Campaign. He has performed in the Danny Ezralow touring show “WHY” in Italy and Israel, and can be seen in the film, “Step Up 3D”(with Rhapsody and Jamal Sims). He was an ensemble dancer with Disney’s Tarzan, “Dangerous Beauty” with Benoit Swan Pouffer, and danced back-up for Hard Rock Live Tour and choreographed Mila Jam’s video “And The Crowd Goes”, featuring Travis Wall of SYTYCD. Ryan has choreographed for Central Florida Ballet and Ballet South of Orlando under the direction of Russell Sultzbach of Joffrey Ballet. He has worked for Choreographers Ball in Los Angeles and NYC, and done industrials in Miami, Las Vegas, Paris, New York and Atlanta. He danced with the Disney Corp for two years in Tokyo. He completed a tour of Spain with MOMIX Dance Company, and has developed projects for MTV. His choreography can be seen in Voyage De La Vie, in Singapore, and has casted shows for Universal Studios. This summer he collaborated with Fernando Suels Mendoza, of Pina Bausch Company, to present at the Ancona Dance Festival. He has taught internationally and worked with students at BDC and Capezio Peridance(NYC) Histon Ballet(Vasto, Italy), The Village(Sydney, Australia), O-School(Singapore), Studio B(Tel Aviv, Israel), La Luna Dance Center(Ancona, Italy) and Castro Dance(Vigo, Spain).

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Emma Bell

Beautiful Business Enterprises

Emma Franklin Bell is an author, artist and entrepreneur. Emma is the founder of online academy – The Beautiful Business Academy (The BBA).

Emma is the host of podcast show The Creativity Conversation, a weekly show that invites us to explore ideas, imagination and insights that can help us enhance and enrich our creativity. Your creativity brings your business alive and not only helps develop Business Mastery but create Business Artistry.

Emma was the co-host of popular podcast show – The Ladies Lounge Podcast which releases a weekly show featuring entrepreneurial guests. Featured guests include Mark Bouris, Andrew Morello, Tom Panos, Lisa Messenger and Ali Brown.

Emma spent 20 years in the performing arts industry predominantly classical ballet where she became an expert and mentor on strategic business building after creating and building – Fairy Footsteps Ballet – a dance and drama program for 3-6year olds. Within its first 3 months of opening it had 3 venues, 2 teachers and hundreds of students going through the program.

Emma is the Author of ‘Your Beautiful Business’ and ‘How to Run a Preschool Dance Studio’ which sells globally every week.

Emma has been featured on The Mark Bouris Show, Unlimited Influence Podcast, Transform Your Studio Podcast, Life Lessons TV, Women, Leadership & Work with Megan Dalla-Camina and Leadership HQ Magazine.

LINKS
www.yourbeautifulbusinessbook.com (Free Book for YOU)

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Jo Bolden

Performer and Choreographer

It wasn’t until after completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree (English & French) and a year as an Entertainer at Wonderland Sydney that Jo launched herself into the full-time world of the Performing Arts and Entertainment Industry.

As a performer, teacher and choreographer Jo Bolden has a wide variety of experience. As a dancer this experience has included performances such as the Footy Show Grand Final Edition, Leo Sayer at Australian Fashion Week ‘One Teaspoon appearance (Dancer), Guy Sebastian ARIA Awards, The Mask 2’ Feature Film (Dancer), NRL Grand Final Meatloaf (Dancer), work with International Illusionists Tony Laffan and Sam Powers and corporate entertainment for Popset, JFoxx, Mitsubishi, Guerlain, Goldwell among others in styles ranging from hip hop and street jazz to cabaret, jazz, lyrical and contemporary.

She has been called upon to choreograph for the Miss Chinese Australia Pageant (Star City), General Motors, Shanghai Tourism Festival Australian Student Team EDA, Tianjin International Children’s Festival (CHINA ‘Australian Representatives’ EDA), Schwarzkopf, the NRL – Sharks (1000+ dancers), the British Dancing Association, Australian recording artists, club shows and more. Jo’s teaching of Jazz, Funk, and Lyrical/ Contemporary extends beyond Sydney and has seen her travel both interstate and overseas as a guest at various studios and workshops.

Website: jobolden.com
Blog: Website: www.thosewhodance.com

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Kane Bonke

Dancer

A seasoned performer in all areas of dance, a writer and a personal trainer sums up Kane Bonke, DanceLife’s ‘Body Stylist’. Since his early teens Kane has been an active member of the entertainment industry here in Australia and overseas. He has performed in Australia, Asia, London and Europe in a number of musicals including “Hot Shoe Shuffle”, “Fame”, “Footloose”, “Crazy For You” and “Oh What a Night”. Kane was also honoured to be a dancing black and white penguin in the Oscar winning feature film “Happy Feet” which went on to have international success. Performing at Wembley Stadium in London in front of sold out stadiums for UK artist Will Young was a highlight in Kane’s Career. Kane has worked with a number of amazing artists including Jade McRae, Ricki Lee, Marcia Hines, Deni Hines, Olivia Newton John, Cyndi Lauper and Vanessa Amorosi.

Most recently Kane appeared in “Australia’s Next Top Model” as a dance expert. After years of surviving in a body conscious world that is the entertainment industry Kane decided he wanted to know more about the human body then just what muscles looked good for work and were hurting after class. Kane is now a qualified Body Stylist where he can incorporate his love of dance, fitness and writing.

Kane will be answering your questions about all things health and nutrition. Once a month Kane will also write a feature article on a particular health topic.

https://www.kanebonke.com/

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Peta Carige

Dietitian

Functional Food Solutions is owned by respected Sports Dietitian, Peta Carige. Functional Food Solutions Dietitians are vastly experienced and motivated Accredited Practising Dietitian’s (APD) and Accredited Sports Dietitians (AccSD). With clinics located in Sydney and Newcastle, our dietitians are available for individual consults and cater to everyone from those with chronic diseases to elite athletes.

Every team member of Functional Food Solutions is accredited by the Dietetics Association of Australia (DAA) to provide safe client specific diet and general physical activity advice. Additionally, each expert practitioner has further completed higher levels of education to guarantee exceptional services in their specialty areas.

http://www.functionalfoodsolutions.com.au/

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Alexandra Chambers

Performer

Alexandra has been a performer since she was a child, beginning to dance at the age of six. Since then her love for the performing arts has bloomed and now she is the proud graduate of the Bachelor of Theatre Studies course at the University of New England, Armidale. Since returning home to Sydney she completed the Advanced Audition Technique course with Queenie van de Zandt and is now beginning the huge leap into the professional performing arts industry.

Alexandra’s passion is for Musical Theatre, and has seen practically every musical performed in Australia in her lifetime. The magic of the theatre and the world a musical can create is something that has enchanted the mind of a child and captured the heart of an adult.

Alexandra is extremely excited to be a part of the DanceLife family in 2011.

https://www.alexandrachambers.net/

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PJ Clarke

Agent and Consultant

With a career spanning 25 years in the entertainment industry as a consultant, performer, choreographer, model and agent, PJ has long been established as one of the most sought after entertainment industry personalities in Australia. PJ has a reputation for excellence and is a key industry figure, with expertise across the whole of the entertainment industry. Throughout his career, PJ has worked with event teams, advertising agencies, fashion stylists and choreographers at the forefront of their respective fields. His artistic flair and attention to detail ensure that each project he is involved in / contributes to is a resounding success.

In 2007 PJ launched Jeep management which offers a range of entertainment consultancy services, including specialist casting and entertainment consultancy, both nationally and internationally. In 2008, PJ established ‘Electric Safari,’ a unique educational experience for young performers looking to launch their career in the entertainment industry.

http://jeepmanagement.com

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Heather Clements

Marketing and Communications

Heather is a successful survivor of 70s & 80s dance training where lycra was a dream and leg warmers and lambs wool ruled.

She has now progressed from failed dance mum to an enthusiastic champion of the Australian dance industry. Prior to all this fun, creative, dance stuff; Heather worked as a very serious marketing & communication manager in corporate and nonprofit arenas. Now, she is happier 🙂

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Alisha Coon

Dancer

Originally from country NSW and the Central Coast, Alisha Coon has enjoyed an incredible ten year career as a professional dancer both in Europe, the US and at home in Australia. Having recently hung up her pointe shoes, Alisha has channeled her love and energy for dance into her new venture – Sound of Moves: Creative and Expressive Arts – where she delivers dance movement therapy.

https://www.selfsavvi.com/

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Natasha Crane

Creative Director and Choreographer

Natasha Crane is an international choreographer and performer who is based in Sydney Australia.

Natasha has a diploma in performing arts and a wide range of experience to draw from.

As a performer she was a dancer in the film “Happy Feet 2” working with US choreographer Wade Robson for Kennedy Miller Productions. She has made numerous TV appearances on shows including “X Factor”, “Helpmann Awards”, “NRL” and “Lord Mayors NYE Broadcast”. As well as appearing in TVC’s for “Farmer Wants A Wife”, “Axe Deoderant” & “The Singing Office”. She has performed alongside international and Australian artists such as Redfoo, Jessie J, Nikki Webster, Tony Campbell & Wayne Scott Kermond. She has also worked as a line captain for Princess Cruises and as an ensemble member in the musical “Candyman”. She has danced at many events such as hair expo for Redken & the opening of the “Star Casino” under creative direction of the Squared Division.

http://www.natashacranecreations.com

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Christine Denny

Tap Dancer & Choreographer

Christine Denny is the creator and director of TAPATAK OZ – the tap dance syllabus that launched in 2008. Since then, the syllabus has gained a reputation as being modern, technically challenging, fun to work with and relevant to today’s tap scene. TAPATAK OZ is giving its students and teachers an edge in training and development that is in step with industry needs and trends, and as such it is now in use all over Australia, as well as overseas, with examinations starting in 2011!

www.tapatakoz.com.au

For the past 20 years Christine has been a well known and respected figure in Sydney’s tap scene, being invited to teach at many leading dance schools, as well as teaching master classes and setting choreography all over Australia. As an adjudicator she has worked extensively in areas including – Bundaberg, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Launceston, Grafton, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns, Leeton, Nowra, Sydney Bunbury, Redcliffe, Wyong and Devonport!

Christine is also a columnist for Dance Train Magazine with her regular feature TAP TALK, and can be seen interviewing people from all sides of the theatrical fence right here on the DanceLife website in her series ON THE COUCH WITH CHRISTINE.

http://www.tapatak-oz.com/

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Chris Duncan

Director of DanceLife Australia

Chris has been involved in the Dance and Performing Arts Industry for a lifetime. From successful beginnings as a Teacher/Studio Director of Dance, Chris has transitioned to the roles of Agent, Manager, Adjudicator and Producer of Dance related media and competitions. Chris currently represents some of Australia’s top Dance Celebrities and also manages her boutique agency for talented Children and Adults.

Chris regularly co-ordinates nation-wide workshops for studios with Australia’s top Choreographers and annually ‘imports’ US Celebrity Choreographers such as Michael Schwandt, Adam Parson, Malaya and more.

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Cimone Grayson

Agent

In 1996 Cimone abandoned her studies in Music Business Management, left Sydney and moved to England with no plan whatsoever. As fate would have it she stumbled upon a career in the entertainment industry and spent nine years working alongside prominent UK Director and Choreographer Arlene Phillips OBE. Working with some of the brightest and best West End and Broadway stars Cimone was fortunate to work on musicals including We Will Rock You, The Sound of Music, Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever and Grease as well as involvement in TV shows Strictly Come Dancing, DanceX, Royal Variety Show, Britannia High and theatre events include Midsummer Classics at the Royal Albert Hall, Black Goes with Everything, Bratz Arena Tour and many more.

With strong UK entertainment industry experience behind her Cimone (through her agency Grayson Management) now proudly represents 25 actors, singers, dancers and choreographers across all aspects of the entertainment industry.

http://www.graysonmanagement.com/

Rebecca Grennan

Performer and Singer

Rebecca is an established Australian performer with over 16 years of professional experience in musical theatre, commercial dance, voice-overs, cabaret and film and television. She is also an accredited coach working to build esteem and courage in creative professionals.

She has a Diploma in Dance, a Certificate in Performing Arts, her ARAD as well as Trinity College of London Acting accreditation.

She also has over 15 years teaching experience at well-known studios such as Brent Street Studios, Sydney and Mad Dance House, Brisbane. Her skill set covers singing, acting, dance and choreography as well as The Business of Show Biz.

Her very popular Children’s Audition Technique Workshops have travelled across Queensland with many graduates having great success landing roles in Strictly Ballroom, Matilda, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Annie.

As well, she is the author of the online program So Your Kid Wants to Be A Star! A Guide Book program for Parents of Young Performers, which is endorsed by X Factor judge, Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

Performing career highlights include Hugh Jackman’s The Boy From Oz Arena National tour, Happy Feet the Movie, Grease the Arena Spectacular, Shout! The Legend of the Wild One and numerous musical theatre performances for Melbourne’s The Production Company. She has danced with Opera Australia and sung as the lead vocalist for Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines as well as being their vocal captain. Concert credits include Hats Off, The Helpmann Awards (O2 Channel) and Voices of Vice (Qld Cabaret Festival).

Rebecca has written and performed her 2nd one-woman show at the Queensland Cabaret Festival alongside some of Australia’s most prestigious performers. Her first solo show Half Full was performed at the Brisbane Cabaret Festival and independently at Bar Me in Sydney.

2014 saw her employed as the rehearsal actor for the Brisbane season of the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and has been featured in ad campaig

www.rebeccagrennan.com

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Sally Harrison

Dancer

Sally was born and educated in the United Kingdom where she began her career as a professional dancer which she pursued for over seven years, dancing in venues and companies all over the world, most notably in the UK, Europe and the US.

Sally remains passionate about dance and now shares her continued love of this art form within her physiotherapy and exercise training. Sally takes an holistic, total body approach to injury prevention and treatment, allowing her to work with dancers and athletes alike at a level which helps them to achieve and maintain their greatest potential.

Sally is also a qualified Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor and Health and Lifestyle Coach and maintains a keen interest in rehabilitative exercise training and health coaching. Outside of PerfectFormPhysiotherapy Sally manages ‘Pro-align’, a company dedicated to exercise rehab and functional Pilates. She continues to dance regularly and perform in the Sydney Cuban Salsa scene.

https://www.pro-align.com.au/

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Debbie Hatumale

Dancer & Social Media Manager

Debbie is a Hip Hop and Street dancer with over 20 years’ experience. When she’s not perfecting her arm wave, moonwalk or top rock, she’s baking cupcakes or trawling travel blogs for her next adventure.

She started dance at her local youth centre when she was 8 years old, learning contemporary, jazz, ballet and tap. Though, she got bored, and finished up high school. After a long break from dance, a friend took her to a casual Hip Hop class during uni – and she was hooked.

Her teaching experience includes teaching professionals-in-training in their Certificate IV in Performing Arts as well as a dance lecturer at Macquarie University’s Bachelor of Creative Arts. She is also the winner of UNSW’s D2MG Level 6 All Style Freestyle Battle, as well as a semi-finalist at Dancekool’s Volume 23 All Style Battle. She also won a scholarship to study under an elite dance faculty at Utopian Dance Festival. She was also the event manager for Groove National Hip Hop Competition, which had a cast of over 200 dancers and coverage in mX newspaper and sponsorship by red Bull and the Sydney Kings National Basketball team.

While she currently works full time in digital marketing, she always finds herself grooving away in her own little dance world – whether it’s on the bus, in a board meeting or at home in the dance studio.

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Kate Histon

Career Coach and Motivator

Kate Histon is a leading expert on Performance Enhancement for dancers, entertainers and arts educators. An ex professional dancer, dance adjudicator, certified R.A.D trainer and successful dance school owner for over 10 years; Kate is dedicated to educating the aspiring dancer on developing the psychological components of success.

Kate is an international cognitive human behaviour facilitator of the Demartini Method® and Neuro Linguistic Programming – Neuro Semantics practitioner. She has worked throughout Australia and New Zealand as a Senior Certified facilitator with the Demartini Institute, Global 1 Training and Pushworth Entertainment Agency. Kate also Co-Founded the Concourse of the Earth in 2008, a global community dedicated to facilitating conflict resolution and personal and professional excellence in the arts and corporate worlds.

Kate has been a huge contributor to formalising the dance culture in Byron Bay, Australia. Kate established her school Byron Dance Dynamics (www.byrondancedynamics.com.au) in 2000 and has seen many of her students create professional careers in dance. For more information about Kate’s services visit www.KateHiston.com

http://elevatedynamics.com.au

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Chris Horsey

Performer and Choreographer

Most recently Chris played Lank Hawkins in Crazy For You (The Production Company). Christopher Horsey is the winner of the Fred Astaire International Tap and Jazz Championship (Waldorf Astoria, NYC). He has performed in The Frank Sinatra Concert (Sanctuary Cove), and alongside Stevie Wonder in Quincy Jones, 50 Years In The Business. Original cast 42nd St (Helen Montagu Productions), Chicago – The Musical (IMG) and Singin’ In The Rain (DAE/IMG) and played the role of Big Deal in West Side Story (VSO/IMG), Chris also created the role of Tip for Hot Shoe Shuffle (Australia, UK, Japan & NZ) and was a guest artist at The Olivier Awards at The London Palladium. As a founding member of Tap Dogs, his performance at Union Square Theatre, New York earned him a Village Voice OBIE Award. Last year Chris returned to 42nd St for The Production Co, this time playing the role of Andy Lee.

https://www.christopherhorsey.com

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Leah Howard

Performer

Leah Howard is one of the best known faces of dance in Australia. She has studied every style of dance since she was a child, after being adopted by the Howard family who owned Brent Street dance studios.

Performance credits include Mary Poppins, Avenue Q, Hair, Fame, Tap Dogs and the Aria Awards. Leah has worked with Macy Gray, Olivia Newton John, Cyndi Lauper, Kylie Minogue plus many others and is also the choreographer for the children’s hit TV program Hi-5.

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Tia Jordan

Choreographer

In 1997 Tia Jordan co-founded Oz Showbiz Cares/ Equity fights AIDS which has now raised over $1 million for people living with AIDS and HIV.

Tia’s credits include Anita in the West Side Story reunion segment for Hat’s Off Concert 2009, Go-To-Hell Kitty in Chicago the Musical, Lulu in Cabaret, Teresita and Asst Choreographer in West Side Story, My Fair Lady, IMG’s Cinderella and Aladdin, Sesame Street Live, Rasputin the Musical and a Royal Gala Performance.

Tia’s 2009 choreography for AIM’s production of Dusty the Musical was “spot on” according to Sydney Central Magazine, and is seen on TV, music videos, and stages worldwide. Her clients include Justine Clarke, Delta Goodrem, Danielle Spencer-Crowe, Toni Pearon, Deni Hines, Halls Vapourdrops USA, Coca Cola Japan, The Australian Youth Media Awards, IBM, and SONY BMG artists. Her writing and direction has helped create MO Award and ACE Award winning cabaret acts.

Tia specialises in Audition Technique, Jazz & Lyrical Dance, Movement for Actors, and Musical Theatre. She founded www.auditionguru.com where resources are available for the use of professionals, developing performers, and educators.

http://www.tiajordan.com.au

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Katie Kermond

Director and Choreographer

Katie Kermond has had a noteworthy career in Australian Musical Theatre.

Her first major productions were West Side Story and Camelot followed by La Cage Aux Follies, Guys and Dolls, Evita and Sugar Babies. Her comprehensive dance and comic skills have kept her in demand going on to appear as Cha Cha in Grease, a national tour of Jerry’s Girls , Chicago and Singing’ in the Rain.

Creatively Katie has written and performed her own stand-up comedy, appearing regularly at Sydney’s Comedy Store, as well as the Women’s Comedy Festival at The Belvoir St Theatre, and the Standouts season at The Melbourne Comedy Festival.

Over the last 8 years Katie has produced Entertainment for a number of major Corporate Events including the Singapore Business Awards, World Energy Congress and Amway China.

She is married to Wayne Scott Kermond (who she met in her first show – West Side Story) and they have a son Alexander.

https://www.kermondcreative.com.au/

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Elizabeth Kerr

Choreographer

Elizabeth Kerr has choreographed world wide and now resides in Victoria. She specialises in Contemporary, Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre. She is FATD trained and is a qualified teacher in all FATD disciplines of Ballet, Tap and Modern. During her 12 yrs as a professional artist she has travelled far and wide with her work. In 2002 she was commissioned for a contemporary dance piece in Ontario Canada and has been back twice since, working in the Funk and Hip Hop sector. While in Canada, Elizabeth was also a freelance teacher at The National Ballet School of Canada’s teacher training program. In 2004, Elizabeth worked in England teaching A level dance and was a freelance choreographer within the Swindon Teachers Network of Swindon Dance. Elizabeth is currently a VCE and VET teacher and loves the opportunity to work with upcoming artists.

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Joel Peisley

Dancer and Choreographer

Joel brings over 15 years of professional entertainment industry experience to DanceLife. His training took place in Sydney and in L.A. at the Edge Performing Arts Centre. Joel’s choreography and performance credits span the commercial dance gamut – television, music video, award shows, commercials, fashion parades and concert tours.

Joel has entertained heads of state and royalty, and performed alongside a diverse array of artists including Christine Anu, INXS, Rhonda Burchmore, Chris Isaak, Human Nature, Jane Scali, DJ Nino Brown, Jimmy Barnes, Paulini, Peter Cousens, Shauna Jensen, Nathan Foley, Screaming Jets, Danielle Gaha, Marcia Hines, Margaret Urlich and Michael Cormick..

Furthering his inroads into to all areas of the entertainment industry, Joel is also a columnist for DANCEtrain magazine and entertainment reporter for POPrepublic.tv. He has also been an MTV presenter and served as a member of the voting academy for the prestigious American Choreography Awards and the B.E.T. Awards.

For more info, log on to www.joelpeisley.com

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Dale Pope

Dancer and Choreographer

The choreographer: Dale is choreographer to Bindi Irwin, choreographing Bindi and the Crocmen DVD #1 and #2, several Bindi video clips and most recently Bindi and the Jungle Girls. Dale also choreographs for Australian Girls Choir (of Qantas Ad fame) and has toured internationally 3 times with them with her work being seen in Paris, London, Rome, Prague and at the Sydney Opera House too.

The teacher: Dale’s #1 passion is teaching with a special love of all things contemporary and lyrical. A senior teacher at Sydney Dance Company Open Classes, teacher of several full time courses throughout Sydney including Ikin, ED5 and AIBA, previously taught at University of NSW and contributed to the teaching syllabus for TAFE.

The performer: Dale has had a ball of a career performing! From entertaining royalty such as Queen Elizabeth, Prince Edward and the King and Queen of Sweden to most recently featuring in the movie Mao’s Last Dancer. From cruise ships to launches, tv commercials to youtube clips, it’s been a ball.

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Callum Mansfield

Choreographer and Director

After years of dance and musical theatre experience, Callum is beginning to be recognised as one of Queensland’s leading Musical Theatre choreographers.

Working as the choreographers assistant for the Australian Touring production of Disney’s MARY POPPINS, is just one of Callum’s experiences with Musical Theatre dance. He has also choreographed for many productions including JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, CATS, CHILDREN OF EDEN, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 1, THE BEST OF BROADWAY and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.

Although Callum loves the Melbourne and Sydney, he is proud to be representing Queensland and their dance and musical theatre talent.

https://www.callummansfield.com.au/

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Clint Salter

Dance Business Entrepreneur

At just 25 years old, Clint Salter has already established two successful businesses around his life-long passion for dance.

The first venture was a Sydney dance studio that he opened while still at high school, and continued to operate for five years.

The other business is an online and offline brand that not only promotes, but brings together the Australian dance and performing arts community – DanceLife.

http://www.dancestudioownersassociation.com

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Wayne Scott Kermond

Musical Theatre Performer

Show business is in Wayne Scott Kermond’s blood. Being “born in a trunk” he is the fourth generation performer of the Kermond family.
At the age of eleven Wayne was introduced to Musical Theatre when Betty Pounder cast him as a Tap dancing sailor in Gypsy at Sydney’s Her Majesty’s Theatre with Gloria Dawn and Toni Lamond.

Wayne then kick started his career by co-starring in the musical Barnum – playing the part of the smallest man in the world, Tom Thumb. He went on to perform in Westside Story.

He was cast as a principle motion capture performer on the feature film Happy Feet playing the roles of Love Lace and Memphis – Wayne was the movement to Robin Williams voice.

Most recently Wayne played the role of Benny Southstreet in the Melbourne and Sydney seasons of Guys & Dolls.

Wayne’s greatest love is performing live. His recent success is the new Australian Musical Cabaret “Candy Man”.

For more info about Wayne go to www.waynescottkermond.com.au

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Tina Sparks

Performer and Dancer

Tina Sparks is a teacher, performer, adjudicator and has over 26 years experience in the industry.

Her former students have gone on to be excepted in many prestigious schools and companies. Tina’s qualifications extend from Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical and R.A.D classical training as well as F.A.T.D, A.T.O.D & GWT to musical theatre, Singing,acrobatics and stunts.

In 2001 she graduated from Brent Street Studios and from there went on to perform in Berlin, America and eventually settling down on the Gold Coast.

Many would not know Tina is qualified in areas such as Personal Training, Sports Medicine, Beauty Therapy and Make up artistry leading to her own personal line of make up created just for dancers called Stand Out Cosmetics -On Stage & Off- where she conducts workshops nationally and internationally for studios assisting dancers with correct application for the stage, castings, auditions & more.

Tina adjudicates Australia wide for dance Eisteddfods and also the QLD high school Rock Challenge. She travels extensively to assist schools in regards to choreography and performance skills & is also an author and writes for Australian and New Zealand dance magazines as well as on line dance sites providing up to date information for the dance community.

Tina encourages everyone to find their passion in life and enjoys being part of the wonderful world of Dance.

& remember…. Don’t blend in, STAND OUT!

http://www.sparksdc.com.au/

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Chimene Steele-Prior

Choreographer and Teacher

Chimene is a Melbourne based Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher. Unable to contain all her energy as a six year old, she was sent to ballet class and thus a life-long love affair began. She trained at the New Zealand School of Dance (Diploma of Dance Performance) and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Bachelor or Performing Arts (DANCE)). Chimene has worked as an independent dancer throughout Australia and performed regularly with Opera Australia since 2011. She has been the recipient of numerous choreographic residencies and her last full-length work was nominated for a Green Room Award in 2015.

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Emma Taylor

Dancer, Coaching, Pilates

Emma completed her Bachelor of Creative Industries (Dance) at QUT in 2008, and a Graduate Certificate in Creative Production and Arts Management in 2010, also at QUT. While studying, Emma also worked with Opera Queensland (including Graeme Murphy’s Turandot, and Hansel and Gretel), Zeta Dance Group, and Violently Purple. She has choreographed, performed and toured her own works, including “…2pm on a Cloudy Day” for the Adelaide Fringe Festival (2010), and “Unspoken” for Melbourne’s VerveLab (2007). In 2009, Emma spent three months exploring her art-form in Europe, particularly at the Impulstanz Festival, where she trained with a variety of internationally esteemed teachers. In 2010, Emma completed her Advanced Pilates Matwork Instruction certification through Studio Pilates. As well as continuing to create independent dance pieces, Emma currently works with OutCast Opera, as dancer and dance captain.

https://emmataylordance.weebly.com/

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Stefanie Turner

Performer and Dancer

Stefanie De Castro is a musical theatre performer, commercial dancer, dance teacher and personal trainer.

Stefanie’s passion for dance began at the age of four, and growing up she studied all styles of dance in particular the Cecchetti ballet syllabus, and full-time commercial dance training under Robert Sturrock. Stefanie has performed in circus shows in Brazil and Europe and continues to work as a professional dancer, regularly performing in many corporate, TV, and fashion events. She is currently performing in the Australian Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as well as running her own Personal Training Business.

Stefanie is passionate not only about dance and music, but also about health and fitness, and in different training methods to enhance dance training.

www.performancepilatesandyoga.com
www.movewithstef.com

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Juliette Verne

Choreographer and Mentor

Juliette is the choreographer to stars currently one of the main choreographers of “So You Think You Can Dance” Australia and has performed alongside Elton John, Liza Minelli, Rod Stewart, Vanessa Williams, Freedom Williams. She was trained in New York by leading dance companies Alvin Ailey School of Dance, Steps and Broadway Dance Centre.

Juliette is the creator and founder and director of JFOXX Entertainment and Urban Dance Centre.

Juliette has choreographed for artists such as Guy Sebastian, Shakaya, Chingy, Fox Fire lV and Deni Hines. Juliette has performed with Australian artists John English, Danni Minogue, Vanessa Amorosi and Kylie Minogue.

Other performance credits include: The Lion King, Moulin Rouge, Radio City Music Hall Rockette, Knicks Cheerleader, Grease Arena Spectacular, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and Starlight Express.

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Paul White

Dancer and Choreographer

Australian born Paul White, one of Australia’s highly regarded and awarded dance artists has been living in Germany since 2011. Until 2017, he was employed by Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, as the first dancer to join the company after Bausch’s death. Paul only appears now as a guest in Bausch’s works and has returned to life as a freelance artist.

https://paulwhite.com

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Jason Winters

Director and Choreographer

Official page for Jason Winters; Contemporary Artist, Creator, Director and Choreographer.

Jason Winters works, projects and business, including The Movement Experience, The Jason Winters Contemporary Syllabus, Guest Teacher appearances and workshops.

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Jeff Withers

Connection & Engagement

Jeff has combined nearly twenty years of performing experience – in the music industry and more recently in the world of dance – with his expertise in management psychology and neuro linguistic programming to assist performers across all genres in reaching their potential. Having experienced firsthand the pressures of “delivering your best on stage”, Jeff is well aware of the pressures that exist behind the scenes. Having the talent to succeed is only the first step along the path to the top.

Developing the mental and emotional strength to grow and mould that talent, whilst addressing the “hidden roadblocks” that so many of us face in seeking to perform at our highest level, is the focus of Jeff’s work.

He also works one on one with individual performers, and loves to work closely with dance teachers and coaches to bring a blended approach to performance development and management.

For more information, log into www.redriverjourney.com.au

https://www.dreaus.com/

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Amanda Woodbine

Dancer, Singer, Actor

Amanda Woodbine is a versatile dancer/singer/actor and is trained in RAD Ballet, ADTS & CDA Jazz and Glenn Wood and BDA tap. She is also highly trained in Musical Theatre, Contemporary and Lyrical.

Amanda is a highly skilled performer whose high level of professionalism and attention to detail is an asset to anyone she works with.

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Kate Wormald

Dancer

With 15 years of professional dancing experience under her belt, Kate’s experience is wide and varied. You may recognise Kate, she was placed 3rd in the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Australia.

Kate’s experience also extends to London, where she performed with the likes of Jamelia, Charlotte Church, Will Young and Atomic Kitten. Back home, she has performed in musical theatre including “Fame” (her first big show), “Footloose” and “Oh What a Night”, as well as corporate gigs, film clips and film work. Kate has performed on television many times, including the Logies, Video Hits and at the Domain’s Carols by Candlelight, to name just a few.

She is no stranger to entertaining massive crowds either, having performed to 80,000 people at the opening of the State of Origin 4 years ago in Sydney for “Saturday Night Fever”, and to a TV audience of 13 million on the UK’s The X Factor.

http://www.katewormald.com.au/

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Maryann Wright

Journalist

Maryann Wright has a BA in Media and Communications, Performance Studies and Politics from The University of Sydney. She has worked as a print, online, radio and television journalist in newsrooms around the world including news.com.au, The Guardian, The Korea Herald, The Liverpool Leader, Girlfriend Magazine, The TODAY Show, MusicalTalk and Koori Radio.

As a performer, Maryann just finished workshopping new Australian musical Heart of a Dog in Canberra as part of The Street Theatre’s HIVE program. She graduated Brent Street Studios in 2013 with a Diploma of Musical Theatre. While there she played Little Becky Two-Shoes in Urinetown, directed by Neil Gooding. Also in 2013, Maryann played Frieda in the critically acclaimed Australian premiere of CARRIE with Squabbalogic, and was a semi-finalist in the Rob Guest Endowment Award. She was previously part of the Young Actor’s Ensemble at the Australian Theatre for Young People and has studied voice with Jeremy Powell for many years. Maryann was a grand finalist in the 2012 Australian Cabaret Showcase and part of the Top 20 of Short + Sweet Cabaret this year under the direction of Kate Gaul.

As a contributor to DanceLife Maryann brings her passion for writing and musicals together to educate, entertain and share the love of performance.

www.maryannwright.com.au

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Nathan M Wright

Artistic Director and Choreographer

Nathan M. Wright has worked extensively in the Entertainment Industry and is respected as both a performer and Choreographer.

Recently Nathan choreographed the Australian smash hit Avenue Q, The Wharf Revue for Sydney Theatre Company and the all Australian original musical Breast Wishes. Nathan staged the finale in “Boeing-Boeing” starring Shaun Micallef and kicked off 2009 with “Gutenberg! The Musical”, which scored him a Helpmann Award Nomination for Best Choreography in a Musical in 2009.

Nathan was The Assistant to the Director of Choreography (Jason Coleman) on “The 15th Asian Games – Doha, Qatar” for David Atkins Enterprises and worked on “The 2007 Special Olympics” in Shanghai as Quadrant Captain/Choreographer. Nathan also worked on “The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver”, Canada for David Atkins Enterprises.

Performing Credits include “The Rocky Horror Show” (Phantom), “Pippin” (Theo), “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Simon Zealottes), “Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision, Mamma Mia!” (Pepper), “Leader Of The Pack” (Keith) Sydney and Melbourne Seasons.

http://www.nathanmwright.com/