ABOUT OUR TEAM OF STAFF

Backstage Dance Academy strives to provide staff who are friendly, reliable, and professional.  Our teachers are passionate and hold the experience, knowledge and/or qualifications required for the range of levels, genres, and age groups being taught.   

 

All staff hold  'Working with Children Checks'.  Backstage Dance Academy also has First Aid qualified staff available at all times.

 

Teachers strive to:

  • communicate a love of dance

  • show professional attitudes, including punctuality, reliability and responsible care of students

  • develop self-discipline and self-motivation in the students

  • recognise the role of dance in the development of the whole person

  • recognise and develop each student’s potential, whether it lies in dance or in other areas

  • recognise physical anomalies, modifying their teaching and seeking advice when necessary

  • ensure that choreography will always be anatomically safe and age appropriate

 

 Introducing Jess, the dedicated, passionate and highly organised director of Backstage Dance Academy.  

After a childhood of dance, Jess went on to study full time performing arts at Dance Factory (2005) where she received a Certificate IV in Arts (Dance and Performance).

After this course, Jess started her professional career as a dancer and performer at Tokyo Disneyland appearing in parades, shows and television commercials.  Other professional performances include, cheerleading for Melbourne Storm (2011 & 2012), appearing in Big League's magazine for Cheerleader of the Year, performing on the NRL Footy show, appearing in Channel 7's television series 'Winners and Losers', performing at fundraisers and other corporate events in Melbourne, performing as a children's entertainer.  This industry experience has enabled Jess to mentor her students to reach their professional dance goals, if they wish to pursue this avenue.

Jess continues to further develop herself in all areas of dance, performing arts, acrobatics, teaching, and business to ensure that Backstage is always improving, keeping up to date, and evolving.  She has furthered her dance training in Australia, and overseas at Broadway Dance Center (Tokyo) and Pineapple Dance Studios (London).  She has had 13 years of teaching experience at various dance studios and has taught at Monash University, Berwick Secondary College, and at various dance studios & events.  

Jess has also adjudicated dance competitions in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and ACT.  She also works as an examiner. 

Jess is very passionate about providing children with dance education and opportunities and is proud to direct Backstage dance Academy.

Other success:

In 2013, Jess also established Dance Aid, a fundraising performance with all proceeds going towards the Make a Wish Foundation. She has raised over $20,000 to date. Visit www.danceaidmelbourne.com

In 2016, Jess established Dance Directory, a website for Australian dancers, parents and teachers to find everything they need to about dance. Visit www.dancedirectoryaus.com

In 2018, Jess also established MDC - MELBOURNE DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS which is a new and innovative dance event for dancers across Melbourne.

Read more about Jess here, http://www.dancewriter.com.au/profiles/behind-backstage-dance-academy-is-a-strong-businesswoman/

 

 

MEET THE DIRECTOR 
First Aid qualified
Cert IV in Arts (Dance & Performance)
Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management 
Member of the Australian Teachers of Dance association
 
 

DR CREE 

BA Hons

PhD

A.C.B.A Dip - C.I.C.B (Cecchetti Ballet Australia)

Progressing Ballet Technique certified teacher

FIrst Aid qualified

Ballet Co-ordinator and teacher

20 years + teaching experience 

Freelance choreographer & teacher

 

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ELLIE 

Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre)

First Aid qualified

Acrobatic Arts qualified

Dance, Singing, Acting, Acrobatics and Cheerleading teacher

 

 

ED5 International Full Time Performing Arts 

Riverina Conservatorium of Music 

Ensemble Vocalist AACTA Awards 

Dancer Black Tie for Breast Cancer Corporate Event 

Dancer/Singer Premier’s Broadway Gala Concert 

Lead Vocal/Host Wagga’s Carols by Candlelight Wagga 

Coach/Choreographer Wagga Wildcats  – AASCF 

Dancer NRL 2005 Grand Final 

 

 

TEAGAN

 

 

 

Diploma of Dance

Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management

Cecchetti Advanced 1 trained

First aid qualified

Dance Teacher

Ministry of Dance Full Time Performing Arts 

NRL Grand Final Dancer

Cabaret Cathedral Dancer

Tenacity Dance Crew Dancer

 

DELLA

Cert 4 in Community and Recreational Dance

Cert 3 & 4 in Dance (Bartuccio's and Dance Factory), Cert Dance Teaching and Recreational Dance with A.T.O.D

Junior Associate Teaching Dip with A.T.O.D

Dance Teacher & Adjudicator

Commercial dance contracts in Japan

Choreographer and dancer for the Olympic games torch relay events

Choreographer for the Australian Bicentennial parade

Dancer for the Melbourne Football Club 

Recreational Dance Tutor at Monash University (Gippsland Campus)

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JEMIMA

Dance Teacher

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Dance)

Dancer with Legacy Dance Crew

Masters of Choreography dancer

 

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SUZANNE 

CSTD Diploma

First Aid Qualified

Dance, Singing & Acting Teacher

 

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Previous owner 'Suzanne Malberg School of Dance'

30 years of teaching experience

Singer for Theatre restaurants

Choreographer for theatre companies 

Adjudicator for eisteddfods and competitions

Cert IV in Dance

Dance Teacher

Spectrum Dance Full Time Performing Arts

RAD Examinations from Primary to Advanced 1 

Dancer on The Grand Final Footy Show Player Revue

Dancer/Showgirl for various events at Crown Casino

Cheerleader for Melbourne Storm

Children’s Entertainer

 

JENNA 

First aid trained

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JESS C

Cert II & III in Acting 

Diploma of Musical Theatre

First Aid qualified

Singing & Acting Teacher

 

Full time studies - Left Leg Studios (Musical Theatre)

Full time studies - VCA (Musical Theatre) 

AFL 2013 Easter commercial campaign (actor)

Please Like Me season 1 (actor)

Wilfred season 2 (actor)

House Husbands season 2 (actor)

Wentworth season 2 (actor)

 

 

 

MEET OUR TEACHERS

 

COURTNEY

Cecchetti Licentiate Diploma L(Dip)CBA CICB

Progressing Ballet Technique- teacher certified

Southern Federation of Dance Association Member & Examiner

Dance Teacher

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TAYLAH

Spectrum Dance full time

Cert IV in Dance

Diploma of Musical Theatre

Acrobatic Arts qualified

Dance/Acrobatics Teacher

Melbourne Storm cheerleader promotions

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CANDICE

Certificate 3 in Performing Arts

Diploma of Performing Arts 

First Aid qualified

Dance Teacher
Director of Candance Performing Arts Studio

14 years teaching experience
Performer in children's pantomines in Melbourne and Singapore

Melbourne Storm cheerleader

Countdown arena stage show

Princess Cruises theatre productions aboard the Royal Princess. 

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