Manly Dance's Teachers

	ASHLEIGH Ashleigh has been dancing since she joined the North Balgowlah School of Dance at age three. She completed all of her ISTD grades in Modern and Tap to an Advanced level and her Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams leading up to her Advanced 2. Growing up she played netball and tennis and enjoyed swimming… but when it comes to the crunch, dance is her first love. After completing her HSC, she won a dance scholarship to Wesley Institute where she graduated with a Distinction for her major work in a Bachelor of Arts (Dance). During her time at Wesley Institute Ashleigh studied and excelled in Contemporary, Ballet, Acrobatics, Jazz and Hip Hop. She choreographed the 2008 Rock Eisteddfod entry for Stella Maris College and they received the ‘Rock Eisteddfod Award of Excellence’ in Choreography. Ashleigh performed in a youth company “Pulse 8” for a year. She has been teaching since the age of 16 and has worked with two High Schools and in over 5 dance studios. Ashleigh hopes that her passion for dance and love of teaching and caring for children will help those with disabilities how to dance and express their emotions in a positive and healthy manner through the Arts.
	CHERIE Cherie realised her passion for all types of dancing at an early age. She was accepted into the North Queensland Ballet Company at the age of 14. She further embraced dancing and competed in ballroom at Modern, Latin and New Vogue. In ten years she won many competitions and progressed from D Grade to A Grade and spent time as an amateur. Then having gone as far as she could go, she turned professional in 2001. Recently she has represented Australia at the Worlds Standard Ballroom Championships.
	CIPO Fabiano Bilia, known in the world of the arts as Cipo, shares name and philosophy with the international organization ABADA-Capoeira, composed of over 40,000 members, which was founded in 1988 by Mestre Camisa. The organization strives to improve and promote Capoeira — allowing it to reach its full potential as an internationally respected art, while maintaining its dignity, character, history, and traditions. Cipo was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He first began practicing the art of Capoeira in 1994. He took his first steps into the world of Capoeira under the tutelage of Mestrando Peixe Cru, one of the currently most important Capoeira Masters. He is fully recognized as a teacher of the institution ABADA-Capoeira (Brazilian Association of Support and Development of the Art – Capoeira). He is currently a full time Capoeira instructor, teaching Capoeira at various locations. He also does a social work integrating disable people into society through Capoeira.
	CLAUDINE Claudine started dancing when she was three. She has studied and taught many dance styles including classical ballet, tap, jazz, funk, modern and hip hop. She is also a qualified Pilates and fitness instructor. Claudine attended The McDonald College where she studied ballet (RAD), singing, drama and choreography. She received Honours with Distinction for her Advanced Teachers Certificates (FATD) and has won many dance championships and scholarships. Her career includes dancing at the Sydney Opera House, performing lead roles for musical theatre companies, television appearances and performing in cover bands on the NSW club circuit. Her audiences have included Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles. After teaching dance and Pilates in Tokyo Claudine is happily settled back on the beautiful Northern Beaches.
	DANIEL Daniel started with the Palmares Group in 1990 at Aguia Public School. Since then he has participated in two International Capoeira Meetings in Ilha de Itaparica, Bahia, Brazil. Daniel started teaching homeless kids in 2004. In 2005 Daniel opened a new Palmares Capoeira branch in Manly bringing the amazing Capoeira culture to the Northern Beaches.
	ERWIN Erwin Fenis started dancing in high school and now has 9 years of experience in performing arts. With a background in martial arts (Capoeira and Kickboxing) and a mixture of old skool and modern dance styles such as, Popping, Locking, Clowning/Krumping and specializing mostly in Street Funk and Break-dance, Erwin has become one of the Territory's most promising upcoming performer and choreographer. A founding member of the Style Impressions Krew (S.I.K), Darwin's first official and well-known Bboy (break-dance) crew. Has worked with a number of different choreographers and performers from Darwin and Interstate. Erwin has performed for Tracks in Ignite, Rivers of the Underground, Local, FAST (soloist and core dancer), Snakes, Gods and Deities, 2005 Arafura Games Opening Ceremony (youth leader), Australian Youth Dance Festival – Horsham, A Bowls Club Wedding and now Mr Big. His Style Impressions Krew (S.I.K) has performed at Bass in the Grass 2003, Men Move, 2004 Stamping Ground Dance Festival (competed in the Break Battle and won 1st place) and at various clubs, promotions, schools, festivals and community events. Choreographic works include Ausdance's I-Moves 2005, guest choreographer and performer for Palmerston School of Ballet's 2005 Cinderella production, Palmerston Youth Group's 2004 & 2005 Croc Fest performance piece and other school dance performances. He has also worked for different schools around the Territory as a dance tutor. Held dance workshops in different communities inside and outside of Darwin. Now living in Sydney, he has been working with International Choreographers and some of the top dancers in Australia. He is now a member of two of the best hip hop crews in Sydney (Urban Dance Project and J Town). He has performed and competed in a number of major events and dance competitions which includes "The 2008 Aria Awards" where he performed with the Australian band "The Presets", performed in International Choreographer Tony Czsar's dance piece for the 2008 Carnival (International Choreographers Ball), competed in 2009 Looze Control Hip Hop Dance Competition, 2009 Carnival and the 2009 Australian Hip Hop Championships..
	JITKA Jitka Soustalova is a professional international dancer with more than 10 years experience in Latin American and Ballroom dancing during that she won many competitions and progressed from D Grade to S (International) Grade. She has been professionally trained by the best Czech and worldknown Instructors such as Michael Malitowsky, Ute Streicher, Dmitri Thimokin. Jitka has performed on many European dance floors and has had more than 10 years experience competing and performing. During her professional years she established her own dance club in the Czech Republic with more than 60 members. Nowadays this club belongs to one of the best dance clubs in the Czech Republic.
	JUANITA Juanita trained in classical ballet from the age of five. From the age of eight she studied at the Scully Borovansky School of Ballet and completed the Royal Academy Of Dance examinations up to Solo Seal. Juanita then went on to study , train and work in clinical psychology during which time she joined Margaret Barr’s Contemporary Dance Group and later trained in Jacki Sorensen’s Aerobic Dance as well as in Iyenga Yoga. Juanita then studied Flamenco for seven years and performed twice a year on stage in various productions. More recently she has been training in Latin American and Ballroom Dancing with Robert Bednar and has performed several times at various venues over the last two years.
	KAT Like many of us, Kat began doing yoga without even knowing it! Growing up “just being a kid” in Colorado (USA) actively involved in gymnastics, sport, rock climbing, and on competitive dance teams in High School and in University, she found herself practicing handstands, headstands, backbends and naturally exploring ranges of motion. Kat began taking classes “for fun” at a local Bikram’s (Hot Yoga) studio, where after just a few classes, she began to notice the benefits of practicing regularly. She became captivated after discovering Vinyasa (flowing) Power Yoga from her mentor and teacher Kelly Heath Major (Mountain Lotus Yoga). Intrigued, she decided to continue the journey and depth of her experience with yoga teacher training. Kat left instructing in the snow sports industry for Sydney, Australia in 2007, where she completed the 200 hour teacher training at Body Mind Life in Surry Hills under the loving guidance of Nicole Goodwin and Mark Breadner. Kat has studied Thai massage and partner yoga with Shiva Rea senior instructor Simon Park, and derives inspiration from Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea, ashtanga, and anusara styles of yoga. With a B.A. in Psychology, foundations in movement, sport and dance, and a passion for teaching have helped Kat create an enthusiastic, dynamic and creative approach to teaching yoga.
	MANEA Manea began dancing when she was 4 years of age in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Polynesian. As early as 10 yrs old she was accepted into a Production Group and was performing in various shows all over Australia. Over the years Manea discovered a love for Hip Hop and started her own female Hip Hop dance crew. In 2000 manea completed a full time Performing arts Course majoring in Dance. Included in her studies of dance styles was Latin American, krumping, break dancing, popping and locking. From there she began teaching Hip hop privately and also landed a job as choreographer / performer at one of Auckland’s top entertainment venues ‘Coyote Ugly’. Manea is now back in Sydney and continues teaching bringing diversity to all her work. She is also part of one of Sydney’s hottest hip-hop dance crews ‘Hipnotic Productions’.
	OLI Oli started my dancing career in France where he trained in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Tap dance. Oli is currently specialising and teaching Hip/hop (style in Popping, Locking), Break-dance (Bboying) and Salsa/ Tango. Oli has completed workshops with Suga Pop, Boogie Frantick, Bboy Storm, Bboy Nasty Ray, Bboy Hong 10, Bboy Physics, Bboy Roxrite and Bboy Lilou. Oli also reached the top 80 in So You Think You can Dance (2008) and featured in Omarion Concert as hip-hop and Bboy dancer.
	PANIA Is a passionate teacher an performer. Pania Has trained from some of the worlds best choreographers in LA an Australia.Graduated from full time musicall thearter course at brent st studios in 2006 an has been working as a professional dancer since. Pania has partaken in shows such as Australias got talent an So you think you can dance top 20 2009.
	PASCALE Pascale Dernocoure is the epitome of a trained dancer, with over 10 years experience in ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary dance. Her passion for Latin dance began 8 years ago, when she started teaching and performing in both Salsa and Samba. Since then, Pascale has proven herself to be an outstanding performer, placing second with partner Oren Shoshan in the 2006 Australian National Salsa Championships, as well as qualifying for and competing as a semi-finalist in the 2006 World Salsa Championships in Las Vegas. She has also performed at the LA Salsa Congress and taught in numerous cities across Australia, NZ and Asia. Pascale has been a member of several dance companies, including Latinize, Brazilian Touch Restaurant (Brisbane), Brazilian Fantasy, Club Salsa and LDA (Sydney), and is currently a Lead Instructor and Principal Dancer with Salsa Vibes in Sydney. She dances on ‘1’ and on ‘2’, and is known as a smooth follower and sensual stylist on the dance floor. She currently teaches group classes 3 nights per week in Sydney, and has attracted a huge loyal following of students with her extensive knowledge and friendly attitude.
	REBEKAH Rebekah has studied & performed under the "Grand-maitre" Yao Eby of the Ivory coast from the Nationale Folklorique Ballet de Cote Ivoire, while residing for over 4 years on Reunion Island. During this time she mastered the "essence" of the potent energy behind the African dance rhythms, as a path of healing & enlivening the Spirit. She was embraced as a key performer by the AFO-REDOM Dance Company, as well as creating & painting colourful themed backdrops for each of their major performances. Rebekah has also studied with Master Tutor EPIZO Bangoura from the National Ballets Africaines de GUINEE, since 1995 and has performed with African Express, Jean-Paul Wabotai, (Zaire), Joseph Mkodo(Tanzania), Oumou Sangare (Mali) and continues to explore the depths of African dance moves by staging annually, a week-long dance & drum extravaganza under the tutorship of Master from West Africa.
	ROBERT Robert Bednar is a professional international dancer with more that 12 years experience in Latin American and Ballroom dancing. He has been professionally trained by the best Hungarian Instructors. His Latin Teacher, Krisztina Baki, was a multiple World Cup Finalist in Blackpool, England, and Hungarian Champion. His Ballroom Instructor. Zoltan Boros, has been a multiple Hungarian champion in this category and highly acclaimed international ADSL judge. Robert has performed on many European dance floors and has had more than 12 years experience competing and performing. During his professional years in Europe he was ranked 8th in Ten Dance Competition. After Robert reached the highest levels of international style he began his teaching career in both Latin American and Ballroom styles. His experience encompasses 5 years of teaching in Hungary, England and Australia in both Social and International styles.
	SHANTELLE Shantelle O'Leary began her dancing career at a young age as the principal dancer and choreographer for the Mirthful Magician, John Barrand, during which time she appeared at leading variety venues as well as many corporate events. She trained under the watchful eye of David Atkins at his Dynamite Dance Studio in all facets of performance adding Drama and singing to her already formidable dance talent. Shantelle has had a long association with Walt Disney productions, touring Australia, New Zealand and Asia. She has appeared and co-choreographed The Australian Rod Stewart Show, Disco Divas, and Hot Latin Nights. More recently Shantelle has been working with singing sensation, Nikki Bennett in various shows including the Moulin Rouge Show and the Chicago Show playing a leading role as well as having the role of Dance Captain. Highlights of Shantelle's career include appearing in Home and Away,The Today Show, The Midday Show Pan, the "Ultra Swing Lounge", and many television Commercials. Shantelle took up pole dancing around 3 years ago, to learn another skill associated with dance. She fell in love with it and quickly began to master the art of pole. Since taking up pole, Shantelle has won Miss Pole Princess 2006, performed on Home and Away and even taken her pole show to Noumea, Papau New Guinea and Kuala Lumpur. Shantelle is a sought after pole performer and loves to pass her love of pole onto her students in a fun atmosphere.
	TASHA Tasha Golis has recently moved from the United States to Australia. Trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop, she began ballet training at age 5 and was working professionally by age 16. She has performed for all the major U.S. theme parks: Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World. She has danced all over the world as Dance Captain of some of the world’s most luxurious cruise ships. As a choreographer, she produced professional theatre productions of popular musicals including 42nd Street and A Chorus Line. She has danced in pop film clips, on television, and in front of crowds of over 10,000 people in concert.
	TATIANA Tatiana began dancing at Salle Pleyel in Paris before moving to Australia where she studied for 10 years at Sydney Festival Ballet Academy, followed by a further 2 years at North Shore Dance Academy. Tatiana has completed all of her RAD ballet exams as well as all CDA jazz exams and has experience in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre and national character. She has competed widely and very successfully from a young age most notably winning both in the Junior and Intermediate Classical Championship at Warringah Eisteddfod. Tatiana’s performing and choreography skills in contemporary dance gained her the second highest mark in the state for HSC dance. Cheerful and dedicated, Tatiana enjoys teaching as much as she does performing and looks forward to continuing her career in dance.