Theatre De La Danse

Principal: Rachael Shiels

• R.A.D. Teaching Certificate
• R.A.D. Registered Teacher Status
• R.A.D. Mentor for Classical Ballet Teachers Studies Course
• Bachelor of Arts (Dance)
• Bachelor of Education
• V.C.E. Dance Registered Provider
• Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet Teacher Trainer

Rachael’s extensive dance background includes Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Contemporary. This experience began at an early age and carried through to her formal education where she gained Year 12 State Premier’s Awards for the two dance subjects. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (Dance), a Bachelor of Education, and the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate. Rachael has also been inducted into the Deakin National Honours Society and was featured in the 2001 Deakin University Course Guide. Rachael has taught in ballet schools around Melbourne since 1991.
Rachael taught the V.C.E. Dance subjects as a provider from 1999 through to 2009. From 2003 to 2005 Rachael was the Dance Teacher at Mentone Girls Grammar, teaching dance to students from Early Learning Centre through to Year 12. In 2005 Rachael was appointed as a Mentor for the R.A.D. Classical Ballet Teaching Studies Course.
Rachael has been the Principal of Theatre De La DanSe since October 1997.

Rosemary Beagley

• R.A.D. Licentiate
• R.A.D. Registered Teacher Status
• R.A.D. Tutor for the Classical Ballet Teachers Studies Course
• Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet Teaching Certificate

Rosemary Beagley trained at the Royal Academy of Dancing in London. On graduating she gained her Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance, her registered teaching status and became an Associate of the Imperial Society of Teacher’s of Dance. She taught as a free-lance teacher in England until she moved to Australia with her family in 2001. In Adelaide she started her own school, however a job move took the family to Canberra where Rosemary taught in several full-time dance training schools and for an RAD children’s examiner. Another family move brought Rosemary to Melbourne in 2007. She has been teaching with Theatre de La Danse since then. In the same year she became a tutor for the RAD, tutoring trainee teachers on the RAD CBTS course.

Ashlee Burn

• R.A.D. Affiliate Member
• R.A.D. Intermediate
• V.C.E. Dance Units 1 – 4
• Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet Teaching Certificate

Ashlee is one of our advanced students who has studied dance since she was 2 years of age. She started as an assistant teacher at TDLD in 2007, and quickly moved to become a teacher in 2008. She has performed with our own La DanSe Company, and attended the Dance Excellence Festival in Los Angeles in 2009 and 2011 where she performed at Disneyland, competed against other dancers from around the world, and was selected as a featured dancer with the Young Americans. Ashlee has a strong passion for dance that she loves passing on to her young students. In 2012 Ashlee will complete her Certificate III in Dance at Dance Factory.

Tara Deering

V.C.E. Dance units 1-4
R.A.D. Advanced 1
Spectrum Dance Full Time Performing Arts Dancers Professional Course

Tara started performing at the age of 5, where she began ballet and tap classes, soon moving into jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and singing. Tara completed Advanced 1 of the RAD Ballet syllabus, and a Full Time Professional Dancers Course at Spectrum Dance. Tara has performed in many small Productions such as The Wedding Singer, The Blues Brothers and Grease. Tara loves assisting young people in reaching their potential and encouraging them to develop a love for all things music and dance related!

Xander Ellis

Certificate IV in Performing Arts – Brent Street Performing Arts NSW

Xander has had extensive experience in musical theatre, and cooperate dance. After training at Brent Street studios in Sydney, he made his musical theatre debut in the hit musical WICKED. He then moved straight in to the original Australian cast of the Australian premiere of Rock of Ages the musical, where he played Joey Primo and covered and performed the lead role of Drew. Xander was also selected to be in the Top 40 of the popular TV show So You Think You Can Dance, and has performed in many shows with Opera Australia as a featured dancer including, Thannhauser, Carmen, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Der Rosenkavalier. He has worked with Australia’s best choreographers including Jason Coleman, Dein Perry, Matt Lee, Yvette Lee, Kelley Abbey, Cameron Mitchell, and more.

Trent Harlow

• Certificate IV in Performing Arts -Brent St Performing Arts NSW

Trent’s training began at age 13 on the Gold Coast where he studied Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary and Acrobatics. By the age of 16 he become a principal Dancer in Gold Coast City Ballet Company’s, Swan Lake. After graduating with a Certificate IV in Performing Arts from Brent Street Performing Arts School in Sydney Trent established a strong performing career with credits including – 42nd Street, Happy Days, Bootmen, Moulin Rouge, the Olympic opening ceremony, Good News Week, Pepsi Charts, Channel V, and Princess Cruise Lines. Trent has also danced alongside the following artists – Kylie Minogue, S2S, Jackson Mendoza, Human Nature, and Tina Cousins. Trent has worked with some of Australia’s leading choreographers – Matt Lee, Leah Howard, William Forsythe, Alana Scanlan, Todd Patrick and Jason Coleman. Trent is currently a member of Paul Malek’s Collaboration contemporary dance company.

Rachel Higham

• Bachelor Of Contemporary Arts/Dance
• R.A.D. Intermediate
• R.A.D. Certificate in Classical Ballet Teaching Studies
• R.A.D. Registered Teacher Status
• Tinytots Fairy Magic Teaching Certificate

Rachel completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts/Dance from Deakin University in 2008. Subjects studied at Deakin included contemporary dance, classical ballet, choreography, improvisation, anatomy, physical theatre, dance video, and collaborations. Rachel has performed in various projects including the dance performance ‘flicker’ and dance video, ‘trappings’. In 2009 Rachel completed the R.A.D (Royal Academy of Dance) Certificate in Ballet Teaching, and became a fully registered teacher. Rachel has love and passion for dance which she wishes to share and extend to all the students that she teaches.

Brooke Lowery

Bachelor of Arts (Dance/Drama) – Deakin University
Jazz Teaching Diploma – State Dance Association
Tap Teaching Diploma – State Dance Association

Brooke has been studying a range of dance styles since the age of 2, as well as undertaking voice training for 7 years. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts at Deakin University, majoring in modern contemporary dance and drama, whilst also attaining her State Dance Association Teaching Diploma in both Jazz and Tap dance.
Brooke’s professional performance credits include; The Production Company’s “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Sweet Charity”, “Little me”, (Dance Captain) and more recently “Follies” (Dance Captain) an array of work with contemporary artists & Monash & Deakin Graduates throughout Melbourne, a Supernumery in the 2006 season of “Boy From Oz”, GVT9’s Friday Night All-stars Family Feud TVC, 2007 Footy Show TVC, Ch 7’s “It Takes Two”, numerous corporate events for choreographers such as: Dana Jolly, Alana Scanlon, Joanne Adderly, Jason Coleman, Tim McDowell , 2008 New Years Eve “Sensations” at the Telstra Dome, Performances with The Ego has Landed & The Robbie Williams Experience (Robbie Williams Tribute Bands) as well as numerous photo shoots including BMW Motors and the Docklands New Quay. Brooke played the role of ‘Maureen’ & understudied the lead role ‘Marianne’ in the production of “Shout” – The Legend of the Wild One” Staring Tim Campbell in both Melbourne and Sydney and is currently working as Assistant choreographer in a new Australian Musical “Strange Bed Fellows” staring John Wood & Collette Mann.

Michelle Ludecke

• Masters in Education
• PHD in Education (commenced 2010)
• Graduate Diploma of Dance/Movement Therapy
• Bachelor of Education majoring in Dance & Drama

Michelle has over 16 years experience teaching V.C.E. Dance. For the past 6 years she has been a V.C.E. Dance Performance Examination Assessor and V.C.E. Dance Written Examination Assessor. Michelle has also been a member of the V.C.E. Dance Study Design Committee and is a Deakin University Dance Education Lecturer and Tutor. Michelle has a Graduate Diploma of Dance/Movement Therapy from Melbourne University, a Bachelor of Education majoring in Dance & Drama and a Masters in Arts Education from Deakin University. Michelle is currently undertaking a PHD in Education at Deakin University.

Samantha Mokotow

Certificate 3 & 4 in Fitness
Zumba® Basics 1 & 2
Zumbatomic®
Zumba® Toning
Zumba® Gold

Samantha is a passionate Zumba instructor! With her fitness knowledge, combined with extensive Zumba training, she provides fantastic, high energy, fun classes.

Louise Morland

• Diploma of Dance and Performance (Dance Factory)

Louise has extensive training in Jazz, Hiphop, Ballet, Tap and Contemporary. She completed her diploma in dance and performance at Dance Factory at the end of 2010, and recently finished a 6 month graduate term there as well. Louise has taught at a variety of dance schools around Melbourne, as well as performing in many stage shows for Showtime attractions and the AFL.

Natalie Phillips

Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance
R.A.D. Advanced 2
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) with Distinction – Queensland Uni
Bachelor of Science (Human Biology) – Curtin Uni

Since taking her first ballet class at age 3, Natalie has continued dancing for 25 years. She has taught students of all ages in ballet, contemporary and jazz as well as yoga, pilates and conditioning. Natalie completed her R.A.D. Ballet majors exams in Perth, Western Australia before heading to Brisbane to spend three years studying contemporary dance and choreography at Queensland University of Technology. During her time in Brisbane she worked with many choreographers, both local and International, as well as choreographing several of her own works. She relocated to Melbourne in 2010 to continue her professional career as a freelance dance artist whilst maintaining her love of teaching.

Caitlyn Shearn

R.A.D. – Advanced 2
V.C.E. Dance – Units 1 to 4
Bronze Medals in Ballroom and Latin

Caitlyn started ballet at the age of 6 and was accepted into the Australian Ballet School Associates Program at the age of 9, before leaving at the age of 12 to attend the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) where she studied ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip hop, character and acrobatics.
Caitlyn has completed her R.A.D Advanced 2 and was a Solo Seal applicant before choosing a career on cruise ships, working for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for 3 years working on a range of ships, including the Monarch of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas and Vision of the Seas.
Caitlyn is thrilled to be returning to her ballet roots and her love of teaching.

Holly Trainor

• V.C.E. Dance Units 1- 4
• Tinytots Fairy Magic Teaching Certificate
• Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management
• Spectrum Dance Full Time Performing Arts Dancers Professional Course

Holly holds a Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management. She has extensive teaching experience to a variety of age groups in the styles of ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and contemporary. Holly has taught classes at both suburban and country dance schools. She has choreographed troupe, solo and duo routines for many eisteddfod students across Victoria. Holly has recently completed a two year professional dancers course at Spectrum Dance in Melbourne.

Anna Veretennikova

R.A.D. Ballet Examiner – Grades
R.A.D. Tutor
R.A.D. Teaching Diploma
R.A.D. Solo Seal

Anna originally trained in Sydney where she obtained her R.A.D Solo Seal – the highest awarded Ballet Examination. From here she studied dance full time in Monte Carlos, Cannes & Paris. Anna had a wonderful performance career, with credits including – Ballet de Marseilles, Joseph Russillo’s Ballet Theatre, Australian Dance Theatre, South Australian Opera Company, & Channel 9. Anna has over 30 years teaching experience, and has been a Grades Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance since 2003. In 2010 Anna taught RAD Ballet for us. Anna now resides on the Gold Coast, however she will be travelling to Melbourne to conduct workshops for the Theatre De La DanSe ballet students in 2011.