Theatre De La Danse

Teaching Staff

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
  • VCE 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 has taught the VCE Dance subjects as a provider since 1999. 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. In 2010 Rachael will be teaching a range of Ballet classes.

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 joined us in 2007 as the adult ballet teacher and a teacher of the senior ballet students. Rosemary trained at the Royal Academy of Dance in London where she gained her teaching registration and her Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance. She taught in the UK for 12 years before immigrating to Adelaide where she ran her own school. From here she moved to Canberra where she taught with an R.A.D. Examiner. In 2006 Rosemary moved with her family to Melbourne where they have now settled. In 2010 Rosemary will be teaching some Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet, Senior Ballet and Adult Ballet classes.

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 has performed with our DanSe Company, and has 2 years of teaching experience with us as well as 4 years experience as an assistant teacher. In 2010 Ashlee will be teaching junior Tap, Tinytots Fairy Magic, Bopping Tots, and Preprimary Ballet.

Julia Dale

Bartuccio’s Certificate 3 in Dance (Advanced)
V.C.E. Dance
Cecchetti through to Intermediate

Julia started dancing in England at 3 years old under the RAD syllabus. She went on to become a Junior Associate at the Australian Ballet School and performed at the National Congress. Julia was also a Cecchetti Scholar for 3 years. Studying full time dance under Tony Bartuccio, Julia assisted him on several projects. Julia has taken classes all over the world including London, Paris, New York, Rome, Berlin & Barcelona. Some of Julia’s performance credits include – the Australian Ballet, Queensland ballet, The Footy Show Review at Rod Laver Arena, The Footy Show’s ‘House of Bulger’ weekly sketch, and Crown Casino’s New Year’s Eve show. Julia has worked with many of melbournes best choreographers in corporate gigs, parades and events. In 2010 Julia joins us as a Jazzfunk Teacher.

Kristin Edwards

  • V.C.E. Dance Studies Units 1 – 4
  • V.E.T. Dance
  • R.A.D. Intermediate
  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Teaching Certificate

Kristin has 15 years of dance training and performance experience, in the styles of ballet, jazz, contemporary and tap. Kristin has had 7 years experience in assisting dance classes with us, as well as 3 years of teaching experience. Kristin has been a part of many school productions and dance performances, also having past years of experience in the TDLD La DanSe Company and as a solo performer in competitions and eisteddfods. In 2010 Kristin will be teaching Tinytots Fairy Magic and Bopping Tots.

Kate Fitzgerald

  • Diploma of Performing Arts, Dance World 301
  • Advanced Certificate in Dance, Victorian College of the Arts
  • Certificate III in Group Exercise
  • Reformer and Mat Pilates Certification

Kate has trained at various institutions throughout Melbourne including The Victorian College of the Arts and Dance World 301. She has also trained and participated in intensive workshops with London based contemporary dance company ‘Union Dance’. She is an experienced pilates, funk, jazz, and contemporary dance teacher who has taught at many schools throughout Melbourne and the United Kingdom. Her latest credits to date are performing at The Victorian and Albert Museum, UK at the Golden Couture Ball with members of contemporary company ‘Union Dance’, “Petrouchkas Nightmare” with Look Left Dance Company at the BMW Edge in Federation Square Melbourne and with move_air by Kim Lawrence in “The Moments Between” Melbourne. Kate is currently working on a dance work “Black Ocean” with Under Current Dance Company based in Melbourne and Korea. In 2010 Kate joins us as the Junior La DanSe Choreographer and a Jazzfunk teacher.

Melanie Flavel

  • Dance Factory Teachers Association, Honours 1st Class Graduate
  • Certificate IV Dance & Performance

Melanie commenced her singing and dance training at a young age and has recently completed a Certificate IV in Dance & Performance from Dance Factory. Here she also completed the Dance Factory Teachers Association qualification. Melanie has a wealth of performance, choreography and teaching experience in tap, jazz and song and dance. Some of Melanie’s performance credits include the Humphrey Bear show, Crown Casino, AFL Grand Final, and Myer parades. We are fortunate to have Melanie join our teaching staff as a Jazzfunk, Songstars and Tap teacher in 2010!

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 has now made Melbourne his home, and we are very fortunate to have him join us as the Senior La DanSe choreorapher, as well as teaching some Contemporary and Broadway classes.

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. At Deakin Rachel performed in various projects including the dance performance ‘flicker’ and dance video, ‘trappings’. For her final year assessment she choreographed a 10-minute piece on the use of memories in dance. In 2009 Rachel completed the R.A.D (Royal Academy of Dance) Certificate in Ballet Teaching. Rachel has love and passion for dance which she wishes to share and extend to all the students that she teaches. In 2010, Rachel will be teaching Ballet, junior Jazzfunk, Tinytots, Bopping Tots and Teen Beginner Contemporary at TDLD.

Michelle Ludecke

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

Michelle has over 15 years experience teaching VCE Dance. For the past 5 years she has been a VCE Dance Performance Examination Assessor and VCE Dance Written Examination Assessor. Michelle has also been a member of the VCE 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 completing a PHD in Education at Deakin University. We are very lucky to have Michelle as our VCE Dance teacher in 2010.

Rhiannon Mills

  • Dance Factory Certificate IV ( Scholarship Student)
  • Dance Factory Diploma 2005
  • Certiificate 3 in Personal Training and Fitness
  • Certificate 4 in Personal Training and Fitness

Rhiannon has been teaching with us since 2006. Rhiannon has performed professionally with Disney, performed in a Bollywood movie, danced in video clips and for corporate events.
In 2010 she will be our Monday and Friday DanSrobics Instructor.

Natalie Phillips

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

In 2010 Natalie will be teaching some Ballet and Jazzfunk classes as well as choreographing for the Junior La DanSe Company.
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 RAD 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 joins us in Melbourne now to continue her professional career as a freelance dance artist whilst maintaining her love of teaching.

Holly Trainor

  • VCE dance units 1- 4
  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Teaching Certificate
  • Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management

Holly has taught jazz, tap, ballet and funk to primary school students for the last 4 years. Holly has recently completed the Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management from Box Hill Tafe. Holly has performed in many school productions as well as competing in many competitions and eisteddfods. In 2010 Holly will be teaching some tap and jazzfunk classes.

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. We are thrilled to have Anna join us in 2010. Anna will be teaching Grades & Vocational Grade students.

Elanor Webber

  • Link dance Company 2007
  • B.A. Performing Arts (Dance) W.A.A.P.A.
  • Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Dance) W.A.A.P.A.
  • R.A.D. Advanced 2
  • Community Coach Training Program

Elanor has been teaching and choreographing in the styles of contemporary, ballet, children’s creative dance, contemporary-hip hop conjunction and movement awareness development since 2003 for various schools, companies and organisations in Perth. 2010 brings her to Melbourne! Her vision is to share the art of dance by ways that inspire excitement, creativity and passion from her students.
Alongside her educational career Elanor Jane is also highly active amongst the Australian professional dance community, including Sue Peacock’s ”Questions without Notice” and “The Other Two Thirds of Me”, Chimene Steele-Prior’s “Filling Up Empty”, the Melbourne Fringe Festival Miniature Dance Program, Soft Landing Project Team’s “As High As You Can”. In ‘08 she was funded by the Department of Culture and the Arts to perform and collaborate in Exhibitionism”, directed by Brian Lucas for the Soft Landing 2 project.
In 2010 Elanor joins us a Tinytots and Bopping Tots teacher.

Gemma Wuersching

  • Diploma of Dance Performance
  • R.A.D. Advanced 2

Gemma commenced her dance training at the age of 6 in Toowoomba. Upon graduating high school, Gemma moved to Melbourne to train full time at Dance World Studios where she obtained a Diploma in Dance Performance. In 2008 she completed her Advanced 2 Royal Academy of Dance ballet exam. Gemma has a wealth of teaching experience in ballet, jazz and contemporary. Gemma’s passion for being on stage has led to credits such as Crown Casino Shows for 2 seasons, Foxtel’s reality TV Series ‘The Singing Office’, Riveria Yacht Launch, Entertainment Store and also acting jobs such as soon to be aired mini series ‘The Pacific’. In 2010 Gemma will be teaching Contemporary at TDLD.