Rachael Shiels – Principal

Rachael has worked and trained in the dance industry for the past 35 years.  Her extensive dance background includes Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Contemporary.   She studied Dance in her V.C.E. and was awarded State Premiers Awards for V.C.E Dance and V.C.E Dance Styles.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (Dance), a Bachelor of Education, and the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate. Rachael is a mentor for the R.A.D. Teaching Certificate, and a member of the Deakin National Honours Society.
Rachael taught VCE Dance from 1999 to 2005, and also taught ELC to Year 12 at Mentone Girls Grammar from 2002 – 2005. 
Rachael has travelled to America to work with renowned master teachers, and has received International Dance Excellence Awards in Los Angeles for her efforts.  Rachael is a well respected adjudicator for dance competitions around Australia. She has taught at dance schools in Melbourne since 1991, and been Principal of TDLD since 1997.  

• RAD Teaching Certificate
• RAD Registered Teacher Status
• RAD Mentor for Classical Ballet Teachers Studies Course
• Bachelor of Arts (Dance) / Bachelor of Education – Deakin University
• VCE Dance Registered Provider
• Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) Certificate in Safety & Wellness
• Adjudicator

Adrienne Reid-Irvine

Adrienne has been dancing since a young age. She completed her Dance Teacher’s Certificate through the Dance Academy of South Africa, and went on to teach at various schools in Cape Town between 2007 and 2013, before beginning her RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies.
During this time she also completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, specialising in Child Development and Counselling.
On completion of her RAD certificate, she took up a position at Cape Ballet Centre, teaching RAD students from Pre-Ballet to Advanced 2, as well as open classes for adults.
Adrienne moved to Melbourne in 2018 and has two beautiful daughters.

• DADA Dance Teachers Certificate
• RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies
• RAD Registered Teachers Status
• RAD Silver Swans Licensee
• Bachelors of Psychology (Child Development and Counselling)

Alivia Chapman

Alivia began dancing at the age of 2.5 and commenced her training at Theatre de la Danse in 2019. She has trained across a wide range of styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, commercial and Latin. Alivia has undertaken formal ballet training in both Cecchetti and RAD syllabi, completing up to RAD Advanced 1.

She was a competitive dancer for 8 years, gaining extensive performance experience and developing a strong technical and artistic foundation.

In addition to her studio training, Alivia holds a Diploma of Performing Arts from Transit Dance, where she refined her commercial practice and professional performance skills. Passionate about sharing her love of dance, she aims to foster a positive, supportive environment while encouraging dancers to build strong technique, confidence and artistry.

• Certificate and Diploma in Performing Arts – Transit Dance
• Cecchetti Ballet Intermediate 
• RAD Ballet Advanced 1
• VCE Dance (Units 1-4)

Erin Shackcloth

Erin began dancing at TDLD at the age of 4, where she trained across many styles including RAD Ballet, Jazz, Acrobatics, Tap and Contemporary. Erin has taught both contemporary and acrobatics at TDLD since 2019 and has been an assistant since 2012. In 2021 Erin completed her diploma of Contemporary Dance at Sydney Dance Company in their pre-professional program. Erin has been awarded many accolades for her choreography within the Australian Dance Competition circuit and has competed for 6 years. Erin has also trained with many youth companies such as Transit Origins and Locreado Dance Company, and embarked on her first professional experience dancing as a member of Scimm Dance Companies professional company. Erin is currently studying a double degree in Law and Commerce at Monash University.
Erin has also completed her teacher training in Progressive Contemporary Technique (PCT) as well as training herself in a range of contemporary techniques such as Cunningham, Graham, Counter – Technique and Gaga.

• Diploma of Contemporary Dance – Sydney Dance Company
• Scimm Dance Company Member (current)
• Progressive Contemporary Technique Teacher Training
• RAD Ballet Advanced 1
• VCE Dance (Units 1-4)
• Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce – Monash University (current)

Jorja Dominguez

Jorja has been training in Acro at Theatre De La Danse since 2017, beginning her journey at 9 years old. She has been a member of the Advanced Acro program since 2022. Jorja has been a much loved student teacher at TDLD and has recently completed her Acrobatic Arts Teaching Certificate. Alongside acro, Jorja has trained in a range of other dance styles at various studios and is currently competing in All Star cheerleading, giving her a well-rounded movement and performance background..

• Acrobatic Arts Certified
• All Star Cheerleader

Kate Dowsley

Kate has a passion for teaching younger students, helping them build confidence to perform and dance in a friendly, nurturing environment. She particularly enjoys sharing her love of dance with our younger Ballet, Tap, and Jazz students. Kate began dancing at TDLD in 2003, first studying Ballet and progressively broadening her training to encompass Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Song & Dance, Hip Hop, and VCE Dance. Before stepping into a teaching role in 2018, she participated in our student teaching program, developing her skills in guiding and inspiring others.

As a student, Kate was a long-time member of the La Danse Company competition team and represented the studio at numerous competitions and performances. An accomplished tap dancer, she also competed successfully as a soloist in eisteddfods. Kate was part of the TDLD team representing Victoria at the International Dance Excellence Festival in Los Angeles on multiple occasions—both as a performer and later as a teacher and choreographer.

Qualifications:

• RAD Registered Teacher
• RAD Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies
• Progressing Ballet Technique Certified Teacher 
• RAD Ballet Grades 1–8, Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Repertoire Level 2
• VCE Dance (Units 1–4)
• TinyTots Fairy Magic Teaching Certificate
• Bachelor of Engineering – Mechatronics (Honours), Monash University
• Biomedical Engineering PhD Candidate – Neurobionics, Monash University (current)

Maddie Kennedy

Maddie started dancing at TDLD in 2009 and has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap and Acro. She has represented Victoria twice at the International Dance Excellence Festival in Los Angles and has competed in many dance competitions over the years.
Maddie has completed units 1-4 of VCE Dance, Student Teacher Training through Dance Step, all RAD grades and Vocational levels up to Advanced 1, and is a Certified level 1 Acrobatic Arts Instructor. She also completed one year at Transit Dance’s Full-Time Performing Arts program, and is now studying Bachelor of Health Science.

• VCE Dance (Units 1-4)
• RAD Advanced 1
• Acrobatic Arts Certified
• Diploma of Professional Dance – Transit Dance
• Bachelor of Health Science – Monash University (current)

Maddy Cain

Maddy has extensive dance training including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Hiphop and Song & Dance. She achieved Distinctions in R.A.D. Primary to Grade 8 Ballet and completed VCE VET Dance Certificate I & II, performing her VCE solo in VCE Top Class.
Maddy has performed at the Victorian Dance Festival, at corporate events and worked as a Disney Princess. She has taught at several dance studios as well as working at Firbank Grammar School.

• Certificate II in Dance – Patrick School of the Arts
• Certificate III in Dance – Patrick School of the Arts
• Certificate IV in Dance – Patrick School of the Arts
• Acrobatic Arts Certified

Olivia Hosie

Olivia started dancing in 2004 and began training with TDLD in 2012. She has trained in many different styles including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Acro and Tap. Olivia has been a part of TDLD competition troupe, La Danse Company, since 2013 and also has represented Victoria twice at the International Dance Excellence Festival in LA. She was a Student Teacher at TDLD for 6 years and completed her Trainee Teacher course in 2020. She has a strong passion for teaching dance and encourages all students to do their best and have lots of fun. 
Olivia has also completed a Bachelor of Biomedicine at Melbourne University.

• Acrobatic Arts Certified
• Acrobatic Arts Preschool Certified
• Bachelor of Biomedicine – Melbourne University
• Biomedical Engineering PhD Candidate – Swinburne University (current)

Olivia Lucas

Olivia is a professional dancer who has been studying various styles of dance since the age of 3. Olivia began studying RAD ballet, and has recently attended Dance Factory studying all styles of dance full time, with a certificate III & IV in dance.
Olivia is very passionate, and loves all styles of dance, specialising in jazz. Her recent performance experience involves appearances on channel 7 Dancing with the Stars promotions, the International Cricket Cup and the Melbourne Fringe Festival. In 2015 Olivia completed her Elite Dance course with Kelly Aykers.

• Certificate III in Dance – Dance Factory
• Certificate IV in Dance – Dance Factory
• Elite Dance – Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance

Orla Shackcloth

Orla danced at Theatre De La DanSe as a young child before focussing on gymnastics & acro. She has been teaching for several years and is a highly qualified gymnastics coach. Orla is currently studying Physiotherapy at Monash University.

• National First Aid CPR and first aid certified
• Beginner and Intermediate Gymnastics Coaching Accreditations – Gymnastics Australia certified
• National Integrity Framework Online Education Series and Athletes Voice – Gymnastics Australia
• Bachelor Physiotherapy – Monash University

Rachel Higham

Rachel’s dance education began at a young age studying Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Tap. After high school Rachel continued to dance full time whilst completing her Bachelor of Contempoary Arts at Deakin University. Majoring in Dance, she was taught creative dance techniques and developed advanced choreography skills.
During this time Rachel also completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching studies through the RAD.
Rachel has taught at various schools throughout Melbourne since 2005, entering students for exams and choreographing for shows and competitions.
More recently Rachel has spent a year and half teaching at various schools in London, UK working with RAD students from Primary to Advanced 2 whilst also choreographing for shows. Rachel is excited to be back and sharing all her knowledge and experience.

• RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies
• RAD Registered Teachers Status
• Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Dance) – Deakin University

Sophia Bana

Sophia has been dancing at Theatre De La DanSe since 2005 and has trained in the styles of Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz.  She has represented Victoria with TDLD at the International Dance Excellence Festival in LA, been part of the La Danse Company multiple times and represented the studio with the Comp Team at Follow Your Dreams Nationals 2018-2019. Sophia completed VCE Dance (units 1-4) at TDLD and graduated from Transit Dance with a Diploma of Professional Dance in 2022.  

Sophia is currently furthering her training in London.

• VCE Dance (Units 1-4)
• RAD Advanced 1
• Diploma of Professional Dance – Transit Dance
• Bachelor of Arts – Melbourne University (current)

Sophie Kennedy

Sophie started dancing at TDLD in 2008 and since then has trained in a variety of styles of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap and Acro. She was a member of TDLD’s performance and competition troupe, La Danse Company for several years and has represented Victoria with TDLD twice at the Dance Excellence Festival in LA.
Sophie became a Student Teacher at TDLD in 2015 and became a regular teacher in 2022. She has become passionate about teaching younger students and encouraging them to do their best in a supportive environment.

• Acrobatic Arts Module 1 Certified
• RAD Advanced 1
• Bachelor of Arts – Melbourne University
• Juris Doctor – Melbourne University (current)

Sophie Taylor

Sophie started dancing at TDLD in 2010, when she was 2 years old. She has trained in several styles including Contemporary, Ballet, Tap and Jazz. Sophie has been a part of the La Danse Company and Comp Team since 2017, and went to Nationals for troupe in 2017 where they came 1st. Sophie has represented Victoria at the International Dance Excellence Festival in Los Angeles in 2018 and 2024. Sophie has been a part of the Transit Origins Dance Company where she was exposed to various styles of dance. She has been a Student teacher for seven years and completed her Teacher Traineeship in 2025. Sophie has completed all of her grades for Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) up to grade 8 and completed her vocational studies in RAD up to Intermediate. She has also completed VCE Dance units 1 and 2.