MEET OUR FACULTY
We are a team of dedicated professional dance educators who love what we do.
Danielle Williams RAD RTS
Owner/ Principal
Danielle was trained in Sydney by Rosalie Lane, Tanya Pearson and John Byrne. At 16 she was given a scholarship by Gailene Stock to study at the National Theatre Ballet School in Melbourne where she successfully auditioned for a place in the Australian Ballet School. The careful and nurturing training this studio provides has seen many talented students successfully audition for renowned schools and companies both here and abroad.Danielle is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance gaining Distinction on graduating. She has mentored teachers on the RAD Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies and is an RAD SE QLD panel member.
Wim Broeckx
Classical ballet
During Wim’s extensive career, he performed major leading roles of classical repertoire and could be seen in contemporary repertoire works by renowned choreographers. Internationally, Wim appeared regularly on international stages, as a guest artist as well as performing in gala’s.
In 2002, Wim was appointed Director of the Dance Department of the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. He has taught at international schools, staged classical ballet repertoire and assisted several choreographers with repertoire of Netherlands Dance Theater, including George Balanchine.
In 2008 Wim took over the position of Artistic President of the Prix de Lausanne. On several previous occasions, he served as jury member for International Competitions.
Natalia Johnson ARAD, BHSC, CBTS, RAD, RTS
Classical Ballet
Natalia began her dance training aged 2 at her mother’s dance school in Kenthurst NSW. From there she was trained by Prue Bowen, Kit Lethby, Jane Allyn and Ashley Killar in Sydney and at 14 left school to study classical ballet full-time.
It was here she successfully completed all her Major Royal Academy of Dance exams including Advanced. After 2 years of full-time dancing, Natalia returned to school to complete her HSC and from there went on to study at the University of New England, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science.
After working as a Naturopath for many years, Natalia left work to have her 3 young children and gain her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies from the RAD. Natalia has been teaching and running her own studio in Sydney for the past 3.5 years where her aim has been to instil the love of dance onto her students, coupled with an enthusiasm to learn.
Anna Veretennikova ARAD SOLO SEAL
Classical ballet
Anna trained with Valeria Hansen in Rockhampton before undertaking full time classical studies with
Scully Borovansky – Messrs Nellie Potts and Kathleen Daintree [Sydney] achieving her RAD Solo Seal.
After receiving a scholarship, she moved overseas to commence training with the Centre de Danse
Internationale de Rosella Hightower [Cannes]; undertook classes with Marika Bessobrasova, [Monte
Carlos] and Raymond Franchetti and Gibert Mayer [Paris Opera]; Carolyn Carlson and Matt Mattox
[Contemporary and Jazz studies Paris] In 2003 Anna was appointed a Grades Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance [RAD] and currently holds the status of RAD Tutor for both Teacher and Student Courses.
Scully Borovansky – Messrs Nellie Potts and Kathleen Daintree [Sydney] achieving her RAD Solo Seal.
After receiving a scholarship, she moved overseas to commence training with the Centre de Danse
Internationale de Rosella Hightower [Cannes]; undertook classes with Marika Bessobrasova, [Monte
Carlos] and Raymond Franchetti and Gibert Mayer [Paris Opera]; Carolyn Carlson and Matt Mattox
[Contemporary and Jazz studies Paris] In 2003 Anna was appointed a Grades Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance [RAD] and currently holds the status of RAD Tutor for both Teacher and Student Courses.
Justine Summers
Classical ballet
Justine Summers was taken into The Australian Ballet in 1989 after studying at The Victorian College of the Arts and The Australian Ballet School. She danced with The Australian Ballet from 1988-2000, 2003, 2012, promoted to Soloist in 1992, Senior Artist in 1994 and Principal Artist in 1996, performing the lead roles in most of the Company’s Classical and Neo Classical repertoire. She particularly enjoyed performing the roles of Tatiana in ‘Onegin’, Manon in ‘Manon’, in which her name became synonymous following the simulcast performance through the ABC, Juliet in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, the Sylph in La Sylphide, Giselle in ‘Giselle’, Odette/Odile in ‘Swan Lake’ and Cio Cio San in ‘Madame Butterfly’. Also contemporary works by internationally renowned choreographers, Jiri Kylian, Glen Tetley, Twyla Tharp, Graeme Murphy, Stephen Baynes and Stanton Welch, whose ‘Divergence’ received raving reviews in New York.
Justine has received several nominations for Green Room and MO Awards for these and other roles, winning for ‘Divergence’ in 1994 and a ‘Helpmann Award’ in 2004 for ‘Unspoken Dialogues”.
Justine feels blessed to have had a rewarding career performing throughout Australia and Internationally, and with over-seas Guest Artists.
Justine lives on the Gold Coast with her husband and 3 young children. She enjoys teaching and sharing her love of dance, knowledge and experience with aspiring young dancers.
Justine has received several nominations for Green Room and MO Awards for these and other roles, winning for ‘Divergence’ in 1994 and a ‘Helpmann Award’ in 2004 for ‘Unspoken Dialogues”.
Justine feels blessed to have had a rewarding career performing throughout Australia and Internationally, and with over-seas Guest Artists.
Justine lives on the Gold Coast with her husband and 3 young children. She enjoys teaching and sharing her love of dance, knowledge and experience with aspiring young dancers.
Amy Donnelly
Contemporary
A proud Australian with over five years of Canadian influence, a dancer, dance teacher, personal trainer and university student; Amy graduated the School of Contemporary Dancers Senior Professional Program, affiliated with the University of Winnipeg in 2015. Upon graduation she completed a nine week internship with Mascall Dance in Vancouver which coincided with performing in the 2016 Dancing on the Edge Festival. Prior professional dance projects include performing in the film, A Good Madness- The Dance of Rachel Browne, in Rachel Browne’s Willow Island (2013), with Odette Heyn Projects in collaboration with Fred Penner and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in their Christmas Concert (2013), with Stephanie Ballard and Dancers in Ottawa (2014) and at the opening of the Human Rights Museum (2014), in Tedd Robinson’s The 60 Dancer Project at the Canada Dance Festival in Ottawa (2014), Constance Cook’s Argon II (2014) and Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers Verge (2015).
Since graduating professional training, Amy has pursued interests parallel to her dance career. She has expanded her love of movement to a career in personal training and fitness. She has taught dance to all ages and all levels; from an outreach program run by Ballet BC, to recreational children and adults and pre-professional and professional dancers. After five years of living the dancer dream overseas, Amy has returned home to Australia to further her education in Exercise Science and share her passion and knowledge of contemporary dance with the next generation of dancers on the Gold Coast.
Since graduating professional training, Amy has pursued interests parallel to her dance career. She has expanded her love of movement to a career in personal training and fitness. She has taught dance to all ages and all levels; from an outreach program run by Ballet BC, to recreational children and adults and pre-professional and professional dancers. After five years of living the dancer dream overseas, Amy has returned home to Australia to further her education in Exercise Science and share her passion and knowledge of contemporary dance with the next generation of dancers on the Gold Coast.
Jordan Smith
Acrobatics
Jordan has trained his whole life on the Gold Coast. Beginning with gymnastics, competing at a national level, then on to dance training with Sheridan Vollenweider where he studied jazz, commercial, adagio, hip hop, tap, ballet and contemporary. His acrobatics training was with Ben Nicolodi. He then studied fulltime at Conroy Performing Arts in Brisbane.
His professional career began at Dream World Australia performing for Nickelodeon and DreamWorks, then WB Movie World and The Sudden Impact Entertainment Company. Jordan also performed in John Michael Howson’s original production of Pyjamas in Paradise as a lead dancer and acrobat. Most recently he travelled overseas on numerous contracts as dance captain with Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Jordan is dedicated to and passionate about what he does and is looking forward to passing on his Knowledge and skills with his students.
His professional career began at Dream World Australia performing for Nickelodeon and DreamWorks, then WB Movie World and The Sudden Impact Entertainment Company. Jordan also performed in John Michael Howson’s original production of Pyjamas in Paradise as a lead dancer and acrobat. Most recently he travelled overseas on numerous contracts as dance captain with Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Jordan is dedicated to and passionate about what he does and is looking forward to passing on his Knowledge and skills with his students.
Jessie Phillips - Lee
Jazz
Jessie’s early training was in Hobart before she completed her professional 3 year course with Patrick Studio Australia in dance, singing and acting under the direction of Todd Patrick, Andrew Hallsworth and Colette Mann. She was a Melbourne Storm Cheerleader and performed in The Production Company’s performance of Gypsy with Caroline O’Connor before taking two contracts with Norwegian Cruise Lines as a Performer and Aerialist.
The past year she has been employed as a choreographer, performance teacher and entertainment manager for ExitLeft Productions. She choreographed and organised entertainment for groups such as; the Make a Wish Foundation, Wrest Point Casino and Hobart City Council. She was also employed as the Musical Theatre teacher at the very successful Jenina’s Dance Workshop.
The past year she has been employed as a choreographer, performance teacher and entertainment manager for ExitLeft Productions. She choreographed and organised entertainment for groups such as; the Make a Wish Foundation, Wrest Point Casino and Hobart City Council. She was also employed as the Musical Theatre teacher at the very successful Jenina’s Dance Workshop.
Judith Chayko-Kingston ARAD
Classical ballet
Judy started ballet at the age of 8 in her home town of Coffs Harbour. At 15 she moved to Newcastle to study full-time with Tessa Maunder. Judy won the McDonalds Ballet Scholarship (formerly the Stuyvesant Ballet Scholarship) in 1978, successfully auditioning for The Royal Ballet School in London. Judy trained at the RBS for 2 years and was the only student in her first year class to be offered a second year. In that time she was awarded a Queen Jubilee Trust Scholarship to further her studies. Judy is a RAD registered teacher and ran a successful Dance Studio of her own in Coffs harbour for 10 years.
George Bokaris
Classical ballet/Pas de Deux/Body conditioning
George Bokaris graduated from the full-time program at Danielle’s Studio of Dance. George completed and received his Advanced 2 exam with Distinction and was a finalist in the Jacqueline Morland Awards, 2016. He has recently returned from North Carolina, USA, where he trained and performed professionally with Charlotte Ballet after receiving a full scholarship to their pre-professional program. Whilst there, he trained under the direction of Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. He performed in numerous works with the company including the prince in ‘The Nutcracker’, Mazurka in ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ and a solo lead in ‘Concerto Divertimenti’, choreographed by Jeanene Perry (former principal with Arizona Ballet). Before returning to Australia, George was offered company contracts with Ballet Tucson and San Diego Ballet, but has since returned with a focus on teaching. George is also a very talented pianist and violinist.
Patricia Meenan Ramsden ARAD ISTD
Classical ballet/Character
Ex Principal of Dance Studios New Zealand, Sydney and Los Angeles.
Patricia Meenan Ramsden received the first Advanced Royal Academy of Dance certificate in Dunedin, New Zealand. She was the first successful candidate to pass the exam in 16 years. Following that she received her A.R.A.D. from London.
Patricia spent many years teaching the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Dance in New Zealand and Australia. She opened “The Meenan Dance Centre” in Dunedin and Balclutha and also took over the Otago Dance Centre as well as directing and teaching for the “Dance Factory” in Christchurch and Sydney. Many former students have joined the New Zealand Ballet and Southern Ballet Companies with other talented dancers joining ballet and modern dance companies overseas.
Patricia spent 15 years in Los Angeles where she taught one on one technique classes and exercise for teenagers and adults. Patricia and her family moved to the Gold Coast in 2003.
Patricia Meenan Ramsden received the first Advanced Royal Academy of Dance certificate in Dunedin, New Zealand. She was the first successful candidate to pass the exam in 16 years. Following that she received her A.R.A.D. from London.
Patricia spent many years teaching the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Dance in New Zealand and Australia. She opened “The Meenan Dance Centre” in Dunedin and Balclutha and also took over the Otago Dance Centre as well as directing and teaching for the “Dance Factory” in Christchurch and Sydney. Many former students have joined the New Zealand Ballet and Southern Ballet Companies with other talented dancers joining ballet and modern dance companies overseas.
Patricia spent 15 years in Los Angeles where she taught one on one technique classes and exercise for teenagers and adults. Patricia and her family moved to the Gold Coast in 2003.