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 (Guest Teacher)
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.
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.
Simone Lewis
Jazz/Musical theatre
Simone grew up on the Gold Coast and fell in love with dance from her first class. She is trained in all styles of dance and from a young age was seen performing locally in numerous Gold Coast Arts Centre Musical Theatre Productions. As an all rounder when Simone reached adulthood she was either promotional cheerleading for Gold Coast Dolphins, acting in the Pepsi or Sunny Queen Egg TV commercials or modeling for JAG. In 2003, Simone studied full time performing arts at Brent Street Studios in Sydney. Whilst in Sydney, Simone back up danced for Kelly Clarkson, Paulini and Neil Young during his Australian portion of his world concert tour. She was also a member of the ensemble for the “one time” performance of Hair the musical for the City of Sydney. Simone was fortunate enough that summer to train and perform in NYC with the Radio City Rockettes. Simone’s all rounder dance abilities gained her employment with various international production companies and toured Japan, Canada & Mexico for 5 years as either a showgirl or latin dancer. After this Simone completed 4 contracts with Jean Ann Ryan Productions and Norwegian Cruise Lines. In 2012, Simone was cast as a lead dancer and dance captain for a German Company performing in ‘Jubilee’ in Dresden, Germany. Simone retired from a 10 year professional dance career and has a business and education degree. She has recently moved back to the Gold Coast and after having children of her own enjoys sharing her passion and love for dance with younger dancers. (Simone is also studying a Bachelor of Education !
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.
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.
T’La Morrow
Acrobatics
Originally from Brisbane Tla began her circus & acrobatics training since the age of 4. Getting accepted into the performance troupe very early on gave her a great amount of opportunities to broaden her skill set. Since moving to the Gold Coast she has begun her circus career performing at the star casino in “LumiAir Cirque Extraordinaire” and “Solaria” as an aerialist, dancer and acrobat. Since then she has performed her skills in many different shows around Australia and internationally, also completing a full time dance course. Flying over to China in 2018, Tla spent 5 months training at the Beijing International Circus Arts School studying acrobatics, handstands, hula hoops and flexibility.
Karen Donovan ARAD
Classical Ballet
Karen studied ballet (amongst other dance genres) at the Valeria Hansen Academy of Dancing in Rockhampton from the age of four. She continued her training at The Royal Ballet School, London in 1978, winning Bronze at the Adeline Genee Competition, in 1979, and dancing Gypsy Girl in The Two Pigeons in her Graduation Performance at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 1980.
The same year Karen joined Sadlers’ Wells Royal Ballet – now Birmingham Royal Ballet – and in 1987 was promoted to Principal Dancer under the direction of Sir Peter Wright, performing in London, across the UK and internationally. Some of her many leading roles include Aurora, Odette/Odile, Lise, Swanhilda , Giselle, Sugar Plum Fairy, Pineapple Poll and leading ballerina in Paquita, Divertimento No. 15, Theme and Variations and Five Tangos. Other roles include Elite Syncopations, Concerto Barocco, Raymonda, Flowers of the Forest and showcase pas des deux Don Quixote and Tchaikovsky. Karen has worked with many notable choreographers, but two career highlights were having David Bintley’s Allegri Diversi and Hobson’s Choice created especially for her.
In 1993 Karen pursued other avenues, working at The Royal Ballet School as Student Services Officer which included preparation for auditions. Karen went on to gain UK Pilates and Fitness Instructor qualifications as well as teaching classical ballet classes, solos and repertoire work.
In 2009 Karen returned to Central Queensland where she began teaching and coaching at 5 Rockhampton ballet schools. She was one of the judges at the Jacqueline Morland Awards in 2010 and the City of Sydney MacDonald Scholarships in 2011. Karen relocated to Brisbane in January 2013 where she is currently freelance teaching and coaching at various ballet schools and thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to pass on her wealth of knowledge and experience from her years of performing. Karen has recently written a booklet for ballet students – Pointes of View – to help them prepare their pointe shoes.
The same year Karen joined Sadlers’ Wells Royal Ballet – now Birmingham Royal Ballet – and in 1987 was promoted to Principal Dancer under the direction of Sir Peter Wright, performing in London, across the UK and internationally. Some of her many leading roles include Aurora, Odette/Odile, Lise, Swanhilda , Giselle, Sugar Plum Fairy, Pineapple Poll and leading ballerina in Paquita, Divertimento No. 15, Theme and Variations and Five Tangos. Other roles include Elite Syncopations, Concerto Barocco, Raymonda, Flowers of the Forest and showcase pas des deux Don Quixote and Tchaikovsky. Karen has worked with many notable choreographers, but two career highlights were having David Bintley’s Allegri Diversi and Hobson’s Choice created especially for her.
In 1993 Karen pursued other avenues, working at The Royal Ballet School as Student Services Officer which included preparation for auditions. Karen went on to gain UK Pilates and Fitness Instructor qualifications as well as teaching classical ballet classes, solos and repertoire work.
In 2009 Karen returned to Central Queensland where she began teaching and coaching at 5 Rockhampton ballet schools. She was one of the judges at the Jacqueline Morland Awards in 2010 and the City of Sydney MacDonald Scholarships in 2011. Karen relocated to Brisbane in January 2013 where she is currently freelance teaching and coaching at various ballet schools and thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to pass on her wealth of knowledge and experience from her years of performing. Karen has recently written a booklet for ballet students – Pointes of View – to help them prepare their pointe shoes.