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.
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.
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.
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.
Simone Lewis
Jazz
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 !
Naomi Leader
Lyrical & Musical theatre
Naomi Leader is a versatile singer, dancer, and actress based in Sydney. She has a Performing Arts Diploma in Musical Theatre and Commercial Dance from ED5 International Performing Arts. Upon graduating she received a contract with Universal Studios Singapore as their lead singer and dancer in the Mel’s Dinette show.
Naomi’s skill, professionalism, and pocket rocket energy have led her to star in countless productions alongside some of Australia’s top creative faces.
Naomi trained under some of the world’s best choreographers in LA. She also worked with LA music producers on her debut album ‘Is This Ideal,’ which is available on all streaming sites. Naomi toured Australia as a supporting dancer with Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter and producer Eric Bellinger and has assisted star dancer and choreographer Kate Wormald at the Kar Dance Convention.
In 2021 Naomi choreographed and starred in a musical dance sequence in the short film, Rapid, led by an award-winning crew. She was also an ensemble member in Packemin Productions Wicked and gigged around Sydney as the lead singer for Cover Story. Naomi is so excited for her next chapter here on the Gold Coast, ready to inspire and motivate the next generation of performing artists.
Bruna Ribeiro
Contemporary
Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Bruna started her ballet studies at Sao Paulo School of Dance, where she graduated in 2014. During 9 years she studied Classical Ballet, Contemporary and Modern Dance. In 2013, she participated in the Opera La Traviata of Giuseppe Verdi and choreographed by Simona Bucci in the main theatre of Sao Paulo. Bruna also performed Acts of Light at “Virada Cultural” which is a 24-hour cultural festival of music, dance and art sponsored by the state Secretary of Culture in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In 2014 she did an internship for few months in Sopro Company of Dance participating into their process of creating new projects and rehearsals.
After her graduation, she started teaching Ballet while she was studying acting at Wolf Maya School of Actors in Sao Paulo. She taught for 2 years acting for children including performances.
Bruna finished her Certificate III in Assistant Dance Teaching by Australian Learning Group in Melbourne in 2019, and she has taught Contemporary dance at prominent Brisbane studios.
In 2020 & 2021 she performed with Phluxus Dance Collective as a dancer for the project “IndepenDANCE 2020” and “IndepenDANCE 2021” The Tivoli Theatre.”