Course Directors
Deb Cantoni & Ariel Bud Natalya Bobenko Sophie Graham
Directors / Producers Artistic Director Course Coordinator
Our Local & Guest Teachers will train you to world class
standard
KIM ADAM - Jazz / Lyrical
Since completing full time at Tony Bartuccio’s in 2000 Kim has been fortunate enough to have had a diverse & exciting career, working alongside many renowned choreographers. Her work has also allowed her to travel overseas & in 2002 Kim won a scholarship to the EDGE in LA. Although performing is a passion for Kim, choreographing is her first love. In 2008 Kim became heavily involved in Collaboration - The Project & is excited to be able to give dancers the opportunity to perform.
STEPHEN AGISILAOU - Contemporary/Lyrical
After Graduating from 3 years of fulltime dance in 2004, Stephen became a member and assistant choreographer of DANCE2XS Australia. In 2005 Stephen relocated to LA where he was asked to audition for MOVE: the company. Stephen was a principal dancer and in his second year became Co-Director. Back in Australia Stephen is one of the most sought after teachers with his unique style and feel. Now Stephen introduces Vertical Shadows, a contemporary jazz company, dedicated to giving paid work to the industry with 3 shows premièring in 2009.
NATALYA BOBENKO - Lyrical / Contemporary
Natalya Bobenko has extensive experience in Film, TV and Stage. Her career highlights include feature films “Josh Jarman” and “Journey Into Centre of the Earth”, TV appearances on the Logies, Pepsi Charts, Kath and Kim, Aria Awards, Kerry Anne, IMT, Roy and HG, Hey Hey Its Saturday, Home and Away, Helpmann Awards and Comedy Company. Recently, Natalya has appeared on stage in shows including “Singing in the Rain”, “Happy Days”, “Oklahoma,” “Sweet Charity” and “Saturday Night Fever” for which she was nominated for a Green Room Award.
LISA BOLTE - Ballet
Lisa Bolte was Principal Artist for the Australian Ballet from 1993 to 2002 and Resident Guest Principal Artist from 2005 to 2007. Roles created for Lisa include Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, At the Edge of Night, 1914, Dark Lullaby and Book of Alleged Dances. She has won numerous awards including a Mo award for best female dancer. Lisa has also performed as a guest artist with The National Ballet of Canada, The Maryinski Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet. She brings this experience to her current teaching and coaching roles where she loves to bring the best out of every performer.
Alex Bryan - Latin
At 24 Alex Bryan is already an accomplished, award winning entertainer, dancer and choreographer. Alex was runner-up on the ABC show Strictly Dancing and made headlines with celebrity partner Kate Langbroek on Dancing With The Stars. Outside of TV, Alex has choreographed fashion shows, started his own dance company and won numerous dance titles including multiple Australian Salsa titles and more recently Australian National Modern Jive Championships partnering Deb Cantoni.
John Bolton - Acting / Performance
John has been awarded the Kenneth Myer Medallion for Outstanding Services to Theatre, the VCA Teaching Excellence Award and two Green Room Awards. He was Director of Theatre at the Theatre Workshop, Edinburgh and Head of Acting at the VCA. He founded the John Bolton Theatre School and has lectured at WAAPA and the Drama Action Centre, Sydney. John trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris. He successfully toured 2 solo shows internationally and was invited to join the Toronto International Festival in The Tempest.
VINCE CALINGASAN - Hip Hop
Vince is one of the most highly sought after dancer, teacher and
choreographers in Australia's Hip Hop scene. He has been dancing
professionally for over 10 years and has knowledge in all aspects of
Hip Hop including, new skool, popping, locking, house, whacking and so
on.
Vince’s choreography is a work of art – a product of his own true
ingenuity and artistry. He strives to bring music to life through dance
– a blank canvas where he paints combinations of steps that harmonise
both lyrically and rhythmically.
Vince is the Director and Choreographer of the legendary crew REWIND,
who has won countless competitions and has represented Australia at the
World Hip Hop Championships in L.A. placing within the top finalists in
the world. Vince has choreographed for the hit T.V. show 'So You Think
You Can Dance' in 2009 and has also worked with famous artists such as
Chanelle, Jade McRae, Israel and J. Wess appearing on their video clips
or performing on tour with them. He has also appeared on MTV in
'Request' and Channel [V] in 'Room 208.'
So get ready to rip up the dance floor….you’ve come to the right person
to show you how it’s done. Vince will challenge you no matter what
level you’re at…..GET READY TO BE INSPIRED!
Deb Cantoni - Le Bop
Deb Cantoni is the founder and owner of The Space Dance & Arts Centre in Melbourne (one of Melbourne’s biggest and busiest studios) and Le Bop - Modern Jive in Melbourne, Tasmania and New Zealand. Amongst her career highlights, Deb lists winning every major Modern Jive championship in Australia and the biggest Modern Jive competition in the world (the UK Open). Deb teaches dance at NICA (Melbourne) and regularly teaches dance and performance workshops around Australia and New Zealand.
SHANE CLARKE - Hip Hop
Trained in Melbourne, London and LA, Shane Clarke is the co-founder of Dance Virus Production, who are making their name known on the Hip Hop scene. After winning the Australian Hip Hop Championships in 2009, they travelled to San Diego, where they were invited to compete in BodyRock. DVP have also performed alongside the Jabbawokeez. Shane has performed with Ricki Lee, and at the ARIAs, Green Room Awards, L’Oreal Fashion Festival, and Nickelodeon Awards, and has taught workshops in Jakarta, London and San Diego.
ADRIAN DIMETRIEVICH - Ballet
Adrian has been teaching for over 22 years and has developed his own method of teaching, having trained in both the Russian style of dance, and the French. He has taught for The Australian Ballet, Sydney Dance Company, Australian Dance Theatre, Deutsche opera Berlin, International Ballet Tokyo, National Institute of Circus Arts and The Australian Institute of Sports, to name a few. Adrian has been the Artistic Director of several dance companies in his successful career, and has a long list of Australian and international dance and choreographic credits to his name.
PHILL HADDAD - Hip Hop
Phill is a highly sought after choreographer. Phil’s musical credits include Shout, Oh What a Night, High Society, Annie Get your Gun and Grease the Arena Spectacular. He has choreographed and performed in concerts, video clips, Aria awards, National & International tours, TV variety shows & Televised Charity events for various recording artists such as CDB, Marcia Hines, Deni Hines, Joanne feat BZ, Ilanda, Peter Andre and Mercury 4. Phill has supported international artists such as Destiny’s Child, Boys 2 Men, K Ci & Jo Jo, JaRule, Ashanti, N Trance, Steps & Ru Paul to name a few.
ANDREW HALLSWORTH - Musical Theatre
Andrew’s choreographic credits include Menopause the Musical, Eurobeat, Bye Bye Birdie, The Music Man, Carousel and So You Think You Can Dance Australia. He was Resident Director/Choreographer for Shout!, Resident Director on Oh! What a Night, Associate Director/Choreographer for Fiddler on the Roof, and Associate Choreographer for Priscilla. Andrew has performed in 42nd Street, Me and My Girl, Red Hot and Rhonda, West Side Story, Gypsy, Guys and Dolls, Call me Madam, Jolson, Funny Girl and has received numerous awards for his choreography.
MARK HILL - Tap
Mark Hill began training at the age of 3 and by 5, had appeared in productions of Faust and The Wizard of Oz. Mark has played lead roles on the ABC’s, The Wayne Manifesto & Network Ten’s Cybergirl. Most recently Mark has danced and choreographed for the Production Company. Mark has performed live with Michael Jackson and was a member of Raw Metal dance company. Mark is a current member of Bindi Irwin’s Crocmen performing in Australia and the USA. Mark is one of Australia’s best new tappers with his cool mixture of old school smooth and fast modern tap.
TIA JORDAN - Audition Technique
Tia Jordan’s film and TV credits include Bootmen, All Saints, Roy & HG’s Club Buggery, The Logies, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, In Melbourne Tonight, and regular choreography on The Midday Show. Tia’s choreography is seen on TV, music videos, and stages worldwide, including for Justine Clarke, Delta Goodrem, Deni Hines, Coca Cola Japan, IBM, and SONY BMG artists. Tia’s teaching credits include UNSW, NIDA and Sydney Dance Company. Tia specialises in Audition Technique, Jazz, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre and teaches her inspirational workshops.
ETIENNE KHOO - Hip Hop
Etienne Khoo has danced and choreographed in all areas of the Entertainment Industry. His highlights include appearances and choreography on TV; So You Think You Can Dance (choreography), Toast of Love, Hackers Clothing and GTV9’s ‘STARSTRUCK’; on TV Commercials for Coca Cola and Marathon Event Philips; and the Herald Sun Fashion Week. Etienne is a senior teacher and choreographer at the Dance Factory, VCA and Ballarat College of the Arts and is also Artistic Director of Hip Hop company ‘Dance Virus Production’ (D.V.P).
Yvette Lee - Commercial Jazz
Yvette Lee is one of the busiest dancers, choreographers and teachers in Australia. She has extensive experience in TV, Film, Film Clips and Stage as well as seasonal choreography for Walt Disney Special Events touring shows throughout Asia. She was assistant choreographer to Ross Coleman on “Sweet Charity”, “Dusty” & ”Shout!” and has choreographed for Ricki Lee, Deni Hines and for Stephen Spielberg! Her performance credits highlights include “How to Succeed in Business”, “Don Giovanni” (VSO), “Dusty”and “Shout!”.
PAUL MALEK - Jazz
Paul Malek (founder/director of Collaboration-The Project) trained in all styles of dance and is a graduate of VCA Secondary School and Bartuccio’s. His career highlights include Rehearsal Director Jean-Ann Ryan Productions FL, Disney Special Events and Everybody Loves Rhonda. Paul developed a Jazz syllabus taught in schools throughout Australia, Asia, & the UK. Paul Directed/Choreograhed Inhale The Showcase, Beat N Move Euphoric, An Evolution Of Love, Time A Story Of Youth, Down The Rabbit Hole & Immersed Dance Industry Night with Rhonda Burchmore.
SUE-ELLEN SHOOK - Jazz
The fabulous Sue-Ellen Shook is one of Melbourne’s most internationally known and respected dancers. As a teacher and choreographer, she is well known for her daring and challenging routines, especially in jazz and contemporary. Most famously appearing as “Baby Doll” in Baz Luhrman’s film Moulin Rouge, Sue-Ellen has also toured through Europe and Australia with shows such as Starlight Express, A Chorus Line, Carmen, Aida, and played Tiger Lily in the world premiere of Pan, the musical based on Peter Pan.