Course Directors
Deb Cantoni & Ariel Bud Ian Knowles
Directors / Producers Artistic Director
Our Local & Guest Teachers will train you to world class standard
IAN KNOWLES - Artistic Director
After training in Perth in Jazz, Tap & Acrobatics (CSTD), and Classical (RAD), Ian has been fortunate enough to spend 16 years in the entertainment industry as a professional dancer, choreographer, director and teacher.
Starting his career on a weekly variety program “Teamworkz” gave Ian a great introduction to the world of dance and entertainment. He is proud to say that he has worked in every medium of entertainment.After moving to Sydney, musical theatre and freelance dance were then to be Ian’s teacher and provider.
Ian’s show credit include “World Greatest Dance Spectacular”, “Anything Goes”, “My Fair Lady”, “Hello Dolly”, “Cinderella”, “West Side Story”, and the workshop of “Easter Parade” with the Broadway legend Tommy Tune and “Fiddler on the Roof”. He has also had the pleasure of performing in the Dein Perry film “Bootmen” and toured with the legendary Rhonda Burchmore.
Choreography and teaching have become Ian’s passions of in recent years, with credits that include Bali Agung – Legends of Balinese Goddesses, Colours of Malaysia 2009 Opening Ceremony, Rugby World Cup – Opening & Closing ceremonies, Sydney 2002 Gay Games Opening Ceremony, “Pan” – the musical, NSW Small Business Awards & Rhonda Burchmore’s National Cabaret Tour. His teaching credits include Ev & Bow Full-time, IKIN Dance Full-time, Brent Street School of Performing Arts, Sydney Dance Company Open Classes, Dance Intensity Extreme Workshops, RAD ACT/Riverina Advisory Panel Workshops and QUT Stage & Screen Workshop.
“I believe that dance should be both passionate and inspiring and get back to its origins - story telling – leaving the audience empowered, transported and uplifted!”
Ian teaches a regular casual class at The Space on Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:30pm.
If you would like to do a pre-audition or would like to prepare for the full time course auditions please come along to these classes.
KIM ADAM - Jazz / Lyrical
Since completing full time at 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 L.A. 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
Stephen is one of Melbourne’s most sought after Lyrical Jazz/Contemporary teachers & choreographers. His international career includes; principal dancer & co-director of Canadian contemporary company ‘MOVE: the Company’ and a lead role in the internationally awarded film ‘Perceptions’ (LA). In Australia, Stephen has had lead roles with Collaborations the Project and Industry Dance; he has choreographed on SYTYCD (AUS), the Tony Award Winning ‘Spring Awakenings’ and Green Room awarded ‘Prodigal’. Stephen is the founder and principal choreographer of multiple award winning “Vertical Shadows” a contemporary jazz company producing innovative works.
JOHN BOLTON - Acting / Performance
John has been awarded the Kenneth Myer Medallion for Outstanding Services to Theatre, the VCA Teaching Excellence Award & two Green Room Awards. He was Director of Theatre at the Theatre Workshop, Edinburgh & Head of Acting at the VCA. He founded the John Bolton Theatre School & has lectured at WAAPA & the Drama Action Centre, Sydney. John trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London & Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris. He successfully toured 2 solo shows internationally & was invited to join the Toronto International Festival in The Tempes.
SARAH BOULTER - Contemporary
Sarah is a brilliant choreographic talent who has worked with well known choreographers & directors worldwide. Recent credits include ‘SYTYCD’, ‘Dance Academy’ (ABC) , ‘Giggle & Hoot’ (ABC 3) & International Congress Awards representing Sydney Dance Company. Sarah also choreographed for Meryl Tankard’s ‘Kiada’ & featured in Celine Dion’s ‘A New Day’ with Mia Michaels & Franco Dragone. Sarah is sought after for her contemporary works & is the director of her own school ‘Ev & Bow’ in Sydney. We are thrilled to have Sarah on our faculty as a guest teacher in 2012.
ALEX BRYAN - Latin
Alex is an accomplished, award winning entertainer, dancer & choreographer. Alex was runner-up on the ABC’s ‘Strictly Dancing’ & made waves with celebrity Kate Langbroek on ‘Dancing With The Stars’. Alex has choreographed fashion shows, started his own dance company & won many dance titles including multiple Australian Salsa titles & Australian National Modern Jive Championships partnering Deb Cantoni. In 2010, Alex made his musical theatre debut in the Production Company’s ‘The Boy From Oz’.
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.
LEROY CURWOOD - Hip Hop
Leroy started dancing early and regularly draws on this wide vocabulary of movement. He co-choreographed on the Australian Series of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and was co-director of the current Australian Hip Hop Champions (DVP). Internationally, Leroy has taught in Poland alongside Ian Eastwood, Laura Edwards and Candace Brown. Leroy is also a part of ‘Who Got Skillz’ and has appeared in music videos, club gigs and stage performances including Choreographer’s Carnival directed by dance icons Luther Brown, Tucker Barkley, Kyle Hanagami, Tony Czar, Lee Daniel, Jian Pierre-Louis and Andye Jamieson. Leroy has also taught at the prestigious ‘Millennium Dance Complex’ in L.A.
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.
WILL JONES - Acrobatics
Will began gymnastics when he was seven years old & later began tumbling, martial arts & trampolining. His passion for flipping & fighting eventually led him to a career as a stunt performer. Will has been teaching acrobatics for four years & works with dancers all over Melbourne. Will is an inspiring teacher (with boundless energy & enthusiasm), who believes in his students’ talent & potential, & is guaranteed to get you flipping & tumbling in no time.
LUCAS JERVIES - Contemporary
Lucas studied at the VCA & the Australian Ballet School & was a member of the Australian Ballet. Lucas has also danced with Opera Australia, Dance Works Rotterdam & Scapino Ballet Rotterdam in the Netherlands, working with choreographers Georg Reischl, Marco Goecke, Bejart, Gingras, Guy & Roni, Linning, Nureyev, Page, Touzeau, Vreugdenhil & Wubbe. Recently Lucas has choreographed for The Australian Ballet, Korzo Theatre’s ‘Den Haag’, Scapino Ballet’s ‘Twools’, Stuttgart Ballet’s ‘Noverre Society’, JACK productions’ ’Human Abstract’ & the Australian Ballet School. Photography by Lynette Wills.
TRAVIS KHAN - Contemporary
Travis trained at UNITEC Institute of Technology, obtaining a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts and at The New Zealand School of Dance.
Since then, Travis has developed an extensive list of credits in fashion, corporate, commercial and television events. Credits include: L’Oreal fashion week, Bonds, Cotton On and AussieBum launches, Just Jeans International modeling tour, Australia’s Got Talent, Australian Idol and performances with the Rogue Traders, Vanessa Amorosi and Ricki-Lee.
Travis made his musical theatre debut in The Lion King, going on to perform the role of Dance Captain. Travis also performed in Turnandot, choreographed by Graeme Murphy for Opera Australia, Fiddler On The Roof, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, in Australia, New Zealand and the London launch, West Side Story playing the role of Luis and Dance Captain and Kismet with the Production Company.
ETIENNE KHOO - Hip Hop
Etienne Khoo has danced & choreographed in all areas of the entertainment industry. Highlights include appearances & choreography on TV; ‘SYTYCD’ (choreography), ‘Toast of Love’, ‘Hackers Clothing’ & ‘STARSTRUCK’ (Ch9); on TV Commercials for Coca Cola, Marathon Event Philips & the Herald Sun Fashion Week. Etienne is a senior teacher & choreographer at the Dance Factory, VCA & Ballarat College of the Arts & is also Artistic Director of Hip Hop company ‘Dance Virus Production’ (DVP).
YVETTE LEE - Commercial Jazz
Yvette Lee is one of the busiest dancers, choreographers & teachers in Australia, including film, TV, film clips & stage as well as choreography for ‘Disney’ Special Events throughout Asia. She was assistant choreographer to Ross Coleman on ‘Sweet Charity’, ‘Dusty’ & ‘Shout!’ & has choreographed for Ricki Lee, Deni Hines & Stephen Spielberg! Her performances include ‘How to Succeed in Business’, ‘Don Giovanni’ (VSO), ‘Dusty’ & ‘Shout!’, and was choreography consultant on SYTYCD Australia. Currently Yvette is the choreographer of the hit musical “rock of ages”.
PAUL MALEK - Jazz
Paul Malek has had extensive training in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Character, Kinetic awareness, Improvisation, Dance Making, Folk Dancing, Acrobatics, and in his later years Lyrical and Hip Hop. Graduate of Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and Bartuccio's Dance and Promotions Centre
His choreography was featured on Channel 10’s third season of So You Think You Can Dance, choreographing two pieces. He also choreographed for Darren Hayes new release, 'Talk Talk Talk' which was performed on Channel 7's Dancing With the Stars Finale show 2011.
Paul has Directed all 11 Collaboration The Project and Project Y Productions, as well as Animalia, Short Film for fashion label Trimapee, Dance Shorts Halfway and Photograph, Patma Childrens Concerts, Stomp and Clomp Tap Show and many workshops in all states of Australia. He has also developed a 12 level Jazz syllabus for Australian Teachers of Dancing, which is now taught in schools throughout Australia, Asia, United Kingdom and Norway. Plus he was rehearsal director for Jean-Ann Ryan Productions FL, Norwegian Cruise Lines & Disney Special Events as Dance Captain, P&O Cruises and Everybody Loves Rhonda.
NIKKI O’SHEA - Ballet
Nikki trained at VCA and WAAPA, graduating with distinction. Professional credits include The WA Ballet Company, Sydney Dance Company, Stella Opern in Hamburg Germany, and resident choreographer of several European productions of Phantom of the Opera. Nikki has toured the world with Cats, Phantom, Beauty and the Beast, Tanz der Vampire and Miss Saigon. Nikki has worked with Opera Queensland as a dancer, Dance Captain and Assistant Director; as well as lecturing in movement and stagecraft at The Queensland Conservatorium of Music and The University of Queensland.
ASH PERRIE - Contemporary
Originally from Perth, Ashleigh began her training in Rhythmic Gymnastics and Irish Dancing competing in both at a national level. After completing high school she moved to Melbourne where she trained at Dance World Studios (now APO Arts Academy), the V.C.A and the Ministry of Dance. For the last two years she has been working as the Lead Resident Female Dancer and Assistant Choreographer for Paul Malekʼs company Collaboration The Project and is currently choreographing for their youth company Project Y. She has featured in their productions of ʻDown The Rabbit Hole,ʼ ʻParkland Avenue,ʼ ʻClimaxʼ and ʻStratagem.ʼ She also performed in their works ʻCollection of Forgotten Treasuresʼ and ʻUnansweredʼ for Short Sweet + Dance where she was awarded Best Female Dancer in both the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Ashleigh has worked with an array of choreographers including Stephen Agisilaou (Vertical Shadows ), Robert Sturrock (Industry Dance) and most recently Adrian Ricks in Rickstix production of ʻRelease.ʼ Other credits include appearing on Neighbours, The 7PM Project, The Singing Office and in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. She also featured in the short film ʻAnimaliaʼ directed by Christian Blanchard, produced for Melbourne fashion label Trimapee.
Ashleigh currently teaches at many of the full time dance schools across Melbourne and is a qualified gymnastics coach at the Prahran Rhythmic Gymnastics Specialist Centre based at NICA.
EDEN REID - Tap
Eden has enjoyed a diverse performing and creative career spanning many styles and disciplines. He has appeared in Musicals including Grease the Arena Spectacular, Hello, Dolly!, Sunset Boulevard and The Irish... and How They Got That Way, and toured internationally with Irish Tap show Spirit of the Dance, and has appeared in over a dozen Opera Australia productions.
Eden worked as an Assistant Director for Oz Opera’s Cinderella, and was also Re-Staging Choreographer for their regional tour of Carmen. He was Choreographic Assistant for the 2006 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony, Re-Staging Choreographer for the Korean tour of Eurobeat, and has choreographed episodes of Neighbours and the short musical film A4 to A3.
THERN REYNOLDS - Musical Theatre
Thern Reynolds dance career has spanned 3 decades! Including credits in over 20 Professional musicals such as 42nd St, West Side Story, Mack and Mabel, Easter Parade, Mind The Gap (role of The Millennium man), Joseph in Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chicago (Dance Captain), The Starring role in Fosse (European Tour), Rent (Dance Captain), The Boy From Oz, Red Hot & Rhonda, My Fair Lady, Tonight's The Night (role of Sex Devil), Hot Shoe Shuffle (role of Wing), Pippin (role of Lewis), Gypsy (role of Tulsa), Live From The Roosevelt (Jupiter's Casino), Chess, Miss Saigon (Dance Captain) and Happy days The Arena Spectacular (Dance Captain).
Thern has backed such names as Kylie Minogue, Thelma Houston, Tom Jones, Christine Anu and more, and was Lead Vocalist for The Aerial Angels production of Play The Game at The Reef Casino in Cairns. Thern has been part of the casting process in the both London's West End and in Australia and appeared in the hit movies Moulin Rouge and De-Lovely - The Cole Porter Story. His TV credits include The Logies, The people's Choice awards, IMT, GMA, The Midday Show, Hey Hey Its Saturday and more. Thern is a specialist in the "Fosse style", having toured Australia and New Zealand extensively teaching "Fosse styled" master classes; his style is theatrical with an emphasis on great dance performance
SUE-ELLEN SHOOK - Jazz
Sue-Ellen is one of Melbourne’s most internationally known & respected dancers. As a teacher & choreographer, she is well known for her daring & challenging routines, especially in jazz & contemporary. Appearing as ‘Baby Doll’in Baz Luhrman’s film Moulin Rouge, Sue-Ellen has also toured Europe & Australia with shows such as ‘Starlight Express’, ‘A Chorus Line’, ‘Carmen’, ‘Aida’, & played ‘Tiger Lily’ in the world premiere of ‘Pan’. Sue-Ellen is currently appearing in the Production Company’s ‘The Boy From Oz’.
OLEG TIMURSIN - Ballet
Oleg graduated from Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg and the choreographic conservatorium of Rimsky Korsokov. Professionally he began as a dancer at the St. Petersburg Operetta Ballet Theatre, then flowing naturally into choreography. Oleg has choreographed countless television shows, operas, ballets on ice, theatre productions and cabarets, dance films, and a one-act ballet for Farouk Rusimatov’s evening at the Marinsky Theatre in St Petersburg! Oleg now lives in Melbourne and his gentle manner, love of teaching and incredible depth of knowledge make him a perfect Ballet Teacher for our full time course.
BRENDAN YEATES - Contemporary / Jazz
Born in Melbourne, Brendan Yeates studied dance at Bartuccio Dance and Promotion Centre and the VictorianCollege of the Arts Secondary School. Since graduating in 2005 Brendan has appeared in numerous theatrical productions, including Billy Elliot The Musical (LWAA), Turandot (MOC), Divine Divas (MMP), The Fountain(VS), Down the Rabbit Hole (CTP), Ooh La La (Kissing Bee) and Men On Tap.
He has also worked internationally for Tokyo Disneyland, P&O Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International (Dance Captain/Aerial Silks). Brendan’s screen credits include Thank God You’re Here (Channel 7), The Footy Show(GTV9), the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards (Nickelodeon), the Rogue Traders music video Would You Raise Your Hands and the film Salaam Namaste (Black Cat/Yash Raj Films). Brendan has performed with Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian, Delta Goodrem, Cassie Davis, Rhonda Burchmore and Courtney Act. His Corporate credits include work with Starburst, Toni & Guy, Nine MSN, Myer, Victorian Racing and Mix 101.1.