Staff Profiles

(R.A.D. Teaching Diploma specialising in Grades & Vocational Grades - Dist. / Practical Teaching Supervisor for the R.A.D)

Carol studied RAD ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and Spanish flamenco while at school in South Africa. After completing her schooling and dancing professionally for 3 years, she went on to open 2 ballet studios in Port Elizabeth & Uitenhage. Both studios produced many talented students that went on to compete in the Genee finals in London and secure positions with The Canadian National Ballet Company and The Rambert Ballet in the UK.

In 1999 Carol spent a year teaching RAD ballet at The Ballet Centre in Dubai, UAE - after which she returned to South Africa to get married and went into partnership with Dawn De Wit (RAD Grade examiner).

In 2006 Carol and her husband and 2 young children emigrated to Australia and settled on the Gold Coast.

She has been teaching at D & D Performing Arts School since then and is very enthusiatic about the future of D & D and hopes to continue to deliver an excellent standard of teaching, while maintaining the sense of enjoyment and "family" that the present students are accustomed to.

(PIANO TEACHER)

Jed Stone,our piano/keyboard teacher,started his career in rock legend David Bowie's backing band before performing freelance,backing notable artists such as Englebert Humperdinck and Tom Jones.He went on three world tours before joining the English state school system as a music teacher.

On arrival in Australia,Jed worked in Sydney for the next 20 years,becoming the highest paid(but not necessarily the best!)piano player,working six days a week at the prestigious Centrepoint Tower in lunch times and six evenings at the Royal Automobile Club in Maquarie Street.Jed found time to work as a music teacher at Music City in Castlereagh Street. SInce moving to the Gold Coast,Jed has worked backing many local shows, and continues to provide backing tracks for many local artistes,including Liza Beamish and Bob Green.Jed is currently the bandleader at the Tweedlink Music Society,the biggest music society on the Gold Coast,which his wife Jean runs as musical director.

Many of Jed's students perform at the Tweedlink Music Society's monthly concerts,which has a policy of encouraging young talent,whether dancers,singers or keyboard players.
Jed also teaches violin,cello,mandolin,accordeon and guitar. Jed has a Diploma in Music Education and a degree in theology from King's College.(London)

He is able to enter students for the A.M.E.B. grade examinations in music.

Lisa Bennett has managed a successful career that has taken her all over the world performing at the The Moulin Rouge, various Cruise liners and Stage productions throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Lisa accepted her first contract at Conrad Jupiter’s Casino in 2001 and the Gold Coast has been her home ever since. She has featured in Jupiters stage productions Hidden Palace, Rhythm of The Night, Storm, Midnight Magic, Tempo Rouge and finally Zingara which marked Lisa’s fourth consecutive show in the role of Dance Captain.

Lisa now runs her own Dance Agency providing Dancers and Choreography for Events and Stage Productions. Recently she Choreographed for the World Festival of Magic Australian Tour and “All Shook Up” The Musical.

She is very excited to continue the high standard of Jazz training that D & D students have received.

Kerrie started dancing when she was 4 years old at Hobart Dance Academy, where she trained in classical, jazz, neo-classical/contemporary, acrobatics, and tap with Ken Mc Swain and then continued her training in Melbourne at Dance Factory and Dance World 301, completing the full-time Performing Arts Course. As well as being trained in all aspects of dance Kerrie is a qualified Personal Trainer and dance teacher and is extremely passionate about living and enjoying a healthy lifestyle.

Since commencing her professional career Kerrie has worked extensively throughout Europe, North America and Asia with Princess Cruises. In Australia she has worked with some of Australia's leading choreographers at numerous live events and corporate functions. Kerrie has performed in three of Conrad Jupiters Casino's stage shows, as Dancer and Assistant Dance Captain. In 2009 Kerrie was a cast member of Las Vegas Confidential the Musical at the State Theatre Sydney and accepted another overseas contract with Princess Cruises where she has also completed her Zumba Training and taken classes with some of the best.

Currently Kerrie is a cast member of the latest Casino show "GENESIS". Kerrie really enjoys being a teacher at D & D and loves helping young up-and-coming dancers work towards their goals and achieve their dreams

Alichia started dancing at the age of 3 up in Cairns, QLD. performing in Eisteddfods and Concerts each year. At the age of 15 she was given the opportunity by her teacher to choreograph solos and duos for eisteddfods and take the younger ballet, jazz and tap classes and that is when she knew she wanted to be a dance teacher. So in 1999 at the age of 17 her family moved to Queensland so she could study at the Australian Dance Performance Institute which was called Brisbane Dance Centre at the time. At the end of her 2yr training she achieved an Advanced Diploma in Art/Dance and completed her Teacher's Certificate. She then taught for ADPI and other dance schools around Brisbane.

In 2004 Alichia wanted to dance again so she moved down to Sydney and studied at Brent St achieving the Certificate IV in Dance. In 2005 Alichia moved to Hong Kong where she taught ballet, tap and jazz for over 4yrs and choreographed concerts.

In 2009 she was ready to come home again to be with family and friends, and is now teaching around Brisbane and at D&D Performing Arts. Within 2009/10 Alichia became a certified Zumba/ZumbAtomic instructor which she also teach around Brisbane.

Kerrie started her acro coaching at Green valley community centre in 1983/4 teaching tumbling, floor, mini tramp & double mini.(a position secured after being a student gymnast & tumbler there for 6yrs)

She is married with 3 children, and has extensive experience in gymnastics, trampolining & Diving, including :Acrobatics Coach, Level 4 tumbling & double mini tramp, Level 1 coach basic track & field 2003.

Kerrie started Teaching a range of acrobatics in levels suitable to the students, at D & D in Feb 2009. These lessons have included tumbling, mini tramp, trapeze work, hoops, lifts, strength work & flexibility training. Kerrie is also a casual on call gymnastics coaching 2009 for PCYC Nerang.

Ann-Marie was born in Sydney, daughter of a Singer/Actor Father and Dancer Mother. After the usual school years of piano and dance lessons, she attended the Sydney Conservatorium for three years studying piano accompaniment and classical singing subsequently beginning a career singing in local clubs, performing in Musical Theatre and doing voice-over work.

After a change of career direction as an Air-Hostess ( when they still used to call them that!) she married and moved to Europe for three years, once again performing. On return to Australia and the following years of raising children, she returned to radio work and Musical Theatre also beginning Vocal Coaching, and taking private students. On moving to Queensland in 1999, school years over for her children, she began once again performing and singing in couple musicals performing with The Gold Coast Little Theatre - her roles included The Baroness (Sound of Music) Agnes Gooch (Mame) Ado Annie (Oklahoma) Adelaide (Guys and Dolls) and some One Act Plays, and again took an interest in radio - joining Jazz Radio 94.1fm where she has been presenting a Jazz show for the last 5 years.

Ann-Marie's work as a Vocal Coach has been on-going for the last 8 years, working mostly with performers, helping to correct problems of pitch or range for a certain role, plus the strengthening and health of the voice. She joined us in 2009, and has had such success with both group and individual coaching.

Raised on the Gold Coast, Adam is presently studying at Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus(Bachelor of Commerce/ Bachelor of International Business)

He trained in Acrobatics & Gymnastics since the age of 10 and his Sporting Achievements include -Oztag: Selected for Gold Coast Representative Team (2007/8/9/10)Won the Queensland Cup, invited to Nationals (2007/10) Selected for the Queensland State of Origin Team (2007/8/10)

He also plays Rugby league for the Canungra Loggers -Reserve grade (2009/10)

Adam is an energetic and supportive staff member, that coaches his students with skill and ease.

Cassie has been teaching the BAL syllabus at D & D, for 6 years – with some excellent exam results.

In August, she gave birth to a handsome son, Wyatt

She has completed both her Advanced Tap and Jazz BAL exams, and now, as a teaching member of BAL, will assist D & D tap students in achieving the best results possible in 2011.

Dion is 21 years old and has been dancing for 10 years now. In 2009 he did a full time dance course at Ikin Dance on the Gold Coast and since then he's been put on the roster for teaching at 4 different studios and is also performing professionally throughout Queensland and Sydney. He has worked with artists such as Jessica Mauboy, EVE, Shaneal Funk, Storm Kaden and Dean Wyldman featuring in some of their video clips as well as performing live shows with them.

He has also been in contact with some of the well known names in the dance industry dancing for people such as Kelly Abbe, Amme Delves, Anythony Ikin, and many more. Technically trained in all styles of dance he sticks to teaching mainly hip hop as it is his strongest. As of 2010 he joined a Hip Hop group named 220 (Second Two None Crew) who in 2011 were named the best Hip Hop Crew in QLD since taking 1st place out in every dance comp and event to be named Queensland Hip Hop Champions.

Dion teaches hip hop from any level, beginner to advanced, and any age group. He says, "Spreading knowledge and helping others achieve new heights and goals gives me one of the best feelings in the world".

Regis Broadway's passion for acting began very young.  He first appeared on television at age 5, with a role in the TV show Animal Park.  Since then he appeared in many Television and Film roles.  He also has experience on stage, most notably as the lead in the Australian Premier of Closer to Heaven.
 
Regis has been teaching Drama for almost ten years.  He specializes in a wide range of Dramatic skills, having taught stage, film and television and persuasive speech.  He prides himself in the achievements of many of his students, with some having appeared on television and others in professional stage productions.  Most importantly, he hopes to give every child a chance to grow in both confidence and skill.