TEACHING STAFF
Every member of our DANCE1 teaching staff has extensive teaching and performance experience.
This ensures that our students gain the most out of their time with our DANCE1 team.
MISS KIRSTY
Miss Kirsty’s first memory is of plies and points, smiles and sequins, layouts and laughs. As a youngster Miss Kirsty was forever putting on ‘Lounge Room Spectaculars’, twirling through shopping centres, and so her dancing career was born.
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Since her first ballet class at the age of three Miss Kirsty has been involved in all facets of the Performing Arts including dance, drama & singing. She has been a beginner student, an advanced senior, an assistant teacher, a commercial dancer, a teacher and now a studio owner. Since completing her training at ED5 International (Certificate IV in the Performing Arts) Miss Kirsty has gone on to work with some of Australia’s leading Choreographers & Event producers on stage productions, commercials and film clips.
​​Our 'Grand-Boss' strongly believes that we never stop learning and Miss Kirsty takes every opportunity to further her dance education. This includes completing her C.B.A.A & ATCL & ATOD Teaching Diplomas, Bachelors in Management AND Certificates in the Performing Arts & Fitness. With her 20 years of teaching experience behind her, Miss Kirsty now believes in creating a positive and nurturing studio environment, where she can share her passion & knowledge with her students (… extending beyond the studio even to home with her own little ballerinas!)
Miss Kirsty's knows that she has a responsibility to teach more than just dance & she strives to create 'good humans'. This aligns with the DANCE1 core values, as well as her focus for the year which is 'Child Safe'. Miss Kirsty is passionate about educating the next generation of teachers & leaders through the DanceStep Program.
The DANCE1 community has been a part of Miss Kirsty’s life for many years & she loves watching the D1 ‘family’ grow & succeed together. When Miss Kirsty isn't at the studio, you can find her in the DANCE1 Office, in the Pilates studio, at the beach or playing 'Mum' to her two beautiful girls.
MISS LUISA
Miss Luisa has been dancing since before she could walk & twirled her way into the DANCE1 studios when she was 3. Performing an ‘impromptu’ song & dance solo for the rest of the class, Miss Lu knew she was destined for a life of dance. She participated in as many classes as DANCE1 offered, filling her afternoons with numerous styles of dance genres. Miss Luisa has taken every performance opportunity available to her, including competing in district dance eisteddfods, completing her C.B.A.A. student dance examinations each year, choreographing school dance performances and organising House Dance Festivals. On top of all this, Miss Luisa has even expanded her repertoire at university to include some funky Bollywood moves.
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Working her way through the DANCE1 Teacher Training Program, Miss Lu now gets the opportunity to share her knowledge & passion for dance with her students. Miss Lu is also a mentor to our assistant teachers in the DanceStep program - a role that she takes with great responsibility.
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Our 'Demi-Boss' is always learning and striving to improve her teaching techniques. Miss Lu has over 10 years of experience in ACRO-Dance training with ADTA & Acrobatic Arts. She has completed her C.B.A.A. Teachers Certification & A.T.O.D Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Management. More recently, Miss Lu has completed her Certification in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance (RWID), a dance program focused on teaching students with special needs and learning differences.
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One of Miss Lu's strengths is 'Empathy' and her approach to teaching allows her to make meaningful connections and help every student succeed. Every dancer (from our Tinies to Adults) is special and each student deserves the opportunity to 'Glow & Grow' in the Studio. In 2024, Miss Lu intends to stay true to the DANCE1 Core Value, ‘Inclusive’. Her aim is to foster a supportive environment where every dancer feels seen, valued, and empowered
When our ‘Demi-Boss’ isn't at the studio, you can find her in the DANCE1 Office, crocheting, crafting & adding to her IMPRESSIVE leggings collection! Over the year, you’ll need to keep an eye out for Miss Lu’s #funpants collection - she has quite the collection going and endeavours to wear a different pair without repeating during the year. Challenge accepted!
MISS CHARLOTTE
Raised in a small town in Pennsylvania in the USA, Charlotte Twitchell began her dance training at Lake Erie Ballet. She moved to the Erie Dance Conservatory at its startup in 2003. Charlotte's training consisted of Classical Ballet, American Modern Dance, Tap, and Jazz. She performed as a company member with the pre-professional dance company Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre in 2005 until 2011. She has attended many summer programs including Craft of Choreography summer intensive, ABT Detroit Summer Dance Intensive, Dance Italia in Lucca, Italy, and Bates Summer Dance Festival. She has received scholarships like the Craft of Choreography Grant, and Hutton Honors Creative Art Grant. Charlotte attended Indiana University as an undergraduate dance major with a B.S. in Kinesiology.
In 2014, Miss Charlotte then took her passion overseas where she studied in Israel. She had major dancing roles with company and collaborated with peers & professional choreographers. What an incredible experience! She has had major dancing roles in many works, including pieces choreographed by Paul Taylor, OhadNaharin, Larry Keigwin, IhsanRustem, Ella Ben-Aharon, and Elizabeth Shea. She has worked with various master teachers including Rennie Harris, Robert Moses, Constance Dinapoli, Larry Keigwin, among others.
In 2016 Miss Charlotte embarked on her move to Sydney, Australia where she collaborated with Angela Hamilton, the Artistic Director & Founder of Twisted Element. She was an instructor with Hamilton’s youth company, Wild Hearts which allowed her insight to new styles of teaching. She has created several of her own works including LikameAst, Non Partage, Taos.
Miss Charlotte is also Pilates Certified in Mat & Reformer. Miss Charlotte weaves her knowledge of Pilates and safe dance practices into her Technique classes, which sees huge improvements in our students each year!
Miss Charlotte is also furthering her studies in a practical way, undertaking a master degree in Physiotherapy, focusing on the functioning & safety of young bodies.
MISS HANNAH
Miss Hannah is BACK in 2024, teaching our Senior Urban students. Miss Hannah has been a part of the DANCE1 family since her early Preschool days, graduating in 2017 and going on to teach from 2018-2021. After a couple of years away from the sparkles & sequins of D1 (aside from the occasional guest teaching & backstage concert helping!), she is THRILLED to be back & teaching again.
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Outside of the Studio, Miss Hannah has her other teaching hat on - being a PDHPE Teacher at an all boys school on the Northern Beaches. When she’s not in the classroom, you’ll find her at the beach, usually with an almond flat white in hand!
Dance has a special place in Miss Hannah’s heart as does DANCE1. It is the only place that feels like ‘home’ and the community that Miss Kirsty & Miss Lu have created is something very special to her. Miss Hannah loves how DANCE1 is a space for her to explore creativity & build relationships.
MISS ANASTASIA
Miss Anastasia has strong ties to DANCE1 and has no plans to retire her ballet shoes anytime soon! Beginning dance classes in Preschool, Miss Anastasia has completed many years of C.B.A.A Exams and Eisteddfods, including District Eisteddfods.
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Graduating in 2021 as a student, her favourite memory was looking to the audience and seeing her loved ones cheering for her. A true full circle moment as the confetti rained down on stage. She knew at this moment she wanted to become a dance teacher to be able to continue the magic that she grew up with at DANCE1.
Miss Anastasia's DANCE1 teachers were very important role models in her life and she endeavours to be the same for her students. Miss Kirsty and Miss Lu have been her biggest role models and champions while growing up - they’ve known her since her 'Preschool' days and have nurtured her passion for dance that she still carries so strongly today.
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Miss Anastasia has been through the DanceStep Program, teaching & assisting for six years now. Miss Anastasia has recently completed her second year of Full Time Dance Training at Village Nation, earning her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management and a Diploma of Musical Theatre. She is also studying a Bachelor of Criminology/Law at UTS.
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In 2024 Miss Anastasia intends to help and guide her students to achieve their individual goals. She wants DANCE1 to be a safe and fun space for every child where they feel excited about class each week. Miss Anastasia loves going to the beach, staying fit at the gym and hanging out with her family and friends.
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MISS ALICE
While this is Miss Alice’s second year of teaching, she has been with DANCE1 for over 13 years!
Miss Alice began her dancing journey at 6 and danced her way through to graduation. Seeing her Year 12 tribute for the first time is a very special memory for her!
Over the years with DANCE1 she has taken every opportunity available to her, such as C.B.A.A. Eisteddfods, Mrs Fisher Medal Days (holding her Bronze Major in Jazz), participating in Guest Teacher Workshops and even dancing at Disneyland & Universal Studios!
Completing the DanceStep Program (being an OG member of our first cohort!), Miss Alice has learned valuable skills & had over 6 years of training and guidance. She is excited to use her training and experience in all her new classes in 2024.
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When not teaching, Miss Alice is studying her degree in Medical Science, playing netball, doing yoga or seeing her friends & family.
MISS ALLY
Miss Ally started with DANCE1 at 4 years old in Kindy and has been learning ever since. She added as many styles as she could, from Tap to ACRO, Contemporary to GLEE Club. Her favourite memories include DANCE1 concerts & watching her Year 12 tribute for the first time with her friends, all whom danced together over the years.
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Miss Ally has been mentored by Miss Kirsty and Miss Luisa for many years. They have inspired her to become a dance teacher & to pass on her passion and love for dance to others - just as they inspired her! Her favourite dance style has always been Tap and now she looks forward to putting her Tap shoes on & shuffling with our Kindy & Year 1s.
Miss Ally’s intention for the year is to grow as a teacher & help her students to reach their best both in and outside of the studio. Outside of the studio, Miss Ally is studying Commerce. She loves moving her body at the gym, catching up with family & friends, travelling overseas and exploring new places.
STUDENT TEACHERS
In 2024, DANCE1 will continue to encourage & support our Student Teachers through the DanceStep Program. The DanceStep program aims to provide a formalised process to assist students in becoming leaders within their studio. The program (created by Dance Studio Success’ Jane Grech) covers assistant teaching skills such as behaviour management, learning needs, anatomy & health.
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Our 2024 DanceStep Student Teachers are:
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LEVEL 4
Miss Mara
Miss Scarlett
Miss Lily
Miss Millie
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LEVEL 3
Miss Emily
Miss Natalie
Miss Amelia
Miss Amber
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LEVEL 2
Miss Bliss
Miss Georgie
Miss Madi
Miss Pia
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LEVEL 1
Miss Melanie
Miss Caelyn
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