Introducing WDS Teaching Staff – a collection of likeminded people gathered together by a common interest & passion: DANCE!
Each individual has something different & unique to offer. Teachers share a mutual respect and admiration for each other, often taking each other’s class. Whilst we are the “teachers” we are also here to learn, teacher training, updating and a focus on “the filling of our cup” allows WDS teachers the energy & drive to give.
Motivated teachers = motivated students.
Photo Credit : Georgie Lucock
Rebecca Ross – Owner / Director
A past WDS student where she began choreographing her own works & others at age 14-her passion has always been about creative growth, exploring & expressing the pure soul connection that dance is. Her many influences have been her training at Bodenweisers Dance Centre in Sydney – including Margaret Chappell & Sue- Ellen Chester, Yoga training with Karen Toneycliffe, Butoh, Contemporary Dance, Body Mind Centering at the Lismore Con & Brent St School of performing Arts in Sydney.
Whilst she loves performing, her drive is to transpose her journey of self discovery through dance into the studio & students. Rebecca believes that growth is constant & always strives to grow & develop as a person and a teacher.
As director of the school, Rebecca oversees all aspects within the studio.
Rebecca has created a Production Company PRO CO under the umbrella of WDS for local performances & festivals. The Company consists of older, dance dedicated students & WDS teachers who are passionate about creating works & performance opportunities in the local community.
WDS also has Junior SSG (Junior Super Showgroup)- a junior version of PRO CO. Rebecca also choreographs local musical such as “Cabaret” in 2010 & will be rehearsing A Chorus Line as the Role “Val” to be performed in May 2012.
Kathy King – Accounts Manager
Being Rebecca’s Mum- Kathy has been involved with Dance & Woolgoolga Dance Studio since its beginning inception with the original committee. Kathy was the secretary & supported Rebecca through her dance career & now into the taking over of Woolgoolga Dance Studio. She has taken on the role of administrator & accounts manger within the studio.
Kathy also dances in Miss Carols Adult tap & Jazz Classes and whilst a late bloomer is living out her dreams of dancing onstage.
You will find Kathy in the WDS front office – Please contact her for any information regarding accounts. 0401727812
Carol Young – Junior Tap / Jazz /Adult / Pre- School Teacher
A Student of the Ross Coleman Performing Arts School in Sydney, Carol owned her own dance school “Dance Quarters” in Taren Point.
A sea change brought her to Woolgoolga & she first started with WDS in 1994 as the tap teacher. Miss Carol, now up to her 17th concert with WDS, has spent her years nurturing & fostering students. Her love & passion for dance has seen her create Adult Tap & Jazz classes, her Mature & Motivated routines stealing the show at local concerts & eisteddfods. Carols tireless support & energy for the studio inspires all Teachers & Students that have come in contact with her over the years.
Photo Credit: Peter Seckie
Hailey Croxton - Lyrical / Contemporary / Jazz
A student of Marni’s Studio of Performing Arts from 1992-2001, she trained in all aspects of dance & musical theatre. She then studied at the McDonald College from 2002 till 2004 where she completed her HSC whilst studying dance.
In 2005 she completed a Certificate 1V in Performing Arts at Brent St in Sydney. Hailey has done many corporate events & awards in Sydney but it was the lifestyle that brought her to Coffs. Hailey is constantly developing her choreographic skills with her lyrical flow of movement. Her Jazz Tech class (Kicks, Leaps & Turns) has all the students pushing themselves beyond what they know. Hailey started teaching with WDS in 2009, and has proven she is a valuable team member.
Hailey is also a member of PRO CO and assists Miss Becky with all the Performance Teams.
Kristy Cooper – Pilates Instructor/Massage Therapist/Ballet Teacher
Kristy was born & raised in Coffs Harbour & began dancing with Judith Chayko Kingston & Lara Garner (Berry) at age 9, studying Ballet, Jazz & character through RAD. She moved to Adelaide to study Bachelor of Arts in Dance graduating from University of Adelaide in 1995 & completed her RAD Intermediate Exam, whilst studying Advanced 1.
She received her honours in Dance 1996 & developed through her years at uni a love for Modern Dance & Choreography. Kristy then performed & danced in “Newmet” Dance Company touring primary & secondary schools in Adelaide & rural areas for 4 years.
Kristy’s yoga teacher inspired her to move towards healing movement & she completed her diploma of Remedial massage & Cert IV in Pilates Instruction with International Training centre in Sydney
Kristy now works @ Northern Beaches Physio, Park Beach Physio & with her wealth of knowledge of the body & ballet combined will begin teaching ballet classes @ WDS for 2010
Photo Credit: Lamb
Amy Murdock – Tap / Zumba / Hip Hop / Boys Classes
Beginning dance at the age of 7 with Alison Launt Dance Studio in Nambucca Heads, Amy progressed through all her BAL exams in Tap & Elementary in Ballet. 2003 she moved to Sydney to study full time at ED5 where she completed a certificate IV in Performance Arts. She then worked on corporate gigs, and was a Roosters Cheerleader for 3 years. During this time 2007- 2009, she took over management of Dance Shows for Corporate Companies in India, where she travelled to India numerous times with a dance troupe creating shows & performing.
Amy also took on teaching rolls at certain studios in Sydney & the North Coast, having her own classes in Bowraville.
Her style is funky fresh girlie hip hop! Her inspirations are PCD & all styles of hip hop that have an attitude & an edge. She began teaching @ WDS in 2009 & will continue to do so throughout 2011.
Amy also dances with WDS PRO CO Dance Production Company.
Call Amy 0438070485 to Book in!
Jacqueline Carniato – Ballet / Musical Theatre /Petite + One /pre-school
Jacquie has over 25 yrs teaching experience in RAD, Vaganova & ATOD Syllabi with a passion for Musical Theatre. Her studies include ballet, jazz, repertoire, Pointe, character, Music, anatomy, Dance History, Choreography, Set design & production & from 2001- 2010 was employed at the Dorothy Cowie School of Dancing in Croydon. Her job description included Pre-school dance program which Jacquie will be implementing into WDS for 2012, Head of Junior Ballet department, Musical Theatre teacher, ATOD Affiliate Teacher, Administration, Adult tone & stretch classes to name a few.
Jacquie has been teaching for the last 6 months of 2011 of WDS and bought a wealth of knowledge, passion & experience to the students in a short time & will continue to do so in 2012. Her new Petite Plus One program for 2-3yrs olds will entice younger students to dance & and an updated Razzle Dazzle Pre-school program for 3-5 yr olds in Tap, ballet & jazz will be introduced.
Jacquie is also head of Musical Theatre department, implementing a Junior / Senior & Open musical theatre class. Miss Jac will also continue her RAD ballet classes with the Junior Ballet grades.
Steven Mitchell – Senior Tap Teacher
Steve has been our U/14 & senior performance Team Teacher for 2 years now, his complicated rhythms, street dance style is a challenge for any tap dancer & pushes students beyond any syllabus work. Steve has completed his Level 10 Glen Wood tap with a Gold Award & will also be studying the Tapatack Syllabus to implement into class.
Steve is also a local DJ & sound technician involved in WDS Productions, Xmas Parties & Disco’s
Past WDS Teachers
Kristie Hood – Contemporary / JFH / Ballet / Lyrical
Kristie Hood began her formal dance study at Wesley Institute in Sydney (2003-2005). Mentored by Artists such as Patrick Harding-Irmer (London Contemporary Dance Theatre, Bondi Ballet), Terri Ann Bolger (Dance North, Rambert Dance Co), Jane Farrelly (Australian Contemporary Company) and Ronnie Arnold (Dirty Dancing, AD Australian Contemporary Company), Kristie gained Principal Dancer roles in both 2nd and 3rd years and graduated with a BCA, majoring in dance.
Study at Wesley opened opportunities for Open Classes with Leigh Warren (ADT), the Australian Ballet, Clara Cravey and Caleb Mitchel (Houston Ballet), Steve Rooks (Martha Graham Company) and also acceptance into the traineeship Program with ‘Dance AdDeum’ in Houston Texas, under the Direction of Randall Flynn. Kristie was an Apprentice Dancer with Charisma Dance in Sydney (Linda Keene ex Saddlers-Wells) until moving back to Coffs Harbour in early 2007.
Kristy is also a qualified HSC Dance teacher in schools, & married her Love Pete in 2010
Kathryn Spagnolo – (casual relief teacher for WDS)
Having initially lived in Coffs Harbour, Kathryn started dancing with Julie Ross, she then moved to Innisfail where she continued her training in dance & completed her Teachers exams in FATD.
She was accepted into Full time at Brent St School of Performing Arts where she completed her Certificate 1V, moving back to Coffs, Kat began teaching @ WDS as a favour to her cousin in 2006 (Rebecca Ross) and has since become an integral part of the teaching staff, Kat is an excellent tapper, and has passed this onto the WDS students, with the Glenn Wood Syllabus & the Tap Performance Teams.
Kat continues to dance whilst studying Primary School Teaching @ Uni.
Katelin Pitsis – Past WDS Teacher & Student
Katie dancing at the age of 4 with ballet – began training in Break & Hip Hop at age 11 & was a member of “GROOVELOCK” – the break hip hop crew created by Travers Ross. Katelin won first place for female solo in Aussie Battlers for 2 years running 2005 & 2006.
She has attended many years of Stamping Ground Dance festival in Bellingen & Utopian Dream Festival in Coffs Harbour.
Katelin also has her own business “FREE SPIRIT GIRL” – where she runs youth programs in the community.
In 2009 she was the winner of the 4 D award within the studio for Discipline, Drive, Determination & Desire. She continues to be an outstanding member of WDS whilst teaching the boys hip hop & break.
Ballet Consultants to WDS
Judith Kingston
Renee Nicholson ARAD
Guest Teachers invited to WDS
Jason Winters
Lamb
Travers Ross
Brad “Yogi” Harrison
Sammy Ross