Deanna Castellana

ARAD, BFA (Dance), Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Merge Dance Theatre – Artistic Director
After graduating from the Queensland Dance School of Excellence, Deanna went on to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Dance at QUT. During this time she was selected to perform at the Tari Dance Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and work with leading artists such as Natalie Weir (Expressions Dance Company Artistic Director), Anton (Guest Dancer Adelaide Dance Theatre) and Harold Collins (1979 -1997 Artistic Director Queensland Ballet.) On completion of this course she went on to perform with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines where during this time she was assigned the role of Dance Captain. Deanna is the Artistic Director of Merge Dance Theatre and has produced many professional shows which have attracted much attention with her 2018 show receiving an Australian Dance Award nomination. Deanna has numerous years of experience teaching and choreographing for pre-professional students with many of her pieces being performed overseas in various competitions.

 

Daniella Crismani

RAD: RTS, RAD Examiner, BCI (Dance), Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Daniella is a fully qualified and registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She is also an RAD Examiner and has travelled extensively across Australia and internationally, examining ballet students at all levels. Daniella holds a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Dance) from QUT where she studied Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Her broad and comprehensive dance training has enabled her to teach across many genres including Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical and Tap. Daniella now specialises in RAD Ballet from Pre-Primary to Advanced 2, and open ballet technique classes. She also coordinates and teaches into our Ballet Development Program. Daniella is passionate about the dance education of young people, and thoroughly enjoys working on an individual level with students to refine technique, enhance artistry and improve confidence.

 

Alexandria Hardman

GWT Examiner, Acrobatic Arts (AACI) Certified
Alexandria commenced dancing at an early age studying and completing exams in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Acrobatics. Her passion lies in Tap and she is a qualified teacher and examiner for the Glenn Wood Tap syllabus (GWT). She is also a qualified Acrobatics teacher with Acrobatic Arts. In 2008 she travelled to America to perform at Disneyland, California. Alexandria has been teaching for over 10years in all facets of dance and loves teaching for our Junior School!

 

Jayne Fein

Jayne is a Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance with over 30 years teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Dance), University of Adelaide and a Post Graduate Degree of Dance (Laban Centre London). Jayne is also a school teacher with an Early Childhood and Senior Years Graduate Diploma Education (QUT). She has a passion for teaching, and current and emerging educational practises and philosophies.

 

Bronwyn Theroux

BA Psych Science (Honours – 1st Class), Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance), Certificate IV in Arts
Bronwyn started her ballet career in New York City, with acceptance into intensive coaching courses with New York City Ballet and was taught by renown Balanchine dancers such as Daniel Ulbricht, Ashley Bouder and Wendy Whelan. She continued her dance training in Australia by graduating at Queensland Dance School of Excellence by age 15. Bronwyn completed her full-time Advanced Diploma of Dance at The National Theatre Ballet in 2014 under the direction of Beverly Jane Fry. Bronwyn’s performance repertoire includes The Nutcracker, Cinderella, La Sylphide, Don Quixote, Giselle, Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Coppelia, as well as many contemporary works. Throughout her full-time and professional experience, she has enjoyed sharing her knowledge of dance to students of all ages. Bronwyn has obtained her Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) to continue her interest in a career path of exploring the benefits of dance in children through research and clinical practice. Bronwyn is currently studying at Griffith University to obtain her Clinical Psychology PhD. Her thesis research focuses on an innovative dance and mindfulness program as a classroom-based intervention to promote executive function development in children from disadvantaged backgrounds and clinical groups (ASD, FASD).

 

Camilla Jakimowicz

Camilla first discovered her passion for dance and began her extensive training in Queensland. She then relocated to Sydney and landed her first professional job, at age 16, in Baz Luhrmann’s feature film Moulin Rouge. Her on screen credits also include Bootmen, Happy Feet and most recently the Australian produced film Goddess. From here, Camilla jet set on her first overseas trip and performed in ‘Encore’ at the Broadway Theatre, Tokyo Disney Sea. On her return home, Camilla made her musical theatre debut with Saturday Night Fever, and went on to perform in Hugh Jackman’s The Boy From Oz, We Will Rock You (Japan), Fame (dance captain/ensemble/Carmen understudy) and was assistant choreographer on the world premier of Doctor Zhivago. In 2013, Camilla also performed in Opera Australia’s production of Carmen.Camilla made top 12 in the first season of So You Think You Can Dance (2008) and was ecstatic to be one of Red Foo’s dancers, for his Let’s Get Ridiculous film clip. As an aspiring performer / choreographer, Camilla has worked extensively at both corporate and high profile events. Some of these most recent events include performing with Ricky Martin at the NRL Grand Final 2013, performing with Kylie Minogue, in Abu Dhabi, at the Formula One 2013, performing with Flo Rida at the Logies 2012, X Factour Tour 2013, X Factor 2013, 2012 and 2011 and Australia’s Next Top Model Finale 2011. Over the last few years, Camilla has choreographed seven of Packemin Productions shows; Oliver, Wizard Of Oz, Hairspray, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, Phantom Of The Opera and most recently Mary Poppins. Camilla also choreographed the professional production of Dogfight at the Hayes Theatre. Camilla aspires to inspire those, who share her passion and dedication for the arts and hopes to continue ‘living the dream’ for many years to come.

 

Harley Campbell

Harley received her formal ballet training at the Houston Ballet Ben Stevenson Academy on a full scholarship, before joining the Houston Ballet II in 2012. Her performance highlights during this time include the Waltz Girl in George Balanchine’s Serenade, as well as Stanton Welch’s The Rite of Spring world premiere with the Houston Ballet. Harley returned to Australia in 2014 where she danced with the Queensland Ballet. During her time there, she toured to London with the company and was recognised as a “Dancer to Watch” in Dance Australia Magazine’s critics’ choice awards in 2017. Harley was a part of the Australian Ballet’s Storytime Ballet Production, before she joined RWS Entertainment Group New York City, to dance for Holland America Line for 2 years. Harley moved back to Brisbane at the start of 2020 and is currently studying a Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy.

 

Tomomi Taylor

Tomomi was born in Kobe, Japan and started ballet at the age of six in her hometown. As she grew up, she participated in various professional Ballet performances and competitions in which she received many awards. Tomomi joined the National Ballet of Japan; New National Theatre in Tokyo, and danced in many well recognised Ballets such as Sleeping beauty, Swan lake, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Cinderella, Giselle, La Bayadere, Romeo and Juliet, Theme and Variation, Raymonda, La Sylphide, Petrushka. Before moving to Australia with her family, Tomomi taught Ballet to students in Japan, Aichi ranging from juniors to adults.

 

Maryanne Nucifora

After completing her certificate III and Advanced Diploma in Musical Theatre and Commercial dance, she moved on to perform professionally with Universal Studios Singapore, Dubai Parks and Resorts, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Maryanne has taught and choreographed for dance schools all around Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, including the Queensland Ballet Summer Camps. Maryanne has performed professionally for 9 years.