Faculty

Amanda Foad

Director / Co-Owner

Jazz / Tap / Musical Theatre

Amanda has trained in all styles of dance and grew up dancing on the Gold Coast. She then went on to complete her Certificate IV in Performing Arts at Brent Street Studios, Sydney and has completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. She has since gone on to have successful career and has been performing professionally in the industry for 15 years.

Just a few of her Stage and Theatre credits include: Starlight Express Musical - Germany (3 years), Spartacus - Australian Ballet, Tap Works, Musik at Event - Germany, Santa’s Kingdom - Fox Studios, Summer Surprises - Dubai. Amanda has numerous Film and Television credits including: Dancer in the feature film Mao’s Last Dancer, Home And Away and Always Greener - Seven Network. She has also choreographed numerous corporate events across Australia and choreographed for TV Series A Place To Call Home - Seven Network and Channel V Room 208 these are just a few of Amanda’s professional career highlights.

Before returning to the Gold Coast Amanda taught at Sydney’s leading Performing Arts School Brent Street Studios for 14 years and has trained students who have gone on to have successful careers from professional musicals, various world wide contracts, cruise ships, to winning So You Think You Can Dance.

Cassie Bartho

Jazz / Contemporary / Lyrical

Cassie Bartho is a dynamic dancer and choreographer from Newcastle. At 16 she moved to Sydney to complete her HSC and Fulltime training at Australia’s leading performing arts school, Brent Street.

Since graduating fulltime Cassie has jet setted into the commercial dance world and has been lucky enough to dance for artists such as Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Sam Smith, Ricky Martin, Jessie J, Kylie and Danni Minogue, PNAU, Client Liaison, Hailee Steinfeld, Kim Petras, and Havana Brown. Bartho has also been lucky enough to perform on shows such as X-Factor, The Voice and Australia’s Got Talent as well multiple corporate events.

Cassie’s choreography is also beginning to make an impact within the industry. Her transition into the creative side of the industry has been organic yet powerful. Cassie’s work is slick and polished and her approach to creating visually exciting pieces – whether the brief calls for on-trend movement or something more classic – it’s fresh and energetic. Her most recent accomplishment has seen her appointed resident choreographer of channel 10’s ‘The Masked Singer’ (Season 2) and was Assistant Choreographer to Stephen Tannos on ‘Found’, We Are Dance Project’s debut show. Bartho has also joined various creative teams, choreographing for companies, major brands and artists such as Optus, Mugler, Harvey Norman, The Star Casino, Luke Antony, NuSkin, Channel 7, Westpac and the ABC Network. Bartho has also assisted choreographers such as The Squared Divison, JTown, Matt Lee, Lucas Newland and Cat Santos on their various endeavours.

Cassie hopes to continue to grow and develop as a dancer and choreographer and wishes to continue sharing her knowledge as much as possible with the Australian dance community.

Jade Brackenrig

Jazz / Contemporary / Lyrical

Since the age of 7, Jade has found the passion to dance all genres such as Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acrobatics, Musical Theatre, and Broadway. Throughout her dancing career, she has been involved in a large amount of Competitions and Performances nationwide, winning numerous awards and even a trip to the USA.

In 2013-2014 Jade was chosen in the cast of the Jupiter’s Casino show “Zircus." In 2014 and 2015, she was a cheerleader for the local Rugby League team “The Titans” and is constantly involved in local corporate work and performances.

Jade is excited to share her knowledge and passion with her students.

Paris Cavanagh

Contemporary / Lyrical

Paris.........

Arna Dess

RAD Ballet

Arna is a professional dance teacher of 20 years experience at dance schools in Sydney and the Gold Coast. Utilizing her professional experience as a ballerina in Europe, she has a passion for training students in correct technique of classical ballet.
Arna studied fulltime under the guidance of Prudence Bowen at Ecole Classique in Sydney. At 17, She competed in the RAD Adeline Geneé awards in London before procuring a place with the Vienna Opera Ballet School. Arna later received a contract with the Österreiches Ballet Theatre. Other European training included Kommishe Opera, Berlin, Princess Grace Academy, Monte Carlo and the Palucca School in Dresden. Her performances include Sleeping Beauty, Die Puppenfie, Raymonda, La Sylphide, Giselle, various Contemporary works, waltz excerpts, and performances with the Opera. Arna also performed in the 1996 film, La Prima Musica, filmed in Vienna.
Arna completed my RAD Teaching Certificate in 1999 and began my teaching career at several schools on the Gold Coast before setting up my own school in Burleigh Heads in 2002, where she specialized in ballet and offered full time tuition for students seeking placement at prestigious international ballet schools. Arna was very successful in this endeavor having several of my students going on to professional dance careers in Europe, the UK and the US, as well as the Australia Ballet School.
Arna teaches many styles of dance and strives to deliver high caliber tuition and guidance to all her students. She enjoys choreographing solo’s and group productions, pas de deux, and one-on-one ballet coaching. Arna also recently gained my Level 1 Yoga teacher qualification.

Kyra Dooley

Lyrical / Contemporary / Jazz

Kyra Dooley began her training at Dance Force at the age of five and has completed her Cert IV in Dance Performance in 2018.
Since leaving Full Time she was offered representation by Jeep Management and moved to Sydney early 2019. She has been seen on The Voice and featured in music videos such as Guy Sebastian, Courtney Act and YBY Chilly music. Kyra was also part of The Dream Dance Company DEJA VU show 2019 and SHOW | BUSINESS 2019 cast working closely with Marko Panzic and Katie Sanchez.
In 2020 Kyra has since been offered a role in Baz - Luhrmann new Elvis movie coming out in 2021 which she has been offered a dance role.

Mackenzie Jade

Jazz / Tap / Lyrical / Acrobatics / Tiny Tots

Mackenzie’s love of dance started at the age of 3, training at Ettingshausen’s Dynamic Arts in Sydney, NSW. Since 2010 she has trained at Dance Tech on the Gold Coast in Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Acrobatics, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. During her schooling years Mackenzie was a part of the Palm Beach Currumbin Dance Excellence Program and graduated year 12 with the ‘Most Outstanding Dancer Outside Curriculum’ award for 2017. She has since been invited to teach routines for the Dance Excellence Eisteddfod Teams as a returning guest Alumni.

Mackenzie is constantly inspired by fellow choreographers and performers who share their love of performing and mentoring as well as meeting like minded committed individuals who are also privileged enough to live their dream and share their passion through their continued commitment and love of dance. Mackenzie completed her Certificate IV in performing arts at Brent Street on the Gold Coast in 2019, and was awarded the “Honour Roll “ Award for that year. In 2020 Mackenzie was privileged to be asked to teach the Brent Street Gold Coast Full Time Students on the Gold Coast on a weekly basis.

Throughout her passionate dancing career she has been involved in many competitions and performances never ceasing to miss an opportunity to dance. Alongside her teaching Mackenzie has been involved in regular corporate work and events.
In 2018 Mackenzie successfully auditioned for Le Moulin Rouge ( Official ) in Paris and in 2019 she was successful auditioning for a placement with Royal Caribbean Cruises.

Mackenzie has enjoyed teaching at Dance Tech since 2016. She is passionate about passing her knowledge and love of dance to her younger students and always works hard to ensure the children are striving to their best ability, whilst still loving and enjoying being involved in the world of dance.

Jaimi Kubat

Vocal

Teaching for over 10 years in Brisbane, Sydney and the Gold Coast, Jaimi has gained a wide range of experience working with all skill levels. Professionally, some highlights are; dancing back up for Kelly Rowland and Guy Sebastian, recording backing vocals for Melanie Brown (Scary Spice – Spice Girls) and performing with INXS as a backing vocalist.
In most recent years Jaimi has performed all over Queensland and interstate as a solo artist or with bands at various events, private parties, restaurants, bars and funerals.

Jaimi has completed her Advanced Diploma in Musical Theatre and Commercial Dance, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is currently at Southern Cross University studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology.
She is passionate about safe vocal technique and empowering students to find their own voice.

Midori Lotz

RAD Ballet / Conditioning

Midori studied under renowned teacher, Joy Ransley, at the Ransley Dance Centre before later graduating from The Australian Ballet School with an Advanced Diploma of Dance – during which time she performed with The Australian Ballet Dancers’ Company for two consecutive years.
Midori then joined the Houston Ballet, where she performed in ballets such as Swan Lake, La Bayadere, The Sleeping Beauty, La Fille Mal Gardee, Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, La Sylphide, Nureyev’s Don Quixote, Coppélia, Balanchine’s Symphony in C, and Ben Stevenson’s The Nutcracker.
Since retiring from performing, Midori’s training and professional credits provide a wonderful base for teaching and sharing her knowledge of classical ballet.
Midori is also a Pilates, Yoga and Barre fitness instructor and believes in training the whole person in dance.

Jacob TK Patara

Hip Hop

TK.......

Karen Perring

RAD Ballet

Karen is a fully registered R.A.D. Teacher and a Member of the Panel of Examiner’s with the Royal Academy of Dance, examining students throughout Australia and internationally. She was privileged to study under teachers such as Kathleen Gorham OBE, Valerie Bayley and Joy Ransley. After completing her R.A.D. Teaching Certificate in 1988, she enjoyed a performance career in various styles of dance. Karen has over 30 years of teaching experience including owning her own studios in N.S.W. and QLD, then freelancing throughout Australia and London, teaching at The Ballet School in Notting Hill, West London School of Dance and Anna Pavlova’s Ivy House. Many of her students have gone on to have successful dance, performance and teaching careers. Karen has a Diploma in Dance Teaching & Management, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and has mentored students completing the Ballet Education Degree at London R.A.D. Headquarters. She is currently a Tutor for the R.A.D. Classical Ballet Teaching Studies. Karen is currently an R.A.D examiner examining across Australia and internationally. Karen loves to share her passion and knowledge of this beautiful art form with all students and future performers.

Kyla Towell

Contemporary / Lyrical / Jazz

Kyla has been dancing since the early age of 3, starting her training at Kay Horseys Coastal Dance Studio on the Gold Coast. At the age of 14 Kyla decided to continue her training in Commercial Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet and Musical Theatre at Dance Force Oz. Kyla received her Certificate IV in dance.

She has been lucky enough to work with and mentored by some of Australia’s best and well-known choreographers. In 2014 Kyla has guest choreographed at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School in which her routine received ‘Best Choreography Award’ at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod. After completing her course in 2014 Kyla signed a contract with local dance agency ‘Chase Creations’ in which she was offered many performance opportunities from corporate events .

Over the past 5 years Kyla has loved being able to choreograph and teach students all over the Gold Coast, teaching all styles of dance from commercial jazz, tap, lyrical and contemporary. She is extremely passionate in helping others to be able to feel confident and express themselves through her work.

Jackie Turner

Vocal / Stage & Screen Acting

Jackie Turner has performed and studied in many varying styles of theatre and voice.
She graduated from the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries in 2013 where she furthered her studies in Theatre and Film. She has also trained in Musical Theatre, contemporary voice and classical voice over the past 12 years. A graduate of the University of Queensland, she has received A Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts (Extended Major in Drama). Encouraged by her love of Arts education Jackie is currently studying her Masters of Teaching with the intention to become a High School English and Drama teacher.
Jackie is a dedicated and well-loved teacher on the Gold Coast and has been able to share her knowledge of voice and drama at many Performing Arts studios over the past seven years. With experience teaching anywhere from pre-prep to adults, Jackie feels comfortable teaching all ages, and is confident that her lessons will engage, excite and extend each individual student to reach their singing and acting goals.

Josh Williams

Lyrical / Contemporary / Conditioning

Joshua Williams born in Hobart and from a young age trained with Body Language Dance Studio, Jenina’s Dance Workshop and Little bird dance company.  He then went on to further his training completing his Certificate IV in dance. After completing his full time year he was signed by Grayboy agency and has performed in numerous commercial and corporate events and is also in the Cirque Du Soleil data base. He has also found a passion for teaching and is frequently freelance choreographing and teaching across both Australia and New Zealand. He has recently branches out and judged the Get the Beat World finals in Bangkok at the end of 2019.

Mike York

Office Manager / Co-Owner