Faculty
We are focused on providing a welcoming space for a passionate community of like minded students, staff, families, and the wider arts community, who are jointly dedicated to maintaining a nurturing, respectful, inclusive and safe environment for the industry’s next generation.
Eloise Alsop
Charlotte Beh
Lia Cox
Gemma Freeman
Michael Griffiths
Briar Higgins
Emily Higgins
Charly Hopkins
Jaxon Joy
Natalie Linke
Lilyana Lloyd
Stefania Musolino
Yue Ru Ma
Genevieve Nixon
Guest Faculty
Alex Charman
Erin James
Greg Mitchell
Joseph Simons
Stefania Musolino
Stefania Musolino began dancing from the age of 2 and is still training with both Cheryl Bradley Dance Studios and GWB Studios in the Musical Theatre Stream.
This year she is in her final year of school and is eager to complete her final CSTD Jazz and Tap Exams. In 2024 she was awarded the Comdance state award for tap for achieving the highest exam score for grades 7-9. Stefania has also completed RAD Ballet exams from Grade 2 through to Advanced Foundation.
Stefania represented Australia at the Dance World Cup 2024 in Prague and was also awarded a scholarship to attend Oklahoma City University for their Summer Intensive Program. Stefania has also won many National Tap Solo Championships and awards through Competitive Dance.
Stefania has completed a Certificate III in Dance and is currently studying SACE Stage 2 in Dance. She is also recently a qualified reformer Pilates Instructor. Stefania is a passionate dancer who loves performing on stage has a strong work ethic and enthusiasm to help her students achieve their goals.
Charly Hopkins
Erin James
A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (ECU) and University of New England (Grad Dip. Ed.), Erin has worked in theatre, music theatre, television and film for the past two decades. As a performer, she has toured Australia, Southeast Asia and New Zealand in major musicals for Opera Australia, GFO, Really Useful Group and TML. As a director and creative, Erin has worked on Phantom of the Opera, South Pacific and My Fair Lady for Opera Australia, She Loves Me for Hayes Theatre Co., and various other major productions around the country. Erin has a passion for working with students to develop their skills in the performing arts. She is also fluent in Auslan and is working to become an intimacy coordinator for stage
Charlotte Beh
Charlotte Beh began dancing at a young age in Championship level Calisthenics. Over her years in Calisthenics she’s been selected for 5 National Teams, achieving success in Team, Solo and Duo competitions. She’s received two 3rd places for Solo and Duo at Nationals and has competed in over 20 Championship Solo, Duo and Graceful competitions at CASA. She is also a two-time CASA Duo State Champion. In recent Calisthenic years, Charlotte achieved her Bronze Medal attaining the highest grade of Honours with a distinction.
Her love for coaching began at Marden Calisthenics College, coaching teams and soloists. More recently, she has been appointed as an assistant coach for the Junior
National team in 2025.
Outside of Calisthenics Charlotte’s love for performing arts began in ballet, studying at Barbara Jayne Dance Centre and GWB Studios under the guidance of Barbara Jayne and Briah Victory. She has also trained in Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Jazz and Acro. In year 11, Charlotte was Dux of SACE Dance at Seymour College.
Charlotte is a passionate teacher that strives on seeing growth in her dancers. She reinforces a positive environment, taking every opportunity to share her knowledge.
Yue Ru Ma
Ru is a former professional contemporary dancer from Singapore, currently pursuing a degree in Physiotherapy at The University of South Australia.
Ru graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Boston Conservatory, and has extensive experience teaching ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, improvisation and conditioning classes for the past seven years. Ru has also danced professionally in the United States, Spain and Singapore, in companies such as Frontier Danceland and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago 2.
Jaxon Joy
Lia Cox
Lia Cox is a passionate and enthusiastic advocate, supporter and contributor to the arts. Having begun dancing at the tender age of 3, training with Sheila Laing and Claudia Maddeford in Adelaide, she continued her studies at Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. After suffering a back injury, Lia’s performing career took a backseat, and saw her channel her efforts into business and motherhood. Not one to stay away from the arts industry for too long, she returned to teach at numerous schools around Adelaide, sharing her knowledge of Lucette Aldous’ renowned Floorbarre and instilling ideals, beliefs and principles which have notoriously become ‘Life Lessons with Lia’ to all her students!
Lia has been part of the GWB Entertainment and Studio team as Production Administrator and now Training and Assessment Supervisor for students studying their Certificate III and IV in Dance and Musical Theatre as well as the newly developed Diploma of Musical Theatre delivered in conjunction with the Elder Conservatorium of Music Theatre, Adelaide.
Most recently, Lia has added the role of Royal Academy of Dance Head of Department – Examinations and Regions to her bow and loves the variety and challenges her work brings.
A massive theatre buff, Lia loves spending her free time soaking up dance, cabaret and theatre shows, reviewing for her website, Lia Loves.
Eloise Alsop
At age 3, Eloise Alsop began training in ballet, contemporary, and jazz. During her training, she attended Kim Harvey School of Dance (ACT), before moving to National College of Dance for full time training (NSW), obtaining a Certificate IV in Dance, and Advanced Diploma in Elite Performance. She had the opportunity to compete in many competitions, including the Alana Haines Australasian Awards, Australian Classical Grand Prix, and Sydney Eisteddfod. She also took part in the Australian Ballet Schools ITP and Invitee programmes between 2012-2018.
At age 16, she was accepted into the Bavarian State Ballet II, and moved to Germany alone at 17 to commence work. During her time there, she completed many performances with the Bayerisches Staatsballett, such and Christopher Wheeldon’s ‘Cinderella’, completed company rehearsals of ‘Coppelia’ and ‘Swan Lake’, and most recently performed in John Cranko’s ‘Romeo and Julia.’ Performance highlights with the Bayerisches Junior Ballett include touring Germany and Israel with various pieces, performing in George Balanchine’s ‘Allegro Brilliante,’ a soloist role in ‘Eyeblink,’ choreographed by Maria Barios, and ‘Grosse Rock,’ the opening piece of Bauhaus ballet ‘Das Triadisches.’
Michael Griffiths
Michael has worked extensively in musical theatre and cabaret since graduating from WAAPA with a Bachelor in Musical Theatre in 1999. He won the Helpmann Award in 2016 for Best Cabaret Performer for his Cole Porter tribute and won Best Cabaret Adelaide Fringe in 2014.
He was nominated for a Green Room Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2014 for his performance as Bob Crewe in Jersey Boys and Best Musical Direction (Cabaret) for Sweet Dreams: Songs by Annie Lennox and in 2022 for Bigger and Blacker with Steven Oliver.
He is currently Artistic Director of the Perth International Cabaret Festival, musical director for Les Girls star Carlotta and has a star on the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Walk of Fame.
Lilyana Lloyd
Originally from Adelaide, Lilyana trained at the Barbara Jayne Dance Centre before continuing her studies at The Australian Ballet School from level 5, graduating in level 8. Whilst at the school Lilyana had the opportunity to train at the Canada’s National Ballet School as an exchange student. Lilyana performed in The Australian Ballet Regional Tour of Giselle.
After graduating with a Diploma in Dance, Advanced Diploma in Dance and Graduate Diploma in Classical Ballet, Lilyana went on to join the Queensland Ballet in 2018.
Returning back home to Adelaide, Lilyana has shared her passion of ballet through teaching. Coaching the ‘Billy’s’ in Billy Elliot during their Adelaide season and taught a number of years Classical Ballet and Jazz to the Bachelor of Music Theatre students of the Elder Conservatorium of Music at The Adelaide University. Most recently she toured Australia in ‘An American In Paris’ as Dance Captain/Swing.
Lilyana is a qualified teacher of the following:
Royal Academy of Dance ballet syllabus
Progressing Ballet Technique
Progressing Contemporary Technique
Rambert Grades Contemporary syllabus
Credits:
An American in Paris, produced by GWB Entertainment and The Australian Ballet (2021/2022)
Queensland Ballet (2018)
La Bayadére (Greg Horsman), Firebird (Liam Scarlett), Carmen (Carlos Acosta), Swan Lake, Nutcracker & Cinderella (Ben Stevenson OBE), Parts per Million (Craig Davidson), B-Sides (Jack Lister)
The Australian Ballet School (2014-2017)
Almost (Graeme Murphy), Serenade (George Balanchine), Nutcracker, Snow Queens, Paquita, Giselle
Briar Higgins
Briar Higgins began her dance journey at the age of five, training in all styles at Stage One Dance Studio where her dedication earned her many studio awards including the Student of the Year award in 2021. In 2023, she furthered her training at GWB Studios, participating in technique classes, troupes, and both Musical Theatre and Classical stream.
From a young age, Briar has competed in regional and national competitions, earning cash prizes, scholarships to schools such as Patrick School of Arts and Dance World Studios, Overall Highest Scoring Soloist titles and solo aggregates. She has also achieved ‘Honours’ in every Borovansky syllabus ballet exam, up to Advanced 1 level and has completed both Stage 1 and 2 Dance.
Beyond her own training, Briar has a passion for choreography and teaching. Since 2021, she has choreographed and coached secondary school competition teams, specialising in traditional and commercial contemporary genres. Under her guidance, these teams have advanced to national competitions.
She is passionate about inspiring and encouraging younger dancers and loves to watch them grow and improve both technically and artistically. Briar enjoys creating and experimenting with choreography and loves when her visions come to life. She is excited to support our dancers and challenge them to reach their full potential in a fun and positive environment.
Emily Higgins
Emily Higgins began dancing at Vivienne Winter School of Ballet from the age of 2. Having completed training in the Royal Academy of Dance achieving distinctions from primary right through to Advanced Two, Emily has most recently sat the prestigous Solo Seal Examination. A finalist in the Royal Academy of Dance Awards on multiple occasions and has been award the Badenoch Iversen award.
Emily has represented South Australian as a member of the South Australian National Calisthenics team for 6 years, achieving success as a member of winning teams and runner up of the Junior National Graceful Girl Championship. Emily has been in Full Time programme at GWB Studios for the last three years, studying genres include Classical, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Vocal and Commercial.
Emily has completed a Certificate III and Certificate IV in Dance and is currently studying to become a qualified Royal Academy of Dance ballet teacher. Emily is a passionate dancer who enjoys working hard, taking every opportunity to perform, setting and achieving goals with enthusiasm and has first hand experience of the benefits of supplementary dance programs for the keen Calisthenics performer.
Gemma Freeman
Since the age of three, Gemma has trained in ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary dance, studying and completing Borovansky and Cecchetti syllabi and CSTD tap exams.
Beginning her dance training at Dance Dimension and later at Barbara Jayne Dance Centre, Gemma competed in many SA-based and interstate dance competitions, winning tao and theatrical championships. At age eight, Gemma landed her first professional role as an understudy for the role of Marta in The Sound of Music with the Gordon Frost Organisation. Following this Gemma performed in many pro-am musical theatre productions with The Met and the Therry Dramatic Society, including Gypsy, Anything Goes, Holly Dolly, 42nd St, Crazy For You and The Boy From Oz.
Gemma has taught at various dance schools across Adelaide, teaching exam syllabi, competition teams and solos, as well as full-time course dance students. She is an accredited Acro teacher with Acrobatic Arts and specialises in jazz, tap, lyrical and contemporary dance.
Alongside her career as a dance teacher, she is also a qualified social worker, advocating for and supporting our most vulnerable members in society. As a dance teacher, Gemma values nurturing her students’ talents and exploring their needs to further enhance their full potential.
Genevieve Nixon
Genevieve is an accomplished dancer, dance teacher, and choreographer combining her love of dance and movement whilst studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours to be completed in 2026.
With formal qualifications including a Certificate 3 in Dance and Acrobatic Arts International Teaching Certificate/Qualification Genevieve has a genuine love of teaching. She has also trained and sat exams in most genres, including Ballet with Borovansky, Cecchetti, and RAD syllabus all to Advanced 1 level. In 2022 she also achieved SACE Stage 2 Dance Merit – Top 2 in SA & NT.
Genevieve has many years of experience teaching at Adelaide’s premiere dance studios and private secondary schools, with specialities including Acrobatics, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Stretch and Conditioning. She was invited by Rebecca Davies to join her Architect Squadron, becoming an assistant in numerous Radar Technique workshops during 2020 and 2021. Genevieve was a member of the Australian Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble 2020 – 2021.
Dancing since she was three years old and competing since she was five, competition highlights include winning numerous SASDS solo aggregates, adjudicators’ choice at SASDS 2020, and the Junior Classical Scholarship under the guidance of Briah Victory. National competition highlights include Runner Up Champion Dancer at Evolution and FYD Nationals 2021, and highest scoring senior soloist at numerous regional events such as GTB.
Recent professional performances include Hey Jupiter Bastille Day Can Can, Strikers Big Bash League, and other Ding Productions.
Genevieve looks forward to continuing her pursuit of excellence in all areas of her life and contributing to the future of young students.
Joseph Simons
Graduating from Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Joseph was awarded 2009 Outstanding Emerging Artist at Australian Dance Awards and nominated for a Green Room Award for Best Male Dancer.
As a performer, he has toured throughout USA, Asia, UK and Australia with companies including West Australian Ballet, Chunky Move, Lucy Guerin Inc, Queensland Ballet,Force Majeure, Jack Productions and The Australian Ballet. He has performed with The Production Company, Opera, Victorian Opera and developed work at Australian Dance Theatre and DV8 Physical Theatre, London. As an actor, Joseph played Tom in the original London cast of Spider Love by Mick Goldstein and created the role of Malcom in the world premiere cast of The Death Of Kings by Colette F Keen.
His choreography has been performed by West Australian Ballet (Man Alive), Footlight Productions (Miss Saigon), The Seven Sopranos (Popcorn), Queensland University of Technology (Skank: A Tragic Love Story), Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Self Destruct) and Flying Fruit Fly Circus (Storm) as well as music videos for Elisha Bones’ Guts and Hounds Homebound’s Sandy. Joseph was the recipient of the 2013 Tanya Liedtke Fellowship – awarded to one Australian choreographer every two years.
Following his residency at the International Choreographic Laboratory in Frankfurt, Joseph created his solo work First Things First, premiering in the Robert Helpmann Theatre at the Margot Fonteyn Academy in New York. His next play, 100 Years Of The History Of Dance As Told By One Man In 60 Minutes With An Energetic Group Finale, was written during a development at Roundabout Theatre, New York, before touring extensively.
Joseph directed and choreographed the sold out and extended production of The Producers in Brisbane. He was the Artistic Director of Altitude Theatre before becoming a full-time lecturer in Music Theatre at Elder Conservatorium (ECMT), University of Adelaide.
Mark Stefanoff
Mark gained a following after his multiple appearances on ‘The Voice’ leading him to the professional world of Music Theatre. Having trained at APO Arts Academy, The Victorian College of the Arts and Broadway Dance Centre, Mark has proven himself a triple threat.
During his time on ‘The Voice’, coach Ricky Martin sent him to New York to meet with his Broadway Agent. Upon his return to Australia, he joined the cast of ‘Godspell’ followed by the Adelaide Fringe Season of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’.
He returned to the screen in Season 4 of ‘The Voice’, joining forces with Ricky again, and pushing his voice to new extremes.
He joined the cast of ‘Hairspray, The Arena Spectacular’ as Brad before a short Season of ‘Rent’, and finally the Australian Tour of ‘Kinky Boots’ where he featured as the Referee Angel.
He has sung across the world with ‘Princess Cruise Lines’, and was in the first cast of ‘Universal Studios Singapore’s’ new show ‘TurnTables’ as King. More recently, Mark toured with Norwegian Cruise Lines as part of the select artist program and staring as Felecia in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
2022 saw Mark as a vocalist for the wonderful company Burn the Floor, performing around Europe before returning to home soil. Upon doing so, Mark was the vocal coach and backup singer for Disco Wonderland. In Disco Wonderland, He also was part of this show for the Adelaide Fringe Starring Pauline, Timomatic, Philippa Lynas, and Amelia Sanzo, accompanied by the incredible Eraser Description.
Michael Griffiths
Michael has worked extensively in musical theatre and cabaret since graduating from WAAPA with a Bachelor in Musical Theatre in 1999. He won the Helpmann Award in 2016 for Best Cabaret Performer for his Cole Porter tribute and won Best Cabaret Adelaide Fringe in 2014.
He was nominated for a Green Room Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2014 for his performance as Bob Crewe in Jersey Boys and Best Musical Direction (Cabaret) for Sweet Dreams: Songs by Annie Lennox and in 2022 for Bigger and Blacker with Steven Oliver.
He is currently Artistic Director of the Perth International Cabaret Festival, musical director for Les Girls star Carlotta and has a star on the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Walk of Fame.
Natalie Linke
SACE Dance Teacher and CUA30120 Certificate III in Dance Teacher
Since the age of 2, Natalie has trained in various genres, including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Calisthenics, completing exams in Classical (R.A.D.),Jazz, Tap and Theatrical(C.S.T.D). In 1997 she obtained a degree in Dance at the University of Adelaide and in 1999 completed a Degree in Education, becoming a qualified High School Dance teacher. She has taught SACE Dance since 2000, withstudents consistently gainingoutstanding results. She is a motivated, energetic and passionate educator committed to providing quality learning experiences and is highly regarded as a leader in Secondary Dance Education in South Australia.
Bachelor of Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Education, Advanced Skills Teacher 2 DfE, TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Alex Charman
After graduating Alex travelled overseas to perform at the San Diego Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival as well as taking part in every Adelaide Fringe since 2015 as a company member of Vertical Insanity Circus. Vertical Insanity Circus is a circus company which was founded by Alex and 3 other members and has toured nationally around Australia.
In 2016 she became the head trainer of Adelaide circus school, CircoBats Community Circus, which has grown over the last 7 years into a community of over 500 students. Alex also coached the youth performance troupe at CircoBats, choreographing over 15 productions for the group which have performed at local events to professional productions.
Alex currently teaches at multiple arts and education schools across Adelaide. Her enthusiasm for her craft means that she is committed to remaining up to date with current safe practice for all forms of her teaching and professional work. She is dedicated to, and has a passion for learning and constant self-progression. Her versatility as a result of her culmination of skills in dance, theatre and circus makes her a unique tutor with a wealth of knowledge to share.
Paul Sinkinson
Paul was the Associate Music Director for the national tour of Friends! The Musical Parody and has worked as keyboard deputy on touring productions of 9 to 5 The Musical, Frozen, The Sound of Music, Singin’ In The Rain and Mamma Mia! and played in numerous Adelaide based productions. Previous show credits include Music Director for This Girl: Regional SA Cabaret Tour (Rachael Beck),Shrek The Musical, In Pieces, Mamma Mia!, Songs for a New World and Spring Awakening (Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre), Kinky Boots (Gilbert & Sullivan Society of SA), Avenue Q (Hills Musical Company), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang(Northern Light Theatre Company), Bye Bye Birdie (The MET), Wicked (Matt Byrne Media)and Mary Poppins (Whyalla Players).
Greg Mitchell
During his time studying, Greg has undertaken short Music Theatre programs as music/vocal director, and is currently in this role at the Parks Theatre, under the direction of Ceri Hutton, where he is taking private singing lessons, ranging from juniors to seniors. Greg’s most fond memories come from the singing studios, and he wishes to create the same warm learning environment for his students.
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50 Sir Donald Bradman Dr,
Mile End SA 5031
(08) 8361 8888
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