Sally Durham
Sally fell in love with the art of dance at the age of 3 years. Her background includes 20 years of elite calisthenics training and 16 years of training in various styles of dance including jazz, contemporary and in particular Cecchetti ballet.
Sally soon found her true love was teaching with a strong passion for choreography and began her teaching career at Avonde Calisthenics College in 2005. She taught calisthenics at both club and state level for over 10 years.
In 2008, Sally was accepted into the Bachelor of Dance Degree at the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University. She majored in contemporary/classical dance and choreography whilst studying jazz, anatomy, kinesiology and improvisation.
Sally is now a qualified Level 1 strength and conditioning coach, Prep to Year 12 performing arts teacher and VCE dance teacher.
Annabelle Ford
Emerging teacher and choreographer Annabelle Ford, grew up dancing at Anita Coutts School of Dance. While at Anita Coutts, Annabelle studied the RAD syllabus and also undertook a Day Training Program where she was mentored by Noelle Shader in Vaganova Ballet, pointe, repertoire and nutritional studies.
In 2016 Annabelle joined Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance for 2 years of full time dance training where she completed her Certificate IV in Dance and Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management.
Annabelle’s strong passion for choreography has led to choreographing and performing in Undrgrnd Melbourne in 2018 and she was also chosen as a finalist in the choreographic competition Dance Architect.
In 2021 Annabelle participated in Scimm Dance Company’s ‘Nexus’ course and was also fortunate to choreograph a piece for their show. Annabelle’s choreographic works can be seen in dance competitions throughout Victoria and Australia.
Throughout Annabelle’s career she has had the opportunity to perform in events such as the Victorian Dance Festival, Masters of Choreography, Grounded Battle of the Arts and Raw Melbourne Art Show.
Annabelle’s passion for teaching can be seen in the studio and through the performance of all her students. As a teacher Annabelle wants all students to enjoy their time in her classes while improving their skills and confidence.
Tanya Singh
Miss Tanya has a passion for teaching and developing the love of dance. With over 23 years of experience in putting students through RAD exams, Miss Tanya also mentors for the RAD Classical Ballet Teachers’ Program (CBTS). She helps teachers with teaching skills, execution of work, and preparation for their final exam to gain their own registration as a RAD certified Ballet teacher.
After studying Classical Ballet at the prestigious Marie Walton Dance Academy in Newcastle, Miss Tanya successfully gained a scholarship at The London Studio Centre (England). She fell in love with Performing Arts and Musical Theatre, learning the arts of Contemporary, Hip Hop, Drama and Vocals.
Upon returning to Australia, Miss Tanya moved to country Victoria to start her teaching career, opening and running her own studio for 14 years before moving to Melbourne to freelance teach.
She adjudicates competitions such as ComDance, formally known as CSTD Festival, Phoenix Dance Festival, and the Victorian Performing Arts Challenge amongst many.
Miss Tanya is extremely passionate about teaching and is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with the Ballet students at Sally’s School of Performing Arts.
Jessica Nicholas
Jessica Nicholas is a professional dancer, choreographer and movement specialist from Melbourne, Australia. She has over twenty years of experience in teaching, coaching, performing and choreographing a variety of dance styles including Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Heels, Dance Fitness and Calisthenics.
As co-founder of Melbourne based children’s theatre company Silverjay Productions, Jessica also has extensive experience in developing, instructing and directing beginners, children and professional performers in dance and movement for the stage.
Jessica currently freelances as a choreographer and movement specialist.
She has recently returned to Melbourne after living in Mumbai, India for 14 years where she was a faculty member at the Institute of Classical & Modern Dance (ICMD), Terence Lewis Contemporary Dance Company and Shiamak Davar’s Institute for Performing Arts teaching Jazz & Calisthenics. Jessica also runs regular Dance Fitness & Pre-School Creative Movement classes both in person and online.
Ashtyn Gloury
Since an early age, Ashtyn has loved all things performing and began her training at 3 years old at Dance World Studios in all styles and genres of dance. In 2007, Ashtyn appeared in an episode of Australian TV show, ‘Neighbours’ as a child extra.
Ashtyn then landed her first professional dance job as a ‘Ballet Girl’ in the Melbourne’s season of ‘Billy Elliot’ in 2009. From 2016, Ashtyn has been teaching for dance schools across Melbourne, choreographing for junior school and full-time students’ performances as well as a weekly open class, since 2019. Since 2018, Ashtyn has been apart of Melbourne’s leading commercial dance company, ‘Boss Dance Company’ performing in their 2018 season of their show ‘Four’ and their sold out 2019 season ‘Bound’.
In 2019, Ashtyn and the company took their performance of ‘Four’ to Canberra, whilst there Ashtyn also taught a workshop. Also in 2019, she assisted with the very first Boss Generation program where her choreography was showcased in their sold out season. Later in 2019, Ashtyn worked with Australian artist North East Party House on their musical video for their song ‘Dominoes’ with Pixel – movie and television studio. She again worked with Pixel at the start of 2020 for the 10th year of Pause Fest where Pixel created the opening titles.
Ashtyn also choreographed for Melbourne’s youth dance company ‘Alchemy’ for their 2020 season. At the end of 2020, Ashtyn was asked to be a part of Melbourne Fashion Week modelling and dancing in two of their pop up shows. Ashtyn is looking forward to continuing her growth and development aiming to become the best version of herself as a performer and choreographer within the arts industry that she is proud to be a part of.
Luke Alleva
Luke began his musical theatre career in Man of La Mancha as Juan, Brains in Get Happy, Cliff for We Will Rock You Australian tour.
Luke’s West End credits include We Will Rock You at The Dominion Theatre, Saturday Night Fever at Apollo Victoria u/s Joey, Chester and Cesar and West End Rocks Uk tour.
On return to Australia Luke performed in The Rocky Horror Show u/s Brad and Eddie/Dr Scott, Scranton Slim & u/s Benny in Guys and Dolls, Mamma Mia u/s Pepper and Eddie,
Young Danny in Xanadu, Moonshadow the musical as Dance Captain, A Chorus Line u/s Mike, Al, Don & Larry, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The recent tour of Hot Shoe Shuffle u/s four brothers including Spring and also playing the role of Spring in Birdie productions Hot Shoe Shuffle in Sydney, and currently performing in Dirty Dancing Immersive Cinema in Melbourne and Sydney, playing Gene Kelly in the regional tour of Gene & Judy.
For The Production Company, Al Saxon in Dusty, Eddie Ryan in Funny Girl, Boy From Oz, 42nd Street, Little Me, Guys and Dolls, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jimmy in The Boy Friend. Luke recently played the roles of Eddie/ Dr Scott in John X Presents production of Rocky Horror.
Luke is the Creative Director and Founder of Luca Entertainment Productions. He produced the international acclaimed Gene Kelly the legacy for the Australian tour at Sydney State Theatre, Melbourne Recital Centre and Brisbane Qpac.
He has also created many shows and including starring in One Man show The Dancin Man Sydney, Melbourne, Regional Victoria and various International Cruises lines and other upcoming productions including Dance Fitness on Broadway.
Luke is also a sort after Choreographer and Director, Carols by Candle Light & Ballarat Carols for Channel 9 for Daryl Somers, Saturday Night Fever at chapel off chapel, Cabaret the musical Spiegel Tent, Gene & Judy, 50’s Shake, Give My Regards to Broadway, Tis The Season, Fr Bob’s We need A Little Christmas Fed Square, Tap & Musical Theatre Ambassador for VDF ‘20/ ATF/ DDA, Music Videos, Corporate Shows, Musical Theatre Workshops, Adjudicator/ Judge.
Film credits are Montmartre Team lead dancers in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, Dein Perry’s Bootmen, Tom Usher in Gallipoli From Above, and The Divorce for the ABC. Tv credits include Always Greener, Australia’s Got Talent, Paul O’Grady Show, Kerrie Anne, Countdown, Sunrise, Sydney Opening & Closing Olympics and various Tvc commercials appearances, Corporate Gigs and Photoshoots.
