Teachers

Kate Hanna, Principal

Ballet | Jazz | Tap | Song & Dance | Contemporary|  Lyrical | Eisteddfod
A.R.A.D, ACB Registered Teacher

Kate started dancing at age 5 with Conny Mathot studying all styles of dance. At age 13 she went to further her training at the Ransley Ballet & Dance Centre under the direction of Dawn & Joy Ransley with teachers such as Ai-Gul Gasina, Rowena Jackson & Phillip Chatfield. Here she undertook intense classical training & started their full time programme at age 14. Kate completed all her Royal Academy of Dancing vocational grades with high distinctions & competed in the RAD’s Phyllis Beddels Bursary (finalist 2004) & Genee International Ballet competition (semi-finalist 2005)  in London, England. In this time Kate was a Soloist with the Gold Coast City Ballet & guest with the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra. Kate furthered her studies at The Ailey School, Broadway Dance Centre & Steps Dance Centre, New York & also The Edge & Millennium Dance Complex, Los Angeles. Kate has also taken class at the Royal Ballet School & English National Ballet School, England. Kate’s professional career has seen her work with the Kinisi Dance Company, London, featured in music videos, TV series & commercials. Whilst living in the London, Kate was signed with the UK’s top dance agent Mark Summers. Kate was also involved with Nigel Lythgoe’s SYTYCD UK finishing in the top 16 girls, working with choreographers like Travis Wall. Kate is committed to teaching safe dance practice with a high emphases on technique.

 

Tracey Kriz

Vocal | Musical Theatre

Tracey began her performance career in culturally rich Ballarat Victoria in the early seventies. She has a Diploma of Teaching (Primary), Graduate Diploma in Music Education from Ballarat College of Advanced Education and her AmusA (singing) AMEB. Trained in classical singing, classical ballet, jazz and tap, the theatrical stage finally beckoned. She began performing with Ballarat Light Opera Company, Ballarat Lyric Theatre and Ballarat Theatre Company. Tracey has directed, choreographed & performed in numerous musicals  & professional productions.

Tracey has worked as the Artistic Director at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School where she taught singing, Year 11 and 12 Drama and Dance, Year 7 Music and is Choral Director at the school. Tracey has mentored many students and others, who are working on the theatrical stage to further their craft and skills, many of these have been successful at NIDA and WAPPA. Tracey is the Artistic Director of the newly formed Gold Coast Production Company &  in 2015 Tracey join the judging panel for the Gold Coast Theatre awards alongside some of the Gold Coast’s leading names in theatre and entertainment.

Stephanie Cushing

Acrobatics

Stephanie has a very diverse training background starting at a very early age. She has practiced artistic gymnastics, acrobatics, many styles of dance and circus arts. Her love for acrobatics started once leaving gymnastics and enrolling at Mudgeeraba Dance Studio in 2004 where she was tutored by Suellen Venker and Ben Hur Nicolodi. Here Stephanie was introduced to the dance styles of Jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hip and contemporary. In 2008-2009 Stephanie was lucky enough to be cast in her first summer school show Cabaret Berserkus at the Gold Coast Arts Centre where her love for Aerial circus arts was formed. In 2010 she was accepted into a full time Certificate IV in Musical Theatre at the Queensland College of Performing Arts. She also has experience in character work through working at Dreamworld in the entertainment department. Stephanie’s goal is to have all students try their best and achieve the tricks that they thought weren’t possible.

Georgia Mollison

Tap | Pre-Junior

Georgia started her training at Coastal Dance aged 5 & is a current student. She studies all styles of dance & also has weekly vocal training. Georgia travelled to the USA in 2016 & took class at The Edge LA, The Los Angeles Ballet Academy & Broadway Dance Center NYC. Georgia is currently in the dance program at Merrimac State High School & has been assistant teaching at Coastal Dance for 4 years.

Jack Hearse

Classical Extension Program

Jack began training in classical ballet at age 6 under Susan Weule and later Garth Welch at Classe Dance Academy in The Blue Mountains. He received many awards and scholarships during this time including the 2004 RAD Bursary.

In 2005 at age 14, Jack commenced training at The Australian Ballet School, graduating in 2009 with Distinction. Accepted into The Australian Ballet company in 2010, dancing with the company for 4 years.

Ebony Moon

Tiny Tots |  Pre-Primary Ballet | Hip Hop

I grew up in a house full of artists. My Mum was a dancer and my Dad a musician and painter.  You could say that creativity flows through our veins. My Mum was performing and teaching when I was young, so attending dance classes all over the Gold Coast with her was where my love for all things dance started.

I am currently studying full time dance where I am fortunate enough to work with highly sought out choreographers from all over Australia. I keep myself up to date with all current trends and have a passion for teaching hip hop, contemporary, jazz and tiny tots. I have performed as a dancer and cheerleader in various productions in Australia and am looking forward to sharing my love of dance with the students at Coastal Dance.

Joel Murphy

Choreography

Joel is a graduate of Coastal Dance where commenced at age 8. He studied all genres of dance & was awarded the inaugural Coastal Dance scholarship in 2015.  Joel was a member of the LOcREaDO Dance Company for 3 years & travelled to China to perform at the Xinjiang International Dance Festival as well as performances in Brisbane, Sydney & the Gold Coast. In 2016 Joel travelled to New York & Los Angeles with Coastal Dance where he studied with leading figures in dance at The Edge & Broadway Dance Center. Joel went on to study his Certificate IV in dance at Dynamite Studios Australia on full scholarship & is currently on contract as a singer/dancer with Royal Carribean Cruise Lines on Quantum of the Seas.

Beverly Chatterton
Classical Coach
ARAD London, Presidents Award Winner

Miss Chatterton trained with the Scully Borovansky Ballet School & danced with the company in it’s final season.

As Principal of the Chatterton Ballet Academy in Sydney for thirty years, she taught all aspects of classical ballet, tap, character, modern and jazz. Since retiring as Principal of her academy Miss Chatterton now coaches senior and full-time students, specialises by guest teaching, adjudicating eisteddfods, judging scholarships and has been producing Dance Spectaculars.

 

Holly Johnston

Assistant Teacher

Holly started her training with Coastal Dance at age 5. She studies all genres of dance & is in the Palm Beach Currumbin Dance Excellence program. She was the 2016 recipient of the Coastal Dance Scholarship. Holly has been a member of the LOcREaDO Dance Program for 3 years & has travelled in Sydney & China to perform. Last year Holly travelled to New York & Los Angeles to study at The Edge & Broadway Dance Center. Holly has been assistant teaching for 2 years.

Tiani Cashel-Patterson

Student Teacher

Tiani started her training with Coastal Dance at age 3 & studies all genres of dance. She is also in the Palm Beach Currumbin Dance Excellence program. Tiani has performed in professional productions of Annie & Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at QPAC. Tiani commenced student teaching in 2017.

 

Guest teachers have included:

Rosina Andrews: Dance Moms UK

Christine Denny: Tapatak Oz Creator

Autumn Marie Dones: A Step Around The World

Jonathan Whitlow: Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines / Fame the Musical

Sam Campbell:Disney / Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

Beau Middlebrook: Disney Cruise Lines / West Side Story International Tour