• Diploma of Early Childhood Education
  
• Studied Creative Dance Teaching at Mangala Studios
  
• Member of Victorian Orff Schulwerk Association
  

Teaches: Dance Play, Sing Dance Act, Boys’ Stuff and Drama & Musical Theatre classes and workshops.

Dee is a warm, vibrant and child-centred professional with over 30 years experience. For over a decade she has been sharing her love of the arts in all its forms with the BDC community. Dee’s classes take a holistic approach following the “Integrated Arts” model which is underpinned by the philosophy that in the early years of childhood, all the creative arts should be experienced together.

(Read more about Dee…)

• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Monash University.

• Working with Children Check/ First Aid/ CPR 

• Level 1&2 Dance Teacher Training (The Ballet Blog/ Perfect Form Physiotherapy) 

• Rhythm Works Certified Dance Instructor 

Teaches: Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Conditioning and Competition Team classes

Olivia’s passion is sharing her love for dancing with all her students. She believes that the dance studio is a place where children can learn important life skills as well dance and performance techniques. She aims to create a welcoming environment by encouraging all students to be respectful and supportive of one another. 

Olivia began dancing at BDC Dance Studios in 2010. Throughout the years she has been an enthusiastic and cheerful member of Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap and Musical Theatre classes. Olivia completed VCE Dance Units 3/4 at BDC Dance Studios in 2012. She is heavily involved in the administration of the dance school, as well as teaching multiple classes. She is currently completing her Certificate 4 in Dance Teaching and Management at Transit Dance Studios. 

Olivia is very excited to have recently completed her Rhythm Works Instructor Certification. She is particularly delighted as this dance program combines her two passions: occupational therapy and dance teaching. Olivia is looking forward to sharing this amazing program and looks forward to seeing the positive influence of the knowledge she has learnt on all her students. 

• Bachelor of Arts Communications
• Diploma in Dance Teaching & Learning (Hons), Trinity College, London
• Certificate IV in Assessment & Training

Teaches: Contemporary and Hip Hop

Nickely has been teaching at BDC Dance Studios since 2012. Prior to this she was based in the UK where she opened Oxford Contemporary Dance School in 1994 and worked for various performing arts colleges and schools as a dance teacher and choreographer.

In 1995 She co-founded Biserk Dance Company with Sarah Bishop where she as Artistic Director for twenty years.

She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our community as well as holding the position of Contemporary Dance Teacher at The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet.

• Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Dance and Drama) – Deakin University

Teaches Ballet

Adelaide began dancing from her earliest years and was featured soloist with the Camberwell District Ballet. She was a Victorian under 12 gold medallist (Cecchetti) and attended the VCA Secondary College first as a dancer then as a singer, achieving two “Top Acts” in VCE. From the age of 12 she sang and danced with her parents’ trios The Elastic Band (children’s shows) and Trio Grande (concerts and cabaret).

While at University she ran her own private school of dance, meanwhile singing in small jazz groups and performing in dance projects. She then undertook choreographic work and began to teach for BDC before she left for three years’ work as a Dancer at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

Upon her return from Paris she commenced a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Applied Learning) at Deakin in Geelong as well as working on further singing projects.

From her earliest years Adelaide has expressed herself through song and dance and, and her approach is one that encourages joyful and natural expression. Allied to this however, is her firm belief that expression is based in a sound technique. This in turn, sets up good deportment healthy movement and adaptability to various dance styles.

Teaches Jazz, Tap, Hiphop and Acro

Currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Deakin University.

• Bachelor of Arts – Psychology (University of Melbourne)
• Graduate Diploma of Psychology – Advance (Monash University)

Teaches: Jazz, Hiphop, Tap and Competition Team.

Gabby was enrolled in ballet at the age of 4 and branched out to incorporate Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, and Acrobatics into her repertoire. Predominantly training at Galactic Dance & Events Australia in Melton, she has worked with numerous industry professionals, completed RAD, Cecchetti and CSTD exams, competed and placed in several competitions, and now teaches across Melbourne in various styles to students ranging from toddler to adult. Before completing a year of training at The Space Dance and Arts Centre, Gabby studied undergraduate and post graduate psychological studies at the University of Melbourne and Monash University. Majoring in developmental and educational psychology, Gabby utilises a number of psychological theories and practices within her teaching to ensure her students learn in the most informative, safe, and beneficial manner available to them.

Gabby has Joined BDC’s permanent teaching staff in 2019 after having worked as a substitute teacher for us in 2018.

• Currently Studying Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Physiotherapy Practice – La Trobe University

Teaches: Jazz, Contemporary and Intro Tap

• Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management – Box Hill Institute.

Currently studying Associate Degree in Education (Primary) – Deakin University

Teaches Drama & Musical Theatre

Dominic started dancing at BDC at the age of 4 and has grown up with the studio as a second home.

He studied dance at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School for two years before returning to BDC where he continued to hone his dance skills along with completing VCE dance. Dominic commenced his teacher training at BDC in late 2015 and has shown a particular flair for Drama and Musical theatre classes where he has been an invaluable support for Dee. In 2016 he taught VET Dance at Drouin Secondary School and is heading into teaching the same course this year at Swinburne.

No stranger to the stage, in 2016 Dominic became a committee member of the local theatre company Hartwell Players for whom he has been performing with since 2003.

Teaches Jazz and Hiphop

Bianca began dancing at age 4 and fell in love with it before moving to BDC when she was 11. Though initially commencing with just jazz and contemporary, she now also thoroughly enjoys taking RAD ballet, hip hop and being involved in the competition team. As part of her VCE studies she completed all units of VCE Dance. Outside of BDC, Bianca has participated in numerous musical theatre productions, as well as contributing to the choreography and staging of various works, and managing school dance teams.  

Bianca believes that the dance studio should be a place where all students are able to develop to their fullest potential while feeling supported, encouraged and valued by both their teacher and other students. She aims to create this positive environment through fostering a passion for dance within all her students and assisting them to achieve their goals.

Currently studying Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Podiatric Practice – La Trobe University, Melbourne

Teaches Jazz and lyrical

In 2018 BDC Dance Studios became an affiliate of the DanceStep Student teacher education program. These students are assisting in classes to learn how to be role models for our school and hope to one day be dance teachers themselves.

Below are our first intake into the program upon completion of their level 1 induction.