EMILY PERKINS - PRINCIPAL

Bachelor of Education, Melbourne University. Certificate IV in Dance. Trained RAD Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz & Character at the Merilyn Bryrne School of Classical Ballet.

Performing member of Young Dancers Theatre (YDT) Ballet Company 1983 – 1988. Assistant teacher at Steppes 1994. Freelance dance instructor around Melbourne 1994 – 1995. Instructor at Steppes since 1995. Proprietor of Steppes since 1996. Member of Australian Dance Vision. Expertise – Photography, Costume design, Textiles and Visual Arts.

ANAI THRELFALL - TEACHER / RECEPTION

Anai has been dancing since the age of 5. Anai becomes a student at Steppes 8 years ago specialising in classical ballet, jazz and contemporary dance.

She is currently completing a full time dance course at The space Dance and Arts as well as teaching and working on reception at Steppes in her free time.

CAMILLE SMITH - TEACHER

Camille’s love of dance and performance started from a young age, as she trained in many facets of dance including ballet, jazz, tap and flamenco, as well as vocal and music theory classes. After completing her Diploma in Performing Arts in 2004, Camille was lucky enough to land a singer-dancer role at Universal Studios Japan.

Following that year in 2007 she went on to work as dance captain for Royal Caribbean Productions, performing for over five years on many different cruise ships all over the world. Camille has taught all over Melbourne for over a decade in many different styles. She looks forward to joining the Steppes team in 2014.

CASSIE PEELE - TEACHER

Cassie began dancing at the age of six at Steppes School of Dance, gaining experience in contemporary, jazz, ballet, acrobatics and hip hop styles. Throughout this time she has achieved her Major One Certificate in Classical Ballet (ADV) and Major Two Certificate in Jazz (ADV) receiving honours in both.     In 2017, Cassie completed her Certificate IV in Dance at Transit Dance in the contemporary stream under the guidance of Paul Malek, Adam Wheeler and Daniel Jaber. She is continuing her studies in 2018, working towards her Diploma in Dance (Elite Performance) while also performing in a range of new contemporary works with Transit Dance.

DARCEY EAGLE - TEACHER

Darcey started as a student at Steppes School of Dance over 17 years ago and has continued her involvement with the school as an assistant and then teacher for the past 5 years. In 2009 Darcey was part of Billy Elliot the Musicals Melbourne Cast which lead her to choose performing arts as a career when graduating from high school.

She has recently graduated a fulltime Music Theatre course at Patrick Studios Australia run by renowned choreographer Andrew Hallsworth with a Certificate I & II in Dance and a Diploma of Music theatre for which she received an award of academic excellence. During her time at Steppes Darcey completed the ADAP (Australian Dance Assessment Program) Classical Ballet Syllabus with High Distinction and is now trained in teaching both this same syllabus and “Dance Magic” for younger students.

ELVIC PHANYATHONG - TEACHER

Elvic started dancing at the age of 15, having been put into a dance class at high school accidentally and after a few weeks, loved it. After school, Elvic would be teaching himself basic Hip Hop fundamentals via Youtube by watching his greatest dance inspirations such as Michael Jackson, Jabbawockeez, Mike Song and Phillip Chbeeb as well as movies such as Step Up.

 

After four years of being a self-taught dancer, Elvic decided to pursue a career in dance and decided to audition at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance in 2014 under the guidance of Etienne Khoo, Phil Haddad, Adrian Ricks and Vince Calingsan. In 2015, Elvic represented Australia in the World Championships of Performing Arts in California, coming home with three gold medals and two silver medals in Dance and being a Grand Finalist for Modelling.

 

After graduating in 2015 with a Diploma of Elite Dance Performance, Cert IV of Dance Teaching and Management and a Cert IV in Personal Training, Elvic has been travelling all around Victoria, teaching Hip Hop in both rural and urban areas.

 

In 2017, Elvic worked overseas at an outdoor camp in America, North Carolina after gaining a position to teach in their dance department, choreographing their musical the Lion King. Aside from teaching, he had the privilege to study mini dance intensives at the Broadway Dance Centre in New York, Millennium Dance Complex and Movement Lifestyles in Los Angeles.

 

Elvic is very excited to be joining the team and to teach valuable Hip Hop knowledge to the kids at Steppes School of Dance.

JACQUELINE GAFF - ADMINISTRATION

Jacqueline has 20 years of dance experience having started dancing at the young age of 3. She studied various styles including Jazz, Ballet, Tap and Hip Hop dance. Continuing with her love for dance and the stage, Jacqueline studied stage management, lighting and sound at Box Hill Institute.

Along with her passion for performing arts Jacqueline is very skilled in business administration. Over the recent years she has been able to combined her dance, backstage and administrative knowledge to excel in the helping of running various shows.

We are delighted to have Jacqueline apart of our management team at Steppes School of Dance.

NATALIE CLARKE - TEACHER

Natalie started her dance journey at the age of 5 years old training in Ballet, Jazz and Tap at the Donna Halloran School of Dance in Sydney. In her teens, Natalie moved to Melbourne to further her studies in ballet full time at the National Theatre Ballet School and then at the world class Australian Ballet School. She realised her dream of becoming a professional dancer with an international performing career spanning 16 years, dancing with the Singapore Dance Theatre and West Australian Ballet. Her love for dance has led her to continue her journey in dance to share her knowledge with young dancers. She holds a Professional Dancer Teaching Diploma from the Royal Academy of Dance, has registered teacher status and has gained a Modern Jazz Teaching Certificate with the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dance. She has taught full time at School Of The Art Singapore, Jitterbugs Swingapore and part time at Lasalle College of the Arts, Jeffrey Dance Academy and City Ballet Academy. Natalie is currently completing a full time Graduate Diploma of Elite Dance Instruction course at the Australian Ballet School. She is excited to share her passion and knowledge for dance to guide students to reach their maximum potential.    

DR CREE OLIVER BA (Hons) PhD. A.C.B.A-C.I.C.B   -  TEACHER

Cree is a passionate dance teacher and educator drawing on over 20 years experience as a dance teacher and choreographer. Always keen to further her knowledge, Cree recently completed her Cecchetti Associate exam with honours and is continuing this year with her Associate Diploma.

Cree also has a PhD and enjoyed a successful career as a University lecturer and academic before returning to her first love, dance. Cree is delighted to share her love and passion for dance with the beautiful Steppes students.

SIAN CORRIGAN - TEACHER

Sian trained at Steppes school of Dance from the age of four, completing all levels of the Australian Dance Assessment Programme, and finishing with Honours with Distinction.

She went on to study Performing Arts in Patrick Studios Australia’s fulltime course and since graduating, has worked as a Dancer for Princess Cruises on the ‘Pacific Princess’. Other credits include Delta Goodrem’s Logies performance and Chadstone ‘Christmas Stories’ Pantomime.