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.

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.

STEVE MALTEZOS - TEACHER

JENNIFER DEAN - TEACHER

Jennifer was 8 years old when she started dancing. She trained at The Canberra Dance Development Centre with Jackie O’Hallohan up until year 10, and then continued her dance studies at Dance Co with Michelle Chapman in the ACT. Over these years Jennifer Studied the following disciplines, Ballet (pointe) Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Hip Hop.

Jennifer moved to Melbourne straight after year 12 to Study a Diploma in Dance Performance with Dance World Studios. (Now known as Apo international)

After completing her Diploma in 2005 Jennifer gained a job teaching at Dance Co in Canberra. Deciding that Melbourne had more to offer, Jennifer moved back to Melbourne in 2006 and begun teaching for Steppes School of Dance.

Now in her 9th year at Steppes Jenifer continues to teach Troupe Classes and Advanced Jazz classes, and has enjoyed watching and mentoring students throughout their Steppes journey, and hope to continue this for many years to come.

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.

LUKAS WHITE - TEACHER

Lukas who is originally from Queensland started dancing at the age of 10 and enjoyed it so much he chose to pursue it more seriously by attending QDSE (Queensland Dance School of Excellence) in association with the Queensland Ballet in his last year of high school.

After graduating in 2012 he made the move interstate to PSA (Patrick Studios Australia) and is now in his last year of studying full time Music Theatre under the guidance of course director and renowned Australian choreographer Andrew Hallsworth.

Lukas looks forward to graduating his studies at the end of the year and is happy to be joining the team at Steppes School of Dance.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

After growing up at Steppes and the competition world, successfully competing in solo, duo/trio and troupe sections in a range of genres, Cassie is looking forward to teaching her own troupe and continuing to support her love to dance.