Townsville Academy of Performing Arts

Teaching Staff

Our dedicated, qualified staff are experienced and understanding and all hold current Blue Cards and First Aid Certificates.

	Katrina Katrina began dancing at the age of 5 in Townsville where she completed her R.A.D. Classical Ballet Advanced Certificate at 16. In her youth, she won the Townsville Eisteddfod Classical Ballet and Modern Championships. Moving to Sydney to attend the Sydney City Ballet School, at 18 she completed her Teacher's Certificate in Modern and Tap F.A.T.D syllabus. After teaching in Sydney, she returned to Townsville to commence work with the Johnny Young Talent School. With her I.S.T.D. Associate she introduced syllabus to the school before purchasing it to form TAPA. Katrina has choreographed many local musicals and performances for television, radio and community events.

	Michelle Michelle studied Ballet, Modern, Highland and Tap in Townsville before successfully auditioning in 1979 for Melbourne's Victorian College of Arts. She completed her Diploma of Teaching, under the expert guidance of Ann Wooliams, where she studied numerous dance and human movement subjects. Whilst in Melbourne, she taught at a variety of schools and performed in numerous dance events. Since returning to Townsville, Michelle has attained her Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Diploma and is a fully accredited teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.).

	Caroline Caroline commenced at Ransley Ballet & Dance Company at the age of 7. She was awarded the Paul Wright Scholarship in 1991 to train at the Australian Ballet School for the 3 year Diploma course performing soloist roles with the Australian Ballet Dancer Company. Winning several scholarships, she was seconded to the West Australian Ballet for their season of the Nutcracker. In 1995 she travelled to the UK with the Scottish Ballet Theatre for 6 years and climbed to the rank of soloist. Returning to Australia in 2002, Caroline joined TAPA and has worked as a company member of Dance North.

	Chasely Chasely grew up in Townsville and began singing classes at age 10, competing in Eisteddfods, local competitions and singing the National Anthem at various North Queensland events and venues. Trained in classical voice, she pursued her passion at the Central Queensland Conservatorium where she completed a Bachelor of Music degree majoring in voice in 2009. Now back in Townsville, Chasely is delighted to be teaching at TAPA and sharing her passion, knowledge and experiences with her students.

	Leanne Leanne started learning Highland, Irish, Jazz / Modern, Tap, National and Classical Ballet at the age of 5. She performed at eisteddfods in her youth from age 5 to 18 and was placed third in the Queensland Highland Championship at age 11. In 1981, she won the Senior Highland Premiership and was awarded the Bursary. She has completed many examinations in all areas of dance, but considers Highland dancing her most successful and enjoyable. Leanne obtained her Teacher's Certificate in 1981 and now enjoys watching her students perform, both on and off the stage.

Porzhia Porzhia has studied Ballet, Tap, Highland and Modern from a young age. As a past student of TAPA, she completed her Associate Diploma in Dance at Brisbane’s Queensland University of Technology in 2003 while also studying at Queensland Dance School of Excellence. Porzhia has her Beginner's Pilates Teacher's Certificate through Body Control Pilates UK. After returning to Townsville and our TAPA family in 2006, she has successfully attained her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies through the Royal Academy of Dance and is a Registed R.A.D teacher.		Jessica Jessica commenced her Highland Dancing passion at the age of 5. In 1998 she became the 12yrs & under Qld Highland Dancing Champion. Jessica has won numerous premierships, bursaries, special awards and has competed in Championships throughout Eastern Australia. She has completed her NDA Teacher’s Exams with the highest marks and is destined to follow in her mother’s footsteps.

Deanne Deanne commenced Highland dancing at the age of 5 and then started Irish dancing at the age of 7. She competed across both forms of dance at a local, state and national level, winning the Queensland State Highland Championships twice and attaining numerous second placings in the state Irish Championships. Deanne has performed Irish dancing at many venues across Australia including the Sydney Opera House and the International Military Tattoo in Brisbane. In 1999, Deanne attained her SDA Highland Teacher's qualifications and shortly after in 2002 became an accredited Irish teacher (TCRG). Deanne is now enjoying teaching and choreographing Irish dancing which has always been her favourite dance form.		Blair Blair began Ballet classes at the age of 4 and classes quickly grew to include Tap, Modern, Highland and Singing. She has competed in numerous competitions, championships and eisteddfods with great success and her talent has been recognised by being awarded The Townsville Highland Dancing Association Bursary, The Dance North Bursary for Tap, Modern and Song and Dance and The Daphne Gibson Memorial Trophy for the most promising dancer. In 2005 Blair attained her NDA Highland Teacher’s qualifications and in 2007 graduated from JCU with an Honours Degree in Graphic and Web Design. As a teacher at TAPA, Blair endeavours to pass on her love of dance and performance to her students.

Assistant Teaching Staff

TAPA has a wonderful support staff of teachers in training:

Kathleen Douglass
Danielle Dunstan
Hayley Kerr
Lauren-Phoebe Nielsen

Shelley Piper
Danika Sayce
Tameka Woods

Office Manager

Andrew
Married to Katrina, Andrew is the Academy's JOATMON (Jack of all trades, Master of none). Usually you will find him manning the administration desk, tending to the parents and students of the Academy...but he has been known to appear in the end of year production when a "strong man" is required. Completely lacking any formal dance training, Andrew has a Building Services Authority licence in Carpentry and Metal Fabrication and extensive experience in Construction, Engineering and Management. A key member of the team and as Katrina's "right-hand man", he is integral to the Academy's success.

website