Teachers
Tanya Freijy - Artistic Director
STYLES: Jazz, Street Jazz, Lyrical, Classical Ballet, Musical Theatre, Tap
Trained in jazz, tap, street jazz, and classical at a variety of studios across Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, New York and L.A, Tanya has built a highly successful career as a teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator. Her work has been showcased locally as well as in France at the World Sports Acrobatics Championships (2004), and in Portugal at Eurovision (2006). She has ensured that the students of CentreStage maintain a strong involvement with the community and has herself worked in youth services as a volunteer movement coach and dance instructor. With over ten years teaching experience and tertiary studies in psychology at Master's level, Tanya is renowned for her effective teaching style and ability to develop her students’ talent to its full potential. She firmly believes that dance is where technical proficiency meets creative artistry. Her aim is to inspire, empower, and instill within her students an awareness of the true two-fold essence of dance: self-expression and self-mastery. Tanya's choreography is highly entertaining, award winning, and contributes to CentreStage’s reputation of being at the cutting edge of dance.
Ryan Stewart
STYLES: Hip Hop, Popping, B-boying, Jazz, Street Jazz
If you are seeking an intensive, inventive, and insightful dance class, look no further. Ryan has been professionally trained in many styles of dance including jazz, tap, ballet and contemporary. Over the years has found his niche in hip hop and commercial jazz. Ryan’s depth of knowledge stems from study at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, Brent Street Studios and Zoop Performing Arts. Ryan has had many opportunities to showcase his incredible talent for dance and acting. Recent credits include: Back-up Dancer for Vietnamese "Snow" and Co. (2009), Yahoo Television Ad - MJ impersonation (2008), Tegan Rogers Video Clip "Some More" (2007), OPSM Promotional Ad (2007), Choreographer for Taiwan Pop Tour (2006) Nickelodeon Kids Awards (2005), Honey Roasted Television (2005), Guy Sebastian Vido Clip "Out with my Baby" (2004), Australian Idol back-up dancer (2004), Carnival Cruise Lines USA, lead male dancer (2003-04). Ryan is also a qualified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, with a passion and talent for martial arts. He is currenly pursuing further studies in excercise coaching and holistic lifestyle theory. At CentreStage, Ryan is renowned for sharing his extensive knowledge in order to encourage an understanding and respect for the history and culture of street dance. This dancer certainly 'walks his talk'.
Michelle Discombe
STYLES: Jazz, Tap, Classical Ballet, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop
Michelle is a vivacious and talented addition to the CentreStage faculty. A born performer with a passion for dance and acting since childhood, Michelle is currently cultivating a successful career as a performer and instuctor. She has worked as a dancer/actor in several children's shows: Bob the Builder (2005), Ben 10 (2007), and Hip & Hop Easter Bunny Show (2008). Michelle began her full-time training in 2006 at Dance World Melbourne, mentored by Pamela Apostolidis. This was followed by another rigorous year at ED5 Sydney under the guidance of William Forsythe. Michelle's training involved a focus on ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, flamenco, TV, drama, character, and singing. Finding herself so well-equipped, Michelle began teaching in order to pass her knowledge onto budding young dance enthusiasts. In late 2009, Michelle travelled to India to work as choreographer and lead dancer in "Gypsy", a Bollywood video clip and live show for the artist Nazanin. The CentreStage students eagerly await her return in mid-2010. We may have to add a Bollywood class to our curriculum...
Renee Martin
STYLES: Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz
Trained in New Zealand in jazz and street styles, Renee attended Excel School of Performing Arts full time in 2000-2001 and toured the country with a group of professionally trained dancers, singers, actors, and musicians. Her successful teaching career began in the Auckland region, where over six dance studios requested her dance expertise and Renee was able to instruct children, adults, professionals, and intellectually handicapped students. Arriving in Australia in early 2004, Renee has found the Sydney dance scene to be energetic and inspiring. Her classes reflect this passion and have proved to be very popular among our students. Renee shares her breadth of experience by teaching at numerous dance studios, gymnasiums, high schools and universities whilst still performing regularly at competitions, street shows and corporate events. From 2006-09 Renee worked as a full-time dance instructor for Footsteps, a company who faciltate dance-based school fitness programs. Renee recently became the proud mother of Andie and the CentreStage students are already placing bets on whether she will become a dainty ballerina or a hip hop diva - like her mum!
Angela Hamilton Hill
STYLES: Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Tap
Angela began her dance journey at the age of 12 at Byron School of Dance, where she trained for 3 years before moving to Sydney to further her training at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, Brent Street Studios and Academy Ballet. In 2005 Angela focused on Classical Ballet and Contemporary, undertaking a full-time ballet program at Brent Street Studios under the instruction of Christine Keith, Kim Traynor, Bill Pengelly and Sarah Boulter. In 2006 Angela was accepted into the National Theatre Ballet School in Melbourne, where she trained intensively in Classical Ballet. In 2007 Directors of City Dance Centre, Mary Renoulf and Adrian Fryer took Angela under their wing, nurturing and encouraging her towards an overseas trip in 2008. During the 5 month solo journey, Angela attended classes and workshops, by invitation, at many prestigious companies throughout Europe and New York: Nederlands Dans Theater, Compagnia Nacional de Danza; Madrid, Scapino Ballet; Rotterdam, Complexions Contemporary Ballet; NYC, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet; NYC and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre; NYC. Since her return to Sydney, Angela has worked with Dirty Feet Dance Co., performed in films, events and festivals and also established her own company, Twisted Element Dance. Angela shares her expertise and passion for dance with her students, encouraging them to reach their full potential, embrace their unique talents, and follow their hearts.
Kristy Walker
STYLES: Jazz, Tap, Classical Ballet, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop
An accomplished entertainer and performer, Kristy has trained jazz, classical ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, tap, singing, drama, musical theatre, and modelling. As an avid dance student since the tender age of 2 years, Kristy later attended The McDonald College of Performing Arts where she learnt the foundations of dance, singing and acting. Kristy’s credentials range from touring with a live children’s entertainment show to winning numerous awards at eisteddfods, performing at the Sydney 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony and starring on television in Crime Scene Investigation Australia. Kristy is also the principal performer in the DJ Funk Show - an interactive primary school disco concept. She has held the title of Miss Gladesville Teen Queen (2007-08) and has been a regular performer for charities including the NSW Parkinson’s Association, Ryde Christmas Carols and NSW Spastic Centre. Kristy is currently studying primary education at UTS and believes working with children is an endearing and rewarding experience.
Nissa Chen
STYLES: Commercial Hip Hop, Street Jazz
Nissa has proved to be a popular member of the CentreStage faculty and her classes are in high demand. Raised in Taiwan, Nissa is an accomplished hip hop dancer with a commercial/video clip style. She began dance at the mature age of 16 but as a 'natural', she advanced in skill level and performing experience at an exceptional speed. Nissa attended Hong Kong School of Performing Arts full-time (2007) where she honed her skills under the guidance of a well-respected faculty. Since then, she has built an impressive performance repertoire including: Back-up dancer for Taiwanese singer Sien, Taipei (NYE 2007), Video Clip for Taiwanese singer Yuki (2008), Video clip for Sien (2008), TV performance on "Challenge 101" Taiwan (2009), Back-up dancer for Taiwanese singer Kiki (2009). Nissa has also performed regularly in Taiwan's cultural festivals and has competed in many dance competitions. She worked in Taiwan for 3 years as a dance teacher before relocating to Sydney to study and experience all that our dance scene has to offer. Nissa's success in the industry is a valuable affirmation that it is never too late to begin the journey that dance is. Since she 'found her feet', she's never looked back.
Khali Grimshaw
STYLES: Jazz, Tap, Classical Ballet, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop
Khali has trained and performed extensively as a dancer, singer, and actress. Since her first dance lesson at age 4, Khali has become highly skilled in the styles of jazz, tap, classical ballet, break dance, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop. She excelled in drama and music during high school and completed her HSC with a major in singing. Khali has since studied at the ‘Young Actor’s Studio’ at NIDA (2007). She has toured with a live children’s entertainment show, danced at the Sydney 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony, sung at the Opera House and has worked as a choreographer for local high school musicals. Also a qualified personal trainer and group exercise instructor, Khali is an energetic and encouraging young professional with a love of fitness and performing arts.
