NATIONAL COLLEGE OF DANCE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Head of Contemporary and Jazz
Debbie Linnert is one of Australia's most renowned contemporary dance teachers and choreographers and is well known for her dynamic and inspirational work. For the past 20 years, Debbie has been a popular guest teacher for many industry workshops and teacher conventions and has imparted her wealth of experience both as an international and residential teacher/ choreographer. During this time Debbie has developed not only as a choreographer but has been committed to enhancing the technical skill of students at an elite level.
Debbie started dancing from the age of 4 and followed her passion of dance to complete a Full time Performing Arts Course at Brent Street Studios, Sydney and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree [University of Newcastle], Australia. She also holds a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. After travelling the world teaching mainly in London, UK she set down roots here in Australia.
Debbie's choreography attracted the attention of the producers for So You Think You Can Dance, Australia, the dance reality television hit. Debbie was invited to choreograph for the 1st series and became a regular contemporary choreographer for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th series. She worked side by side with Australia's greatest choreographers and dance leaders, such as Kelley Abbey and Jason Gilkison, bringing the art and grace of dance to mainstream audiences. Debbie choreographed duos and group routines over those years with standing ovations and highly acclaimed critiques. Following one of her many outstanding routines, Paula Abdul through a stream of tears, remarked "the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."
Debbie has also been engaged by other well-known television productions such as Dancing with the Stars [Channel 7] and the ABCs Dance Academy [ABC TV]. She was lead choreographer for High School Musical directed by Jonathon Geraghty [director of High 5]. Debbie has also been engaged to share her expertise with organisations including Link Financial Services, Lions Club Australia, Toys R Us, Joop Perfume Convention and the Australian Hair Expo.
On stage, Debbie has choreographed for The Australian Dance Awards and also created a revised production of the 7 Deadly Sins. Debbie choreographed KLASH to live percussion with Michael Askill, newly composed music of Cyrus Meurant and Matthew Hindson, which was performed by Nexus Quartet. Debbie worked in a collaboration of Lord of the Rings, accompanied by Newcastle Wind Orchestra. With Debbie's broad and diverse experience she has also become a well-respected judge and adjudicator in the dancing world. One of Debbie's deepest delight is in teaching, mentoring and inspiring dance students. This in hand with a gift for contemporary choreography has been the foundation for a long and successful career where she has contributed to 1000's of aspiring dancers. "Seeing a young person develop their technique and then loose themselves with passion, raw emotion and precision on the stage, where the audience becomes emotionally mesmerized means so much for me. Even more though is when I see the growth of my students. It keeps me inspired".
Job Titles:
- Dietitian, Classical Ballet, Character Teacher
Emma was born in Newcastle, Australia. She began dancing at the age of 4 with Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy, where she received her training for 13 years. In 2009, she graduated from Heinz-Bosl-Stiftung, Munich Ballet Academy with a Bachelor of Dance. While studying in Munich, Emma performed in Romeo and Juliet with the Bayerisches Staatsballett.
In 2009, Emma joined Magdeburg Ballett in Germany as a soloist. During her time there she performed many principal roles including Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker) and Kitri (Don Quixote). In 2012, Emma received the Young Artist of the Year Award from Theater Magdeburg Ballett. Emma joined Singapore Dance Theatre in 2014, where she danced many traditional ballets as well as renowned choreographers works including August Bournonville, Choo-San Goh, Edwaard Liang, Francois Klaus, Natalie Weir, and George Balanchine. She also danced a soloist role as Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty (2015). Emma was teaching the Adult Dance Class scheme in 2014 and 2015 associated with Singapore Dance Theatre.
Emma completed an Honours Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle graduating 1st Class Honours in 2019. Her Honours research project was on Australasian screening and identification processes for disordered eating and eating disorders in youth with type 1 diabetes, which she presented at the Nutrition Society of Australia 43rd Annual Scientific meeting. Her interest in becoming a dietitian emerged during her ballet career where she understood the value of healthy eating.
Emma's intended career focus is to support and guide people to be the healthiest version of themselves. To achieve this Emma established her own business ‘Ideal Eats Dietetics' in 2020 which provides nutrition education sessions and private consultations Australia wide.
Jake started dancing at the age of 9. He was a Royal Ballet associate before accepting a place at The Hammond School of Dance. After three years of training in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and musical theatre Jake accepted a place at Elmhurst Ballet School in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet. During his time as a student he performed for the British Royal family at a private event at Windsor castle. Jake then joined Birmingham Royal Ballet on their UK tour, 2009.
Following this Jake was asked to guest perform in the USA for Boca Ballet Theatre in Swan Lake. Jake then went onto accept a soloist contract with Magdeburg Ballet (Germany) and flew through the ranks to principal at the age of 19. Some of his roles include Basilio, Nutcracker Prince and Drummer Boy. In Magdeburg Germany he was awarded the Young Dancer of the Year Award in 2011.
During his time in Germany Jake also appeared in musicals including West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, Evita and Hello Dolly. Jake joined Leipzig Ballet (Contemporary Company Germany) in 2013; he was a part of their ARTE film CHAPLIN.
Following this Jake joined Singapore Dance Theatre; during his time there he was exposed to many gifted choreographers and performed many Balanchine works. The Company also performed for Cambodian Royalty at the Cambodian Palace. In 2016 Jake was invited back to Germany with his wife Emma to perform in the International Ballet Gala Germany. Jake moved to Australia in 2016 and joined the Australian Dance Adjudicators as a member and became a freelance choreographer. Jake is the Founder and Director of Ballet Brothers, an organization aiming to bring together and support all male dancers. Jake has been teaching for National College of Dance since 2016.