INNER WEST DANCE MELBOURNE - Key Persons
Cristelle began dancing at the age three, following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, at a local dance school in her hometown, Ararat. At the age of nine she started travelling to Ballarat to the Carole Oliver School of Ballet, studying Cecchetti ballet, jazz and tap under the guidance of Carole Oliver and Kelly Aykers. At the age of fifteen, Cristelle moved to Melbourne away from her family to attend Christine Walsh's Australian Conservatoire of Ballet full time classical and contemporary course.
In 2003 she began training at Dance Factory in Richmond, focusing on the more musical theatre and commercial side of the dance world successfully graduating with her Diploma of Dance and Performing Arts in 2004 at the age of 18.
Since graduation Cristelle has taught ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, funk/hip-hop, singing and drama at a number of different schools. She also enjoyed a career in the arts as a dancer, actor and singer, working for Nickelodeon, the ABC, Showtime Attractions, Channel Seven and many other Melbourne and International Companies.
In 2013, Cristelle successfully completed her Associate Status with Cecchetti Ballet Australia. Since then she has gained her Associate Diploma, Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management and most recently, her Licentiate Status in 2017.
Cristelle adores teaching and inspiring the next generation of dancers to gain a full understanding of safe dance practice as well as the passion and creativity dance holds. She is always upskilling as a teacher and attends many professional development sessions throughout every year.
Emma hails from country Victoria, having begun her dance journey at Goulburn Valley Academy of Ballet in Shepparton. Under the guidance of Melanie Coats and Athol Willoughby O.A.M, Emma studied jazz and Cecchetti Ballet, becoming absorbed in the rich history and practice of the syllabus.
At age sixteen Emma began her career in dance teaching, and taught all levels of ballet and jazz. Relocating to Melbourne, Emma studied at Ministry of Dance and Heidelberg and District Ballet School before commencing full time dance studies at the Victorian College of the Arts. Here Emma worked with many choreographers including Antony Hamilton, Helen Herbertson and Gideon Obarzanek, and was able to deepen her understanding of Dance Anatomy and Safe Dance Practice.
Emma is passionate about choreography and Musical Theatre and has choreographed various musicals for Notre Dame College, FCJ College and Shepparton Theatre Arts Group, including The Drowsy Chaperone in 2022 for which she received a Georgy Award for Achievement in Choreography.
Emma loves the opportunity to share her passion for dance with her students, instilling in them a strong grounding in safe dance practice and the joyful freedom dance has to offer.
I believe that dance can be a wonderful way to bring people together and build a community Helena began dancing at the age of five in jazz and tap dance and found a lifelong love for dancing. She then trained in other styles such as ballet, contemporary and hip hop. She is a strong advocate for the health and wellbeing benefits that dance can bring to childrens and adults lives. In 2018, she completed her Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management at Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance and has been teaching various styles around schools in Melbourne ever since. Recently, she completed her Masters in Creative Arts Therapy specialising in Dance/Movement Therapy at the University of Melbourne and has developed a strong interest in working with children/adults with disabilities. Helena's teaching style is energetic, supportive and welcoming. She aims to create a space where her students can feel confident expressing themselves in dance and reach their potential.
Lindsey's performance career began with her country upbringing, where her "daredevil" nature drew her to Equestrian Vaulting and Circus Arts. She trained under some of Australia's best circus artists at the National Institute of Circus Arts, and cross-trained in Contortion, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Pilates and Ballet in order to refine her craft. Lindsey enjoyed performing her solo Contortion acts and troupe acrobatics routines as part of Melbourne's night life.
Lindsey studied Psychology and Teaching, writing her Masters thesis on the positive physical and mental health outcomes of circus and acrobatic programs for young people. After years teaching within the secondary education system, Lindsey decided to combine her passion for acrobatics with her desire to guide young people toward their positive potential.
As a qualified Acrobatics Teacher and Pilates Instructor with a background in teaching, Lindsey's classes are safe, engaging, and holistically beneficial. She finds great joy in celebrating student progress, and creating a supportive community of acrobats.
Co-Founder and Director, Megan Conkey has danced since the age of 5 with Suzanne's School of Ballet where she completed up to Advanced 1 ballet exams (Cecchetti Method) Jazz and Tap. Under the guidance of Susan Eacott, Megan commenced her teaching training and taught all levels of Jazz, Tap and Ballet.
On moving to Melbourne to further her studies Megan attended classes in all styles at Dance World 301 and began studying and teaching under Lorraine Blackbourn O.A.M at the Heidelberg and District Ballet School. Here Megan gained her Advanced 2 ballet exam as well as completing up to her Associate Diploma teaching qualification and Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training.
Additionally, Megan has a degree in psychology and psychophysiology and a masters in international and community development, has worked in America with children with a range of learning and attention disabilities as well as working with people with disabilities in Australia to be part of their local community.
Megan began dancing at the age of three in New Zealand, training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop. She then completed a Bachelor of Performing Arts at the University of Otago, cementing further her love of dance and cabaret style performance.
Megan began teaching dance at age 16 as an assistant teacher and at 17 began volunteering in a student dance collective, teaching, coordinating classes and organizing dance showcases, competitions and events. Upon moving to Melbourne, Megan performs regularly at various cabarets, shows and Corporate events.
Dance has been Megan's passion from a very young age and she enjoys sharing that with her students, all the while instilling values such as body confidence, musicality and empowerment.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Director
- Teacher
Co-Founder and Director of Inner West Dance, Rebecca began her dance career at the age of three, training in Cecchetti Ballet, Circus, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Performance and Hip Hop. Rebecca completed professional training at Dance World 301, with performances in various styles across Melbourne.
Rebecca began teaching dance at 13 as a student teacher and by the age of 15 co-founded the New Generation Dance Studio in Kyabram where she taught up to 80 children on a weekly basis. Upon moving to Melbourne, Rebecca continued to develop her teaching skills, providing training at Dance World 301, the Dance Studio and the Heidelberg and District Ballet School.
Outside of dancing, Rebecca is a Risk Professional and has held roles across various industries including: FinTech, Manufacturing, Wellness and Wholesale. Rebecca is also a Director on several Boards of Management.
Dancing is one of her true passions and she would love to share with those around her including her own 2 school aged daughters.
Originally from Perth, Sian was classically trained until the age of 14, in which she began training in other genres leading to completing an Advanced Diploma in Performing arts specialising in Dance. This then lead to an array of opportunities in the Perth dance community as an assistant choreographer for various musicals both professional and community based. Sian has had the opportunity to travel overseas as a contracted dancer and teacher, which led to in-depth knowledge of film and live performances. Sian has been teaching since the age of 14 originally assisting her mothers dance classes, which led to her finding her own unique style and voice as an artist and teacher.