MISS TONI
DIRECTOR/TAP TEACHER
Miss Toni has been teaching for the past twenty years, in Newcastle including eight years in Singleton and decided in 2008 to start her own studio and call it Bling Performing Arts.
My passion for tap came from learning off the gifted Mr. Les Griffith whom was my tap teacher from the age of three, and I have great pleasure in teachers my pupils the Les Griffith Tap Dancing Syllabus.
My love of dance comes through the children I teach and the pride of achieving wonderful results in dance, is both rewarding and special.
I have always had a love for making the children shine on stage, bringing out their special qualities.
I’m looking forward to fantastic years with Bling, warm and friendly Performing Arts Studio.
TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN TO SHINE!
MISS KAREN
RAD BALLET TEACHER
Karen began dancing at the age of 5 and began student teaching at the age of 14. Teaching quickly became her passion, and she was fortunate to be mentored throughout by an RAD examiner, whom she continued to teach for, for over 20 years. Karen has over 30 years of dance teaching experience in the fields of RAD classical ballet, jazz and contemporary. Some of Karen’s former students have gone on to dance in companies in many parts of the world and others have gone on to have very successful teaching careers themselves.
Karen has choreographed routines for many local productions over the years as well as award winning solo and group eisteddfods. Karen’s broad background in dance enables her to deliver beautiful, creative and unique choreography that is suited specifically for the student. Her passion is to bring out the best in every student that she teaches, enabling them to be the best dancer that they can be.
Karen believes that learning never stops and to that end she is currently enrolling to study her Cert 4 in Dance Teaching and Management. She has also recently taken a short course in Beginner Acrobatic Techniques and looks forward to taking many more short courses throughout the year to further enhance her classes.
Karen is excited to be able to continue to pass on her knowledge and finds nothing more rewarding than helping students achieve their goals.
MISS MADDY BARTHO
JAZZ/CONTEMPORARY TEACHER
Maddy started dancing at age 3 studying Tap and Jazz with Marie Walton Mahon. She has competed at many eisteddfods in NSW and QLD winning championships and scholarships in Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet.
In 2012 Maddy started studying at Brent Street in Sydney. In 2016 she completed her certificate IV in Dance.
Maddy is currently studying a Bachelor of Teaching at the University of Newcastle.
MISS TINA
RAD BALLET TEACHER
Tina began dancing at a very young age and her love for dance has proved to be a lifelong passion. Tina opened her studios and has successfully continued for over 2 decades. Throughout her career, she has coached, taught and mentored countless number of students of all ages, from preschoolers through to mature adults.
Tina’s commitment and longevity in the industry is due to and driven by her desire to inspire young people to lead better lives and to experience more joy by achieving their goals through connection and compassion. Tina continues to further her knowledge and skills by regularly attending numerous professional dancing and business growth programs and conferences. She continues to study various strategies and training techniques and Tina has a very clear direction and vision for creating and maintaining her studios in order to promote clear values and wellbeing for all involved.
Tina was awarded her Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate (Distinction) in 2004 and continues to update these skills.
Tina was a Semi Finalist on the ABC TV program Strictly Dancing 2005 when her and her dance partner competed requiring to be versed in 14 genres of dance.
Tina’s longevity and business ownership was acknowledged by being one of three Young business Person of the Year Award finalists in 2014 at the Lake Macquarie Business Awards.
As well as the everyday running of the Studio, Tina teaches RAD Ballet, Modern/Contemporary, Jazz/Funk/HipHop and has developed her own Ladies program
MR MAX
HIP HOP/ACRO TEACHER
Max started tap lessons at the age of 8 and within a very quickly discovered his passion for all things dance – achieving LGTDA teaching accreditation under Toni Zink and studying Hip Hop under Danielle Kyneur.
Max gained invaluable dance performance experience competing at eisteddfods in Hip Hop and Tap. He has toured America twice, dancing at Universal Studios and Disneyland (both Los Angeles and Orlando) as well as onboard the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas Cruise ship. While in America, Max also completed workshops at Disney Performing Arts and with internationally renowned Hip Hop choreographer Dejan Tubic.
In addition to his LGTDA tap accreditation, Max completed Acro teacher training with Sydney Acrobatics School and has over five years' experience as a dance teacher.
Max is currently completing a Bachelor of Education degree at Newcastle University and has proven himself to be a versatile teacher with infectious energy, who is able to engage with all ages from toddlers to adults.
MISS KIM
SINGING/THEATRE TEACHER
Kimberley has been performing since she was 3 years old, taking dance classes in a variety of styles for 10 years. She joined Pantseat Performing Arts in 2011, where she took Musical Theatre, Drama, and Vocal lessons, and completed singing exams. In her time with Pantseat, she also performed in many productions, including Xanadu, Devised Cabaret "On My Way", Little Shop of Horrors as "Ronette", Rent, and Mixtape: The Last 10 Years. She also began teaching Musical Theatre, Drama and Vocal lessons to students of all ages.
She has recently completed studying a Diploma of Musical Theatre through Atwea College, where she attended workshops with Rachel Beck and Francine Bell. Kimberley has since begun teaching Performing Arts courses with Atwea College.
Kimberley is excited to share her passion for the performing with the students of Bling Performing Arts, and assist and support them in growing their singing and performance skills.
MISS MIKAYLEE
TINY TOTS TEACHER AND FRONT OFFICE
Mikaylee began dancing at the age of 7 and became a part of the Bling family in 2009. Here, she has studied tap, jazz, hip hop, JFH, contemporary and musical theatre whilst also competing in both tap solo and group eisteddfods, achieving excellent results and winning major trophies and awards. She has also been involved in dance and performing arts pursuits outside of the studio, most notably being a member of the featured tap ensemble in Starstruck 2014 and 2015. In 2011, Mikaylee was a Bling Performance Group troupe member, travelling to Los Angles to dance at Disneyland and Universal Studios and undertaking workshops at Disney Performing Arts with Josh Horner and in Hollywood with Dejan Tubic. Mikaylee will also be a part of the 2019 Bling Performance Troupe that will travel to America in 2019. In 2018 Mikaylee completed her LGTDA Teachers Exam and is now a fully qualified tap teacher. She is also studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary/Early Childhood) at the University of Newcastle. Mikaylee began causal reception jobs in 2016 and from there this progressed into a more permanent position. She loves that her role in reception allows her to be so involved in the studio and strives to be helpful and supportive to students and families through her receptionist duties. Mikaylee is passionate about sharing her love of dance with students and her peers through her reception position at Bling Performing Arts!
MISS HANNAH
TINY TOTS TEACHER
Hannah began dancing at the age of 3 at Bling Performing Arts with Tap and Jazz, throughout the years she then progressed into Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, JFH and Musical Theatre. At the age of 14 she completed her Intermediate Ballet Exam and received a merit. She began student teaching in 2016 and has been doing so ever since. She has been involved in other performing arts opportunities outside the studio including being part of the Star Struck featured ensembles since 2015 and a featured dancer in School Spectacular 2017. Hannah was part of the America Trips in 2011 performing in Universal Studios and Hollywood at the age of 5 and performing in Disneyland, Universal Studios and Hollywood in 2019. Being involved in our concerts and performing in multiple musicals as lead roles and ensemble, competing in eisteddfods since the age of 5 and being part of our performance and tap troupes Hannah is no stranger to the stage. Hannah was selected in 2018 by Jason Coleman to attend the Ministry of Dance based in Melbourne and is still participating in the MOD Star Program. With her dedication and passion for dance Hannah is very thrilled to share the safe environment of Bling Performing Arts with all those she works with.
MR TY
SNR TAP GUEST TEACHER
TAP TEACHER - From the age of 4 Ty learnt tap from the late Mr Les Griffith, who also taught the likes of Dean Perry and Ben Read to name a couple. He completed his LGTDA Teachers Degree with Distinction and has taught in many studios since. He has performed alongside The Tap Dogs and has been featured in many musicals throughout his career including 42nd Street, High School Musical, Guys and Dolls and Bugsy and even featured as a lead tapper in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Opening Ceremony.
“It’s all about having fun. When you have fun performing the audience will enjoy watching”
MISS TELLINA LEE
INDUSTRY GUEST TEACHER
Tellina Lee's journey started in Newcastle Australia, where she grew up with a relentless vigor for dance and music. Known as a triple threat with a big stage personality, it was no surprise she was made for the stage.
Since then, her entertainment career has taken her worldwide, where she has performed in an abundance of professional musicals/shows and followed her passions to create groundbreaking work, making a name for herself in the dance community internationally.
As well as dance, Tellina is an accomplished actress, singer, V/O artist, choreographer, creative director and producer. She has created content for many leading edge brands and companies, where she has relentlessly pushed the bars of creation. She also travels internationally to teach workshops, choreograph routines, and judge international competitions.
Some of her many highlights including; Performing at the Superbowl, Sydney 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony, writing top 5 song for Bejing Olympics and choreographing dance groups for international fashion shows, studios and artists as well as performing in many professional musicals internationally.
Tellina has won many scholarships and championships, as well as receiving awards for the top 5% in Australia for Performing Arts.
Recent triumphs include choreographing the televised entertainment segment for the prestiges Darley Awards at the iconic Dolby theatre, home of the Oscars, choreographing and performing on the tv show “Floored” at CBS studios and working behind the scenes on the Oscar award winning film “skin”.
Tellina is the creator and choreographer of "Tap That" and is excited to use her passions and visions to bring tap to another medium incorporating film, videos and the live stage.