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 DANIELLE
RAD BALLET TEACHER
Danielle has been in the dance industry for over 25 years as a competitive and classically trained dancer.
Starting ballet classes at age 4, Danielle fell in love with Dance from the moment she started.
Danielle completed her training with Tessa Maunder, Marie Walton- Mahon, Millennium Dance Complex Los Angeles, Broadway Dance Centre New York and the Australian Ballet School
Danielle is a qualified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance gaining her Certificate in Teaching Ballet studies, a qualified Progressing Ballet Technique Teacher, and a qualified and registered Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.
Danielle has travelled and performed throughout Australia and overseas with one of her favourite highlights performing in the Hollywood Arts Festival
Danielle has judged many elite competitions across Australia and has taught at many top Performing Arts Schools including being Head of Ballet at Brent Street, Sydney for the past 8 years.
Danielle is the founder and creator of Ballet in The Islands, where she travels to the islands to teach and give back to the under privileged children.
Danielle is so passionate with all things dance and loves sharing her knowledge and passion with others.
MISS ALICE
RAD BALLET TEACHER
Alice was born in the seaside town of Bournemouth in the UK and has been dancing since the age of 3. She studied RAD and ISTD at the local school alongside being a Junior and Mid Associate at the Royal Ballet School in London. She competed at competitions in all styles nationwide including the All England Finals, and also performed in such events as the 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony.
She then went on to receive her Bachelors degree in Ballet Education from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in London, as well as the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance (LRAD), Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD) and Registered Teacher’s Status. After teaching in numerous schools in the London area, she set out to travel the world, which has seen her settle in Australia to pursue her career as a dance teacher.
Now based in Newcastle, Alice continues to teach her passion for dance, entering students for examinations from Pre-Primary through to Advanced levels, teaching workshops and recreational classes, and creating solos and troupes for eisteddfods.
Wishing to further develop herself, she completed her training with the Australian Dance Adjudicators (ADA) to begin her new journey as an adjudicator, allowing the opportunity to grow as a teacher and gain knowledge across the industry.
Alice also now runs Silver Swans classes throughout Newcastle, which is specially designed for adults and older learners. 'Silver Swans with Alice' ballet classes are open to people of all ages and abilities, including beginners and those wishing to return to dance.
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.
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 pursued a career in the arts.
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.
MISS MADDY BARTHO
GUEST 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.