Xanthe Wills

Xanthe Wills is a Sydney based performer with a love for singing, dancing and acting. She holds a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Music Theatre from The Australian Institute of Music. Xanthe trained as a dancer from the age of 5 to 18 in a range of styles including jazz, contemporary and tap. Xanthe is also a trained vocalist, and can play the clarinet. Her love of the performing arts lead her to originate the role of Creative and Performing Arts Captain for her school in year 12. Since completing all of her studies, Xanthe has been working in theatre in education, performing shows about bullying to school aged children in Sydney. In her spare time, Xanthe works as a Zumba and Bounce DanceFit instructor. Xanthe is excited to be a part of the Dancearama team, teaching Musical Mondays!

Laura Hudson

Laura is a highly skilled Performing Arts Teacher. Coming from a teaching background in the UK where she taught in one of the top 3 Catholic schools in the North East of England. Laura then went on to tour Europe and America doing a number of Theatre in Education programs.

Laura has been in Sydney for over 8 years now and is in high demand from a number of schools and centres having worked in some of the top schools including Reddam House and Sydney Boys High School.

In 2011 Laura decided to start her own company, Dancearama. Drawing from her experience as a teacher she decided to specialise in programs for childcare centres as well as after school classes.

Laura is very excited about the Dancearama program for 2017 and looking forward to watching the children explore, create and develop their skills throughout the year. Laura loves getting up in the morning and says “every day I get to be a big kid, taking children on a drama adventure, watching them grow, develop and teaching them key skills along the way”.

Laura strives to encourage her students to ‘take a big leap’ try something new, whether it’s a new move, lift, or style she makes them feel comfortable and confident in class expressing boundless enthusiasm allowing the children to learn as well as have a sense of FUN.

“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
William Shakespeare

“An actor must never be afraid to make a fool of himself.”
Harvey Cocks

Marissa Kaye

At the age of four, Marissa began performing for family and friends turning any location into stage. It was evident that a performer was exactly who she wanted to be.
Marissa attended performing arts schools for most of her academic years.
Her studies continued after school at NIDA, Screenwise, Sydney Screen Actors Group and in 2010, She was cast in her first feature film – Seeing The Elephant followed by the feature Number 81 in 2011.
Between features she kept herself busy with a TVC for Sydney’s Luna Park and a role in the T.V show – Fashion Is Life.
In 2012, Marissa made the big move to Los Angeles, where she studied for six months at TVi Actors Studio. On returning, Marissa appeared in a NRMA TVC, a T.V Pilot, a Web Series – The Rugby Bored and named Most Promising Actress for Star Central Magazine for June 2014. Marissa was soon cast in A theatre show Its War which ran for two reasons at The Factory Theatre.
A short feature My name is Faten quickly followed.
Marissa then returned to Los Angeles where she signed with her American Agent.
Over the last two years, Marissa has been busy writing and producing her own work.
In 2017, Marissa will continue to walk confidently into the future and strive for what others would consider impossible.
Marissa hopes to inspire the next generation to Dream Big.

Madison Lee

Madison is a Sydney based performer with a love and passion for all areas of the industry. Graduating from the Musical Theatre stream at Patrick Studios Australia in 2014, Madi has worked continuously in professional musical theatre and film. Before this, she was living over in LA studying under the instruction of Margie Haber at Margie Haber Studios – an opportunity she will never forget.

Recent screen credits include “What’s Wrong With U”, Brutally Honest Love, Neighbours and Aston Merrigold and Lunchmoney Lewis’s song Money Maker where Madi was the lead dancer.

Some of her stage credits include the Australian revival of Saturday Night Fever, A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the Melbourne Shakespeare Company and the Australian Premiere and tour of I Won’t Dance the Musical.

Madi has taught dance for schools around Victoria for many years and loves sharing her knowledge and experience of dance with the kids that she teaches. Having performed in various Kids shows around Victoria and NSW, she loves seeing the enthusiasm that comes with teaching dance. Madi is excited to be part of the Dancearama team.

Sara Moad

Sara Moad completed a Bachelor of Dance at Academy of Music and Performing Arts in 2015, which included drama electives. She has trained in gymnastics for 15 years and Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop for over 8 years. She has completed her Intermediate Foundation Ballet exam in RAD syllabus and completed her 8th level in Glen Wood Tap syllabus. Sara has choreographed for different performances including a musical, flash mob, Home school arts Program and dramatic works. She has also developed, directed and choreographed an original choreographic work called Sonder. Sara began teaching by assisting classes for dance and gymnastic in 2008 and began running classes in 2012. Sara has performed in dance festivals AusDance and Short and Sweet and in the NetBall World Cup 2015 Opening Ceremony. She also performed at DanceSport National Championship in Canberra 2015.

“ Dance is a great way for your kids to learn how to be creative and improve their physical and mental skills while having fun in the process with their friends.”

Melanie Canon

Austin Bates

“I’m passionate about the creative arts, particularly street art, which is where I started my passion for art. Throughout my life, I’ve learned to make art in a variety of ways from a variety of people, and feel that there’s no one ‘right’ way to make art. I’m keen to pass on to the children some of the fun and interesting techniques I’ve picked up along the way, not just about how to make art, but how to think and be creative.