Laura Hudson
Dance and Drama Teacher
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
Xanthe Wills
Drama Teacher
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!
Amanda Hood
Drama Teacher
Amanda is an experienced improv and drama teacher from Sydney she studied and performed acting and improvisation at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York City, at the IO Theater in Chicago and at ITS in Sydney..
Amanda loves teaching drama and believes it enhances children's lives by giving them increased confidence, creativity, and social skills..
Amanda teaches children and adults at schools around Sydney and regularly performs with her improv troupe, Unplanned Melodies.
Kat Maskell
Dance Teacher
Katrina Maskell is a Professional Actor, Dancer, Singer, Musician, and Children Entertainer. Her love for dance started at a very young age. She has trained at ED5International, Brent Street Studios, NIDA, Stage Milk, and Scene On Screen. She works professionally as a performer at Luna Park Sydney and loves performing and teaching. Her love of choreography has grown in the past few years and is pursuing her ideas through teaching. She is also in two Sydney Based bands. She has a continuing interest in Acting and has appeared in short films and TVC. She loves to perform no matter what and wants to spread the love of creative arts to the younger generation.
Sara Moad
Dance Teacher
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.”