Dance Academy

Dance Academy

Welcome to Term 1

A huge welcome to our new Academy members and also to returning students and families.

We hope that you have had a wonderful break and are eager to get dancing!

We look forward to seeing you all very soon, when Academy classes start back on Monday 5 February.

Auditions

Auditions for Performance Groups, Dance for Sport and Extension Dance took place on Wednesday 31 January and Thursday 1 February.

If you are coming to Thursday’s audition, please CLICK HERE to access our schedule.

We will be in touch next week with results, and please check our Auditions Pulse page for further information.

Wellbeing Workshop

We are excited to kickstart our year of dance with an emphasis on wellbeing. Join us on Friday 2 February, as we virtually host the remarkable Dr Stephanie Potreck MD RNutr (Sport) from Aus Dancers Overseas at Parkes Hall for an enlightening discussion on dancers’ wellbeing. Stephanie, a beacon in the dance community, is dedicated to safely guiding dance students worldwide. Explore her incredible work and gain valuable insights into nurturing the physical and mental health of dancers by visiting her website AusDancersOverseas

This event is open to Year 5-12 students, parents, and teachers alike. Let’s come together to kick off the year by learning how to balance the demands of school and dance while prioritising our wellbeing. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your dance journey!

Please CLICK HERE to book you place.

New Dance Teachers

We would like to introduce you to our amazing new team members for 2024.

Sophie Holloway

Redlands Dance Academy are thrilled to welcome Sophie Holloway to our dance faculty. Sophie will be teaching Senior Jazz classes and Performance Groups on Thursday afternoons. This is an extraordinary chance for our students to work with the most highly sought after Jazz dancer/ teacher in Australia.

Born in Sydney, Australia, Sophie Holloway began dancing at the early age of 3 years old. She trained with industry legend Bernadette Langshaw-Clark and attended Newtown High School of the Performing Arts where she completed her Higher School Certificate majoring in Dance and Drama. Sophie hit the Australian scene at just age 16 as a commercial dancer and model, featuring in TVC’s and television programs, before landing a coveted role in the ensemble of performers in Baz Lurhmann’s film The Great Gatsby.

After gaining treasured life experience travelling overseas and working as a featured dancer for Carnival Cruise Lines, Sophie chased her ultimate dream, making her way to New York City in 2014. Here, she endured the annual “cattle call” audition for the internationally renowned precision dance company The Radio City Rockettes and successfully secured a contract on her first attempt. Her 8 years with the company have included over 800 performances at the prestigious Radio City Music Hall, as well as countless appearances on the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Today Show NBC, Michael Buble’s Christmas In New York special, the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and more!

In 2017 Sophie ticked off a bucket list opportunity where she was selected to dance with The Rockettes at the 71st Annual Tony Awards.

Back home in Australia, Sophie was thrilled to experience some more career highlights performing for international icons like Katy Perry and Cher as well as landing a featured role in Opera Australia’s production of Salome choreographed by Kelley Abbey.

Sophie most recently worked on Baz Lurhmanns’s “Elvis” film as a featured dancer choreographed by Nathan Wright & Kate Wormald and was selected by The Squared Division as a resident dancer on Season 3 of The Masked Singer in Australia. 

Other commercial dance performances include The Voice, Australia’s Got Talent, Dance Boss, The Dream Dance Company and various TVC’s nationally and internationally.

In addition, she has been interviewed twice on the Today Show to share her notable acclamations for such a such a young performer and more recently, was a finalist in Australian Dance Festival’s “N.E.X.T Choreographer” showcase, sponsored by NRG DanceProject. Sophie has recently choreographed for Michael Gracey in conjunction with H&R Block TVC, CXLOE’s “One and Lonely” music video, Vogue Australia and The Sydney Children’s Hospital Gold Telethon on Channel 9. Continuing to develop her skill set, Sophie has emerged into the Associate side of Creative Direction/Choreography, working alongside Helpmann Award Winning choreographer Mitchell Woodcock and New Ground Collective on live performances such as Dancing With The Stars and annually works with the creative team at Bonnie Lythgoe Productions in Australia. Her most recent work was choreographing for The Veronica’s new Solo Projecf in collaboration with Vodka Cruiser. As well as consistently performing, Sophie has rapidly become one of Australia’s most sought after dance educators for young dancers. Sophie is a highly respected and influential figure who teaches not just movement and skill but incorporates goal setting and positive self reflection into her teaching methods. Attention to detail, sophistication and her dynamic personality keep Sophie in high demand and employed nationwide.

With a remarkable technical background, complimented by versatile exposure and training, Sophie has matured into a polished and sophisticated performer and emerging choreographer. There is no denying that her vivacious presence is undoubtedly favoured in the industry as Sophie remains one of the most influential and highly respected artists across Australia.

Jasmin Durham

Jasmin Durham is joining the ballet team this year having recently retired from the Australian Ballet Company. Jasmin will be bringing with her a wealth of knowledge from her 12-year career with Australia’s national company. She is looking forward to sharing current repertoire, helping with pointe preparation, RAD classes and private lessons.

Jasmin was born in Hong Kong and moved to Canberra three months later with her family. She started learning ballet at the age of three at the Lisa Clark Dance Centre, later studying jazz, tap and contemporary dance. In 2009 she moved to Melbourne to study at The Australian Ballet School. She performed on The Dancers Company tour in 2010 and 2011. Jasmin joined the Australian Ballet in 2012 and was promoted to coryphée in 2018. Jasmin has completed her RAD Professional Dancers’ Graduate Teaching Diploma

Repertoire highlights

  • Lady Capulet in John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet, 2022
  • Fairy of Grace in David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty, 2017
  • Queen of the Wilis, Giselle (National Tour), 2017
  • Tim Harbour’s Squander and Glory, 2017
  • Jiří Kylián’s Forgotten Land, 2016
  • Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, 2015
  • Tim Harbour’s Filigree and Shadow, 2015
  • Stepmother in Alexei Ratmansky’s Cinderella, 2015 and 2018
  • Lead Hungarian in Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake, 2015
  • Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, 2014
  • Richard House’s Control for Bodytorque.DNA, 2014

Naomi Keighley

Please welcome Naomi Keighley to the Contemporary department. Naomi will be introducing Rambert Grades to the Junior contemporary dancers and will also be teaching some of our new Lyrical classes.

Naomi is a highly accomplished and certified ballet professional and has dedicated her life to the art of dance, blending a rich history of performance, teaching, and choreography.

A testament to her commitment to excellence, Naomi holds key certifications, including the prestigious Rambert Grades Certified Teacher (2023) and Progressing Ballet Technique Certified Teacher (2019). In 2016, she achieved the Royal Academy of Dance Professional Dancer’s Teaching Diploma, further solidifying her expertise. Her journey began at the renowned Rambert School, where she earned a BA Honours Degree in 2012. Prior to this, she honed her skills at The Royal Ballet School and The Hammond as a Mid & Senior Associate.

Having danced with Phoenix Dance Theatre in Leeds and as a Freelance Dancer with Artists North, Naomi transitioned to a diverse professional career. After an early end to her performing career due to injuries, she gained invaluable experience in recruitment, sales, administration, and fashion. This unique blend of skills has enriched her teaching career, making her a versatile and adaptive professional.

From 2016, Naomi taught RAD ballet at Step Up Academy Dubai, contributing significantly to the dance community in Dubai. Notably, she was promoted to the Head of Ballet & Events Coordinator at The Ballet Centre Dubai in 2018, where she led a team of six teachers and oversaw the successful delivery of the RAD ballet program., enhancing exam results, updating syllabi, and fostering a cohesive teaching team.

Naomi has demonstrated her choreographic prowess through numerous productions, including captivating performances at the Dubai Opera House and various dance competitions. Her choreography has been featured in prestigious events like the Time Out Kids Awards and charity conferences, highlighting her commitment to using dance as a means of expression and awareness. Her notable collaborations include the Mara Galeazzi Ballet Workshop and productions like Peter Pan and The Nutcracker.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

We have secured 40 tickets for the Australian Ballet’s dress rehearsal of Christopher Wheeldon’s extravagant Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the capitol theatre on Monday 19 February at 7pm. Masterfully translated from Lewis Carroll’s beloved book, Wheeldon brings the humour and eccentricities of the original story to the ballet stage in a fantastical tale. Watch as The Queen of Hearts rampages around her court, the White Rabbit shimmies his tail and the Caterpillar sparkles in 16 crystal-covered pointe shoes.

First come first served, CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Holiday Program | Intensive RAD Exam Preparation

Enhance your exam readiness with our RAD Exam Preparation workshops during the Easter holidays. Tailored for vocational students ranging from Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2 levels, this two-day program provides a unique opportunity to delve into your syllabus.

For further information and to book your spot please see our Holiday Program Pulse page.

ISTD Exam Results

On the last week of term Junior and Senior Jazz students took their very first ISTD Modern Theatre dance exams at Redlands. The results are wonderful with 27 Distinctions and 10 Merits and are a huge testament to the hard work of the dancers and of course Ms Vanessa and Ms Maddy’s encouragement and guidance.

Results will be handed out during the first Friday jazz class of the term. Huge Congratulations.

Redlands Pulse

For the most up to date information on “all things Dance” please visit the Dance Academy Pulse page.

Important Dates

For 2024 events please see our Dance Academy Pulse page for a link to Important Dates.

Any Questions?

Please contact us with any questions, concerns or feedback.

Ms Gilly Revie
Head of Redlands Dance Academy
grevie@redlands.nsw.edu.au
02 9908 6488