Renee Whiter

Principal

Renee is the Principal and founder of Sparkles Dance Studio with 35 years experience in dancing. She first started learning Modern and Highland dancing at Lynn Scaif Academy of Dance and Anne Roberts School of Dancing in Townsville. After relocating to Wagga Wagga she continued her Highland dancing as well as Ballet and Jazz at Yvonne O'Connors School of Dance, she also studied Jazz at Mina's Dance Academy.

Renee started student teaching at the age of 15 in Wagga Wagga. After moving to Canberra in 1994 she continued teaching for local dance schools before opening Sparkles Dance Studio in 1997 at Macarthur Scout Hall.

In 1989 Renee completed her SDAA Higland Teachers exam and her ATD Jazz teachers in 1998. She also has her Elementary in RAD Ballet. and is an internationally qualified Cheerleading Judge.

Renee competed sucessfuly at many eisteddfods, Theatrical Competitions and the South Pacific Championships. She was a Super League Raiderette for the Canberra Raiders, performed at the opening of the University Games, and performed with the RMC Band. Renee also Choreographed for School Productions and the Dance School Performace Galla.

Students that Renee has put through Sparkles Dance Studio have gone on to study at Brent Street Performing Arts in Sydney and have been accepted into the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Students have also performed in the Canberra Philharmonic Society productions (Grease and Cats) aswell as Supa Productions (The Sound of Music). Students have been employed as Raiderettes.

Shannon Sked

Ballet, Jazz and Tap

Shannon started dancing at the age of 6 and has just recently moved back to Canberra after dancing full time in Brisbane at the Australian Dance Performance Institute where she completed her Diploma of Art in Musical Theatre and Commercial Dance. While in Brisbane Shannon also worked as a professional dancer and freelance dance teacher.

Shannon is a qualified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and registered teacher with Ballet Australasia Ltd. She has years of experience with teaching and choreographing winning routines for national and interstate dance eisteddfods and national state cheerleading competitions.

Shannon had had the opportunity to study many styles of dance and work with top choreographers from Australia and interstate. This had inspired her to pursue her career as a teacher and always deliver fun and versatile dance classes for her students.

Erika Weevers

Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Tiny Tots

Erika has been dancing in RAD ballet for 12 years with the Ballet Arts Centre in Calgary, Canada where she completed her RAD intermediate examination.

Erika also has experience in contemporary dance, including attended the School of Toronto Dance Theatre's summer program. She moved to Australia in 2008 and is currently in her third year at the Australian National University.

In Canada she was a student teacher and hopes to work towards completing her teacher's certificate in Australia.

Emma Shadbolt

Tap and Jazz

Emma studied dance in Sydney from a young age with studios including the Cambridge Academy of Performing Arts, Bradshaw Dancers and the Halliday Dance Centre. She successfully completed major examinations in RAD Ballet, FATD and LGTDA Tap along with studying jazz, modern and singing. Emma also studied drama while at school, performing in a number of amateur theatre productions and finished in the top 10% of the state in HSC Drama.

During her dancing career, Emma competed in numerous eisteddfods throughout the Sydney region including the McDonalds Performing Arts Challenge and the South Pacific Theatre Dance Championships. She also performed in a range of corporate events and was a cheerleader for her local basketball team.

In 1999 Emma completed her Elementary and Intermediate tap teaching examinations (FATD) and became a registered teacher. Upon moving to Canberra in 2004, Emma commenced teaching the BAL tap syllabus to students. She has 10 years experience in entering students into tap examinations for both the FATD and BAL syllabus and choreographing routines for eisteddfods and performances. Emma regularly attends teaching seminars to ensure that her understanding of dance technique and skill continues to remain up to date and effective.

Emma is also a qualified solicitor and completed her Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws in 2003.

Sandra Griffin

Ballet, ARAD and Solo Seal

Sandra has spent her entire life in Dance as a dancer, teacher and Examiner. Trained in Sydney in Classical, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Contemporary and Highland Dance. Qualifications include RAD Advanced and Solo Seal, FATD Teacher's Certificate and SOBHD Teacher's Diploma.

Her professional career started at 10 years of age with JC Williamson's Productions and continued through her teens and into adulthood. As a performer Sandra's versatility enabled her to work in a wide range of styles including television, commercials, trade shows, Musical theatre, contemporary and classical dance. Companies she has worked for include Kinetic Energy, Busybodies Dance Theatre, One Extra Company, as well as several long-running productions at The Old Music Hall, Neutral Bay and guest appearances with Sydney Youth Ballet.

Canberra productions choreographed by Sandra include 'The Producers' and 'Guys and Dolls' for Canberra Philharmonic; the World Premiere of 'Will' for Tempo Theatre; 'Deadwood Dick' for Canberra Rep. As a performer in Canberra, Sandra was featured dancer in several productions including 'Kismet', 'Strike Up The Band' and 'Chicago' as well as several seasons with Canberra Dance Ensemble (now Canberra Dance Theatre). This included CDE tour to London and Edinburgh Festival where she partnered Andris Toppe. (Andris is now acclaimed for his choreography for Torville and Dean).

Sandra began teaching in western Sydney, moving to Canberra in 1981. Since then, Sandra's career has mostly focused on teaching and Examining. As a teacher in Canberra she taught with Betsy Sawers for ten years and together they created a truly unique Day School Vocational Training program for talented high school students. Registered with the ACT Department of Education, it was a groundbreaking concept in 1986 but its success meant it became the model from which most similar programs now available in Australia were developed.

In 1992 when Betsy moved to Melbourne, Sandra became Director of the Betsy Sawers School of Dancing, which became Canberra Youth Ballet School (CYBS) from 1994. Over the ensuing 18 years, Sandra not only maintained the already recognised high standards but developed this further, gaining international recognition across all genres of Dance. Students have received Scholarships to some of the world's most prestigious professional training institutions including Royal and English National Ballet Schools in London as well as Company schools in Hamburg, Munich, Dresden, Mannheim, Zurich, Houston, San Francisco. Consequently, former students are now dancing or teaching professionally around the world in all styles of Dance and Theatre - Classical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Acting, Circus etc.

In 2000 Sandra and CYBS were invited to represent Australia at Dance Excellence International Dance Festival in Los Angeles - a huge Invitational week long event. Sandra is now the only Australian to have a permanent Invitation to Dance Excellence. Through this Festival Sandra's work has also been recognised and applauded by Disney Corporation, resulting in several invitations to return to perform in Disneyland.

In 1993 Sandra trained as a Children's Examiner for Royal Academy of Dance and enjoys the additional opportunity this provides to work with young children all over the world as they discover the joys of dance. RAD has also appointed Sandra as a Tutor for Continuing Professional Development programs for established teachers around Australia as well a Mentor for individual student teachers.

After almost 40 years of teaching, Sandra draws on a very wide range of experience, backed by depth of training, while maintaining continual contact with professional dancers, teachers and students around the world.

Erin Driscoll

Ballet

Erin initially trained with Prudence Bowen at Ecole Classique (now Ecole Ballet Studios) in Sydney, including 2 years full-time study in classical ballet (1990-1991). During that time she obtained her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Teacher's Certificate with distinction while continuing to train in the RAD majors level.

Erin has been teaching the RAD syllabus since 1991, initially in Sydney and for the past 6 years in Canberra. She has entered students for RAD examinations at both grades and majors level and her students have continually achieved excellent results.

In 2005 Erin was appointed by the RAD as a mentor for the RAD Certificate in Classical Ballet Teaching Studies, which involved her assisting students with the practical teaching component of that course. Since 2006 Erin has also been a member of the ACT/Riverina Regional Advisory Panel.

In addition to her expertise in classical ballet, Erin has also been training in the Pilates-method for the last 10 years and, where possible, incorporates the philosophy and practices of this method into her teaching.

As a teacher Erin aims to imbue in all her students a love of dance and an understanding of the rich heritage of which they are a part, and to work with each student to achieve correct and safe dance technique.

Kris Dodds

Cheerleading

Kris has been one of the SDS Allstarz Cheerleading Coaches since 2007. Although still relatively new in Canberra, American style Cheerleading is a rapidly growing sport in Australia. SDS offers Cheerleading as it combines dance elements with gymnastics components which further develops students technical skills as well as their strength and flexibility. As well as coaching, Kris is also a qualified Cheerleading judge.

Kris has a strong sporting background. Although she was not a dancer Kris was a representative netball player and swimmer. In addition to Cheerleading Kris is a qualified Gymnastics Coach, Sports Trainer and First Aider. When not at dance or cheer she runs the field for her son's Rugby League Team. In her remaining spare time Kris works full time in the public service and also runs a small dance costume business with her mum.

Kris got involved with SDS through her daughter dancing there. She faced a steep learning curve but through many, many, many hours of watching the students train and perform her dance knowledge has grown rapidly. When offered the opportunity to be involved in the Cheerleading she jumped at the chance to be involved. Whether it is coaching, judging or just watching, Kris loves to see students striving to learn and do their best and nothing gives her more pleasure than seeing a smile on their face while they're doing it.

Amy Radovanovic

Lyrical, Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz

Amy is an up and coming Dancer/Choreographer in Canberra. Having studied for 15 years in Ballet, it wasn't until age 12 where Amy branched out to different facets of dance. She is currently studying her Advanced two Ballet and hopes to become a choreographer and Dance teacher as a career!

Her versatility is obvious when she applies herself to not only ballet, but Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Tap all of which she excels at. Aside from being a dancer and Teacher at SDS, Amy has attended many workshops to extend her dancing vocabulary aswell as competing and winning in competitions locally and interstate.

In the future Amy sets her site to become a professional dancer on Cruise ships and quite possibly the prestigious Moulin Rouge in France!

As a teacher Amy is a patient and giving individual that caters to the individual needs of her class. Amy strives to both inspire and push her students towards the next level. Her choreography is an amalgamation of both technical and lyrical style. Her inspiration stems from American choreographer Mia Michaels, whom she one day wishes to learn off!

Alex Carson

Hip Hop

Originating in Canberra, Alex's love for hip-hop and all things dance ignited in 2007. Training under Canberra's best, Alex joined the DC crew (Canberra's number 1 dance crew 2008-2009), Becoming the crew leader in 2009. It was then that Alex, along with the DC crew, represented Australia in the varsity devision of the World Hip-hop Championships Las Vegas after placing 2nd Australia wide.

Alex has been a selected choreographer for Exposure (2009 and 2010), qualified for Top 100 So You Think You Can Dance Australia 2010, taught throughout Canberra and travelled to Urban Dance Camp Germany 2010 to learn from top choreographers from the U.S., Europe and Japan.

She has also performed in Carnival Sydney 2009, Battlegrounds 2007-2009, and as supporting act for 90's R'n'B sensation "Blackstreet" in 2010 with DC crew. Alex is influenced by all forms of dance, music, and is adamant about teaching not just dance, but the ability to connect with music and express without fear.

Ella Quinlan

Ella has danced at SDS for over ten years receiving her '10 Year Dedication Award' in 2010. She has trained in all styles of dance and is looked up to by her peers and is a role model to all the SDS dance students. In 2010 Ella completed her Intermediate Jazz exam and a Jazz Solo award and received Honours Distinction for both.

She has competed and performed successfully for the SDS Performance Troupe at many Theatrical Competitions, Eisteddfods and exhibitions in solos, duos and troupe routines. Ellas has won many dancing awards in and outside of the SDS including the SDS Dancer of the Year in 2008.

Ella is currently studying to complete the RAD Intermediate Ballet Exam. She teachers Junior Jazz and Tap classes and is a favourite teacher with the Tiny Tots students, and is an active member of the SDS AllStarz Senior Cheerleading Squad.

Brenna Dodds

Since she was born Brenna has always had a passion for music and dance. Over the years Brenna has trained in all styles of dance but her speciality and strength is Jazz, Hip Hop and Cheerleading. In 2010 Brenna completed her Intermediate Jazz exam and a Jazz Solo award and received Honours Distinction for both. In 2009 Brenna was awarded the SDS Dancer of the Year.

Brenna has participated at Eisteddfods and exhibitions as part of the SDS Performance Troupe and as a solo competitor. Her most notable solo achievements was being awarded 1st place in the Senior Jazz Championships as well as Most Promising Jazz Dancer at the Riverside Dance Festival in 2009.

In 2009 Brenna also competed in the Riverside Plaza Star Search competition and was awarded the Audience Choice award. In 2010 Brenna was a cast member of the Queanbeyan Players production of Fame and greatly enjoyed utilising her dance in a different type of performance environment.

In addition to dance, Brenna has been a member of the SDS Allstarz Cheerleading squad and was awarded Dancer of the Day at both the AASCF ACT Cheer and Dance Championship and the AUS Cheer Australian Challenge Championships - ACT in 2010.

Brenna is not sure where her dance will take her but at present she is enjoying student teaching at SDS and having the opportunity to inspire her students to embrace a love of dance as she does.