"...I get a great sense of elation when I see passion for dance in a students eyes"

Renee Whiter

Renee is the Principal and founder of Sparkles Dance Studio, she has 34 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 learned 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. She is also 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 Performing Arts (WAPA). 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.

Emma Shadbolt

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.

Erin Driscoll

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.

Byron Low

Byron has a wealth of knowledge and experience in choreography and teaching, backed by years of training in Hip hop, Break dancing, Jazz, Popping, Locking, as well as in Martial arts and Acrobatics.

Some of his recent gigs include: Co-Choreographer with Supple for boys number for SYTYCD in Sydney, Choreographer/Dancer for New Balance Fashion Show Sydney and Choreographer/Dancer for Tim Omatic @ Park Live 2008 Canberra.

Byron has held many teaching positions including: the Hip Hop teachers at the Sydney Dance Development School, Break dance teacher at the Urban Dance Center in Sydney, as well as teaching Workshops throughout Singapore.

Byron has excelled in all areas of dance as displayed by his exhaustive list of professional and personal achievements in Choreography, Performance and Teaching.

Shannon Sked

Shannon started dancing at the age of 6, and is currently training to fulfill her Advanced One RAD certificate and is in her second year of her RAD teachers certificate. She has years of experience with teaching and choreographing winning routines for national and interstate dance eisteddfods and national state cheerleading competitions.

She has performed in Canberra Philharmonics productions of Grease and Cats, and is in the 2008 Raiderette squad.

Shannon is in the Senior Performance Troupe and has competed and been very succesful at many Eisteddfod and Theatrical competitions.

Erika Weevers

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 second 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.