Teaching Staff

Principal: Rachael Shiels

  • R.A.D. Teaching Certificate
  • R.A.D. Registered Teacher Status
  • R.A.D. Mentor for Classical Ballet Teachers Studies Course
  • Bachelor of Arts (Dance)
  • Bachelor of Education
  • VCE Dance Registered Provider
  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet Teacher Trainer

Rachael’s extensive dance background includes Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Contemporary. This experience began at an early age and carried through to her formal education where she gained Year 12 State Premier’s Awards for the two dance subjects. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (Dance), a Bachelor of Education, and the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate. Rachael has also been inducted into the Deakin National Honours Society and was featured in the 2001 Deakin University Course Guide. Rachael has taught in ballet schools around Melbourne since 1991. Rachael has taught the VCE Dance subjects as a provider since 1999. From 2003 to 2005 Rachael was the Dance Teacher at Mentone Girls Grammar, teaching dance to students from Early Learning Centre through to year 12. In 2005 Rachael was appointed a Mentor for the R.A.D. Classical Ballet Teaching Studies Course.
Rachael has been the Principal of Theatre De La DanSe since October 1997. In 2008 Rachael is teaching VCE Dance Units 1 – 4.

Rosemary Beagley

  • R.A.D. Licentiate
  • R.A.D. Registered Teacher Status
  • R.A.D Tutor for the Classical Ballet Teachers Studies Course
  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet Teaching Certificate

Rosemary joined us in 2007 as the adult ballet teacher and a teacher of the senior ballet students. In 2008 Rosemary will be teaching some Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet, Senior Ballet and Adult Ballet classes.
Rosemary trained at the Royal Academy of Dance in London where she gained her teaching registration and her Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance. She taught in the UK for 12 years before immigrating to Adelaide where she ran her own school. From here she moved to Canberra where she taught with an R.A.D. Examiner. In 2006 Rosemary moved with her family to Melbourne where they now hope to settle.

Ashlee Burn

  • R.A.D. Affiliate Member
  • R.A.D. Intermediate
  • V.C.E. Dance Units 1 & 2
  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet Teaching Certificate

In 2008 Ashlee will be teaching a PrePrimary Ballet class. Ashlee is one of our advanced students who has been learning since she was 2. She has performed with our DanSe Company, and has been an assistant teacher for the last 4 years.

Kim Factor

  • R.A.D. Teaching Certificate
  • R.A.D. Registered Teacher Status
  • Bachelor of Arts (Dance)
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences
  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet Teaching Certificate
  • V.C.E. Dance Units 1-4

Kim has been teaching with us since February 2003. In 2008 Kim will be teaching RAD Classical Ballet and Contemporary. In addition to her teaching Kim has also performed in a variety of school and tertiary productions.

Genevieve Honey

  • Certificate 3 in Dance Performance (The Edge)
  • Diploma of Dance Performance (The Edge)
  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet Teaching Certificate

Genevieve began teaching with us in early 2007. In 2008 she will be teaching some Tinytots Fairy Magic, Bopping Tots, Jazzfunk and Ballet classes, as well as choreographing for La DanSe Company. She has taught Ballet, Jazz & Contemporary to students from preschool age through to adults. In addition to her teaching, Genevieve has also performed in many children’s shows, including the ‘Dorothy the Dinosaur’ show.

Suzana Zambiasi

  • R.A.D. Classical Ballet Teachers Studies Certificate
  • R.A.D. Registered Teacher Status
  • Diploma of Dance Teaching and Business Management
  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet Teaching Certificate
  • V.C.E. Dance Units 1-4

Suzana has been teaching with us since February 2003. In the first half of 2008 Suzana taught Songstars and Monday Primary Ballet. From Term 3 Suzana will be on maternity leave.
In addition to her work with Theatre De La DanSe, Suzana is the Dance teacher at Mentone Girls Grammar for all Co-curricular dance classes. Suzana also teaches piano, singing and does professional modelling for print and television.

Georgia Love

  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet Teaching Certificate
  • Southern Federation of Dance Jazz Level 10
  • Southern Federation of Dance Tap Level 9
  • Southern Federation of Dance Ballet Intermediate
  • V.C.E. Dance Units 1-4
  • Bachelor of Journalism – first year 2007

Georgia began teaching with us in early 2007. In 2008 she will be teaching some Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet and Tap classes, as well as working in our office. She has taught Ballet, Jazz & Tap to students from preschool age through to teenagers as well as choreographed and performed in numerous school productions and dance concerts. Georgia was the Dance Captain at Mentone Girls’ Grammar in 2006 and won the esteemed ‘David Hunt Award for the Performing Arts’.

Rhiannon Mills

  • Dance Factory Certificate IV ( Scholarship Student)
  • Dance Factory Diploma 2005

Rhiannon has been teaching with us since 2006. In 2008 she will be our Monday and Friday DanSrobics Instructor. Rhiannon has performed professionally with Disney, performed in a Bollywood movie, danced in video clips and for corporate events.

Paula Russell

  • Bachelor of Arts (Dance)
  • Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
  • Post Graduate Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)
  • VCE Dance Styles Premiers Award
  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Teaching Certificate

Paula joins us as a Tinytots Fairy Magic, Bopping Tots, Ballet & Jazzfunk teacher in 2008. Paula has taught in dance schools since 1999 and has also worked as a primary school classroom teacher and performing arts teacher. In addition to her teaching Paula has worked as an aerials trainer for the Outreach program of the Women’s Circus, where she was a performing member for three years. Paula is also an author of children’s books.

Rebecca Same

  • Certificate 3 in Dance and Performance (Dance Factory)
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences – First Year 2006
  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Ballet Teaching Certificate
  • V.C.E. Dance Units 1-4

Rebecca has been teaching with us since February 2005. In 2008 she will be teaching most of the Tap and JazzFunk classes. In addition to her teaching Rebecca has choreographed for the Junior Dance Troupe at Mount Scopus College and performed in a variety of school and tertiary productions.

Holly Trainor

  • VCE dance units 1- 4
  • Tinytots Fairy Magic Teaching Certificate
  • Diploma Dance teaching and management – first year 2008

Holly joins us in 2008 as a jazzfunk teacher. Holly has taught jazz, tap, ballet and funk to primary school students for the last 2 years. She will also be studying dance teaching and management at Box Hill institute of Tafe in 2008. Holly has performed in many school productions as well as competing in many competitions and eisteddfods.