About US

Leigh holds a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) from The University of Ballarat and is also a graduate of Industry Fulltime Dance, where he studied under the guidance of Robert Sturrock and Mandy Savickas.

Leigh has choreographed and danced for many artists including, but not limited to; Rhonda Burchmore, Natalie Conway, Au Dre James Varnish, and Art Simone.

Creatively; Leigh has worked alongside many people within the performing arts industry including Olivia Newton-John, Stephen Schwartz, Silvie Paladino, Liz Callaway, Kelley Abbey, and Chris Ashley to name a few.

Leigh began his training at Careen Dance studio and upon finishing his study at Ballarat returned to coach, where he loves watching his students flourish and mature in all facets of dance be it their performance style or technique.

Originating in Sydney, Heather trained at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, graduating in the top 2% of the state for Dance in her HSC. Here she completed the RAD major classical exams up to ADV 2. After graduating high school, she moved to Melbourne to pursue a career in dance and study an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Majoring in Performance) at Dance World Studios.

Since graduating Heather has worked professionally for the past 20 years in theatre, cabaret, TV and live events. Early in her career, Heather spent several years living and performing abroad at Universal Studios & Disney. She has performed as a featured dancer for Rhonda Burchmore, Hugh Jackman, Ricki Lee, Guy Sebastian, Kylie Minogue, Christine Anu, Vanessa Amorosi, Tap Dogs and the Wiggles to name a few. Heather spent many seasons dancing with a variety of companies including Vertical Shadows Dance Company, Melbourne Dance Theatre/Victorian State Ballet, Bangarra Dance Theatre, and Opera Australia.

Musical accolades include touring a variety of children’s musicals both internationally and throughout Australia for Nickelodeon, Disney, Cartoon Network, E1, LLT, Possum Music Productions as well as New Songs Project Cabaret. In recent years Heather has moved into a Resident Director/Choreographer role for TEG/LLT/Nickelodeon creating shows and working with casts in South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and China. In 2023 and 2024 she was invited to be the Movement Director for the Australian Open Kids Tennis Day Arena Show at Rod Laver Arena.

Alongside working professionally Heather has also developed a passion for teaching and sharing her experience/knowledge with students throughout Melbourne. She has completed several teacher training courses including: Level 1&2 with Lisa Howell, Progressive Ballet technique with Marie Walton, and The Acrobatic Dance Association with Stacey Mitchell. She is also a trained Examiner, Masterclass, and Convention teacher for the Southern Federation of Dance. An enthusiastic and dedicated teacher, Heather prides herself on creating a positive environment where students can learn, grow, and develop their passion for dance.

Kathryn started dancing at the age of 13 developing a passion for all styles of dance.

She has completed RAD classical major examinations up to ADV 2 and SFD through to Jazz level 10 , Kathryn also holds the SFD Jazz teaching certificate and has now gone on to start her training to become an examiner and convention teacher for the SFD jazz and classical syllabus.

After completing her exams Kathryn then went on to complete two years of fulltime training at industry dance under Robert Sturrock where she trained in many styles of dance and performance including, Jazz, tap, contemporary, ballet, commercial Jazz, hip hop, ballroom , lyrical , singing and acting.

Since then she has worked within the industry dancing for people such as Jessica Mauboy, Rhonda Burchmore , Natalie Conway and more.  Kathryn has a strong passion for teaching and working with children with many years experience and wishes to pass on the wealth of knowledge and passion for dance she has gained to her students.

Jade M has been dancing at Careen Dance Studio since 1999. During this time she learned many styles including Jazz, tap, Cheer/Pom, hip-hop, and contemporary. 

She started assistant teaching in 2003 with tiny tots and Sub-junior classes and has continued to enjoy teaching this age group over the last 20 years.

With a background in gymnastics and personal training, Jade started teaching acrobatics, technique, and Pom classes at Careen in 2011.

Jade has completed a certifications 3 & 4 In fitness and has been a registered fitness professional specialising in children and adolescent training for over 15 years. 

More recently Jade completed her diploma of early childhood education and care and has a passion for children’s development, health, and wellbeing.

Jade has been a part of Careen since 2001. She started assisting teaching in 2010 and then went on to obtain her SDA assistant teachers diploma . 

Jade has been teaching since 2015 in hip hop , jazz , tap , contemporary , ballet and our hip hop competition crew. Over the years Jade has also danced for artists including Rhonda Burchmore , Natalie Conway and Art Simone.

Jade is a very passionate and committed teacher and a very important of our team 

Teagan has been a part of Careen since 2011. She started assisting teaching in 2021 and then went onto obtain her SDA assistant teaching diploma in 2022.

Teagan then progressed into teaching her own classes in 2023.

Teagan completed her Diploma of sport and diploma in leadership and management in 2024 and continues her studies in this field in 2025 .

Teagan's passion is with our junior classes and is a very competent  and caring teacher and an important part of our team.

Chloe began her dance journey with Careen in  2009 and then went to assisting teaching in 2018. Chloe soon progressed to having her own classes in 2022 and obtaining  her SDA student teachers certificate.

 Chloe's passion growing up in the studio was with our competition troupes and solos and this has now filtered into teaching not only jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop and acrobatics with our junior students but also teaching solos and now junior troupe teams .

Chloe has obtained her cert 3 in childcare and has a real passion working with children and watching them grow as dancers and in self confidence.

Alicia began dancing at the age of 4 and ever since her first lesson, dancing has been her passion. Alicia has trained in many styles including - Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary and Hip Hop. She completed all her exams under the ATOD syllabus in Jazz, Tap & Ballet achieving excellent results. 

Alicia came to Careen in 2003 and soon after joining Careen Dance School started her teaching journey by assisting in the junior classes, until 2008 when she started teaching her own. 

Academically, Alicia completed a Bachelor of Dance, as well as, a Bachelor in Primary and Secondary School Teaching majoring in Dance. Since 2011 she has taught at Primary School level. 

Alicia thoroughly enjoys teaching and being able to be a part of the dance journey of the aspiring dancers at Careen. 

Emily began her Careen journey at just 5 years old and fell in love with dancing from her first step inside the studio. 

She has trained in many styles whilst being at Careen including jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, and cheerleading. 

During her journey, she has competed in competition troupes throughout her time at Careen as well as performed at charity shows. Emily has trained under both the TAAD and SDA  syllabus completing exams in tap, jazz, and ballet obtaining high level results in each.  

Academically she has also completed an Exercise and Sports science degree, as well as a double degree in Osteopathy. She works locally as an Osteopath and has a great interest in treating dancers. As part of her occupation, she conducts pointe prep exams at her clinic and loves helping dancers achieve their dreams of being en pointe! 

Emily loves teaching and looks forward to inspiring the next generation of dancers at Careen! 

Jorja began dancing at the age of 3yrs. Jorja has represented Careen in solo and troupe competitions for 8 years. Although Jorja loves all styles of dance, she is most passionate about ballet.

At the age of 12, Jorja successfully auditioned for the Melbourne City Youth Ballet Company, going on to perform 7 seasons. Jorja started teaching with Careen last year. Being in her 5th and final year of her Osteopathy degree, Jorja is very knowledgeable about how the body works as a whole, and aims to instil the importance of ballet technique into her students from a young age.

Assistant teacher

Jacqui has been dancing at Careen since she was 5 years old, taking classes of all styles, and representing Careen’s performance troupe for a number of years.

She has taken part in multiple exams for tap, jazz and classical through SDA and SFD syllabus, hoping to complete jazz and tap in 2025 and apply for her teaching diploma. She has been an assistant teacher at Careen on and off since 2018, loving every minute of it.

Not only is Jacqui very passionate about her own dancing, she is extremely keen to help young students find their love for dance, and develop their skills and confidence, both on and off the stage.