Faculty

Kristy has studied Dance and Singing for many years at well-known schools including The Danz Factory under the tuition of the fabulous Chris Duncan of DanceLife Australia, Sydney Dance Company, The Elite School of Singing and Platinum Vocal Studios. Kristy studied for a Bachelor of Arts Degree Majoring in Dance and Drama @ U.N.S.W and has also completed her Certificate of Ballet Teaching (CBTS) with the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) and is now a registered teacher with the organisation. Her performance career has stretched from Australia to USA and has included dancing and singing in many venues including supporting acts to Australian and international artists. She has performed in shows in and around Sydney with choreographers such as William Forsyth, Aaron Farley, Ramon Doringo and Michael Boyd. She has also choreographed and performed in her own corporate professional shows. She was a lead singer in a Blues/Rock/Funk band “The Blues Raiders” for several years performing in pubs and clubs across NSW. Kristy was also the BJP Physical Culture National Champion in her division for 5 years running 2012 – 2016. Kristy was employed as Regional Dance Coordinator and instructor for Dance First Academy @ Fitness First for 10 years before opening her own Studio, Evolution Performance Centre. Kristy has a combined performance and teaching career of over 30 years and looks forward to sharing her studio vision with you all.

Mahlia King is a Sydney based performer, teacher and choreographer who trained at Evolution performance centre then went on to graduate at ED5 International with a Diploma in Performing Arts in 2021. Mahlia has worked with choreographers William Alexander Forsythe, Shannon Burns, Daniel Assetta, Ryan Smith, Dolce Fisher, Caroline Kaspar, Blake John Wood and more. Mahlia’s love for singing has been fostered by singing coaches Martin Crewes and Phillip Filo. As a performer, Mahlia HAS had the opportunity to perform with professional contemporary company Twisted Element, showcasing two works, “Ritual” and “Opus”. Mahlia has also provided roving entertainment as part of the Queen Victoria Building’s “Beating Heart of the QVB” Installation. Mahlia has choreographed and danced in the Hot Potato Band’s music video “It’s your own body”. Mahlia has been involved in Australia Day TVCs, as well as appearing in the film “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway”. Mahlia is really passionate about teaching in a fun, positive and engaging way, specifically fostering elements of creativity and individuality in all her students. Mahlia has now taken on our Front Desk Administration role and is looking forward to learning how it all works behind the scenes.

Caitlin Nilon began dancing at age 3 at Eden Dance Academy. In 2017, she was invited to train with LA dance company MusEffect as part of their summer program. She has continued to train with them as the opportunity arises both in the US and Aus. Caitlin performed under Jessica Starr at Choreographers Carnival in Hollywood as well as the Vans US Open of surfing, White Light White Night Gala Ball, featured in Spencer Ludwigs Music Video “I Just Wanna Dance” and Muse Dance Medias film “The Cure” which premiered at the Industry Dance Awards in Hollywood. In January 2020, Caitlin trained and competed with Diverse Elements in Phoenix, Arizona before returning home. Closer to home, Caitlin was a featured dancer in Schools Spectacular landing lead roles in the show in 2019. She was also in the NSW Public Schools State Dance Ensemble from 2014-19 training, performing and undertaking workshops in Horton Technique with Dance Iquail. Caitlin began teaching and choreographing in 2018 and has since won awards at competition for her choreography. Caitlin completed a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management with Ev and Bow in 2020.

Lauren commenced dancing at the age of four learning the Cecchetti method of classical. She later moved to North Shore Dance Academy where she studied RAD Classical Ballet, Contemporary, National Character and Jazz. During this time, Lauren undertook her RAD examinations at both graded and vocational levels receiving Distinction. Lauren was an eight time winner of the prestigious Sydney Eisteddfod across classical and championship sections, including winning The Robert and Elizabeth Albert Junior Ballet Scholarship. Lauren holds Registered Teaching Status with The Royal Academy of Dance, having completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies in 2010. Lauren is a Mentor, Tutor and Practical Teaching Supervisor for those aspiring trainee teachers currently enrolled in the Certificate and Diploma programmes with the RAD. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Neuroscience; a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours; a Masters of Health Laws, all received from The University of Sydney along with having a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. Lauren is a recognised teacher of the Ballet Conservatoire syllabus (Vaganova) through The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet having completed teacher seminars in 2017 and 2021. Lauren has gained her Licentiate Diploma through the Australian Institute of Classical Dance (Borovansky syllabus) granting her teaching membership. Lauren is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Dance Education with the Royal Academy of Dance/University of Bath for which she received the Iris Truscott Memorial Scholarship for academic achievement. In 2021, Lauren was the recipient of the inaugural RAD Teachers’ Scholarship Fund for proactive contribution to the wider dance community. Lauren’s students have gone on to receive notable success on the international platform, having won at competitions such as YAGP, Prix de Lausanne and Alana Haines. Her passion is instructing RAD classical ballet at all levels from Pre Primary through to Advanced 2 for both male and female students and her results are consistently in the top percentiles. Lauren’s students have been successful in securing placements at top finishing schools such as The Australian Ballet School, The Royal Ballet School and Queensland Ballet Academy, to name a few. Lauren currently has many students who are currently involved in the Interstate Training Program of The Australian Ballet School. Lauren employs a holistic approach to her teaching practice, inspiring her students to reach their technical and artistic potential.

Australian Certification Health & Physical Fitness

Studio Owner - Bullsbrook Dance Academy (1993 - 2021) Perth Western Australia

Tanya started dancing at the age of 2yrs with the Sharon Biddle School of Dance in Perth Western Australia under the tuition of Sharon Biddle. After completing all CSTD Examinations, Tanya was successful in passing the highest public examination Senior Performers Shield with honours and completed her Full CSTD Teachers Diploma in 1992. Tanya has certification with Australian Institute of Health & Physical Fitness, is Acrobatic Arts certified and has a Secretarial Diploma which helps with the running of her own dance studio. Tanya opened her own dance studio in 1993 and is the successful studio director of the Bullsbrook Dance Academy in Perth. She has nurtured many students throughout her 28 years, some of which have gone on to have successful dance careers performing at Moulin Rouge in Paris, Michael Jackson Tour in UK, Disneyland Japan, National Institute Of Circus Arts Melbourne, Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy Sydney, Lee Academy, Patrick Studio Melbourne, Victorian State Ballet Company to name a few. Tanya moved to Sydney in 2015 and is a freelance acrobatic teacher whilst running her dance studio remotely in Perth.

Miss Katrina started dancing when she was five years old and attended her local dance school ‘The Mandy & Shirley Morris School of Dancing’. When she was just sixteen years old she was awarded a place at ‘The Urdang Academy’ in London’s West End. She spent the next three years completing her professional dancers training with a focus on classical ballet. Following this, a year at ‘The Royal Academy of Dance’ where she gained her RAD Diploma & Teachers Certificate. Katrina danced professional overseas in Japan, Hong Kong & China for many years, she then continued working overseas as a RAD ballet teacher in the United Kingdom, Italy, Dubai & now Australia. Since moving to Australia in 2017, Katrina taught in a number of schools across Sydney before joining the team at Evolution. She is a fully registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance with extensive teaching and professional performing experience. Katrina is a strong choreographer with modern and classical influences. She is dedicated and committed to teaching students of all ages and abilities how to embrace the art of dance. In addition to her passion for dance, Miss Katrina is also a Registered Paediatric Nurse, specialising in community public health nursing. Find Miss Katrina teaching our RAD Ballet examination students on Saturday mornings. Miss Katrina is trained in First Aid & CPR and has a current Working with Children Check.

Having been heavily involved in award-winning productions from a young age, Aaron decided to focus his efforts on tap dance in 2015. He has received training from The Forge Tap Project, Tap Dogs and other leading figures in Australian tap dance. After receiving an Emerging Artist award from the Australian Tap Dance Festival in 2017, he featured in The Forge Tap Company’s inaugural performance, Alpha, and co-created the tap duo Two Soles. Since then, Aaron has taught students of all ages and all ability levels at dance studios all around Sydney. He spent two months in Auckland dance schools teaching classes, choreographing competition pieces and conducting workshops. During the 2020 lockdowns, Aaron organised and produced a long-distance video collaboration between 20+ tap dancers from across the length and breadth of Australia and overseas, which released in 2021.Aaron frequents tap festivals around Australia, continuing to learn from the best tap talent from around the country and the world to pass this knowledge on to his students. This includes the Australian Tap Dance Festival, for which he has been invited to teach. He especially enjoys teaching improvisation and thrives on watching his students’ confidence and personal style grow.

Kirra started dancing at the age of 3 at Marnis Studio of Performing Arts on the central coast. In 2017, Kirra moved to Sydney and joined Evolution Performance Centre, training in lyrical, hip hop, jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, acrobatics and broadway jazz. Since 2018, Kirra has been highly successful competing with troupes and solos at both regional and national competitions. Kirra also frequently trains with experienced choreographers at workshops and conventions and is always looking for ways to extend her knowledge of dance. She was awarded EPC’s Dancer of The Year 2021. Kirra started assistant teaching at evolution in 2021 and is eager to continue to teach this year in 2023.

Tenaya started dancing at Bullsbrook Dance Academy at the age of 2 in all genres. Tenaya also trained at Toodyay Ballet School under Lani McGeady and also attended the Graduate Collage of Dance under Dawn Weller. In 2015 Tenaya moved to Sydney to train at the Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy before starting Full Time in the Dancers program in 2018. Tenaya has performed in the Sydney City Youth Ballet Nutcracker performances, Travelled to Port Macquarie & Wollongong for Together Live Performances and performed for the Friends of the Australian Ballet. In 2019 Tenaya got accepted to take part in the Brisbane International Contemporary Dance Prix where she worked with International choreographer from all around the world. She also performed with the Victorian State Youth Ballet in the Beauty and The Beast Performance at The Chatswood Concourse in Sydney. In 2020 became certified in The Progressing Ballet Technique program and has completed her Acrobatic Arts Module 1 certification. At the beginning of 2022 Tenaya moved to Melbourne to begin her training with the Victorian State Ballet Pre Professional program, where she performed in all different ballets throughout the year.

Jessica started dancing at 2 years old and trained at multiple studios including; Dance first academy, Dance 102, Urban Dance centre, Evolution Performance Centre, Village Performing Arts, Smash Studios, Platinum Vocal Studios, LA Talent and Brent Street Performing Arts. At these studios she trained in all genres of dance, as well as singing & acting. Jessica was part of Professional Broadway Musical ‘Annie’ at 8 years old in 2011, performing alongside professionals in the industry including Todd McKenney & Nancy Haynes. Then in 2014 she worked alongside Australian director Baz Luhrmann. In ‘Strictly Ballroom’. Both shows were showcased at the Lyric Theatre, Sydney. Jess has always strived to broaden her dance experience and training, travelling overseas throughout her studies at school. She travelled to LA, 3 separate times training at Millennium dance complex classes, and workshop events such as Monsters and Protege. At 10 years old she won 1st overall and world champion in Las Vegas at international dance competition Star-Power. Jess also trained at workshops & classes in Auckland, New Zealand, taking classes with the Royal Family Dance crew. Hiphop has always been a significant part of Jessica’s life. She has grown up in the Hiphop dance industry and is experienced in all foundations. This including; Popping, Locking, Krumping, Whacking and Breakdancing. She was mentored by Marko Tappo in breakdancing and was entering and winning breakdance cyphers at a young age. Jessica also regularly competed internationally in HipHop competition events including World Supremacy Battlegrounds and HHI with her Dance crew Hellraizers, consecutively holding the winning title in Australia for years. In 2016 Hellraizers dance crew travelled to Las Vegas and represented Australia placing 6th in the world. She also competed in Battlegrounds representing the USA in a crew, and is the only person to win in both Junior and Young Guns divisions in battlegrounds representing 2 different countries. In 2018 she travelled to the Philippines competing in The Studio Challenge held by the Royal Family Dance Crew and representing her country. Jess was also in Australia’s Got Talent with her dance group Little Miss in 2019. In 2016 she attended Australian Performing Arts Grammar on a full scholarship and graduated in 2020. Her school experience consisted of training all of the performing arts. Jessica has been casually teaching dance for 2 years and is excited to broaden her journey as a dancer, singer & actor in the industry.

Nerissa began her classical ballet training with Janece Graham and Tanya Pearson in Sydney at the age of 4. She trained in multiple different styles of dance throughout the years and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the The University Of Western Sydney. Nerissa danced abroad in Japan and Taiwan and also on The Star cruise liners. Following these contracts, she began her teaching career and in 1997 she gained her RAD Teachers Certificate with Distinction. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Nerissa has taught in a number of dance schools across the northern beaches and has successfully entered many students for their RAD ballet exams, ensuring each student is prepared and ready to achieve their individual potential. Nerissa hopes to continue her passion to educate and inspire the next generation of young ballet dancers. She loves to watch them improve, flourish, and achieve their goals.

I began dancing at the age of 5 in Perth, Western Australia. I recently relocated to Sydney to pursue full-time in Performing Arts at Brent Street in 2024. With four years of experience teaching and assisting at my previous dance studio in Perth, I have developed a strong passion for choreography and find great fulfilment in nurturing the younger generation of dancers. This year, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to the United States with Brent Street and Paris Cavanagh to participate in America's Got Talent. Our team was honoured to receive a Golden Buzzer from Howie Mandel, and we will be returning later this year to compete further. I also have extensive performance experience, most recently appearing in the Australian premiere production of All Shook Up at the Crown Theatre in Perth. I am deeply passionate about both teaching and performing, and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to teach at such a prestigious studio.

Originally from Wollongong on the south coast, Tess grew up taking classes in all styles at Vanessa Lee Dance Academy. There she competed as a soloist and troupe member in numerous competitions on the south coast and Sydney regions, winning many accolades. Tess’s performance credits include the Voice 2024, opening for the Royal Family at their Sydney show in 2023, and the 2023 NRL Grand final half time show. Currently, Tess is in her second year of full-time study at Brent Street where she is completing her Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts. Tess is committed to creating a fun, fresh, and constructive environment in her classes and aiding her students to become the best dancers they can be.