Teachers
Kristin Williams: ARAD Solo Seal, Cert III Dance Australian Ballet School, Principal Elite Entertainment Studios CQ
Kristin began her training at the age of two with Debra Parker at the Rockhampton Academy of Dancing. Completing her Jazz and Tap exams in the FATD syllabus, and her ballet in RAD in which she was awarded the coveted Solo Seal award at the young age of 14, Kristin was then offered a place at the prestigious Australian Ballet School in Melbourne. During her three years of training at the ABS Kristin received the Primrose Potter Memorial Bursary, the Friends of The Australian Ballet Scholarship, and the Academic Award for achievements in her academic studies. Kristin was chosen to perform in many productions whilst at the ABS. Some of her most memorable include the 40th anniversary gala at the State Theatre, The Nutcracker at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Signet in Swan Lake for the ABS Morning Melodies at the Melbourne Concert Hall, and touring with the Australian Ballet Dancers Company 2003 tour of The Nutcracker to regional areas in VIC, NSW and Tasmania.
Kristin returned to Rockhampton in 2004. She began teaching that year at the Rockhampton Academy of Dancing whilst gaining entry to the Sports Science Program at James Cook University, Townsville. Kristin became involved in many different professions, however realized that her true passion lies in dance.
Miss Kristin, as she is now known, has never looked back and zealously devotes her time towards teaching and learning as much as possible about dance. In 2009 Kristin travelled to the USA where she danced at the Edge Performing Arts Centre (LA’s most popular dance studio) and The Millennium Dance Centre in LA learning the latest styles and techniques. Her students participated in the Rainbow Dance Connection World Dance Championships in Long Beach California where they received many Platinum Gold awards (scores over 96/100) and places among the top ten in their age groups, one receiving third overall in her age group.
Miss Kristin’s classes are energetic and challenging. She is always learning new styles and techniques which she enthusiastically shares with all her students.
After receiving both the Junior and Senior choreography awards at the Showcase Regional Finals for her ballet and contemporary works in 2008 she has been striving to choreograph original and appealing works for her students to perform.
Debra Parker: ARAD Solo Seal, RAD RTS, Royal Ballet School London, Registered Teacher EDTA. Principal Rockhampton Academy of Dancing, Patron EESCQ.
Debra trained in RAD achieving the coveted Solo Seal award before moving to London where she trained at the prestigious Royal Ballet School. Miss Parker has been teaching at her studio in Rockhampton now for over 27 years and is solely responsible for the successful careers of numerous Central Queenslanders. Many of her pupils have gone on to long careers with the Australian Ballet, Queensland Ballet, Bangara Dance Theatre and the Moulin Rouge to name a few. Debra Parker is a highly respected teacher and is known for her ability to produce high quality dancers whilst nurturing and caring for them as individuals.
Guest Teachers
2009
AARON Smyth was born on the Gold Coast, Australia & has been trained in all Styles of dance. Aaron has been awarded the RAD Solo Seal Award & most recently he was a top 4 finalist in Australia’s Got Talent 2008. He has competed in many competitions worldwide but his most coveted, was when he won the Gold Medal (not always awarded) at the Genee International Ballet Competition in Toronto, Canada last August.
For the Past year Aaron has been training at the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the American Ballet Theatre in New York on Full Scholarship. Whilst at the school he has performed Excerpts from The Nutcracker at the Saks Fifth Ave holiday Window Unveiling, Flames of Paris Pas De Deux and has danced with the American Ballet Theatre at the Opening Night Gala for their Spring Season, at the Metropolitan Opera House. He has been invited to Perform at the Royal Academy of Dance Summer School Performance Gala in Tokyo, Japan 2009.
2009
ANTHONY Ikin’s athletic & high-energy dancing may have the wow factor but his business statistics are just as show-stopping. He has 2000 active students on his database. He has a staff of about 25 teachers & he personally takes 27 classes a week. Ikin, 27, started with a one-studio warehouse at Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, seven years ago, opened a studio in Sydney in 2009.
Ikin reached the top 10 final in last year’s inaugural season of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). His studio has doubled in size since his television appearance.
Ikin has always loved music & movement. He started in gymnastics but as a promising 11-year-old competitor he was tested at the Australian Institute of Sport & told he would grow to 182cm – too tall for gymnastics. He is now 185cm.
He then turned to aerobics & at 17 years was a world junior champion before he fell in love with dance, which he started to improve his aerobics. He is not surprised at the popularity of dance.