MISSION STATEMENT

At the Healthy Strong Dance Academy, we are more than just a place to specialise in dance; we're a community of passionate individuals united by the rhythm of expression. Our state-of-the-art facilities, expert instructors, and diverse range of classes cater to dancers of all levels and styles. Whether you're a beginner taking your first steps or a seasoned performer honing your craft, discover your dance journey with us. Join the rhythm, feel the beat, and unleash and unlock your potential to be the healthiest and strongest version of YOU.

Melanie Kerr

Principal, Healthy Strong Dance Academy

Melanie has over 20 years’ experience in choreographing, performing and teaching in dance. She is a highly accomplished and qualified performer and teacher in Contemporary including Horton, Graham and Cunningham technique, RAD Ballet, Jazz, Fosse technique, Glenwood Tap and Musical Theatre. Throughout her undergraduate Honours Degree at Falmouth University, UK she had opportunities to work with dance, theatre and musical theatre companies in London (UK), Cornwall (UK) New York (US), Pittsburgh (US), Sydney and Canberra (AUS). These included, Broadway Dance Centre, Flashmob.com, NBA and Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Front Porch Theatricals and AJK Agency. In 2017, Melanie was awarded an Extended Diploma in Nutritional Advisory from Cambridge (UK). Melanie also obtained a Master of Sciences (MSc) in Dance and Sport Science at Bedfordshire University, UK. This degree combined psychology, physiology, biomechanics and strength and conditioning in relation to dance. Whilst studying this degree she worked with Stroke UK using dance therapy to enhance rehabilitation with stroke patients.

Melanie is an accredited Australian Strength and Conditioning Coach and has had the opportunity to work with dancers, sports players and the general public in both pre-habilitation and rehabilitation settings to enhance each individual’s potential. Melanie has also worked alongside the AIS strength and conditioning team as Assistant Coach to the 2018 Australian Dragon Boat Rowing Team. She continues to work alongside AIS in their grass roots programs for a range of sports.

Melanie has extensive experience in adjudicating dance eisteddfods in the United Kingdom and Australia where she has adjudicated in Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Ballet styles. Melanie is a qualified Cheerleading and Gymnastics coach from ‘Building from the Ground Up’, UK.

Whilst completing her research in “Psychology in Dance in Relation to Strength and Conditioning”, Melanie presented her research at an International Association of Dance Medicine Science (IADMS) conference in 2018. Melanie regularly attends dance sport science conferences, participates in dance research and is a member of several dance and sporting associations worldwide.

In 2018 Melanie, opened The Healthy Strong Dance Academy (HSDA) in the Hawkesbury which combines her passions for sports and dance science alongside dance technique and performance in a healthy environment. In 2020, Melanie completed her Masters of Secondary Education and is currently teaching Dance and PDHPE at James Ruse Agricultural High School. Recently, Melanie has been a part of the Choreographic team for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, 2024 Paris Olympics, 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Throughout her life, Melanie has demonstrated an unwavering passion for dance. This passion, extensive experience in dance, gymnastics and strength and conditioning coaching has influenced the philosophy and underlying principles of The Healthy Strong Dance Academy.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master of Education (Secondary)
Master of Sciences in Dance and Sport Science
Bachelor of Arts (HONS) Dance Performance and Choreography
Level One ASCA Strength and Conditioning Coach
Extended Diploma of Advanced Nutrition
Building from the Ground Up UK Cheerleading and Gymnastics coach Level 1 and 2

MEET THE TEAM

JADE HANSEN

With over 15 years experience,Jade first started dancing at the age of two and fell in love with Dance and Movement ever since. Jade is trained in many styles including; Ballet, jazz, Tap, Character and Contemporary. She as also competed in many ballet competitions, where she won several Cecchetti Ballet medals.

Jade completed her HSC in dance, which resulted in a high Band 5. Jade has the represented her high school performing in ‘NSW Schools Spectacular’ for many years and also for the ‘NSW State Synergy Festival’. In 2021 Jade was awarded to opportunity to enhance her performing and teaching skills as she completed her teacher training where she taught at GWS.

In 2023 Jade was selected to study Dance, Singing and Acting full time at ED5 International where she will graduate with a Diploma in Dance and having worked with specialised Choreographers and Teachers internationally in the dance field. In 2024 Jade was an extra for Season 2 of The Strife and was a dancer for the Big Bash Cricket opening ceremony. Jade is excited to be apart of The Healthy Strong Dance Academy teaching staff.

CHARLOTTE WALKOM

Charlotte has been dancing for over 10 years with it always been a passion of hers, with many of those years being a dancer at HSDA. Charlotte was apart of the competition team for three years where she competed around NSW in both Troupe and Solo events. Whether she is teaching others to dance or dancing herself, she has always loved sharing her passion and creativity with those around her.

Charlotte's favourite styles include; Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip-Hop. In 2021 she completed her allowing her GWT Tap exams in level 9. Charlotte is currently studying to be a PDHPE and Dance teacher at Western Sydney University. She is passionate about combining health and fitness together with dance. Charlotte aims to teach students the beauty of engaging and learning about health, fitness and wellbeing, whilst expanding their dance technique. Aligning her to the true values of HSDA.

Throughout her time at University, Charlotte was provided provided with with the opportunity to be selected for their National Hip-Hop team. As dancing has always been a large part of her life, Charlotte is enjoying progressing into a teaching role with the aid of AusDance allowing her to constantly broaden hers and others knowledge of dance and strength and conditioning principles.

KLANCY GODSELL

Klancy is a performer and choreographer with a deep passion for the world of Musical Theatre. She has had the privilege of working with Fantasia Showstoppers as a choreographer, contributing her creative vision to various shows such as Shrek Jr., Frozen Jr, The Jungle Book Kids and Twas the Week After Christmas. Klancy’s performance credits include a variety of roles in The Lion King Jr, The Boyfriend, The Wizard of Oz, the Australian pilot of Beetlejuice, and Erica and Kaylie's Evening of Musical Theatre.

Klancy has also trained in a wide range of dance styles such as Jazz, Contemporary, Fosse, and Ballet. Klancy is trained primarily in classical ballet in the Cecchetti method and recently RAD. Having studied, taught and been awarded her ballet exams from the early pre-primary grades through to advanced 1 and 2, Klancy has a key passion for Ballet and Jazz. She also made it to the Top Ten in Australian Ballet awards and received the award for ‘Best Stage Presence’.

As a performer, Klancy was also awarded a dance scholarship in 2021 at the Greater Western Academy as well as afforded the opportunity to compete at Showcase Dance Nationals with A-Live Performing Arts under the direction of BJ Rourke and Kaitlin Bartel.Overall, as well as performing Klancy extends her experience to teaching, both in musical theatre with Fantasia Showstoppers’ Musical Theatre classes, Show Choir, and various holiday workshops as well as dance teaching originally at GWS Dance Academy and now at HSDA.

TANISHA DICINOSKI

Tanisha has been a passionate and dedicated dancer for 15 years, cultivating a profound love for the art of movement from a young age. Trained in the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet, Tanisha has developed a strong foundation in classical ballet techniques. Additionally, she has excelled in Glenwood Tap, achieving Level 7 proficiency, and has honed her acrobatic skills through her training alongside Gymnastics Australia.

In 2016, Tanisha showcased her talent, performing at Dreamworld QLD, one of Australia's most iconic entertainment venues. Her journey in musical theatre began with a role in Grease the Musical in 2018, followed by a captivating performance in The Wizard of Oz in 2019 in Sydney.

A versatile and accomplished performer, Tanisha has earned multiple accolades for her contemporary solos, securing both 1st and 2nd placements in various competitions. Her commitment to excellence is further exemplified by her five-year tenure with the HSDA Performance Team, where she has contributed to numerous memorable performances.

Currently, Tanisha is working with HSDA and AusDance Australia, a prominent organisation dedicated to advancing dance education and practice. Through this collaboration, she is progressing towards a fulfilling career in dance teaching, aiming to inspire and nurture the next generation of dancers with her extensive experience and passion for the art.

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