aimee robertsonAimee’s passion for highland dancing spans over three decades, learning and gaining teacher accreditation through the National Dance Association of Australia (NDAA) under the tutelage of the late Hope Whitestyles (Chinchilla), Margaret Walter (Townsville), Melinda Clive (Rockhampton), Robyn Kindness (Rockhampton) and Joanna Rollston (Rockhampton). Once completing her teacher qualifications, Aimee was asked to take creative control of The Rockhampton Academy of Highland Dancing where she successfully sat students in examinations and competitions for over twelve years.The Academy achieved much success through exams, which saw Aimee awarded with honour points several times, for her students’ high examination results. Students of the Academy have also been incredibly successful at state and national competitions. In 2003, Aimee graduated from CQUniversity with a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and has been a well respected staff member of The Rockhampton Grammar School since 2004.

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lita hegvoldLita started dancing at the age of four under the tuition of the renowned Rockhampton ballet teacher, Miss Valeria Hansen. With passion and drive, she excelled in the art of dance showing a special gift for classical ballet. Winning many awards throughout her dance career, Lita then went on to perform with the Queensland Ballet Theatre and The Australian Youth Ballet Company before journeying to London at age fifteen to join The Royal Ballet School. After a successful, professional dance career, Lita used her full qualifications and registration with The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), to open her own successful dance academy in Rockhampton. For 25 years, Lita has been one of Rockhampton’s leading dance teachers entering students in examinations and competitions with outstanding results. Her credits also include choreographing more than twelve successful musicals for Rockhampton Venues and Events, including Chicago, The Boy from Oz and Dusty.

michael roberstonMichael gained professional tuition at the Jan Moore Academy of Dancing (RAD, FATD), continuing his studies with Adele Wilson and Vicki Davis (SEDTA), where he gained full teaching qualifications with SEDTA (Society for the Education in Dance and Theatre Arts). He holds a Bachelor of Education with Distinction, specialising in Early Childhood Education and has taught at The Rockhampton Grammar School since 2000, initiating the Primary Signing Choir and successful bi-annual Primary musicals. In 2012 Michael gained membership with ADA (Australasian Dance Association Ltd). He taught at a number of high profile dance schools in Rockhampton for ten years before opening his own studio (Michael Robertson Studio of Dance and Musical Theatre) in 2010.For five years, his studio enjoyed much success in eisteddfods, dance festivals and examinations, and presented high quality theatrical productions. Some of the studio’s students have furthered their dance careers nationally and internationally. In 2015, Michael’s studio merged with The Rockhampton Grammar School to create The Rockhampton Grammar School Dance and Musical Theatre Academy. Michael enjoyed much success as a dancer and has also choreographed and performed lead roles in local musical productions.

emma killion Emma received her initial dance education in Rockhampton through the studios of Jan Moore, Beverley Parker and Narelle Aspinall before extending her training with Prudence Bowen at Ecole Classique in Sydney. Before completing her PhD (CQU) in 2004, Emma undertook Diploma in Dance courses at QUT. Dr Killion is a dance education specialist and holds the RAD Student Teacher Certificate along with Full Membership with the Royal Academy of Dance and Elementary Teaching Status with the Australasian Dance Association. Emma has also attained a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours (CQU) and a Bachelor of Education (QUT). She developed and coordinated CQUniversity’s formerly offered Bachelor of Performing Arts degree program and has staged such performances as A Chorus Line, Chicago, Guys and Dolls and Sweet Charity, working with such industry leaders such as Wayne Scott Kermond, Dale Pengelly, Katie Kermond, Zaimon Vilmanis, Expressions Dance Company, and the National Dance Company of Ireland.

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nola smithNola began learning Speech & Drama at the age of eight. At the completion of her University of Queensland study, she was awarded her Associate Diploma for Speech & Drama, followed by her Associate Diploma of Music for Singing. Nola’s teachers included Peta Horneman-Wren and June Finney (AMEB examiner), and Conservatorium teachers Lorraine Smith, Garrick Jones and Dr Scott Harrison. Nola has been a regular, prize winning competitor in local and state Eisteddfodau. She has performed principal roles in local musical productions with Rockhampton Venues and Events and Yeppoon Choral Society, and has been a featured soloist at the Lady Mayoress Carols by Candlelight, Carols in the Caves and Carols by the Beach.During 26 years of operating The Nola Smith Studio, Nola’s students have achieved outstanding examination results, including many students who have won Barbara Felgate Awards for the highest examination marks in Queensland, and several students who successfully achieved at Certificate and Diploma levels. Nola’s students have regularly and successfully competed in the Rockhampton Eisteddfod in Speech, Drama and Singing sections. Her skills also include being Director, Assistant Director and Voice Coach for Yeppoon Choral Society. Nola’s qualifications include BA Hons (Literature), ASDA, AMusA (Singing) and a Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching (CQUniversity).

The Rockhampton Grammar School Dance and Musical Theatre Academy | Archer Street Rockhampton QLD 4700

alexandra tomkinsAlex graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from James Cook University and took up a position as a physiotherapist at CQ Physio Group. She has a special interest in physiotherapy for paediatrics, pilates and dance.Alex is a local Rockhampton girl who has had a passion for dance throughout her life. She has been a dedicated student at local dance schools for 14 years whilst living in Rockhampton and is now eager to give back to the dance community. Being a dancer herself, she is very aware of the particular challenges dancers face with injury and the importance of injury prevention through appropriate assessment and training. Alex works with the students of the Academy in conditioning classes at junior, intermediate and senior levels and also with injury prevention, and if necessary, treatment and rehabilitation. Alex has completed a number of courses including Dance Medicine Australia’s Clinical Pilates, Wayne Roger’s Strength and Conditioning and Dance Network’s Foot and Ankle Focus Course.

jan kennedyJan started dancing at the age of seven in Rockhampton and received her dance education at the Beverly Prange Academy of Dancing (FATD) where she gained her Associate Teacher of Dancing (FATD) membership in 1973. With an irresistible love of ‘Broadway Musicals’ she continued to excel in the musical theatre genre where she now specialises in teaching song and dance, spoken dialogue and acting to both students and adults.Jan has been involved in musical theatre in Rockhampton for over 45 years where she has performed onstage in dramatic theatre and musicals, concerts and Ole Time Music Halls. Her theatrical experience also includes costume, lighting and set design and working backstage. Her directing and choreography credits include Les Misérables, Anything Goes, Beauty and the Beast, Grease, Fame, Jekyll & Hyde, Singin’ in the Rain and The Addams Family for the Rockhampton Musical Union, Rockhampton Venues and Events and The Rockhampton Grammar School. Jan has been at The Rockhampton Grammar School since 1991 and holds a Bachelor Of Learning Management (Secondary and VET), specialising in Drama and Dance Education. She has been producing, directing and choreographing the annual secondary school musical for 21 years now with outstanding results. Some of her past students have gone on to further their careers in major screen films, opera and musical theatre musicals on London’s West End.

mikaela webbMikaela has studied a range of dance styles including tap, jazz and classical ballet since she was five years of age, attending notable local dance schools such as Janelle’s Academy of Dance, Capricorn School of Dance, Michael Robertson Studio of Dance and Musical Theatre and most recently The Rockhampton Grammar School Dance and Musical Theatre Academy.

She is currently completing her Certificate IV in Dance and has completed all tap and jazz examinations with the Australasian Dance Association, receiving excellent results each year. Mikaela is a seasoned performer, playing lead roles in musicals such as Annie, Annie Jr, Seussical Jr, Peter Pan and Aladdin Jr. She has competed in local eisteddfods for many years being asked to perform at the Gala concert on numerous occasions. Alongside dance, Mikaela has studied singing under the guidance of Bel Canto, and has performed in numerous school plays.

mackenzee baker-mollerMackenzee began her dance tuition at the age of nine under the guidance of Narelle Aspinall.During this time she has studied all facets of dance, developing a particular love for classical ballet and tap. Mackenzee has completed her R.A.D Advanced 2 examination with Distinction. She has also completed her A.D.A Supreme Tap Award and Bar to Gold Star Jazz examination, receiving Honours with Distinction for both.Mackenzee has experienced enormous success at eisteddfods over the years. In her final year of dancing, Mackenzee was awarded the Most Outstanding Classical Dancer at the Rockhampton Eisteddfod and won the R.A.D Advanced 2 North Queensland Bursary in Cairns. She was also awarded the Senior Ballet Aggregate and Most Promising Performer in Tap at the Rockhampton Dance Festival.Mackenzee is currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at CQUniversity and has a strong passion for passing on her knowledge and love of dance to her students.