Meet The Teachers
Miss Keli - Studio Owner
Miss Keli has been dancing and teaching for over 30 years both here in Brisbane and in Melbourne. She has studied various styles of dance including – Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acrobatics, Flamenco and more. Developing her love for teaching at a young age she opened Rising Star Dance (Rising Star Performance Academy) in 2006 to give local children their chance to dance.
There is nothing better as a teacher than watching your students grow and improve as dancers over the years.
Rising Star Dance is a family run studio with Miss Keli’s husband Darren seeing helping throughout the studio (handyman wise not teaching classes) and their daughters Amee and Kacie as well.
Keli’s parents Brad and Joyann are also heavily involved with RSD so you will see them around throughout year also.
We welcome you to our Rising Star Dance family and can’t wait to share our love and passion for Dance with you all.
Miss Bianca - Assistant Studio Manager and Performance Teams
Miss Bianca has been a part of Rising Star Dance since opening their doors in 2006. From student to teacher we love having Miss Bianca here with us.
Miss Bianca has completed Full time Training at Dance Force in Tweed Heads and brings a wealth of knowledge into our studios.
Bianca is stepping into an admin role within RSD this year along with continuing to develop our Performance Teams as well. She loves to share her knowledge and passion for dance with her students in a fun and positive environment, and to see them grow in movement, knowledge and the love for the art.
Mr Kei - Comdance Jazz Exam Classes
Kei started dancing at ‘The Ritz Performing Arts’ at the age of 7yrs and, in his teens, was selected for the Qld Ballet & JEP (Junior Extension Program). A graduate from ‘The Space Performing Arts’, in Melbourne, Kei went on to take a place at the world-renowned ‘Ev & Bow’ Full-time Contemporary Dance Course in Sydney where he trained with Sarah Boulter for two years. During this time Kei assisted Sarah in choreographing many events including Dance Academy and the Arabian Games and was also offered a secondment with the Internationally famed ADT (Australian Dance Theatre) in Adelaide.
Kei was a member of ‘Legs on the Wall’ Contemporary Dance Troupe, performing in their production of “Puncture” at the Sydney Festival in 2014. He has choreographed many short works which have been performed at festivals such as ‘Sydney Fringe Festival’ and ‘Short Sweet Dance’ and was also awarded ‘best choreographer’ at ‘Fast + Fresh 2013’.
Since returning to Queensland, Kei shares his knowledge in various contemporary techniques with dance schools around Brisbane. He has started The Kollective Idea’ to give young aspiring dancers the chance to perform in a company setting.
Miss Jess- Junior, Intermediate and Senior Acrobatics
Miss Jess has been dancing since the age of 2 in various styles including Ballroom, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, Acrobatics, Tap, Musical Theatre and Contemporary. She is currently studying at QUT, whilst also working towards her Acrobatic Arts and Modern Jazz Teaching Certificates.
Jess has completed examinations in the RAD Ballet syllabus as well as the CSTD Modern Jazz, Theatrical and Performing Arts, and Contemporary syllabi. She is excited to begin teaching Acrobatics at Rising Star Dance this year.
Her love and passion for dance is never-ending and she is looking forward to sharing this joy with her students as she watches them achieve all of their acrobatic goals.
Miss Jane - Junior, Intermediate, Preteen, Teen and Adult Ballet and Pointe.
Miss Jane has been dancing for over 20 years, and started her training in Thailand and England. Since moving to Australia, Jane trained at Australian Dance Performance Institute where she completed an Advanced Diploma in 2016. During this time, Jane also achieved high distinctions in Royal Academy of Dance ballet examinations up to Advanced 2.
Performance highlights include performing the role of Genie in Ballet Theatre of Queensland's Aladdin (2015/16), competing in the Genée International Ballet Competition, and performing with Brisbane City Youth Ballet.
After studying contemporary dance at the Western Australian Academy for Performing Arts, she is now studying Art History at University of Queensland.
Miss Amee- Junior Tap and Jazz, Mini/Junior Hip Hop and Lyrical, Intermediate Tap and Jazz
Miss Amee has been dancing for 20 years and been teaching for 6 years. She has been dancing at Rising Star Dance since 2006 when we opened. Miss Amee has completed multiple jazz exams through Comdance, completed her certificate lll in dance and has done training at Launch Performing Arts down the Gold Coast.
This year Miss Amee will be teaching Junior Tap and Jazz, mini/junior Hip Hop and Lyrical and Intermediate Tap and Jazz.
Miss Kacie- Preteen Jazz, Minis Combo and 10's and 15's Performance Team
I have been dancing for 15 and teaching for 4 years. I have completed the
Modern Jazz Com Dance exam syllabus, and I am completing my Teachers
Certificate exam this year.
At Rising Star Dance this year I will be teaching, tinies and minis combo classes, preteen jazz, and 10 and 15 under performance teams.
Miss Kahli - Intermediate, Preteen and Teen Hip Hop and Teen Jazz
I have been dancing for 15 years, teaching for 4 years. I am currently training at a fulltime studio here in the Gold Coast where i study Hiphop, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Singing and more. I have completed examinations in RAD ballet syllabus and currently completing advanced diploma of professional dance.
I am a Hiphop and Jazz teacher at Rising Star and i love sharing all of my knowledge and passion for dance.
Mr Jake - Intermediate, Preteen and Teen Lyrical
Jake Barker is a versatile dancer and dedicated teacher with over eight years of experience in styles such as contemporary, jazz, hip hop, ballet, and acrobatics.
Jakehas performed internationally with Royal Caribbean and brings over four years of teaching experience.
Jake’s teaching focuses on creativity and passion, as well as fostering a love for dance in all students.
Miss Jasmina - Minis Combo class and Preteen Tap
Miss Jasmine
Hi, my name is Jasmine. I have been a Rising Star dance parent for the last 9 years with all 3 of my children loving their classes. I have really enjoyed being in the dance community from competitions, concerts, and exams, and I am excited to officially be part of the RSD team.
On Saturdays you will see me in reception and closer to concert time you will see me everywhere.
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