Our Teachers

Gwen started dancing at the age of 3. She attended the prestigious dance and stage school Bush Davies School of Theatre Arts, in the UK, where she was a member of the Bush Davies Dance Company, appearing productions including Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia, Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz!

Gwen obtained her teaching qualification with the ISTD, after being granted special permission to take them at 17, and became an Associate Member in Ballet, Modern/Jazz, and Tap.

Gwen then attended the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London, where she ended up making the transition from student to teacher when they invited her to become a member of the teaching staff. She opened her own dance school in the UK in the late 80’s.

Moving to Australia, Gwen taught for Sydney Festival Ballet and also ran her own dance school called JellyBeans. She was the NSW coordinator for the Imperial Society of Teacher of Dance.

Gwen has always had a passion for empowering people to reach their full potential, especially when channeling that potential through dance. She has seen first hand the rejuvenating power dance when her father suffered a stroke at the age of 45. She was 13 years old and had no preconceived ideas of rehabilitation but just knew she wanted the father to return to full health. She encouraged him to sing dance and recite poetry, and slowly step by step, verse by verse his brain began to repair its self, and within 12 months he was back to normal except for a small limp. That was the start of Gwen’s journey to discover the marriage between dance and health.

After a full dancing and theatrical career, Gwen studied in Holland with leading dance methodologiest, Andrew Greenwood, and together they launched the Dance Health Alliance in Australia in 2015.

The Dancewise DanceWell DanceMoves and StretchWise programme are now run throughout care facilities hospitals and community centres across Australia.

Mandy lives on Sydney’s Northern Beaches where she’s been teaching community dance classes for 10 years. “I love to dance! The opportunity to share the joy of dance as an adult with others is the perfect fit for me. I love weaving the magic of community connection and helping people live healthier, happier lives through movement and music.”

My dance training started as an adult when I was looking for more joy in my life. A psychologist suggested I try a conscious movement practice called Nia and immediately I knew movement to music was the medicine I needed. I did my first teacher training in 2010 and since then, have completed numerous specialised trainings. I’ve studied Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy and I‘m a certified Trauma Informed Movement Practitioner

One of the primary focuses in my work is to provide a safe, inclusive space for people of all abilities to feel welcomed and comfortable to move in their own way. So, teaching with Dance Health Alliance has been a natural and exciting transition for me.

Sarah has been dancing for as long as she can remember. She began with Jazz and Tap before exploring other styles of movement including Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Pilates. She has completed all levels of the Royal Academy of Dance Classical Ballet training and Ballet Australasia Ltd Tap examinations.

Her teaching career started at the age of 17, assisting Principal teachers, and she hasn’t stopped since.

Graduating from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology in 2014, Sarah’s knowledge of the human body and the importance of physical activity for health and well-being has complemented her dance teaching.

Sarah is now in her final year of university studying to be a doctor.

Sally has extensive training in various genres of dance, voice and acting. She is a professionally trained dancer, having graduated from ED5INTERNATIONAL with a Diploma of Performing Arts.

Sally has worked in stage and film, most recently appearing in the Australian Film “Ladies in Black” as a featured dancer.

Sally has 10 years teaching experience, having taught students aged 18 months to adults in the styles of Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary & Musical Theatre. Sally has also taught co-curricular dance and Wakakirri programs in NSW Schools. With a sincere passion for dance teaching, Sally’s classes are engaging, positive, inclusive and fun. Sally is thrilled to be part of the DHA team!

Caroline has danced since she was 5 years old, and spent many years training in ballet, tap, contemporary and jazz.

She completed all levels of the Royal Academy of Dance Classical Ballet training at Ecole Ballet Studios in Sydney, before gaining a Certificate IV in Performing Arts. She has a great love for musical theatre and has enjoyed performing in various community theatre productions.

Growing up with a grandmother who was a concert pianist, Caroline has always had a real appreciation for music, and truly believes in the power of music in a therapeutic setting. She has been looking for a way to combine her love of music and movement with her passion for helping people, and believes that Dance Health Alliance is the perfect way to do so. She loves that this program gives everyone the chance to dance, and finds it highly rewarding seeing participants enjoy the physical and social benefits of the group class.

Rachel took her first dance lessons at the age of 7 and has been dancing ever since. Extensive training in a variety of dance genres led her to a career as a professional dancer, with performance highlights including “Cats”, “Opera Australia”, “The Lion King”, and the feature film “Mao’s Last Dancer”.

Rachel has completed tertiary qualifications in dance education (Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies; Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management) and a number of health-related degrees (Bachelor of Medical Science; Graduate Certificate in the Pilates Method; Doctor of Philosophy in Biomechanics). She is currently Senior Lecturer in the UNSW Faculty of Medicine & Health, and Program Director for the UNSW Bachelor of Exercise Physiology. Rachel teaches tertiary courses in biomechanics and motor learning and has a strong research interest in these areas. She is a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) and has presented the findings of her research at numerous IADMS conferences. Rachel has been teaching dance for over 12 years and is a Registered Teacher and Practical Teaching Supervisor of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), and a Licensed Teacher of the RAD’s Silver Swans ballet program.

Rachel is a dedicated dance teacher who enjoys sharing the joy of dance with people of all ages and abilities. She is extremely passionate about increasing awareness and access to the health benefits of dance.

Robyn was born and raised in Sydney has been a regular face on Television and Stage for the past 40 years.   At the age of ten she began her training in RAD ballet, Jazz ballet and Tap dance, which by the age of 18 lead her straight to the stage with Jacky Weaver and John Waters in They’re Playing Our Song.  Expanding her study to include singing and acting she was awarded a scholarship by Sir Robert Helpman at the Ross Coleman School of Performing Arts. Principle roles in productions such as CATS, 42ND Street, Dames at Sea and many others soon followed. Robyn also became a well-known face on televisions with regular appearances in local drama such as All Saints, GP  to name a few and many TV commercials.

More recently Robyn has been performing and choreographing for the TV show “Back to the Rafters”.

Having now raised her family Robyn is now a dance examiner but has found a great passion for teaching older adults’ in various style of dance and is thrilled to be joining the DHA team.

Amy is the director of Miss Fisher’s Ballet Academy. Amy has just recently completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). Amy is a certified teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), a certified teacher with Dance Health Alliance (DHA). Amy started her dance journey at Danzartz, studying ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, acrobatics, singing and drama. Amy then moved to Ecole Ballet Studios in Lindfield to focus on her ballet training and was a Graduate of the Vocational Full Time Ballet Course. During this time, she completed all her RAD exams and Cecchetti exams with high distinctions and was awarded the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal Award. Amy was a finalist in the Adeline Genee Awards; was awarded the 2nd Scholarship Australian National Lucie Saranova Cecchetti Award; was the Senior Gold Medal Winner at the Enrico Cecchetti Scholarship Foundation of NSW.

Awarded a Full Scholarship at the Heinz-Bosl Stiftung Ballet Academy, Munich, Amy continued her ballet training and performed at the renowned Bayerische Staatsoper. Amy moved to Nashville Tennessee, to work with the Nashville Ballet, where she performed at the TPAC in Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, as well as outreach performances of Aesop’s Fables throughout the state of Tennessee. Amy was also awarded a scholarship to the Hungarian National Ballet performing in Don Quixote,Spartacus and Etudes at the Hungarian Opera House.

On Amy’s return to Sydney she attended the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art and graduated with a Bachelor of Performance. Amy toured Australia with Brainstorm Productions. She has also performed in several theatre productions including The Velveteen Rabbit Musical Show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Amy has also done TV Presenting, TV Commercials, Music Theatre, Music Videos and Voice-over.

Amy has a wealth of international experience in ballet and theatre and has been teaching for more than 10 years. Amy loves teaching and sharing her passion and experiences with her students.

Paige has been teaching dance to for over 20 years and is the Owner/Director of the Inner West School Of Dance. She began her dance training from age 3 in all styles of dance focusing on Jazz, Tap and Ballet completing exams and competing through her school years later to graduate university with a Bachelor of Arts degree (Dance) from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (W.A.A.P.A) There she expanded her studies to choreography and contemporary dance and went on to work extensively as a professional dancer and choreographer in professional stage shows & productions.

After loosing her father to dementia she began a new journey in her dance career with Dance Health Alliance and is so happy to be sharing her experience and love of dance with a whole new set of wonderful Dancers.

Rachel grew up in a family who played and relished music from many cultures. Music became the soundtrack of her life and she responded eagerly – by dancing.  Rachel has been dancing professionally and socially throughout her life. Starting with ballet at five, she added jazz, contemporary at Brent Street, Sydney Dance Company and Bodenwieser Studios. She also completed DVIDA bronze in American style rhythm and Ballroom Syllabuses.

It is notable that she has followed through to other dramatic arts – singing, acting and make-up for film, television, theatre and photography. She studied Suzuki method with Sidetrack Performance Group, and was an aerial artist and actor in their productions of Oedipus and Plane Truth.

In recent years more broadly Rachel has facilitated a dance class focusing more on dance as therapy. Her passion is now matched by professional knowledge as well as a wide and deep personal experience, making her a dynamic, creative and caring dance therapist.

Rachel loves meeting people and has travelled extensively overseas. Her experience has made her gregarious and infectiously outgoing. She builds confidence and encourages everyone to “have a go”. Rachel is a passionate believer in dance and the benefits it brings to your life. She wants to share her passion with you.

Dance has been a constant joy in Lynette’s life since she was five years old.
Her training was in the F.A.T.D and R.A.D syllabus.

She started her own dance school when she was sixteen and has continued accessing and providing dance in many of its forms for many different populations.

Lynette has run a successful Dance Education Program in primary schools for nearly forty years.

Her main qualifications are an Associate Diploma in Recreation CAE and a Graduate Certificate in Dance Education UTS.

She is a support worker for Catholic Care Futures Dance Company and is now also looking forward to bringing dance to people with movement restrictions through Dance Health Alliance.

Leigh Leiman was born in Mutare Zimbabwe.

Leigh always had a love of dance.

Passing her Royal Academy of Dancing Advanced exam and Student Teachers Certificate with Distinction, then went on to do a Diploma of Dance at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Leigh taught and owned her own ballet school in Zimbabwe then after immigrating to Australia,  taught in Adelaide South Australia and Queensland. Leigh went on to completed a Certificate 3 in Group fitness. Travelling between Australia and Africa she taught and owned her own gym in Zimbabwe also teaching group fitness in Adelaide South Australia and Queensland for many years.

Leigh joined the Dance Health Alliance in 2016 and completed her Endorsed and Certified training with the organisation.

Leigh has been looking for her calling and in becoming a teacher of the DHA programme she truly believes she has found it!

Jen has a lifetime of experience and involvement with dance in both the educational and community sectors.

She is a current Qld registered teacher in the areas of dance, drama and inclusive education for secondary schools.

Growing up with regular ballet classes and performances with teacher Barbara Everson (RAD), Jen faced some physical challenges when she developed scoliosis and had to wear a back brace for her teenage years. Not wanting to give up dancing she embarked on the Royal Academy of Dancing – Dance Education syllabus and developed an interest and passion for choreography and the creative development process of dance and production with a specialised interest in dancing with movement restrictions.

As a young adult she had the opportunity to be a part of the entertainment crew as choreographer and performer for Club Med Lindeman Island. On return to Brisbane, Jen kept dancing and developed her repertoire in jazz and contemporary, salsa and ballroom.
Whilst teaching in Qld schools, Jen established Brisbane’s first inclusive youth dance company – Urban Ignition – and developed performance works for various youth festivals, community festivals (such as amnesty international and youth mental health week) as well as specific company works to be performed in Brisbane’s theatres.

Through continued active participation in dance classes, Jen has developed a passion for dance as a means for positive health and well -being, self – expression, and a sense of belonging and social joy with others and therefore she identifies with, and aligns strongly with, the mission and vision of Dance Health Alliance and is excited to be part of their team in the Moreton Bay and Brisbane regions.

Currently Jen is a member of the Australasian Dance Collective’s Mature Ensemble and is studying a Diploma of Creative Arts and Health at the University of Tasmania focusing on the community sector of dance with older adults and those living with dementia.

(Dip Ed, Grad Dip Dance Instruction, Grad Cert Special Education).

Kathy started dancing at the age of 6, studying Modern, Ballet, Tap, Cheerleading and Contemporary dance styles. Kathy has always loved dance, she danced for 19 years having the opportunity to compete and perform in Australia, America, and Japan with the Australian Drill and Dance Team. Kathy had professional dance opportunities with the Adelaide Promotional Dance Team and the RAMS Rugby Super League.

In 2000 Kathy graduated with the Federal Association Teachers of Dancing (FATD) and started her teaching career. This gave Kathy opportunities to teach in Hobart, Darwin, and Cairns. In 2009 Kathy started teaching at Centre Stage Dance Studios in Cairns where she currently teaches today. In 2019 Kathy joined the Dance Health Alliance Team and started Cairns Dance Therapy.

Kathy now has the opportunity to expand her passion for dance to Aged Care Facilities and the community, offering dance classes that are dementia friendly and supportive to participants with movement restrictions.
Kathy is excited to be a member of the Dance Health Alliance and launch DanceWise to Residential Aged Care Facilities in the Cairns region.

Lindy is a nurse with many years experience in the age care industry, community care and general medical, surgical and rural hospitals.

Lindy has also excelled as an aerobic and fitness instructor and taught general and aquaerobics Lindy comes to us with a passion to increase mobilization socialization and the enjoyment of the life of everyone, especially our ageing population, and all people living with any type of physical, mental or emotional challenges.

She knows the importance of improving their health and well-being through music, dance and fun!

Susan began her lifelong association with dance at the age of 5 beginning with Classical Ballet, working her way through the RAD Classical Ballet Syllabus. She also studied Tap, Jazz and Contemporary Dance completing an Associate Diploma in Performing Arts at Kelvin Grove CAE Brisbane in 1982. She then moved to Melbourne to join the Australian Contemporary Dance Company, further enhancing her experience in teaching and performance through involvement in school education programs and theatre shows.

Moving to Sydney in 1984, Susan discovered Flamenco and found her passion.  She began Flamenco dance classes in the mid 80’s, began working professionally in the early 90’s and for the next 6 years performed regularly at La Campana Spanish Restaurant in Sydney, along with various other venues, gaining valuable knowledge in the art.

Leaving Sydney in 1999, Susan discovered a love of teaching through which she developed a strong belief in the healing and restorative power of dance, forming her own dance school, Flamenco Maduro, teaching adults and children in NSW. After discovering the work of the Dance Health Alliance whose ideals of an inclusive and remedial dance therapy resonated strongly with her own, it resulted in her completion of the DHA training. She is now a certified Teacher of The Dance Health Alliance, operating in the Brisbane area.

Tammy is a breast cancer survivor before her engagement in dancing more than 10 years ago.  Her passion and commitment to share her journey of recovery are her drives to become a dance health facilitator. She acknowledges the significant effects of music and movement in helping people of all ages to enhance one’s physical and emotional health. She strongly believes this holistic approach is one of the ways to promote well-being.

Prior to her retirement, Tammy taught “Curriculum and Instructional Design” at several universities and professional training units, both in Australia and overseas. Her past health experience, her professional knowledge in teaching, she herself as a senior and her teaching line dancing class for seniors are all valuable elements in her design, development and facilitation of  dance wise and dance well classes.

She wishes that all dancers enjoy each minute of music and movement in every dance session.

Mirtula started ballet at 3 years old in Zimbabwe. She studied at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and qualified with flying colours as a Ballet & Jazz Teacher. She opened her own dancing studios in the 80’s and trained her pupils to a RAD standard. Mirtulas’ passion was the theatre and she excelled at choreography.

Mirtula loves working with adults and has a passion for seeing the older generation embrace their creative side.

Elle has been a dancer for over 40 years, having trained in CSTD dance and completed examinations in jazz, tap, ballet and acrobatics in her younger years.  As an adult, she continues to take classes in jazz and tap and still enjoys the “buzz” of performing with fellow dancers in competitions and concerts.

A keen interest in mental health and holistic health and well-being saw Elle complete a Bachelor Degree in Health Promotion at Curtin University – a platform which has been useful in many of her career roles.  A desire for a more hands-on, practical way to help others has since lead Elle to become involved with the Dance Health Alliance and undertake its Certified Teacher Training.

Being involved in dance has always given Elle a sense of well-being, but more importantly, a sense of community. Elle looks forward to combining her interests and sharing the community ethos of the Dance Health Alliance to guide others to experience the holistic benefits of dance, movement and music.