Our Team
Mrs Danielle Small
L.A.T.O.D, ARAD
Principal & Owner of Southern Star Academy of Dance
Danielle is extremely passionate about providing a safe place for students to learn, love and grow within the art of dance. With over 30 years of dance experience, Danielle thrives on sharing her expertise with her students, nurturing their journey and providing a strong role model for them to look up to.
Qualifications/Achievements:
Licentiate Teachers Diploma (ATOD)
Advanced Associate (RAD)
Grade 8 Musical Theatre (Trinity College)
Cert IV in Training and Assessments (TAFE)
Australian & International Dance Examiner (ATOD)
Module 1 (Acrobatic Arts)
Acrobatic Arts Examiner
Advanced Jazz (ATOD)
Advanced Ballet (ATOD)
Advanced Tap (ATOD)
Advanced 2 Ballet (RAD)
Blue Card
First Aid Certificate
Ready Set Dance Qualified Teacher
Mrs Schaila Child
A.A.T.O.D
Senior Teacher
Ready Set Dance and Acrobatic Arts Coordinator
Schaila is a dedicated and passionate senior teacher who has been sharing her love of dance with students since 2013. With a warm and supportive teaching style, she creates a fun and encouraging environment where dancers of all ages can grow in confidence, technique, and creativity. Her enthusiasm, experience, and genuine care for each student make her a valued and much-loved member of the Southern Star team.
Qualifications/Achievements:
Associate Teachers Diploma (ATOD)
Cert IV Dance Teaching and Management (TAFE)
Studying Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management (TAFE)
Ready Set Dance Gold Qualified Teacher
Module 1 & 2 Certified Teacher (Acrobatic Arts)
Preschool Acrobatics Certified Teacher (Acrobatic Arts)
Aerial Arts Module 1 & 2 Certified (Acrobatic Arts)
Alixa Flexibility Module 1 Teacher (Alixa Flexibility)
Progressive Ballet Technique Certified (PBT)
Advanced Jazz (ATOD)
Advanced Ballet (ATOD)
Advanced Tap (ATOD)
Level 4 Contemporary (ATOD)
Blue Card
First Aid Certificate
Cert IV in Nutrition, Health and Wellness Coach (Vast Fitness Academy)
Barre Pilates Instructor (Barre Body)
Mrs Hannah Seebaran
A.A.T.O.D
Senior Teacher
Shop Manager
Hannah is one of our senior teachers and has been inspiring students at the studio since 2017. Hannah loves creating fresh choreography and bringing new ideas into the classroom. She enjoys challenging her students in fun and engaging ways, helping them grow both technically and creatively. Her kind heart, passion for dance, and dedication to sharing her knowledge make her a treasured part of our team.
Qualifications/Achievements:
Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Business Management (TAFE)
Module 1 Acro Teacher (Acrobatic Arts)
Module 2 Acro Teacher (Acrobatic Arts)
Ready Set Dance Gold Qualified Teacher
Aerial Arts Theory Module 1 Certified (Acrobatic Arts)
Advanced Ballet (ATOD)
Advanced Jazz (ATOD)
Advanced Tap (ATOD)
Level 4 Contemporary (ATOD)
Blue Card
First Aid Certificate
Reformer Pilates Instructor (Barre Body)
Miss Emma Donaldson
Senior Teacher
Emma has been dancing with Southern Star since she was a tiny "twinkle toe" and began teaching in 2021. She brings passion, discipline, and a love for all styles of dance to every class.
Emma continues to pursue her own dance goals, inspiring her students with the same drive and enthusiasm that make her a valued part of the Southern Star team.
Qualifications/Achievements:
Studying Cert IV Dance Teaching and Management (TAFE)
Advanced Ballet (ATOD)
Advanced Jazz (ATOD)
Advanced Tap (ATOD)
Level 9 Hip Hop (ATOD)
Level 5 Musical Theatre (ATOD)
Miss Christina Stritzel
Teacher
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Christina is a passionate and dynamic dance teacher whose love for hip-hop shines through in every class. Her creative choreography, high energy, and strong connection with students make her an inspiring and valued member of the team.
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Advanced Ballet (ATOD)
Advanced Jazz (ATOD)
Intermediate Tap (ATOD)
Miss Alicia Chapman
Teacher
Alicia is a loyal and compassionate member of the Southern Star team, having spent many years as a dedicated student involved in eisteddfods, exams, and recitals. With a strong sense of dedication and enthusiasm, she brings structure and excitement to every class. We’re proud to support her as she continues to grow in her dance and teaching journey.
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Advanced Ballet (ATOD)
Advanced Jazz (ATOD)
Advanced Tap (ATOD)
Level 9 Hip Hop (ATOD)
Our Junior Teachers
SSAD offers our students who have a passion for dance and the drive to teach it, the opportunity to train as a ‘Trainee’ teacher with our qualified teachers. They participate in classes and assist the teacher in the running of classes, gaining first hand experience of what it is like to be a dance teacher.
These trainee teachers then graduate to Junior teachers once they have trained for the appropriate amount of time. Teachers can commence their studies through ATOD in a Cert IV in Dance Teaching and Management.
All our trainees and junior teachers carry blue cards.
Mrs Abby Russell
Junior teacher
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Advanced Ballet (ATOD)
Advanced Jazz (ATOD)
Intermediate Tap (ATOD)
Miss Arabella Donaldson
Junior teacher
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Advanced Ballet (ATOD)
Advanced Jazz (ATOD)
Miss Alexandra Boland
Junior teacher
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Intermediate Ballet (ATOD)
Intermediate Jazz (ATOD)
Level 7 Hip Hop (ATOD)
Level 5 Contemporary (ATOD)
Blue Card
Miss Savannah Bach
Junior teacher
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Intermediate Ballet (ATOD)
Intermediate Jazz (ATOD)
Elementary Tap (ATOD)
Level 7 Hip Hop (ATOD)
Level 5 Contemporary (ATOD)
Miss Lily Storey
Junior teacher
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Gold Star Ballet (ATOD)
Grade 5 Ballet (ATOD)
Elementary Jazz (ATOD)
Level 5 Hip Hop (ATOD)
Miss Kaneesha Pain
Junior teacher
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Gold Medal Ballet (ATOD)
Grade 5 Ballet (RAD)
Elementary Jazz (ATOD)
Silver Star Tap (ATOD)
Level 8 Hip Hop (ATOD)
Level 4 Musical Theatre (ATOD)