Our Team
Mrs Danielle Small
L.A.T.O.D, RAD RTS
Principal & Owner of Southern Star Academy
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)
Registered RAD Teacher (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 Dance Teacher
Administration and Shop Manager
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 Dance Teacher
Bookeeper
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 Dance Teacher
Marketing and Social Media
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 Phily Simpkins
Coach
Gymnastics Coordinator
Phily is a past gymnast finishing competing WAG level 8. She competed in regional and state events as a gymnasts for 10 years. She became a gymnastics coach in 2022 and has since been passing her knowledge and life long love for the sport into the next generation. She has a passion for quality, consistency and commitment towards the sport and enjoys every moment being in the gym.
Qualifications/Achievements:
Beginner Gymnastics Coach Accreditation
GFA Intermediate Coach Accreditation
Advanced MOD 1 Gymnastics Accreditation
Gymnastics Australia Advanced Tumbling and Spring
GA- Call it out
GA - Qualified Supervisor
GA - The Athletes Voice
WAG intermediate Coach Theory 1
First Aid & CPR
Miss Alicia Chapman
Dance 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)
Miss Chloe Donaldson
Dance Teacher
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Advance Ballet (ATOD)
Intermediate Jazz (ATOD)
Intermediate Tap (ATOD)
Module 1 Acro Teacher (Acrobatic Arts)
First Aid Certificate
Blue Card
Mrs Abby Russell
Dance Teacher and Gymnastics Coach
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Advanced Ballet (ATOD)
Advanced Jazz (ATOD)
Intermediate Tap (ATOD)
Miss Arabella Donaldson
Dance Teacher and Gymnastics Coach
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Advanced Ballet (ATOD)
Advanced Jazz (ATOD)
Miss Alexandra Boland
Dance Teacher
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Intermediate Ballet (ATOD)
Intermediate Jazz (ATOD)
Level 7 Hip Hop (ATOD)
Level 5 Contemporary (ATOD)
Blue Card
Miss Shayla Shore
Dance Teacher and Shopkeeper
Dance Qualifications/Achievements:
Intermediate Ballet (ATOD)
Advanced Jazz (ATOD)
Level 6 Hip Hop (ATOD)