We have a wonderful and dedicated team here at ADFA. Our enthusiastic, passionate and dedicated teachers are thrilled to be a part of your family’s dance journey. They come from various backgrounds and experience and are committed to helping your dancers become the best they can be. Meet the team below;
Alichia White – DIRECTOR
Qualifications:
• Advanced Diploma of Arts (Dance) Australian Dance and Performance Institute
• Certificate IV in Dance, Brent St Studios, Sydney
• Full Teacher’s Certificate-Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)
• Member with Royal Academy of Dance
• First Aid Certificate
• CPR
• Registered Blue Card
Bio:
Alichia began her dance training at the age of 3yrs in tropical Cairns, QLD. Before opening her dream dance studio in 2011 Alichia moved to Brisbane in 1999 to study dance fulltime at the Australian Dance Performance Institute (ADPI.) This was a 2yr course where she successfully completed an Advanced Diploma of Arts (Dance) and a Full Teaching Certificate with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). From there she continued her love of teaching for a variety of Brisbane & Gold Coast based dance schools. In 2004 Alichia moved to Sydney to study a year of dance at Brent St Studios and graduated with a Certificate IV in Dance. In 2005 Alichia moved overseas to Hong Kong and taught there for 5yrs entering students in RAD Ballet exams and ISTD Jazz & Tap exams. Alichia has choreographed solos and groups for eisteddfods, concerts and showcases around the world and throughout her years in dance she has performed in various amateur musicals and professional productions throughout Australia and Hong Kong. Alichia’s Dance and Fitness Academy opened in 2011 and continues to thrive.
“It is now my dream to guide my students in achieving their dreams.”
Carla Innes – Administration & Marketing
Bio:
Carla has been with ADFA for over 3 years as our Creative Administrator. Carla makes our website sparkle, our social media accounts pop and helps Miss Alichia keep all our families up to date with the happenings of the school. She has enjoyed dancing through her younger primary school and teenage years and now enjoys dancing for fitness.
Eden Carroll – Acrobatics & Performance Team
• Diploma in Performing Arts (majoring in dance)
• Blue Card.
Bio:
Eden grew up in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. She started at the age of 4yrs old at Noosa Professional Dance Academy. Once Eden graduated Grade 12 she moved to Sydney to study dance where she completed a 2yr dance diploma at Ed5 International. Eden moved back to Brisbane where she entered into competitive cheer leading and started full time teaching. Eden’s strengths are helping kids become strong, safe and confident in advanced acro tricks. Teaching students to become flexible while helping to prevent injury and demonstrating tricks to help their understanding. Not only experienced in acro, but all styles of dance to help with versatility in students.
Tarah House – Ballet, Jazz, Commercial Jazz, Contemporary & Performance Team
• Certificate IV in Dance
• GOMA’s 10th anniversary performance by Nick Cave 2016
• Half time performer at the Brisbane Lions Game 2015
• Blue Card
Bio:
Tarah started dancing at the age of 4yrs at Craze Dance in Inverell, NSW.
She moved to Brisbane after completing Grade 12 to study dance fulltime at RAW Dance Academy. Tarah graduated RAW with a Certificate IV in dance in 2015.
Since then Tarah is still heavily involved in the dance industry, teaching and working under many well known choreographers.
Kimberley Smit – Hip Hop, Jazz & Heels
• Certificate IV in Dance with RAW
• Member of Academy of Brothers (AOB) Hip Hop Crew
• Current Brisbane Bullets Cheerleader
• Dancer with the Brisbane Broncos
• Dancer for Samantha Jade
• Blue Card
Bio:
Kim was born in Brisbane and began her dance journey at the age of 10. She developed a strong passion for Hip Hop dance and teaching. Kim has managed an array of industry accomplishments and brings a lot of relevant and current experience to our dance school. She is a weel known Hip Hop crew member of AOB (Academey of Brothers), has completed her Certificate IV in Dance with RAW, was a dancer for singer Samantha Jade, is a current cheerleader for the Brisbane Bullets, has performed on TV for various channels and the list goes on…..Kim is a sort after teacher and loves to ignite her passion for dance and Hip Hop in others.
Carolina Nemeth – Ballet
- Trained at Especial Academia de Ballet – Graduated in 2013
- Distinction in Intermediate Ballet Exam under the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus (RAD)
- Danced the “Nutcracker”, “Swan Lake” (as a soloist) and “Giselle” with Cia Brasileira de Dancas Classicas
- Attended the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive, performing as the soloist in “Le Corsaire”
- Participated in the Brasilia International Seminar receiving a gold medal
- Finalist and won the Lolastrech Award in the American Ballet Competition
- Danced in the “Nutcracker” with the Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida USA
- Danced the full production of “Le Corsaire” and “Don Quixote” as Medora and Kitri
- Blue Card
Bio:
Carolina has an extensive and impressive background in dance and approaches her teaching with warmth and knowledge. Having performed in many professional ballets and with the knowledge of teaching the RAD Syllabus, Carolina (Lina) has been a wonderful addition to our teaching staff.
Sarah Brown
Graduated WA Academy of Performing Arts
Trained at the Conservatoire in Paris and Lyon
Principal dancer with the Waverley Ballet
Blue Card
Sarah Started at the Queensland dance school of excellence where upon graduating went onto the WA Academy of performing arts. During second year she was invited to train at the Conservatoire in Paris and Lyon alongside the Paris and Lyon opera. Traveled throughout london and Germany performing both classical and contemporary styles. Upon returning to Australia she worked with and collaborated with former principal dancers from the Australian ballet company in special projects. Sarah was offered a position of principal dancer with Waverley ballet company an independent company where she performed many roles while also guest performing with other companies and artists. Sarah has been teaching ballet, jazz and contemporary for the last 20 years throughout Australia. She was the first Australian to be a guest teacher and artist at the international dance council in Paris in 2016 where she gained international recognition for teaching and as an artist. Sarah has her teachers certification with the Australian Institute of Classical Dance and specialise in all levels of ballet and open classes in Russian and European techniques.
Sarah will be a vaulable assest to our teaching faculty and has a lot of experience and knowledge to offer our students.
Ebonee Christopher
G’day Everyone,
I’m Ebonee, otherwise known as Miss Ebz and also the newest member of the ADFA family.
I’m from Longreach; a rural community located in the guts of Outback QLD. At age seven, I stepped foot into my first “studio” which in fact was the old movie theatre. With the beat in my feet and a smile on my dial, my passion for dance prospered. From 2005-2017, I was a student of the Longreach School of Dance (L.S.O.D). I studied multiple genres; Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary all of advanced levels. In the process I was offered the opportunity to teach; a role I fell quickly in love with hence my chosen career path.
In addition to L.O.S.D, I contributed to many community art projects and programs. One in particular was Shockwave; a youth arts festival that was facilitated in Blackall QLD. Shockwave truly benefited my professional development and ability to artistically adapt. In 2011, I was a mere festival attendee but by 2013-2018 I was granted the opportunity to facilitate workshops and coordinator sectors of the festival. Shockwave attracted an array of professional artists, all of different creative disciplines. I contributed to the collaboration of these disciplines to create visual and performing artworks which were displayed at the annual festival.
In 2018, I made the courageous decision to step out of the country into the city as I was accepted into QUT to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree majoring in (you guessed it) … Dance. Now both a student and teacher, I am able to broaden my knowledge and perspective while pursuing my passion.
Nicky Manego
Nicky has been involved in the Entertainment industry for many years as a performer, teacher, choreographer, performance coach, event manager and adjudicator.
She has toured Australia and overseas in many shoes as a dancer/signer and model. Highlights include the Jackie Love Show, Magic Millions Gala (New Zealand & Kentucky, USA), Royal Bicentennial Concert (Sydney), Queensland Day Concert (World Expo), the musicals Evita (Sydney) and Swing (Barcelona), The Australian Film Industry Awards and numerous Corporate Events and television shows.
Nicky trained through the RAD and CSTD syllabi and also studied at ‘The Ross Coleman Performing Arts Studios’ (Sydney) and ‘Pineapple Dance Studios’ (London). Years spent studying, performing and perfecting her craft has ensured proficiency in all dance styles including tap and musical theatre. As a teacher/choreographer, Nicky has many years of experience teaching and mentoring students of all ages in a variety of dance genres. She has created choreographic pieces for performance teams, duos, trios and solos, National Sports Acrobatics Teams, Fashion and Hair Shows and the ‘Creative Generation State Schools on Stage Spectacular’. As an adjudicator, Nicky is privileged to have adjudicated numerous Eisteddfods and Dance and Cheer events both nationally and internationally. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as an adjudicator and strives to encourage and inspire all young performers to continue their journey of participation in the performing arts.