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Miss La Toya Saifoloi (Advanced Dip. Of Performing Arts: Musical Theatre Performance & Commercial Dance, Cert III Live Theatre Production)
Principal - Program Director (Head Teacher)
Miss La Toya’s dedication to the fine arts is nothing short of incredible. Her relentless passion and creativity has no boundaries. Her love of children and her commitment to their education is irrefutable, and her love of performing is infectious. All this, coupled with a happy, vivacious, and outgoing personality, creates the mantra on which Studio 453 is based.
“Miss La Toya is the Heart & Soul of Studio 453”
She has trained extensively at some of Queensland's most reputable Dance Academies, graduating from full time study at D.L.D.C with an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts, Musical Theatre Performance & Commercial Dance. La Toya has studied the C.S.T.D. syllabus achieving an “Honors Plus” in all grades. She is a past student of Johnny Young Talent School, Dianne Letham Academy of Ballet (RAD), Destructive School of Dance, (a school specializing in Lyrical, Street, and Commercial Hip-Hop), and U Star Dance School where she began her teaching career. She has also had additional training in music, drama, singing, stage production, child behavior & interaction, teaching methods & teacher delivery .
La Toya currently performs professionally as a back up dancer for various shows and artists incl. Stan Walker & Emily Williams from Young Divas/Australian Idol. She works as a professional Choreographer/Dancer for promotional and corporate events incl. Indy 500, Red Bull and Pure Blonde. In 2008, she was contracted to Bluefire Dinner Cruises as the choreographer and lead dancer for their Brazilian and Cabaret floor shows. Miss La Toya’s approachable personality and considerate nature gives her the ability to communicate at all levels. This inevitably creates an atmosphere of higher learning, and enjoyable participation is the result.
“Dance, Achieve, Nurture, Create, Experience”… D.A.N.C.E. |
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Miss Carla Hammond (Cert III Fitness) Teacher - Cheerleading, Junior Dance (Jazz, Hip-Hop)
Miss Carla brings her high energy excitement based teaching style to Studio 453 and was part of the cheer squad that placed 1st in the 2006 QLD state cheerleading competitions. She is a professional dance entertainer with credits that include Brazilian & Cabaret shows with Bluefire Dinner Cruises, children's promotional shows (ie; monsters vs aliens), and corporate events incl. Indy 500, Red Bull & Pure Blonde. A past dance teacher with ‘Exquisite Groove Dance Studio’, she has always been loved by her students and is a great asset to the team. (* Carla is currently on leave) |
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Kieran Lewrissa All Boyz Hip-Hop |
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Miss Amy Retti (Cert III Live Theatre Production, Cert III Childcare) Teacher - Tiny-Tots (Arundel) & Musical Theatre
Miss Amy has dedicated herself to a career in child care and performing arts education. She was a child movie actress with a role in the feature film ‘Cubby House’ and the Indy movie release, ‘Blurred’. She began her acting classes at the Gold Coast Youth Theatre, and her dance & vocal training at United Funk Academy qualifying gold star in Latin-American dance, where she eventually became a teacher. She is currently a professional nanny for various TV personalities and runs our early child learning dance programs. Amy has an extraordinary aptitude with young children and her endearing nature is infectious. |
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dance, achieve, nurture, create, experience … D.A.N.C.E. |
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Tania Leigh (Cert IV Bus) School Administrator
Tania’s active involvement in the fine arts goes back many years when she initiated and managed the performing arts music program for one of the NZ government training initiatives. She was a professional entertainer for 20 years, performing at corporate level in major clubs, casinos and cruise ships throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. She is classically trained in piano & guitar. Her past experience as a children's music teacher and a dance mum brings a wealth of knowledge to Studio 453. |
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Richard Lloyd (ATCL London Trinity School of Music, Cert IV BUS) Marketing & Promotions
Richard is an accomplished Producer, Musical Director & Musician. He attained his A.T.C.L. diploma for classical music via the London Trinity School of Music with a long list of credits in both the entertainment and recording industries. He owns his own production company specializing in TV and Radio advertising, also producing a number of singles for various independent record labels. He continues to work as a session musician and is active in the Gold Coast music scene as a band leader and performer. His vast experience as a business entrepreneur is invaluable to our operations. |
