ABOUT US
King's Dance proudly offers Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Contemporary and Tap classes for Pre-Prep to Grade 12 students at King's College.
Our number one goal is to inspire a passion for Dance.
Dance is a wonderful medium for students to learn and develop a skill in a fun and encouraging environment. We focus on co-ordination, fitness, strength, flexibility & agility, creativity and versatility, while building their confidence in this creative outlet.
We believe that dance classes are similar to a community where encouragement, respect and friendship are evident. Furthermore, dance provides a refreshing way for students to exercise discipline, set goals and achieve them. If your child loves to dance or has a curiosity for creativity, Kings dance family is for them.
OUR TEAM
The teaching team at King's are passionate, nurturing and inspiring people dedicated to their area of expertise and hand-picked for their experience as a teacher and as a performer.
LA TOYA JAMMIN (Director)
Director / Head of Hip-hop / Jazz / Crew / Contemporary
Originally from Christchurch New Zealand, La Toya Jammin began her dance training at Dianne Leathem Academy of Ballet, in Gold Coast, Australia. She continued her studies in dance and drama at Elite Performing Arts schools all over the country. By 2011
La Toya obtained an Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts Musical Theatre & Commercial Dance at Davidia Lind Dance Centre (DLDC), and completed her jazz exams in the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD) with a score of 95% or higher in all grade levels.
Over the years La Toya has shared her passion for dance both on and off the stage. Her credits range from Head dancer/choreographer for Blue fire Cruises to Hosting Warner Brothers Children's shows. She has apeared as a back up dancer for Austrlian idols Stan Walker and stared as a Guest judge at the GC Hip-hop dance competition. La Toya has had the opportunity to perform works by Jason Winters, Marko Panzic, and Steven Tannos. As a lover of the performing arts she feels lucky to have worked with world renowed Choreographers Drew Anthony and Simon Lynd. In recent years La Toya was a production dancer and Dance Captain for Celebrity X cruises. Perfoming in the US, Canada, Bermuda, Nova Scotia and all over the Carribean islands. Additionally she is a versatile teacher, and acted as the Owner/Principal of Studio 453 Dance School from 2008- 2014. Her love for dance is infectious and she aspires to give back to the performing Arts community through her teaching.
JENNIFER GILBERT
Head of Elite (competition team)
Jennifer’s diversified interest in the performing arts has achieved her credits in theatre direction, choreography and performance both domestically and internationally. She majored in musical theatre and contemporary dance at the Broadway Dance Centre, New York, and has completed an advanced diploma of musical theatre from the Australian Dance Performance Institute (ADPI).
Jennifer’s recent performance credits include co-choreographer on the arena spectacular performance of CATS, GUYS & DOLLS, the 70th anniversary production of OKLAHOMA!, GREASE and SPAMALOT, the international tour of JUNGLE BOOK JIVE, RIGOLETTO with Opera Queensland and the role of Frida in ABBA LIVE. She has choreographed numerous dance shows and musicals in; Australia, Osaka, Japan and New York, USA.
CHARLIE CLARK
Elite / Acrobatics / Jazz / Lyrical
Charlie is excited to officially be joining the Kings Dance Academy Teaching team for 2019. She is a passionate dancer who has trained in many styles from jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, lyrical, broadway and ballet. Charlie recently completed a Diploma in Dance, two years of full-time training, at Dance Force where she performed in Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney. Since graduating Charlie has followed her passion to teach, taking a teaching role at Addicted to Dance,
Burleigh and Kings Dance Academy. Charlie is excited to work with this year’s team and to watch all the students grow and develop into great dancers.
JESSICA SLATTERY
Jazz/ Prep Ballet
Jessica began dancing at the age of 3 and has studied at KOTB, Born to dance and was a former student of Kings Dance Academy. During her time as a student Jess obtained technical training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical theatre, Commercial and Hip hop. Jessica completed RAD ballet exams achieving a Distinction in all levels taken.
Jessica has taught for Born to Dance, Dance Space Studios and is now excited to be a part of the KDA teaching staff. Her stage presence has included Cats the Arena Spectacular, Bye Bye Birdie and The Wizard of Oz. This year Jess has taken on a new role performing at Movie world and Paradise Country. When Jess isn’t teaching or performing she is studying a Bachelor of Aviation.
CARA ADAMS
Ballet/ Prep Jazz
Cara grew up dancing in Hobart, Tasmania where she developed a love and passion for performing at the Hobart Dance Academy. Whilst there, she completed all her Cecchetti Ballet exams with honours, performed in musicals including “Rent” and also with the Australian Ballet when they toured to Hobart. At 18 Cara moved to the Gold Coast to attend The Australian Dance Performance Institute, where she completed her advanced diploma in performing arts, specialising in Ballet.
Cara was then successful in being offered her first professional overseas dance contract and travelled to Macau, China. She was lucky enough to perform with several renown artists such as Lady GaGa and Peter Andre while in Macau and gained a lot of experience and knowledge about the entertainment industry. Since then, she has travelled the world dancing for several cruise line companies and theme parks, as well as returning to Macau for further contracts. After returning to the Gold Coast, Cara completed her Associate Diploma in Cechhetti Ballet Teaching and moved away from performing and into teaching. For the last 4 years she has loved sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation of performers and last year was even lucky enough to start her own family and get married! She can’t wait to start another year as part of the KDA family
JORDANA LEIGH
Hip-Hop
Jordana has been trained in many various dance styles including jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, cheerleading, musical theatre and of course hip-hop. Whilst studying dance thru the excellence program at Helensvale State High School, Jordana graduated with a cert 3 in dance, was awarded Best Choreographer 2016 and graduated at the top of her class.
Her passion and natural tendencies toward urban music has lead her to specialise and develop her expertise in all forms of the hip hop dance style. Jordana has attended workshops by the touring hip hop crew, "Divine our Destiny" with her studies ranging from classics to original pieces.
Jordana has been casted as a lead dancer for a number of musical theatre productions, landing main acting roles in 9 of these. She has participated in many eisteddfod’s throughout Queensland with her very own crew where she filled her role as a co-choreographer. Jordana has also taught and choreographed dance at Studio 453, Guardian Angels and Kings Dance Academy.
Her proudest achievements however, has been watching her students grow as dancers and develop into outstanding individuals. Jordana is excited to keep sharing her love and passion for dance to the students of King’s Dance Academy.
ANTHONY PIETERS
Hip-Hop
Born and raised on the Gold Coast, Anthony Pieters began as a self taught dancer as a child. In his late teens he started teaching and choreographing dances for his local church, then began teaching hip hop classes at two dance studios.
In the recent years, he has been concentrating on his unique performance act, combining dance and art. This has lead him to perform at many local events, including King’s Christian College’s “Creative by Design Week”.
In the next step of his artistic journey, Anthony is now looking forward to be teaching dance again to the youth. He hopes the students will feel encouraged, joy and growth as they express themselves through dance.
SARAH ALLEY
Lyrical / Contemporary
Sarah’s passion for dance began when she moved to the Gold coast in 2007 and began training at Dance Force. She trained in all styles finding her niche in the contemporary and lyrical world. In 2013 -2014 she completed a Cert IV in Performing Arts (Dance), followed by a Diploma of Elite Performance. Her training has taken her interstate and overseas where she has had the opportunity to experience dancing on Broadway in New York City. Over the past 5 years she has performed in several locations on the Gold Coast including Jupiters Casino and at Australian Dance Festival in Sydney. Sarah performed in local Cabaret shows performing as a solo vocalist and dancer. Prior to dancing Sarah obtained a Bachelor of Primary School teaching at Southern Cross University (NSW). She has now integrated her love of teaching with her passion for dance becoming a choreographer at a number of studios on the Gold Coast.
TIFFANY BELL
Reedy Creek Administrator / Prep Jazz
Tiffany grew up in the town of Taree, NSW where at a young age she developed a passion for performing and completed her major British Ballet Organisation exams and teacher training at the Sherrianne Christie Dance and Talent Academy. Her love of dance then led her to perform in musicals with the Taree Arts Council and Manly Musical Society, in productions of Chicago, Grease, Cats and Cabaret. She took some time off after these to travel the world and gained her Cert II and III in retail and some very valuable administration and customer service skills. But her heart always led her back to performing and teaching. She moved to the Gold Coast in 2012 and has performed for the Hogs Breath Sirens, the official cheerleaders for the Gold Coast Titans and with the company, Levinge events showcasing tribute shows around QLD and NSW. She has worked at Dreamworld, Movieworld and The Entertainment Store, performing as suit characters. This is her 5th year with the Kings Dance Academy and she is super excited to work with such wonderful students and teachers again.
ADMINS
Communication is super important to us! We have a dedicated admin team at each campus providing support and communication to students and families here at King's Dance Academy.
MEISHA MOANA
Pimpama Administrator / Graphic Designer
Meisha is our Pimpama administrator and Graphic Designer, assisting families and young performers pursue what they are passionate about through various styles of performing arts classes offered by King's Dance Academy.
Meisha has completed her Cert lll Retail Operations, Cert lll Education Support, Cert lll Media (specialising in adobe suites, 2/3D animation and graphic design), Photography DSLR Essentials with Mark Buckley and Photography Beyond the Basics. Meisha has excelled working in a diverse school environment, providing a high level of support and communication skills for parents, students, including those with special needs or english as a second language.
Meisha has 11 years experience working with children, started dancing at 3 years old and became Operations Manager and Back Stage Director for Studio 453 Dance School during 2008-2014. Meisha is excited to be joining the team at King's Dance Academy.