Shari Kettle-Ode - Business Administration

DANCE & OTHER TRAINING

DANCE 10 years training in Tap and Jazz by Pullars Dancing Academy
Studied classical ballet in Newcastle with Sandra Haddow
Attended many years of freelance training and seminars in various companies in Sydney.
Winner of over 200 Championships and Scholarships throughout
The State.
GYMNASTICS 8 years training in Gymnastics competing at State Level.
CIRCUS Trained with Jan Ashton from Ashtons Circus in Trampolining, Solo Trapeze and Web Rope to performance level.
Performed at O’neills Great Adventureland (2 years)

PROFESSIONAL WORK HISTORY

STAGE JC Williamsons Production of “ANNIE” Australian Premiere at Her Majesty’s Theatre Sydney.
Michael Edgley International Production of “SESAME STREET LIVE” For Premiere Australian & New Zealand Tour
Retained on Reserve List for “BARNUM”
Member of “Junior Australians” performing show for 4 Years with regular performances at the Royal Easter Show, Opera House, Sydney Shopping Centres.
“KINGS THEATRE RESTAURANT” Choreographer and performer beginning 1990 until 2002. Received “CONDA AWARD” nomination in 1992 for Kings Theatre Production "Here We Are Again".

OVERSEAS TOURS

“VIVA LAS VEGAS REVUE” 12 month tour covering Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan and Korea, Performing specialist
Adagio act.
Managed group tour to perform at Disneyland USA and Rainbow Connection competition in Las Vegas, Nevada
Group Tour to New Zealand and Japan performing at
Various functions.
TELEVISION Grand Finalist “QUEST 78” on ABC Television
Semi Finalist on Network 10’s “POT OF GOLD”
Appeared on various commercials and telethons.
Featured in McDonalds commercials for 10 years
Extra parts “ TIMELESS LAND” ABC TV
“ THE RESTLESS YEARS
“A COUNTRY PRACTISE” (Pilot Episode)
“ARCADE”

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Began teaching freelance in various Sydney Studios in 1980
Specializing in solo Tap choreography for Eisteddfod work
Started Kettle Studio of Performing Arts in 1988 teaching
Tap and Jazz.
Began commuting to Sydney to take on Tap students for Eisteddfod routines 2 days per week at Dancetime Connection Studio. (1996)
Purchased Dance Studio premises at Cardiff South and renamed studio “Kicks Danceforce”. Introduced Classical ballet and modern dance to the studio.

ADJUDICATION & EXAMINING
Adjudicated various Eisteddfods throughout Sydney.
Past Examiner for the PDA Tap Syllabus.

Susie Kettle-Patrick

Pre School /Junior School Curriculum Coordinator

Susie began her dance studies at the tender age of 2 years,studying Tap,Jazz and Classical Ballet.

She has been teaching dance for the past 14 years and in that time has devoted many hours to the nurturing and training of our Junior school. Susie specialises in the areas of our preferred Tap Syllabus “PDA Unique Technique” regularly training children to examination level achieving excellent results.

Her other great love is working with and inspiring our youngest of students, our “Mini Movers”. Susie has a wonderful rapport with these students and has created and developed a unique themed Pre School Program to teach our little ones movement basics and a love of dance.

Alison Higgins – Teachers Diploma, R.A.D Classical Ballet

Alison began dancing in Classical Ballet at the age of 4 under Tessa Maunder completing all RAD examinations including being awarded the prestigious Solo Seal - the highest examination offered by the RAD. She has competed successfully in Solos and Groups at many Eisteddfods in her junior age training with Tessa Maunder's studio. In 1997 Alison completed her RAD teaching certificate with Distinction.

After 12 months of full time classical ballet training at the age of 16 Alison travelled the world dancing in many different capacities.

Alison has also been involved for many years in the model and fashion industry at one time owning, training and engaging models from her own model and casting agency in Darwin.

Alison has taught classical ballet on and off over a period of 15 years to all ages of children at Junior and Senior level. She especially loves being involved with and nurturing the younger students with the technical teaching of exam syllabus work at all levels.

Kaisey Johnston – Specialist Jazz Teacher

Kaisey began dancing at the age of 5 years and started her training with Tap dancing. Kaisey now studies dance fulltime doing her Diploma Certificate at the National College of Dance.

Kaisey has received distinctions in all her major ballet examinations which then lead her to be a semi finalist in the International Genee in 2006.

Kaisey has performed at the Opera House on various occasions and loves the opportunity to get our and perform.

Future ambitions are to join a ballet company and with Kaisey's incredible talents we know that she will go a long way in the industry.

Meghan Waters - Specialist Tap Teacher

Welcome to Meghan Waters who began teaching Tap with us this year.

Meghan started dancing at a very early age under the careful and expert guidance of the Pullars Dancing Academy.

Meghan has been winning Scholarships and Championships for over 13 years now and comes to us with a wealth of experience and different dance styles under her belt. Meghan was selected in Dein Perry's Tap group in the 2000 Olympic Games and absolutely loves to perform !!

Meghan has been teaching Tap now for 4 years and all Kicks students she is currently working with are enjoying her expertise and ofcourse her bubbly personality.

Sophie McKie – Junior Hip Hop / Pre School Curriculum

Sophie began her early dance training learning physical culture at the age of two years before spending a year at the Australian Dance and Talent Centre where she developed her love of Tap and Jazz.

In 1997 Sophie joined Kicks Damceforce where she continued her Jazz and Tap and then also began Classical Ballet tuition.

As a member of the Kicks studio and through her years of training, Sophie has achieved excellent results in the Tap examinations she has undertaken and successfully competed in a variety of Eisteddfods throughout Newcastle and Sydney.

The last few years has seen Sophie audition for the "Moulin Rouge" and participate in professional Hip Hop dance workshops in Sydney. More recently she has undertaken a teaching role within the studio choreographing and teaching a Junior Hip Hop class and assisting in the Junior Jazz and Tap Classes.

Even though Sophie has only been teaching for a short time, she enjoys the challenge of helping to shape the dancers of the future and has been motivated to begin Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and management through the ADAP system.

Laura Allport – Teacher Assistant

Although still a young teenager herself, Laura has completed all her Junior Tap grades in preparation for her Junior Tap teachers Certificate.Laura has been a wonderful helper assisting in particular Miss Susie with our tiny tots minimovers classes. If we ever need something done or help in any area, Laura is always willing to stand in and help another less experienced than herself.

If Laura so chooses, she will make a very good teacher some day if she continues her training with the same enthusiasm.