Dedicated to Dance
Winner of Multiple Small Business Awards
Faculty
Principal
Karen Suttie RAD Teachers Diploma, RAD RTS, RAD Examiner and Tutor, RAD CDTS Mentor, RAD CDTS Tutor, RAD AsTA Tutor, Rambert Grades Certified Teacher, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Trained since the age of 3 at the Roxanne McCourtie School of Dance in Nelson Bay and Tessa Maunder in Newcastle, Karen has completed her Classical Ballet training from Primary to Advanced. As well as Royal Academy of Dance Classical Ballet, she has done exams in D.E.S and Khorobushka National Character Syllabus’s.
In 1993 she completed her HSC in Classical Ballet and went onto to study the Royal Academy of Dancing Teaching Certificate and Teachers Diploma, obtaining both.
Karen is on the Royal Academy of Dance Examiners Panel, and examines both Domestic and International Tours, having completed her training in 2018. She tutors students for RAD examinations across Australia and has completed her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Most recently Karen is enjoying sharing her wealth of teaching experience and knowledge as an RAD CDTS Tutor, RAD AsTA Tutor and RAD CDTS Mentor, helping to shape the next generation of qualified RAD teachers.
Over the years she has coached many students, with finalists and winners in the Isobel Anderson Awards, Alaina Haines Awards and other overseas competitions. Many former students have also been accepted into pre-professional training schools and both domestic and international companies to pursue their dancing careers.
Opening the studio in 1994, Karen specializes in Classical Ballet, but also teaches Jazz, Contemporary and National Character.
Teachers
Samantha Liddell – Certificate IV in Fitness, L.G.T.D.A. Student Teachers Cert, Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor, Ready Set Dance Certified Teacher.
Sam started dancing at Studio 2324 at the age of 2 and has trained extensively in RAD Ballet, LGTDA Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, and Musical Theatre as well as Acro training at Hunter Sports Centre.
She has completed all RAD Grade exams as well as Vocational exams from Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2. Sam has also completed LGTDA tap exams from Pre-Test to Student Teachers. Sam represented Studio 2324 in Eisteddfods in solo, duo, trio, quartet and troupes in all styles of dance receiving many awards for both her dancing as well as her choreography. She also received both the Junior and Senior Scholarships during her time as a student.
Attending Hunter School of the Performing Arts from Years 7 – 12, Sam’s accomplishments include Band 6 in Dance for her HSC, 1st in Dance in Year 12, Callback nominations for both Core and Major Performance, and inclusion in selective ensembles in school, StarStruck and Schools Spectacular.
More recently, Sam has trained and become a Certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor, leading our Acrobatic Arts programs as well as successfully auditioning to join the Newcastle Knights Cheerleading team in 2020 & 2021. She has always attained her CERT IV in Fitness (Personal Training) and is currently studying the Certificate in Dance Teaching (Ballet) with the Royal Academy of Dance.
Penny Wilson Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education) L.G.T.D.A Teachers Diploma
With her Les Griffiths Tap Dancing Association Teachers Certificate obtained with Honours, Penny Wilson is our resident tap teacher. Trained under the expert tuition of Donna Michilitsis from age 5, Penny earned her student teachers certificate while still a teenager.
With a talent spotted early she played the role of “Gretel” in the “Sound of Music” when she was 8 years old. She was in the dance chorus of the musical “The Music Man” at age 14 and then went on to choreograph the St Phillips Christian College musical “Suessical the Musical” aswell as create the costume designs.
Having completed Trinity singing exams to Grade 5, Penny also has experience in many other styles of dance including Jazz, Ballroom and Latin dancing to add to her achievements.
Penny also attended Newcastle University obtaining her Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Health and Physical Education and works in High schools around the Hunter Region.
Allira Stallard Certificate IV Dance Teaching and Management, Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy, Dip Specialist Make Up Services, Certified Ready Set Dance Teacher.
Allira grew up in Raymond Terrace and began her ballet training at studio 2324 at the age of 7, enrolling in jazz and modern/contemporary the following year. Competing in eisteddfods and championship competitions she took home many placings and championship awards. Allira has completed her R.A.D exams from grade 2 to intermediate and in 2009 won the studios senior scholarship. Her love for dance teaching began at a young age when she started student teaching alongside Miss Karen in Twinkle Toes and junior classes.
Throughout high school Allira was selected as a featured artist in multiple starstruck shows and part of the starstruck student choreography team from years 8-10, she also choreographed and danced in pieces selected for Hunter Dance Festival for 5 consecutive years. At the age of 15 she danced the Arabian role in Central Dance Companies production of The Nutcracker.
Passionate about skin health and makeup artistry Allira, has Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy and Diploma of Specialist Make Up Services qualifications.
Victoria Scott R.A.D Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, RAD RTS, Ready Set Dance Certified Teacher.
Dancing since the age of 4 with Daphne Parker, Victoria has studied the RAD syllabus from Pre-Primary through to the Advanced Levels including the Higher Grades 6,7 and 8.
In 2010 she was awarded the Daphne Parker Dance Scholarship at the East Maitland Academy of Dance, were she also danced the roles of Myrtha in "Giselle "and Carabosse in "The Sleeping Beauty".
Also studying Jazz and Contemporary Dance, it was after completing High School that Victoria went on to study her Certificate in Ballet Teaching through the RAD, completing this in 2015.
Victoria has also completed her Certificate IV in Massage Therapy and her Diploma in Remedial Massage Therapy in 2016.
Monique D'Arcy L.G.T.D.A Teachers Diploma, B.Ed Secondary
Monique has danced with Studio 2324 since 2006 and trained in all styles of dance including RAD Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre, but found her love and passion for tap. She has completed all L.G.T.D.A Tap Examinations including her Tap Teachers Diploma and has taught under the guidance of Miss Penny since 2015.
She proudly represented the Studio on the 2013 USA Dance Tour, dancing at both Universal Studios and Disneyland Anaheim.
In 2017 she completed her Higher School Certificate with 6 subjects including dance which she received a Callback nomination for her Major Dance Composition.
Amelia Pepper Bachelor of Arts, Certificate IV Dance Teaching and Management
Amelia has been at the Studio for over 22 years, having transitioned from student to teacher and now also administration.
She has experience in every genre and as a result has a wealth of knowledge in many syllabus and styles. Amelia has completed RAD Ballet exams up to Advanced 2 and all L.G.T.D.A examinations.
Her time at HSPA included performances in Musical Theatre, Star Struck, Hunter Dance Festival and Schools Spectacular.
Amelia has recently completed Certificate IV Dance Teaching and Management, a course run at the Studio in collaboration with the ATOD.
She brings her creativity with her, having graduated a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction at Newcastle University.
Heidi Farley Certificate IV Dance Teaching and Management, Certificate III in Dance, Certified Ready Set Dance Teacher, Acrobatics Arts Certified Teacher.
Heidi has been dancing since the age of 3 and started her training at Studio 2324 at age 15. Over the past 17 years she has trained in RAD Ballet, LGTDA Tap, ATOD Ballet, ATOD jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Acrobatic Arts. Heidi has also represented Studio 2324 at multiple group competitions.
During high school, Heidi performed in Star Struck and was selected as a featured dancer in the Indigenous ensemble. She was also apart of the Flipside project in 2015.
In 2022, Heidi completed her Certificate III in Dance and in 2023 she also completed her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management at Studio 2324. Heidi is a Certified Ready Set Dance instructor and has recently completed her Acrobatic Arts training to become a certified instructor.
Gwenhwyfar Maullin Certificate III in Childcare, Certified Ready Set Dance Teacher.
Gwenhwyfar started dancing at Studio 2324 at the age of 6 and in the past 13 years has trained in RAD Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, and Musical Theatre.
She has completed all her RAD Grade exams from Grade 1 to Grade 8, Repertoire, as well as Vocational exams from Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2 – a major highlight in her dance career. Gwen has represented Studio 2324 in Eisteddfods in solo, duo, trio, and troupes in all styles of dance receiving many awards.
Attending Irrawang High School Years 7 – 12, Gwens dance accomplishments include completion in Dance for her HSC, inclusion in senior dance ensemble performing at Hunter Dance festival, and being selected to join CAPA tour for dance and Drum Corp. She was also selected to represent her school at Star Struck.
During her HSC she completed a certificate III in childcare. This has given her two and a half years’ experience with children aged between 2 & 6. Her love for working with children has meant that she has been living in the UK, for the past 12 months, where she was an Au Pair for three children aged 6-11. She is looking forward to returning back home and re-joining her dance family.
Clarissa Brent-Kay Certified Ready Set Dance Teacher
Clarissa started dancing at 3 years old and began at Studio 2324 in 2010. In the past 16 years she has trained in RAD ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and musical theatre. She has completed RAD exams from primary to grade 8 as well as vocational exams from Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 1. Clarissa participated in numerous eisteddfods in solo, duo and group routines receiving many awards.
During her time as a student she received both the junior and intermediate scholarships, represented Studio 2324 in 2013 USA Dance Tour, dancing at both Universal Studios and Disneyland Anaheim.
Having attended HSPA from years 3-12 she has performed in many showcases and performances including, The Wizard of Oz in 2014 and the Lion King in 2016, as well as State of dance night’s throughout her time at the school. She also performed at Hunter Dance Festival and State Dance Festival from 2013-2017.
She has Participated in Schools Spectacular in 2015 as well as Star Struck and was a featured artist in 2015, 2016, 2021.
Emilio Pavan
Emilio is an ex principal dancer with extensive training and performance experience.
His journey began in Newcastle, Australia, where he commenced his dance education at Newcastle Dance Academy before furthering his studies at the Tanya Pearson Academy. Later, he pursued formal training at the prestigious Australian Ballet School in Melbourne.
Upon graduation, his professional career began with the Queensland Ballet under the esteemed leadership of Li Cunxin. During this time, he achieved significant milestones, most notably his promotion to junior soloist after his portrayal of Franz in Coppelia.
Seeking new horizons, he joined the esteemed ranks of the English National Ballet under the direction of Tamara Rojo, where he worked for 3 seasons. Subsequently, he embraced another chapter in his career by joining the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich, where he ascended to the rank of principal dancer by the age of 25.
Regrettably, a persistent injury led to his retirement from the company last year. However, fuelled by his passion for ballet, he has returned to his roots in Australia, with a renewed focus on coaching in classical ballet. He is dedicated to sharing his expertise and nurturing the next generation of dancers with the same dedication and artistry that have defined his career.
Jacob Cowan Certificate III Assistant Dance Teaching
Jacob has been dancing for many years, training across multiple styles including Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre.
He has been involved in numerous end of year concert productions both on stage and backstage as well as performing in some Professional Productions such as Hairspray and Grease the Arena Spectacular.
He has dance teaching experience and has taught Commercial Jazz and Contemporary lessons for all different age groups from 6 years old through to adult classes.
Jacob completed his Cert III Assistant Dance Teaching qualification in 2018 at Hunter School of the Performing Arts and I am currently studying Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of Newcastle.
Our Services
Dance Classes * Dance Studio * Ready Set Dance * Ready Set Ballet * Acrobatic Arts * Rambert Grades Contemporary * RAD Classical Ballet * Jazz * L.G.T.D.A Tap * National Character * Musical Theatre * HSC Tuition *
Vocational education & training courses
Assistant teacher & teaching training courses
Service Locations
Raymond Terrace • Port Stephens