Our Staff

Tania Whelan began her training in North QLD at Croft Gilchrist School of Dancing and then as a teenager at Sayers Dance Centre in Brisbane. After 6 years of teaching under Vivianne and Nadine Sayers, she took over their Bardon location - renaming it The Premier Dance Academy in 1995 - which she soon moved to Milton. Tania later added the Clayfield location of Premier Dance in 2010.

Tania received a distinction for her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Certificate in Dance Teaching Studies and has also completed the RAD Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies in 1995. Tania was a voluntary member of the RAD regional panel from 1996 – 2022. Tania became an Associate Teacher of The Royal Ballet School in 2024.

Starting as one of Tania’s very first ballet students in 1992, Phoebe trained at Premier Dance through to 2005 before returning to oversee studio administration in 2013. Today, she shapes the academy’s systems, community engagement, and family communications, playing a vital role in streamlining operations and crafting an exceptional experience for every family.

Holding a Bachelor of Architectural Design and a Master of Advertising, Phoebe brings a unique blend of structural precision, design-led thinking, and strategic communication to her role. Drawing on her rich background across design, retail marketing, and events, she applies that same creative focus and attention to detail to the studio’s operations, creating an environment that is inspiring, thoughtful, and genuinely welcoming to everyone.

As a local Brisbane parent, Phoebe knows firsthand how important a warm, well-organised environment is for young dancers and their families. Passionate about blending creativity with clear, supportive communication, she is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture where every student and parent feels valued and connected.

Having grown up at Premier Dance, Paris' connection to the studio runs deeper than most. As an integral member of our Administration Team, she brings a lifelong love for the academy alongside extensive experience in customer service, administration, and event logistics.

Paris holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Tourism & Hotel Management (majoring in events and tourism) and a Diploma in Business. Her background includes managing large-scale studio concerts and day-to-day operations, as well as delivering high-end hospitality on luxury superyachts in the South of France.

Known for her approachable, calm-under-pressure nature and exceptional interpersonal skills, Paris brings warmth, care, and a strong work ethic to the studio every day. Whether she is assisting families, managing events, or supporting studio operations behind the scenes, Paris is dedicated to ensuring every dancer and parent feels genuinely welcomed and supported.

Miss Sophie has worked at Premier Dance as a teacher since 2016. She holds a Diploma in Dance from QUT (2013), a Diploma in Performing Arts from ED5 International (2015) and has also completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies from the Royal Academy of Dance. Sophie was a student at Premier Dance from 1999 - 2013 and a student teacher from 2011 - 2013.

Tristan trained at The Premier Dance Academy from 2008 to 2016, completing his RAD Advanced 2 before continuing his training with the Queensland Ballet Pre-Professional Program and the Tanya Pearson Academy in Sydney. He joined the Victorian State Ballet in 2018, where he performed soloist roles including Lankendem in Le Corsaire and Rothbart in Swan Lake. As a guest artist, he has also performed principal roles with companies including Projection Dance, Melbourne Academy of the Arts, Byron Ballet and Ballet Theatre Queensland.

Since 2017, Tristan has taught RAD Ballet and Contemporary, combining his professional performance experience with a passion for developing young dancers. He returned to The Premier Dance Academy as a teacher in 2019 and has also worked with Queensland Ballet's Education Team, helping to develop and deliver dance programs in schools, kindergartens and studios across Queensland. Tristan holds the Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and a Rambert Grades Teaching Certification, and is currently completing a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Queensland.

Karissa has been a teacher at Premier Dance since 2012. She is a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD). Karissa is a registered teacher of the Australasian Dance Association (ADA), holding an Advanced Diploma in jazz and Elementary Diploma in classical ballet and tap. Karissa has a Bachelor of Education (EC&Prim), a Diploma in Dance, a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Simone is a second-generation dance teacher who has been with Premier Dance since 2012. She is a graduate and Dux of the Queensland Dance School of Excellence holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) QUT, a Diploma in Dance, and her ARAD. An Arts Queensland Encouragement Award recipient, she completed European studies with secondments at Nederlands Dance Theatre, Rambert Dance Company and Tanz Forum in Germany. Simone danced professionally with the Queensland Ballet and spent a decade performing and touring internationally with Expressions Dance Company, collaborating closely with prominent Australian choreographers Maggi Sietsma and Natalie Weir, and later serving as Rehearsal Director. She has choreographed for Opera Qld, La Boite Theatre, and the Queensland Pops Orchestra. Her teaching background spans the Queensland Dance School of Excellence, QUT Creative Industries, and Sayers Dance Centre. At Premier Dance, she remains dedicated to mentoring young dancers to build strong technical foundations while nurturing a love of dance. A highlight of her time at the school has been travelling with students to New York on the Dance Around the World Tour.

Miss Kelly has worked at Premier Dance as a teacher and admin staff since 2000. Kelly is a graduate of the Queensland Dance School of Excellence and holds a Diploma in Dance (Performing Arts) from Dance World Studios (Melbourne).

Isabella began dancing at The Premier Dance Academy in 2009 at three years of age, training extensively in Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap and Acro. She completed the full Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, achieving a High Distinction for her Advanced 2 examination and becoming an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD). Isabella furthered her training with Queensland Ballet Academy, completing their Contemporary Course, and attained a Pre-Professional Certificate in Dance in 2024, following her Certificate III in Dance in 2022.

Isabella began as a student teacher at The Premier Dance Academy in 2021 and has since progressed into a teaching role across a range of styles and age groups. She has also completed her Mat Pilates Teacher Training and is a qualified Mat Pilates instructor. Having grown up at Premier, Isabella brings both extensive training and a genuine understanding of the studio to her teaching, and is passionate about creating positive, engaging classes where students can develop their technique, confidence and love of dance.

Felicity trained at The Premier Dance Academy from 2011 to 2023, studying a wide range of dance styles and completing the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus to achieve her Advanced 2 ARAD in 2023. She went on to complete a Diploma of Dance Performance with the Queensland College of Dance in 2024, followed by two years of full-time classical ballet training before commencing a Bachelor of Nursing.

Since beginning her teaching career in 2024, Felicity has taught Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Stretch at The Premier Dance Academy and other studios across Brisbane. Alongside her teaching, she has performed extensively in Premier Dance productions, pre-professional productions with the Queensland College of Dance, including Swan Lake, and professionally with Fever's Light Up productions in 2024. Felicity is passionate about creating a positive and encouraging environment where students can build confidence, develop strong technique, and enjoy their love of dance.

Miss Chrissy has worked at Premier Dance as a teacher since 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Music (Hons) - Musical Theatre Voice from QUT and a Master of Music - Contemporary Voice Performance and Composition from QUT.
 

Diploma of Musical Theatre

Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance)

CSTD Teachers’ Certificate

Since graduating, she has worked with Velvet Motion Entertainment at numerous corporate events around Brisbane and the Gold Coast as a professional dancer. For the last few years Lauren has also been teaching at studios across Brisbane, inspiring kids of all ages. She one day hopes to land a contract with an international cruise line company to broaden her experiences and knowledge within the entertainment industry.

Lauren has a strong passion for teaching and loves working with children. She believes in creating a fun and supportive environment to help children overcome challenges and become the superstar performers she knows they can be.

Since the age of three, Taylah has trained in multiple dance styles. She has accomplished her CSTD (Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing) Jazz Teaching Certificate and a Certificate III in Dance Studies. Taylah has completed all CSTD Tap Examinations, Advanced 1 RAD Ballet, and completed an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts at Conroy Performing Arts College.

Taylah’s various experiences as a performer include guest performances on Royal Caribbean’s 'Quantum of the Seas’, and at Disneyland California Adventure Park (Los Angeles). Taylah has worked full time as a dance choreographer at Hong Kong International School and Kennedy ESF School Pok Fu Lam, as well as teaching and choreographing competition routines and musical productions at private dance studios across Hong Kong and Australia (Glenda Allen Dance Academy, Canterbury Dance Company).

Grant trained professionally from a young age at The Royal Ballet School’s White Lodge in London before completing his studies at The Australian Ballet School, graduating with Honours for his Diploma in Dance. He joined The Australian Ballet in 1995 before moving to Switzerland in 1998 to become a Principal Dancer with Le Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, where he performed for 11 years. Throughout his international career, Grant danced in many of the world's leading theatres, performing works by renowned choreographers including Maurice Béjart, William Forsythe, John Neumeier and Jean-Christophe Maillot.

Following his performing career, Grant became Ballet Master and Rehearsal Director with Le Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, assisting internationally acclaimed choreographers and overseeing productions around the world. He is now a highly respected teacher, adjudicator and choreographer, working extensively with Queensland Ballet and studios across Australia. Grant joined The Premier Dance Academy in 2026, where he shares his wealth of international experience and is passionate about inspiring and mentoring the next generation of dancers.

Wim is a highly respected ballet teacher, coach, and artistic advisor based in Brisbane. Originally from Belgium, he enjoyed a distinguished international performing career, rising to Principal Dancer with the Dutch National Ballet before serving as Assistant Artistic Director and later directing the Dance Department at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. In 2008, he was appointed Artistic President of the prestigious Prix de Lausanne and continues to be an internationally sought-after adjudicator, teacher, and mentor.

Today, Wim works extensively with leading companies and schools including Queensland Ballet, West Australian Ballet, Annette Roselli Dance Academy, and the New Zealand School of Dance. Through professional company classes, pre-professional training, coaching, adjudication, and the staging of classical repertoire, he is passionate about sharing his expertise and inspiring dancers at every stage of their training.

Emma is a past student of Premier Dance Academy, training there from age 3 to 17. She studied ballet consistently, completing all RAD examinations from Grade 1 to Advanced 2, alongside Jazz, Contemporary, Tap and Singing from age 11. From 2015, Emma undertook two years of full-time training at Davida Lind Dance Centre, earning a Diploma in Dance Performance and Advanced Diploma in Musical Theatre. She also began working as a student teacher at Premier, assisting with ballet, jazz and contemporary classes.

After graduating in 2017, Emma worked with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as a Singer and Dancer before returning home in 2019 to perform in cabarets with Queensland Cabaret Festival, Brisbane Festival and Mad Dance House. She also appeared in The Producers with Altitude Theatre Company. Emma has since performed nationally in Opera Australia’s An American in Paris, Crossroads Live’s Grease, and Woodward Productions’ Little Shop of Horrors.

Between performance contracts, Emma continues to teach at Premier as a relief teacher across all styles. She also works with Queensland Academy for Excellence in Musical Theatre (Griffith University), choreographing productions and teaching ballet and jazz technique classes. Emma is currently studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education, further developing her teaching practice.

Errol is trained in Street Dance Styles, including by some of the originators from the United States & around the world:
Breaking (Break Dance), Lockin, Poppin, House Dance, Krump, Urban Choreography.

Errol has training in Commercial Dance, Commecial Jazz, Indigenous Contemporary, Traditional Filipino & Islander Culural Dance. In the professional choreography realm, he has choreographed many professional groups in the following styles: Cheerleading, Burlesque, Urban-Burlesque, Modern Jazz.

Errol has choreographed for many sporting events including State of Origin, QLD Firebirds and AFL. He has been the Creative Director for the Brisbane Bullets entertainment since 2007 and is their cheerleaders' choreographer & manager.

Jamie Lawson is a Brisbane born Dancer, Singer and Choreographer. Jamie received his Diploma of Dance after training at Queensland Dance School of Excellence and his Certificate IV in Performing Arts after 12 months study at ED5 International in Sydney. Jamie then made the move overseas living in London, LA, Tokyo, Singapore and Beijing working alongside world class Choreographers and Directors.

Jamie’s career highlights include: Choreographer/Assistant Show Director at Universal Studios Beijing (Park Grand Opening); Performing “West Side Story Tribute” inside Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth II and The Royal Family; Chosen to be the Opening Cast for 6 Production Shows with Princess Cruises; New York City Press Launch of Stephen Schwartz’s “Born To Dance”.

Jamie is excited to share his expertise with other dancers and encourage them to unleash their true potential.