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 - which she soon moved to Milton. Tania later added the Clayfield location of Premier Dance.

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.

Tania has owned Premier Dance since 1994 and has been a voluntary member of the RAD regional panel since 1995.

Phoebe has worked at Premier Dance since 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Architectural Design and a Master of Advertising. Phoebe was a student at Premier Dance from 1992-2004.

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.

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).

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.

Tristan trained at Premier Dance from eight years of age until completing RAD Advanced 2. He went on to study in the Queensland Ballet Pre-Professional Program and at Tanya Pearson Academy, joining the Victorian State Ballet in 2018.

Tristan has been a guest artist with Projection Dance, Melbourne Academy of the Arts, Byron Ballet and Ballet Theatre Queensland, among others. He has taught with Queensland Ballet education team since 2020.

Miss Simone has worked at Premier Dance since 2012. Simone has 30 years of teaching & choreographing experience. As a second generation dance teacher, she began her training under her mother Helene Atthow, then attended the Queensland Dance School of Excellence where she gained her ARAD. She then dance with the Queensland Ballet company and Expressions Dance Company as a professional dancer.

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.
 

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.

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).

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.