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Team Biographies

Meet our Team

PRINCIPAL - PAMELA FISHER

-Master of Education - RAD reg. 122671R

With nearly 40 years experience in dance, Miss Pam has taught many different dance styles which include Classical Ballet, Tap Dancing, Jazz, Modern, Highland Dance, Ballroom & Latin American. In her Professional Dance years she represented Australia in the Australasian Dance Championships after winning State selection. She has choreographed and trained pupils for eisteddfods and examinations and many of her pupils have become professional dancers, travelling overseas and some now have their own Dance Studios. Miss Pam established Sylvan Academy in 1976 after retiring from professional dancing and settling down to raise her family. She also was instrumental in the reorgansation of the

new Capricorn Ballet and Arts Academy in 1980 which made dance competitions and medals available to all children. Miss Pam is also a Pastoral Care Coordinator at St. Patrick’s College Sutherland where she teaches junior Science and HSC Earth and Environmental Science.

KATE WILSON

-Bachelor of Education (Honours-First Class)

Miss Kate is a versatile dancer who has been a student of Sylvan Academy since she was 4 years old. In this time she has trained in all styles of dance. This year she will be teaching Jazz, Modern, Contemporary and Tap. She choreographs and trains the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Performance teams and is responsible for the success of many of our solo performers. Miss Kate loves teaching dance to students of all ages and takes great enjoyment from teaching the “mums” class. Miss Kate loves sharing her passion for all aspects of dance with all of her students.

KAREENA NEWMAN

Bachelor of Education

Miss Kareena started dancing at Sylvan Academy at the age of 4yrs and is trained in all dance styles. During her time at Sylvan Academy Kareena competed in many competitions and eisteddfods. She won the NSW State Jazz Championship four times and the McDonalds City of Sydney Open age Jazz and Modern Championship. Kareena completed her major RAD examinations with Sylvan Academy and started teaching at Sylvan in a variety of dance styles. She went on to dance professionally in numerous cabaret shows, theatre restaurants, TV commercials and children’s pantomimes. Kareena enjoyed teaching dancing at Sylvan Academy during this time along with many of the local primary and high schools whilst completing her Bachelor of Education at UWS. At this time she took up the position of Principal of a local dance school. She held this position for 14 years and enjoyed teaching and running the studio. Last year Kareena made the decision to spend more time with her young family and chose to stand down from this role. She is very excited to be back at Sylvan Academy teaching ballet and tap and reconnecting with staff and families while getting to know many of the new families.

Samantha SIMPSON

RAD Solo Seal

Samantha trained with Ransley’s Sydney, Langshaw School of Dance, McDonald College, Bettsy Sawyer ACT and the Australian Ballet School. Samantha completed all RAD exams with high distinction and received her Solo Seal in a session that only 2 girls passed. Samantha gained this award while studying first year at the Australian Ballet School. Samantha was a finalist in the RAD Bursary, The City of Sydney McDonalds Scholarship, SODA Scholarship and The Isobel Anderson Awards twice. Samantha has worked with the Australian Ballet, Royal Ballet and also worked with numerous guest choreographers. Samantha performed in a variety of classical ballets including The Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Graduation Ball, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, La Fille Mal Gardée and Romeo and Juliet.

Samantha completed her RAD teacher’s certificate with high distinction and has over 15 years teaching experience.Samantha taught for a number of schools around Sydney before teaming with her sister Nicole Hough to form Industry Performing Arts.

Samantha has a passion for teaching ballet and has coached many students to gain high distinctions in their RAD Ballet exams. She also coaches ballet groups and solo students in eisteddfod work and is proud of the consistent success they enjoy in ballet eisteddfods both in Sydney and at a National level. Samantha is also successful in preparing students for the Australian Ballet School IJP programs and beyond. Samantha is also a Royal Academy of Dance student teacher mentor, mentoring the teachers of tomorrow.

PATRICE WILKINS

Miss Patrice has been teaching dance since 1999 and held RAD Registered Teacher Status since 2002. A life time of dance in many genres and experienced artistic director in theatrical productions, Miss Patrice has a great commitment to training the complete dancer both mentally and physically. She is excited to be back teaching at Sylvan Academy in 2018.

JOANNA BROWN

Miss Jo has enjoyed being a part of Sylvan Academy as a student and teacher for nearly 30 years. She has experience in jazz, modern, tap and hip hop dance styles. Miss Jo has a Bachelor of Dance Education and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; teaching years 7-12 in Inner Western Sydney. Over the years she has choreographed works for school and community events such as Education Week, Sydney Regional Dance Festival, Bring It On High School Hip Hop Competition and worked on the School Spectacular Production Team. Miss Jo looks forward to providing a vibrant and enjoyable dance environment for her students to develop their skills and perform at their best in 2019.

MICHELE PIGGOT

Miss Michele started dancing in Melbourne aged 3 performing in Parades, Concerts, Festivals and Talent shows and examinations. When her parents moved to Sydney she thought her dancing life was behind her. Luckily Miss Michele found Sylvan Academy and started taking classes with Miss Pam in Classical, Jazz and Tap.As one of the Sylvan Academy Formation Team (now called Performance)

Miss Michele enjoyed participating in all the CBAA functions like medals and competitions and she also completed her RAD ballet exams.Miss Michele taught Jazz, Tap, Modern and Classical Ballet for Miss Pam at Sylvan Academy for about 10 years. Since then Miss Michele has been teaching at her own dancing school which is now in its 22nd year. Miss Michele is back at Sylvan Academy to teach Ballet and Tap.

NATALIE CONROY

Miss Nat has been a student of Sylvan Academy from an early age. Nat has completed a Bachelor of Education and is currently working as a High School PDHPE teacher. She is looking forward to teaching jazz and modern this year.

MICHAELA FOSTER

Miss Michaela started dancing at Sylvan Academy, from a young age practicing in a variety of dance styles. During her years at Sylvan she competed successfully in many competitions, was awarded Dancer Of The Year and was a valuable part of the performance teams. Michaela is back teaching our acrobatics classes and excited to help train and develop new skills for all students new and old.