The Full Time Faculty

Kelly Aykers

Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre  and Theory

Kelly draws on years of experience and contact with the brightest in the industry to compile a Melbourne based teaching staff that would be the envy of any school in the country. Kelly knows that to deliver the kind of graduate that can take on the dance industry with confidence, she needs to surround herself with people that share her own passion and vision. To that end, Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance is dedicated to providing the best tuition by the best in the business.

After 40 years of training and performance, during which time she has choreographed, and assisted many Australian and international choreographers, Kelly is delighted that the natural progression of her career is now giving her the opportunity to pass her knowledge on to others within the dance industry.

For more on Kelly's career, check out our About Kelly Page.

Sue Ellen Shook

Jazz, Lyrical and Body Conditioning

Sue Ellen has been teaching, choreographing, and performing for 30 years, and has worked extensively in the freelance world of commercial dance. Sue trained at VCATS and was inducted in to their Hall of Fame in 2011.

Film and Television Credits: Moulin Rouge (Baby Doll)- Baz Luhrman, Dancing with the Stars, Australia's got Talent-Rolling Entertainment Grand Finalist, Olympics 2000 Opening-Closing Ceremonies, Australian Film Awards, Australian TV Awards, In Melbourne Tonight

Theatre Credits: Promises, Promises (Ensemble), Menopause The Musical (Soap Star), King Kong the Musical Workshop, Sugar (Dolores), Boy From Oz (Ensemble), Time Warp A Rocky Horror Tribute (Magenta), La Soire (Lola), 42nd Street (Lorraine), Pajama Game (Brenda), Pan (Tiger Lily), Starlight Express, A Chorus Line, A Midsummer?s Night Dream, Moving Pictures, Carmen, Aida, Batman The Stunt Show.

Sue's choreography credits include House Husbands, So You Think You Can Dance, Victoria's State School Spectacular, Jungle Book - A Musical Tale, Midsummer Nights Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Is There Life After High School, Motherhood the Musical and Menopause the Musical.  Resident Choreographer Australian Shakespeare Company

Sue's best production is an Australian/American co production (with her husband). Coleman, Cameron, and Cierra their three Children

Phill Haddad

Hip Hop

Melbourne based choreographer, Phill Haddad, is an inspiring and exceptionally talented dancer and artist. As a highly sought after choreographer, Phill has been 'smashing it' on the dance floor for nearly two decades and has worked both nationally and internationally.

Phill Haddad's extensive list of choreographic credits include, but are not limited to, working with artists such as Destiny's Child, Boys II Men, Ru Paul, Ja Rule, Ashanti, NTrance and Peter Andre, as well as theatrical performances with 'Grease the Arena Spectacular', 'Shout', 'Annie Get Your Gun', 'High Society' and 'Oh What A Night'. Phil has also choreographed and performed in numerous TV shows such 'So You Think You Can Dance' as well as the ARIA awards, music video clips, concerts and toured nationally and overseas. He has choreographed, produced and directed his own shows, such as ?Rhythm Runners?, a nationally toured event. His talents are highly respected and as such, has been invited to judge competitions such as 'Australian Hip Hop Championships','Australian Step Off Hip Hop Competition' and 'UDO Australia National Street Dance Championships'.

He has choreographed pieces in Masters of Choreography's showcases, 'Once Upon A Time Ch1 and Ch2' and 'A Nightmare on Dance Street'.Phill is a tireless, diligent and enthusiastic choreographer, always teaching and performing, always willing to impart his creativity and energy upon those fortunate enough to either train with him or see him perform.

Petros Treklis

Contemporary

Petros Treklis graduated in 2010 from London’s ‘Laban Conservatoire’ with a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance, and then joined Tavaziva Dance for several years. Other performance work whilst in London include: appearing as a guest artist with Watkins Dance, working with IJAD on their project In-Finite Space, as well as dancing for Place Prize Winner Riccardo Buscarini and Taiwanese Choreographer Hsiao-mei Ho for the ArtsCross 2013 Project.  

Since 2014, Petros was a member of Sydney Dance Company under the Artistic Directorship of Rafael Bonachela, performing works worldwide by Bonachela, as well as Andonis Foniadakis, Gabrielle Nankivell, William Forsythe, Alexander Ekman, Larissa McGowan, Kristina Chan, Gideon Obarzanek, Jacopo Godani, Shian Law, Melanie Lane, Cheng Tsung-Lung and Antony Hamilton. In 2019 Petros made the move back to Melbourne to pursue his career as a freelance choreographer and dance artist.  

Petros created his first professional work for Sydney Dance Company as a part of their ‘New Breed’ Season, the work winning ‘Best New Work 2017’ by Critics Choice Awards, Dance Australia. Since then, Petros has gone on to make work for The Australian Ballet and is set to create a new work on Queensland Ballet in the near future. 

When Petros is not working with a company on commissioned choreographic projects, he is mostly teaching dance all over the state of Victoria, having taught regular classes, workshops and masterclasses to many of Melbourne’s established dance institutions.

Donnie Dimase

Commercial

At such a young age, Melbourne based Donnie Dimase has already  established himself as a choreographer to watch for in years to come. Specialising in Urban Dance, Voguing & Waacking, he created the very popular Tenacity Dance Crew currently holding a the UDO 1st Place World Championship Title & various awards as well as creating underage commercial company Ferocity Dance Crew. 

Donnie is a graduate of Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance and has been Nominated for Victoria's Favourite Dance Teacher by Ausdance. In addition, he has been nominated for the Short Dance Film award with his work, 'Black Widow'. Resident Choreographer at Masters of Choreography for two shows running including 'Nightmare on Dance Street' & 'Once Upon a Time Chapter II'. Donnie is honoured to have been selected to participate in the 2013 Short + Sweet Dance Festival and to be awarded both the 'Choreographic Award' and the 'People's Choice Award' for his show, 'Own The Throne' he was also selected Resident Choreographer at Raw : Natural Born Artists.

Amongst his many achievements and choreographic credits, he can include the Melbourne White Night, Australian Open, Big Day Scout, Victorian Dance Festival, Miss Crown Asia Beauty Pageant, Platform, Lili Kendall?s 'Run' Boylesque and Many More. 

Tash Crichton

Hip Hop

Tash was born & raised in New Zealand and moved to Melbourne in  2019. She's a professional Dance Teacher & Choreographer who has a  huge passion for dance. She started dancing at the age of 5 years old  training in Urban Hiphop, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Cultural  dancing.

She has great experience in dance performance, choreography, classroom instruction, recital planning and  performance management. The Hiphop dance scene is very well  established in New Zealand, therefore it stuck with Tash as she grew a  great connection with the style. She is very passionate about  teaching dance as it gives her the opportunity to connect with  individuals from all walks of life and allows her to share her skills and  knowledge.

Gerard Pigg

Hip Hop and Commercial

Gerard Pigg is known to be a very passionate, driven dancer who is predominantly from a self taught background. Over the years, he has established himself in various styles including Commercial, Urban, Heels and Bollywood as a Melbourne based performer, teacher, mentor and choreographer. 

His first venture into the professional dance scene was with the very successful ‘PROVOKATIV Dance Company', that he founded in 2012. As the Creative Director of the company and performer, he has been able to represent Australia in various dance competitions, nationally and internationally- the biggest one yet being the UDO World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Professionally, Provokativ also entertains audiences throughout Melbourne including nightclubs, corporate functions & many more. Additionally, Gerard has produced, directed and choreographed his very own production ‘PLATFORM’ which was held at The Revolt Melbourne Artspace in 2014.

In 2016, Gerard started working with 'Masters Of Choreography' as a performer and choreographer. Since then, he has made his mark creating unforgettable pieces for sold out shows at both the National Theatre and Palais Theatre. Shows including Signs Of The Zodiac & Nightmare On Dance Street, showcasing Bollywood and Commercial.

As a Chief Choreographer of Masters, he has also choreographed for 'Raise The Barre', which is the sister show to the highly acclaimed 'Beats On Pointe'.

In 2018 Gerard choreographed and performed in the very successful season of Matador for Bass G Fam Productions and then continued on to take the production on its National tour. In 2019 Gerard teamed up with Bass G Fam once again to choreograph Mansion for a smash season in Melbourne.

Gerard also performs as a part of Melbourne’s premier Bollywood dance group ‘Sapphire Dance Company’. Starting off as a performer, he is also now a choreographer for the company and the Artistic Director. 

He teaches at various studios and full time courses, where he likes to challenge his students and is committed to providing them with performance skills & encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones. 

Gerard’s credits include; International music artists such as K-Ci & JoJo, RuPaul’s Manila Luzon & Che Che Devayne, Lea Salonga, Ricky Sandu, Ammy Virk, Babbal Rai and Preet Hundal. Australian Artists including Paulini and Jessica Mauboy.

Australian dance competitions including Step Off, HHI (Hip Hop International), Got Swagg, UDO Australia, Battlegrounds Prelims & Finals. Melbourne's dance industry night UNDRGRND. 

He has also choreographed for one of Australia’s leading cosmetic companies MECCA and The VMC (Victorian Multicultural Commission) 2017 Premier Gala Dinner.

Gerard has proven and continues to be an advocate within the Melbourne dance scene. He loves and honours his art and prides himself on being an entertainer and being the best that he can be.

Sophie Weiss

Singing

After receiving her A.MUS.A in piano at the age of sixteen, Sophie went on to tour Internationally and nationally both on stage and on screen.

Sophie has just completed a national tour of Frozen understudying the role of Elsa and performing in the ensemble.  Previous credits include a tour of Australia, China and New Zealand with School Of Rock (GWB/RUG) in the ensemble and covering the role of Rosalie Mullins. The Wizard Of Oz (GFO/RUG)- Aunt Em/Ensemble and covering the Wicked Witch and Glinda.  Merrily We Roll Along- Beth (Watch This), The Sound Of Music - Ensemble and understudying Baroness Schraeder and Sister Margaretta (GFO/RUG), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels- Ensemble and understudying Christine Colgate (James Anthony Productions), The Full Monty- Georgie (StageArt), and Motherhood the Musical playing the role of Amy (HIT Productions).

Sophie’s on-screen credits include Winners and Losers, Neighbours and Thank God You’re Here.

Robert Shook

Acrobatics and Acting

Robert Shook is a professional actor, stuntman, and specialty entertainer with 25 years experience in stage, screen, and television. A 1984 graduate of Drake University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts emphasis in Acting, Robert was a participating member of The American Collage Theatre and Dance competitions and The National Theatre Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. University credits include:

Happy / Death of a Salesman,   Riff / West Side Story, Billis / South Pacific, Laertes / Hamlet and Puck  / A Midsummer Night?s Dream.

Robert worked for 15 years in Los Angeles. Film and Television credits include: The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno   Days of our Lives, Profiler, Weird Science, To the Ends of Time.

In live performance Robert was the fight director and understudy for the Droogs for The Company of Angels production of A Clockwork Orange in L.A. Robert has been involved in over 20 different live stunt shows and performed over 12,000 high falls. As a Stunt Coordinator and Action Trainer Robert wrote the standard operating procedures for the safe training of stunt actors for Universal Studios Hollywood and Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park. Other Theme Park Credits Warner Bros. Theme Parks in Chicago  and Germany and Wakayama Royal Pines in Osaka, Japan.

Robert is a member of the Screen Actor Guild, American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, and has a Stunt Actor grading through Actors Equity.    Australian Credits include: I, Frankenstein, Cut Snake, The Pacific, Knowing, Underbelly, Jeffery Wright's MacBeth, Winners and Losers, City Homocide, Rush, Tripping Over, Ned Kelly, Bastard Boys, Salem's Lot, The Extra, McLeod's Daughters, Neighbours, Ponderosa, Stingers, Surprise Surprise and various tvc?s.

Robert loves live theatre and has provided fight direction and/or action training for the Melbourne Theatre Company, Victorian College of the Arts, Australian Shakespeare Company, National Theatre School of Drama, Red Stitch Theatre, and Cheltenham Light Opera Company.

Robert coordinates action and performs in themed corporate events, as well as being the mascots for several professional sporting teams including the A-league, NRL, AFL, NBL and the Cricket Victoria.

Robert currently teaches on going classes and workshops in Action, Acro and Acting for adults and kids. Robert also provides private training geared to the professional or student by teaching and cultivating a wide range of action skills. 

Anna Burgess

Acting

Anna has recently embarked on an Australian tour of Broadway hit Bad Jews after a successful season playing the role of Melody at The Alex Theatre to rave reviews in 2015. Other recent theatre: Yasmina Reza's God Of Carnage 2014 playing the role of Annette at Chapel off Chapel and the lead role in new Australian play Goodbye Miss Monroe in Brisbane and Melbourne, playing multiple roles including Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Gwen Verdon and many more; which was nominated for a 2015 Matilda Award for Best Musical or Cabaret Production.

Anna also recently completed touring for the second successful year in 2014 in the title lead female role with the widely acclaimed British comedy The 39 Steps for HIT Productions. Other stage credits include Raimondo Cortese?s play Inconsolable for Metanoia Theatre 2014, Neil Cole?s Groucho for the Adelaide Fringe Festival/Australian Tour 2013, the original Australian cast of Mel Brooks? musical The Producers; Rigoletto, Macbeth and The Barber of Seville(Opera Australia), Waiting for Godot, Memoranda, The Pursuit of Happiness, Time Warp as Columbia (Australian Tour2009-2013), Karaoke the Musical; Crazy for You, Damn Yankees, Sweet Charity as Ursula, 42nd Street as Phyllis, The Pyjama Game as Poopsie and Anything Goes (The Production Company). 

Her recent film work includes Any Questions For Ben 2012, The Caretaker 2011 (Awarded Seattle and DC best feature film 2012 and nominated for best actress in Buffalo Film Festival New York), Loves Brother and SMS. Anna?s television credits include Neighbours, Last Man Standing, Good Morning Australia, Starstruck, Screen Stars, Australian Idol and Thank God You?re Here. 

Anna has also had a successful professional career as a presenter over the last 20 years. Starting early on at Channel 9 as a presenter on Postcards that lead to years of work mcingmajor corporate events for Beyoncé and Jay Z at Melbourne venue Silk Road, most recently at Ms Collins for The Ageevent, Battle of the Pans as part of The Good Food Monthand for Sizzlin Productions the major Bollywood event of the year at the Atlantic in the Docklands. Anna has also presented in both Sydney and Melbourne for events for Fashion Tv, the MC for the burlesque opening for Melbourne Fashion Festival in 2013 and was the co main presenter for Channel 31's show Melbourne 22. 

Jo Magliolo

Contemporary

Josephine Magliolo has had more than 20 years dance experience in a number of styles including ballet, jazz, tap, street tap, hip hop & contemporary. After training as a young adult, Josephine then progressed to full time training which only confirmed her love of contemporary. Her passion and dedication for the genre is now driving her toward the formation of her very own contemporary company.

In 2014 Josephine decided to create her own show More to C with the Melbourne Fringe festival which lead to her directing and choreographing the entire show and also casting the show's twenty-five dancers. The same year Josephine also choreographed ' Broadway Stitched Up for Slams theatre company. Josephine recently completed her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management, which has allowed her to grow as a professional choreographer, teacher and manager in the dance industry. As a result, Josephine is now becoming a much sought-after teacher at a number of schools in Melbourne and around the state.

In recognition of her unique talent and skills as an emerging choreographer, Josephine was chosen to present her take on Aries in the show, Zodiac with Masters of Choreography in 2016.

Connor Micallef

Contemporary, Training & Assessing

Connor has danced with multiple dance companies including "Lionheart Dance Company", performing in the professional show "Fabricated" and in various productions with the Scimm Dance Company, undergoing company training every week. As well as that he has completed his training at "Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance" in Melbourne under the prestigious Kelly Aykers where he obtained a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Management. His performance credits include: Representing Australia in the ICC opening ceremony , back up dancer to Nathaniel and Mike Tompkins, featured dancer in the Australian mini series “The Divorce”, performer at Brandcast and the Youtube Fanfest. Additionally has has performed a number of times in Masters of choreography , Victorian dance festival and Australian Dance Festival. Recently, Connor joined Company A where he performed on a regional tour in their launch production, ‘Broadway & Beyond’. Connor is currently a principal teacher at Kelly Aykers Casual Dance.

Rachael Peters

Fitness

Rachael Peters has been training since the tender age of seven when she discovered a love of Jazz and Hip Hop. Over the years she has honed her skills to include Ballet, Tap and Contemporary culminating in a Diploma of Musical Theatre at Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance. Her performance credits include Fremantle Media / Fox 8’s Ultimate High School Musical with Eddie Perfect and Anthony Callea, and the Youtube Fanfest in front of a packed Sydney Entertainment Centre and the ICC Cricket World Cup Opening Ceremony.

She featured in Parklife Productions rendition of Pippin and has been much sought after as a featured dancer in several Masters of Choreography productions at St Kilda’s National Theatre. In 2017, Rachael triumphed to gain a place in and complete the Dream Dance Company’s intensive Showbusiness course and in 2019 joined her mentor in Company A for a regional tour of Broadway & Beyond. She looks forward to passing on her knowledge, passion and formidable skill set to her own students at Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance.

Kate Gloufchis

Commercial and Heels

With 10 years of teaching experience already to her name, Kate Gloufchis is an emerging dancer, teacher and choreographer. She’s known for her passion and high energy, as well as her experience across a wide variety of dance genres, including commercial, urban/hip hop, jazz, ballet and pom.

Kate is a co-owner of KAOS Entertainment – one of melbourne’s most prolific names in the nightlife scene. She and her team of highly-trained dancers perform weekly at nightclubs and events, and travel interstate for special events. Her impressive repertoire includes fire performance and DJing also. Over the years, Kate has performed in many shows and events, including cheerleading for the Melbourne Phoenix basketball team, and dancing in productions for Alana Scanlan, Masters of Choreography and more. 

When she’s not wowing crowds with her skills and infectious energy, Kate loves helping her students develop skills and perform with confidence.

Talitha Duncan

Tap

Talitha is an experienced performer and dance teacher with a lifelong passion for musical theatre. Talitha has dedicated herself to mastering the art of tap - her specialty. 

She graduated from Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance in 2021 with a Diploma of Musical Theatre where she featured in shows including ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ playing the role of Audrey 2. Her Professional credits include ‘The King and I’ the musical with the production company, the ‘Annie’ media call with John Frost, and the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ promo video.  Talitha has also had the opportunity to compete with the Australian National Dance Team in which she placed in the top 10 with an own choreography tap duo and in the top 15 with an own choreography tap solo. 

Talitha takes great pride in her teaching ability and cherishes being able to teaching young, aspiring  professionals and watching them grow. 

Kirsten Manuel

Singing

Kirsten graduated from Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance completing her Diploma of Music Theatre and has been involved with Parklife Productions Little Shop Of Horrors (2021), Lightbox Productions Be More Chill (2018) and Dogfight (2019), Misfit Theatre Children of the Clock (2018) and Windmill Theatre Company Jersey Boys (2022) and World of Musical Theatre for Kids (2023), and CLOC’s Catch Me If You Can (2023). 

She teaches hip hop, street dance and musical theatre and is a character entertainer with Flutterby Entertainment and Royaltea Parties. 

Maddie Bratby

Foundation Skills and Theory

Maddie is a new addition to our team, she has trained through her whole life across all styles but has a strong passion for Jazz, Ballet and Contemporary.

Maddie graduated from Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance with a Certificate 4 in Dance Teaching and Management. In 2022 Maddie was part of Parklife Productions, production of The Pajama Game as ensemble dance captain. Maddie has been teaching and Choreographing for 6 years now and finds great passion in helping the next generation improve their skill set and gain the foundation technique they need to succeed.