Stephanie has a dance/dance teaching career that spans over 30 years. Starting at the age of 5, she quickly fell in love with dance, ballet and contemporary in particular. She completed her RAD examinations through to advanced levels during her teenage years, also sitting for examinations in tap. She began teaching at her local dance studio at 17 years of age. At 18 she began her double degree of Bachelor of Dance/Bachelor of Education at UNSW. This degree included such studies as anatomy, teaching pedagogy, dance theory, technique classes and regular performance work. At 21 years of age and while in her third year of university, she opened Ignite Dance Co. (then known as SD Dance Studio) and her studio director journey began!
Stephanie taught for many years at local schools in the area whilst building Ignite up, slowly growing to the point she could rely solely on the studio. During this time she completed her accreditation with the NSW department of Education. These years of working in schools, whilst running Ignite, only cemented her teaching skills and understanding of children and how they learn.
A love and knowledge of music also helps Stephanie to teach dance from a different approach. Having trained as a flautist for 15 years, she also taught music while studying at university. This knowledge allows her to show her students how to really listen to the music they are dancing to, how to use it to express their emotions and how to manipulate music to make their choreography more dynamic and enjoyable.
Stephanie has a love for contemporary dance in particular but enjoys teaching all styles, especially technique classes. Having trained mainly in RAD ballet, BAL tap, contemporary and jazz she has a strong technical base to work from when passing on her knowledge. She continually builds on her education through courses and being involved in teaching associations, striving to always better herself and her teaching. She believes that every child should have the chance to experience dance and the joy it can bring. The best part of her job is seeing her students grow into responsible and kind adults and she loves keeping in touch with all her students and their families from over the years.
Stephanie is married with two young children and while busy juggling family life with running a studio, wouldn’t have it any other way!
Miss Caitlin: Co-Director
Beginning her first dance classes at the early age of 4, Caitlin trained in a number of dance styles over the years including ballet, jazz, contemporary & tap, however focused mainly on classical ballet, training in R.A.D through to advanced levels.
While continuing with dance training and starting to take on teaching roles within Ignite, Caitlin took on a different route in her early adult years – she followed another growing passion of hers and completed a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood at Macquarie University. This led to a number of years of experience working closely with young children, in both early childhood and primary school settings.
However, while maintaining her dance teaching during the early years of Ignite, and after a few short years focusing on teaching in a school setting, Caitlin chose to turn back to her real passion in dance and being able to gift this to her students. The combination of the joy of dance along with the theory & practice behind early learning quickly became a new focus for her and one that is now steadily thriving within the studio.
In 2012, with the steady growth of Ignite, Caitlin moved on from only teaching a number of classes per week by taking on the role of Co-Director. She has been heavily involved in the management of all aspects of the studio since. Being part of the studio in this way has been so rewarding, especially due to truly being a part of each student’s (and their parent’s) dance journey, and to watch them grow from tiny dancers into confident, talented young adults!
Caitlin currently creates & runs all of our Ignite Kids program, along with teaching jazz, ballet, performance teams & technique classes amongst our youngest age groups.
Miss Megan
Megan has awed crowds across the globe with her ability to perform. With 24 years of professional training in all styles of dance, Megan has achieved high standards in many aspects of the entertainment industry.
Since graduating from Brent Street with a Certificate IV in Performing Arts, she has had a great deal of success with-in her field. Her credits include dancing for REDFOO, Kelly Rowland, David Guetta, Bag Raiders, Showtek, Paulini, Johnny Ruffo, Justice Crew and The McClymonts. Megan has also danced at several corporate events Nationally and Internationally for leading companies such as; BMW, Mercedes Benz, Emirates, White Water World Australia, Michael Hill, G.H Mumm and more.
Megan’s expertise extends beyond live performance. She has also been involved in commercials for MTV, BONDS, Schweppes, Peugeot and Earth Hour among numerous appearances on TV such as Underbelly Season 2, The NRL Footy Show, the So You Think You Can Dance Finale, Carols in the Domain, Sunrise, The Morning Show and Disney Channel Australia.
Megan’s choreographed for Australia’s Got Talent contestant Genesis, X-Factor and Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo, Australian Fashion Graduate Week, Loud Shirt Day, Disney Fanfest, TIGI Hair Show and recently was creative director for EduTech National and International Expo Gala dinner.
Miss Kirstie
Kirstie began her dance training at the early age of 5. Kirstie is trained and experienced in all genres of dance; ballet, jazz and tap just to name a few. As a young performer she developed a love for ballet, which led to amazing opportunities to perform overseas in London, Paris, Malaysia, and Singapore. Kirstie was encouraged by her dance teachers to pursue her studies in ballet. In 2008 Kirstie enrolled in a 2 year full time classical ballet coaching course, at Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy.
Whilst studying classical ballet Kirstie became a member of the Australian Ballet Interstate program in 2009 and the Sydney City Youth Ballet Company. During her time in the Sydney City Youth Ballet she performed in Swan Lake, Cinderella, Polar Express Ballet and Nutcracker. Kirstie completed all RAD ballet examinations during her years of dance. She received a high distinction in her RAD Advanced 2 Ballet, which is a major ballet examination worldwide. Kirstie also studied the Cecchetti Classical Ballet style and completed her major exams with high distinctions.
Upon finishing her full time classical ballet studies, Kirstie enrolled in the RAD, Royal Academy in Dance, Certificate in Ballet Teaching, completing the course and is a now fully registered RAD ballet teacher. Experienced in all RAD grades and vocationals; male and female Primary to Advanced 2. Kirstie also completed CUA50311 Diploma of Dance Teaching & Management and CUA40211 Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Management. Kirstie has also studied the British Dance Association and Glenwood tap syllabuses, completing her teacher’s certificate through both BDA and Glenwood tap. During Kirstie’s dance performing career she performed with 6 pack productions performing as NRL Football entertainment, Christmas shows, charity balls and events. Kirstie has had the opportunity to star in Televisions shows of Colin Buchannan’s children’s DVD play school, the ABC TV series dance academy and dance academy 2 and channel 10 series so you think you can dance group.
Kirstie has enjoyed her years of performance of dance and through the achievement of ballet studies would love to pass on her knowledge, experience and love of dance to the up and coming new ballerinas.
Miss Nadine
Nadine grew up a competitive gymnast and acrobat from the age of 3. She has competed at a local, state and national level, and even represented Australia as an acrobat in The World’s Gymnaestrada, placing top 3. Nadine now competes as a Cheerleader to continue her acrobatic abilities. Coaching gymnastics, acrobatics and cheerleading is a major passion and she believes there’s nothing quite like the feeling of a student landing a new skill!
Miss Stephanie: Director
Stephanie has a dance/dance teaching career that spans over 30 years. Starting at the age of 5, she quickly fell in love with dance, ballet and contemporary in particular. She completed her RAD examinations through to advanced levels during her teenage years, also sitting for examinations in tap. She began teaching at her local dance studio at 17 years of age. At 18 she began her double degree of Bachelor of Dance/Bachelor of Education at UNSW. This degree included such studies as anatomy, teaching pedagogy, dance theory, technique classes and regular performance work. At 21 years of age and while in her third year of university, she opened Ignite Dance Co. (then known as SD Dance Studio) and her studio director journey began!
Stephanie taught for many years at local schools in the area whilst building Ignite up, slowly growing to the point she could rely solely on the studio. During this time she completed her accreditation with the NSW department of Education. These years of working in schools, whilst running Ignite, only cemented her teaching skills and understanding of children and how they learn.
A love and knowledge of music also helps Stephanie to teach dance from a different approach. Having trained as a flautist for 15 years, she also taught music while studying at university. This knowledge allows her to show her students how to really listen to the music they are dancing to, how to use it to express their emotions and how to manipulate music to make their choreography more dynamic and enjoyable.
Stephanie has a love for contemporary dance in particular but enjoys teaching all styles, especially technique classes. Having trained mainly in RAD ballet, BAL tap, contemporary and jazz she has a strong technical base to work from when passing on her knowledge. She continually builds on her education through courses and being involved in teaching associations, striving to always better herself and her teaching. She believes that every child should have the chance to experience dance and the joy it can bring. The best part of her job is seeing her students grow into responsible and kind adults and she loves keeping in touch with all her students and their families from over the years.
Stephanie is married with two young children and while busy juggling family life with running a studio, wouldn’t have it any other way!
Miss Caitlin: Co-Director
Beginning her first dance classes at the early age of 4, Caitlin trained in a number of dance styles over the years including ballet, jazz, contemporary & tap, however focused mainly on classical ballet, training in R.A.D through to advanced levels.
While continuing with dance training and starting to take on teaching roles within Ignite, Caitlin took on a different route in her early adult years – she followed another growing passion of hers and completed a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood at Macquarie University. This led to a number of years of experience working closely with young children, in both early childhood and primary school settings.
However, while maintaining her dance teaching during the early years of Ignite, and after a few short years focusing on teaching in a school setting, Caitlin chose to turn back to her real passion in dance and being able to gift this to her students. The combination of the joy of dance along with the theory & practice behind early learning quickly became a new focus for her and one that is now steadily thriving within the studio.
In 2012, with the steady growth of Ignite, Caitlin moved on from only teaching a number of classes per week by taking on the role of Co-Director. She has been heavily involved in the management of all aspects of the studio since. Being part of the studio in this way has been so rewarding, especially due to truly being a part of each student’s (and their parent’s) dance journey, and to watch them grow from tiny dancers into confident, talented young adults!
Caitlin currently creates & runs all of our Ignite Kids program, along with teaching jazz, ballet, performance teams & technique classes amongst our youngest age groups.
Miss Megan
Megan has awed crowds across the globe with her ability to perform. With 24 years of professional training in all styles of dance, Megan has achieved high standards in many aspects of the entertainment industry.
Since graduating from Brent Street with a Certificate IV in Performing Arts, she has had a great deal of success with-in her field. Her credits include dancing for REDFOO, Kelly Rowland, David Guetta, Bag Raiders, Showtek, Paulini, Johnny Ruffo, Justice Crew and The McClymonts. Megan has also danced at several corporate events Nationally and Internationally for leading companies such as; BMW, Mercedes Benz, Emirates, White Water World Australia, Michael Hill, G.H Mumm and more.
Megan’s expertise extends beyond live performance. She has also been involved in commercials for MTV, BONDS, Schweppes, Peugeot and Earth Hour among numerous appearances on TV such as Underbelly Season 2, The NRL Footy Show, the So You Think You Can Dance Finale, Carols in the Domain, Sunrise, The Morning Show and Disney Channel Australia.
Megan’s choreographed for Australia’s Got Talent contestant Genesis, X-Factor and Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo, Australian Fashion Graduate Week, Loud Shirt Day, Disney Fanfest, TIGI Hair Show and recently was creative director for EduTech National and International Expo Gala dinner.
Miss Kirstie
Kirstie began her dance training at the early age of 5. Kirstie is trained and experienced in all genres of dance; ballet, jazz and tap just to name a few. As a young performer she developed a love for ballet, which led to amazing opportunities to perform overseas in London, Paris, Malaysia, and Singapore. Kirstie was encouraged by her dance teachers to pursue her studies in ballet. In 2008 Kirstie enrolled in a 2 year full time classical ballet coaching course, at Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy.
Whilst studying classical ballet Kirstie became a member of the Australian Ballet Interstate program in 2009 and the Sydney City Youth Ballet Company. During her time in the Sydney City Youth Ballet she performed in Swan Lake, Cinderella, Polar Express Ballet and Nutcracker. Kirstie completed all RAD ballet examinations during her years of dance. She received a high distinction in her RAD Advanced 2 Ballet, which is a major ballet examination worldwide. Kirstie also studied the Cecchetti Classical Ballet style and completed her major exams with high distinctions.
Upon finishing her full time classical ballet studies, Kirstie enrolled in the RAD, Royal Academy in Dance, Certificate in Ballet Teaching, completing the course and is a now fully registered RAD ballet teacher. Experienced in all RAD grades and vocationals; male and female Primary to Advanced 2. Kirstie also completed CUA50311 Diploma of Dance Teaching & Management and CUA40211 Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Management. Kirstie has also studied the British Dance Association and Glenwood tap syllabuses, completing her teacher’s certificate through both BDA and Glenwood tap. During Kirstie’s dance performing career she performed with 6 pack productions performing as NRL Football entertainment, Christmas shows, charity balls and events. Kirstie has had the opportunity to star in Televisions shows of Colin Buchannan’s children’s DVD play school, the ABC TV series dance academy and dance academy 2 and channel 10 series so you think you can dance group.
Kirstie has enjoyed her years of performance of dance and through the achievement of ballet studies would love to pass on her knowledge, experience and love of dance to the up and coming new ballerinas.
Miss Nadine
Nadine grew up a competitive gymnast and acrobat from the age of 3. She has competed at a local, state and national level, and even represented Australia as an acrobat in The World’s Gymnaestrada, placing top 3. Nadine now competes as a Cheerleader to continue her acrobatic abilities. Coaching gymnastics, acrobatics and cheerleading is a major passion and she believes there’s nothing quite like the feeling of a student landing a new skill!