FACULTY | ritzdance

Rhonda Binnie CSTD - Director

Rhonda has been teaching and coaching dance for over 35years and is well respected in the world of dance in Queensland, Australia and Overseas. She has full CSTD Diplomas in Theatrical Dance, Tap Dance, Ballet and Jazz (Jazz Award). Rhonda is also an International adjudicator for dance and is currently the Chairman of BPAC (Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge) and GBPAC (Granite Belt Performing Arts Challenge)

At The Ritz, Rhonda currently teaches

Toddlerdance
Theatrical
All Tap Grades
Teachers Certificates & Diplomas
All Jazz Grades
All Ballet Grades
Performance Team Choreography

TESTIMONIAL

"Rhonda (Binnie) has been my teacher, mentor, employer and now friend. Over the years, Rhonda has played an important role in my life and I owe her a lot. I was very proud when my daughter became the second generation to attend the Ritz. I look forward to many more years of friendship."

Gretta (Physiotherapist), mother of 9 yr old

Miss Diane Gray

Miss Gray is a former professional ballet dancer who trained at Rosella Hightower's in France, before her 23 year long Professional career with Iranian National Ballet; Scottish Ballet; Irish National Ballet Co.; Royal Ballet of New Zealand & Logan City Ballet. Miss Gray has been teaching and coaching ballet at The Ritz since 1990, and is one of the most highly respected dance coaches in Australia. During her teaching Career, Miss Gray has been instrumental in training MANY male dancers to professional careers in Classical Ballet and Contemporary dance

At The Ritz, Miss Gray currently teaches Intermediate & Major Ballet grades as well as Ballet Repertoire and Ballet Extension classes and choreographs Classical routines for Team Ritz

Mrs Samantha Hopkins B. Fine Arts - Dance; Grad Dip. Ed. (Secondary); Cert IV in Training & Assessment

Samantha started dancing at The Ritz at the age of 4yrs and went on to attain her Jazz Award, Gold Star in Tap and Intermediate in Ballet with CSTD. Samantha went on to do a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Dance and her Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) at QUT. Samantha was a valued triple-threat member of the Ritz Performance team for many years which gave her the chance to work with some of the best choreographers in Australia. Samantha recently became a Mum and has come back home to join her Ritz family once again.

At The Ritz, Samantha currently teaches all dance genres, is able to assess students for Cert III courses and is a co-ordinator of Team Ritz

Mr Nathaniel Hancock - Professional Tap Dancer with Dein Perry's Tap Dogs since 2010. CSTD - Gold Star

Nathaniel started dancing at The Ritz at the age of 6yrs and went on to complete the CSTD grade exams at Gold Star in Tap. He also trained in Jazz & Ballet and was a valued triple-threat member of the Ritz Performance team for many years which gave him the chance to work with some of the best choreographers in Australia. Nathaniel was featured in the GFO production of "The Wizard of Oz" when he was only 11 years old and this gave him a taste for performing professionally. He was selected as a Tap Dog in 2010 and has since been travelling the world with the show. He will be getting married in 2019 and we are thrilled to welcome him back to his Ritz home.

At The Ritz, Nathaniel currently teaches Tap to the highest levels available.

Miss Georgia Bolton - BMusTh - Qld Con. Music

Georgia moved to Brisbane from Adelaide so that she could study at the Qld Conservatorium of Music in their Musical Theatre degree course. She graduated from this course at the end of 2017. While in Adelaide, Georgia taught Voice and music at Forte Music School and in State Education schools as well. She has also reached Level 6 in her AMEB studies and came to us highly recommended by Forte Music school in Adelaide.

At The Ritz, Georgia currently teaches Singing, Piano, Musical Theatre and Music at our Centenary studio.

Mr Kei Ishii CSTD - T Dip. Modern Jazz; TC Ballet Kei started dancing at The Ritz at the age of 7yrs. In his teens, he was selected for the Qld Ballet's JEP (Junior Extension Program) which he participated in for 2 years, and the Qld Dance School of Excellence which he attended for Years 10 & 11 in his schooling. He then went on to do full-time training and graduate from The Space Performing Arts in Melbourne, in 2010. Kei then went on to take a place at the world-renowned Ev & Bow Full-time Contempory Dance course in Sydney where he trained with Sarah Boulter in 2011 & 2012. While there, he was offered a secondment with the Internationally famed ADT (Australian Dance Theatre) in Adelaide and had the opportunity to train and work with the company there twice. Kei was also a member of Legs on the Wall Contemporary Dance Troupe and performed in their producation of ""Puncture" at the Sydney Festival in 2014.

At The Ritz, Kei currently teaches all Contemporary grades, Senior Jazz and is a valued choreographer for our Performance Projects.

Miss Courtney Manego - CSTD T. Cert Jazz; CSTD T. Cert Tap; Dip. Performing Arts ED5 International

Courtney trained under Clarrissa Hill and Sonya Llora in Brisbane and attained her CSTD Teacher Certificates in Jazz & Tap. Courtney went on to do full-time training and graduate from ED-5 International Performing Arts in Sydney, with a Diploma of Performing Arts. She has been a professional dancer and Teacher based in Sydney for the past 3 years and has recently moved her base back to Brisbane.

At The Ritz, Courtney currently teaches Jazz & Hip-Hop and is a co-coordinator of Team Ritz

Miss Sarah Green - CSTD TC Jazz; CSTD TC Tap

Sarah has been a student at The Ritz for the past 8 years and has studied Jazz, Tap & Ballet. We are so happy to have her join our Faculty now as a qualified Junior Jazz syllabus Teacher.

Sarah will be teaching our Ready Set Dance & Pre-Junior Saturday Program in our Brisbane school and will be relieving and assisting in other dance genres throughout the year.

Toddlerdance, Jazz, Tap, Ballet

Miss Madelyn Kilkenny CSTD - TC Tap; TAPfit

Madelyn started dancing at The Ritz at the age of 5yrs and trained in Jazz, Ballet & Tap finishing all grades in tap and most recently being awarded her Teachers Certificate in Tap by CSTD. She is currently studying film and Performing Arts at Uni and has recently taken the TAPfit trainers course to qualify as an instructor. She joins our Faculty as a qualified Teacher. Madelyn is also a Life-Member of The Ritz.

At The Ritz, Madelyn currently teaches Adults Tap & Junior Tap.

Mr Dominick Wong - Intermediate Gymnastics Coach

Registered with Gymnastics Australia

With a strong background in gymnastics, circus and martial arts, Dominick has consolidated his knowledge and experience to become a very accomplished coach. He specialises in delivering acrobatics and conditioning programs to both children and adults. Dominick has trained to a high level in competitive Gymnastics at a younger age and is now focusing his training in circus arts. He has trained and competed both interstate and overseas.

Dominick approaches his coaching very systematically, ensuring strict technique and enforces proper skill progressions. He is capable of catering his programs to all ages and skill levels. Most importantly, Dominick strongly values a fun and creative culture when approaching fitness to himself and to his respected clients.

Dominick runs the Acrobatics program at our Brisbane school

Miss Makenzie Wright - CSTD TC Tap; TAPfit

Makenzie has been a student at The Ritz for the past 12 years and has studied Jazz, Tap & Ballet. We are so happy to have her join our Faculty now as a qualified Junior Tap syllabus Teacher.

Makenzie will be running our Toddlerdance Program in our Brisbane school and will be relieving and assisting in other dance genres throughout the year.

Toddlerdance, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, TAPfit

Miss Carleon Russell B. Music Studies; ATCL Musical Theatre

Miss Carleon has attained many formal Qualifications so far including:

BMus -Music Studies; ATCL Singing; ATCL Musical Theatre; Advanced Performers Certificate Drama TCL; Grade 7 Music Theory TCL; Grade 6 Piano AMEB

Carleon is also a Mum and loves working on her song-writing and Opera training.

At The Ritz, Carleon currently teaches all TCL Musical Theatre, Singing & Drama grades.

Ms Megan Lynch CBTS:RAD

Megan grew up and trained in dance in Stanthorpe before moving to Brisbane and the United Kingdom where she continued her training. In her travels, she has had the opportunity to study a variety of ballet syllabi (Royal Academy of Dance, Ceccheti & Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) and has been coached by teachers including Martin Rubinstein, Barbara Everson, and Wendy Lowe. She attained her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies through the Royal Academy of Dance London (CBTS:RAD), and she is a Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy Dance (RAD:RTS). Megan continues her professional development each year by attending recognised teaching courses to stay up to date with dance practices and safe teaching methods. At The Ritz, Megan currently teaches Pre-Intermediate to Senior Ballet classes in the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dance (CSTD) syllabus.

Mrs Jade McInnerney - CSTD TC Jazz

Jade was a student at The Ritz for 7 years studying all genres of dance,until she completed her Teachers Certificate Exam for Jazz and headed off to University. Jade moved to Townsville after being married and has now returned to Stanthorpe with her husband and recently gave birth to their first baby. We are so happy to have her join our Faculty now as a qualified Junior Jazz syllabus Teacher.

Jade will be teaching our Ready Set Dance Program and Junior Jazz grades in our Stanthorpe school.

Mrs Stacy Faux - Intermediate Gymnastics Coach

Registered with Gymnastics Australia

Stacy grew up in the world of Gymnastics reaching advanced levels in accreditation and competition. She is now a qualified and experienced Yoga Teacher/coach and is in charge of our Acrobatics program in our Stanthorpe school.

Student Teachers 2019:-