THE BLAKEHURST ACADEMY FACULTY
PRINCIPAL
Amy Bloor
CLASSICAL BALLET, CONTEMPORARY, JAZZ, STRETCH, TAP, MUSCIAL THEATRE & FITNESS
Starting dancing at the age of 4, Amy has always had a strong love of dance. Knowing that she always wanted to work in the dancing industry, that dream is a reality within Blakehurst Academy. Having trained in EDTA Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Contemporary, Amy passes on a wealth of knowledge, different styles and her love of dance and infectious energy to her students. Amy still takes regular classes with Sydney Dance Company and attends workshops with high profile teachers and choreographers from Australia and overseas.
Amy also has qualifications in Business, Marketing and Sports Management and Marketing. She is a qualified Personal Trainer and Children's Trainer, registered with Fitness Australia. She was also the Founder, Editor and a writer for Australian Dance Teacher Magazine - a magazine aimed at teaching, inspiring and helping dance teachers all across Australia.
She has been a student of the Academy for 8 years and a teacher for the last 5 years before taking over as Principal in mid 2007. She has performed in numerous shows and participated in the 2000 Olympic Games - Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
TEACHING STAFF
Elissa Poulos L.E.D.T.A - Senior Teacher & Examiner
CLASSICAL BALLET, JAZZ, TAP & DRAMA
Elissa Poulos is the founder of Blakehurst Academy which was established in 1996. She has been dancing for over 30 years and qualified as a Licentiate Senior Teacher in 1992. She was the student of Daphne MacDonald, the Founder of EDTA, and is trained in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary Dance, Classical Spanish Dance and Drama.
Elissa qualified and was awarded the position as Examiner with EDTA (Education in Dance and Theatre Arts Inc) in 2000 and she is the EDTA Drama Festival Organiser. Elissa has participated in many performances and recitals and has had the lead role in several pantomimes and was a volunteer for the Sydney 2000 Olympic games and participated in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Laura Woodward - CLASSICAL BALLET, JAZZ & TAP
Laura has been dancing for over 15 years and joined Blakehurst Academy in 1998. She is trained in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Drama and began teaching for the Academy in 2003. Laura is currently completing her Members Full Teaching Qualifications. She completed her Bachelor of Health Science degree at Sydney University in 2007.
Laura is an enthusiastic teacher and her students respond in the same manner. Her goal is to help her students reach their goals and dreams.
Tanja Vesanen - CLASSICAL BALLET, JAZZ & TAP
Tanja started dancing at the age of 4 and has had a strong passion for dancing ever since. Training with Lorraine Academy of Dance, she is trained in EDTA Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Contemporary as well as having studied the Glenn Wood Tap Syllabus. She also has gained qualifications as a Personal Trainer.
Tanja attends regular classes at Sydney Dance Company and participates in workshops to pass on any new knowledge gained. She has choreographed and taught in all styles of dance for children aged 3 up to adults.
Tanja aims to be a role model for her students and hopes that her love for dancing will be passed on to all who she teaches.
Leanne Ney T.C.R.G - IRISH DANCING
Leanne has danced competitively for 22 years. She was 7 times NSW state solo champion. In 1990 she was the Australian Senior Ladies solo champion. She has competed in 4 world solo Irish dancing championships with her best placing being 13th out of 200 competitors in the 1990 Senior Ladies Championship. Leanne travelled to America and Canada in 1991 and was placed 2nd in the American Open Championships. She was 4 times Australian Champion in team events. In her career Leanne has won over 120 solo championships.
Leanne has been teaching Irish Dancing since 1994 and loves teaching children and adults. Whether it's for just the love of dance or for serious competition. She currently has 14 students travelling to Canberra in September for the Australian championships in solo and teams. In 2005 one of her 8-hand teams was placed 4th in the Nationals at the Gold Coast. She trains the current male 16 year old State and Australian Champion.
Simon Shapiro - SINGING
Simon is one of Sydney's most sort after singers for both studio recording and live performance. His vast experience in most areas of vocal sytle and professionanl application make him ideally suited to the coaching of beginner and advanced singers. For the past fifteen years Simon has taught in a variety of institutions including: Johny Young Talent School, Brent Street, Kangas School of the Natural Voice, Ozvoice and Gladesville Primary School.
Simon is experienced at teaching young people and is often asked to prepare students for HSC and Eisteddfod performances. Successful singing is achieved through a mix of confidence, technique and application. For this to improve students need to be encouraged, educated and challenged.
2007 was a productive and successful year for Simon. Simon won The APRA Songwriters Award in November 2007 at the Musicoz awards for 'What a Day', and was also nominated for Best Pop artist.
In August 2007, 'Anything to Anyone', won best Rock\Indie song at the 27th ASA (Australian songwriters association) awards, where Simon also won the major award being named 'Songwriter of the Year'. This song also won the pop category of the U.S 'Song of the Year' competition for September and is in the running for the major awards in March 2008.
Other achievements to date include four songs short listed at 2007 ASA awards, chosen as one of the top ten pop artist in 2006 'MUSICOZ' awards. Represented Australia in the International Children's Festival held in Shang Hai, 1993 performed as half-time entertainment for 40,000 fans at last years NRL semi-finals. As a musician and singer, Simon has performed and toured with some of Australia's' finest artists including Tommy Emmanuel, Glenn Shorrick, Richard Clapton, Jenny Morris, Sophie and Kia(The Saddle Club)and more. Simon is finally breaking out on his own with a debut solo album full of songs that tell the stories of his own experience of the world.
Angelique Stivactas - HIP HOP
Angelique has been dancing for over 10 years, the last 3 years specialising in Hip Hop, Crump, Funk and Bollywood. She has been trained by some of Sydney's hottest dancers. Having performed for Sydney night clubs, corprate functions, personal functions, T.V pilots, Film Clips and festivals, her style is constantly fresh and exciting. With a love for dance and teaching, Angelique's style will open your mind and take your dancing to another level.
Danika Smith - CLASSICAL BALLET
Danika started dancing at the age of 10 at 'Dance Unlimited' in Mudgee, studying Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Tap. As her passion and love for dance grew it became her dream to make dance her life and started teaching at the age of 15.
At 17, Danika moved to Sydney to study full-time Classical Ballet at 'Tanya Pearson's Classical Coaching Academy' to further her knowledge and career.
Since studying full-time, Danika has been a professional dancer for over 5 years and has had many dance contracts including working for 'Carnival Cruise Lines' in America and at the prestigious 'Moulin Rouge' in Paris, France.
Danika is currently dancing on the 'Sydney Showboat' and is passing her love, passion and knowledge on to students aspiring to be a part of the dance world.