THE BLAKEHURST ACADEMY FACULTY
PRINCIPAL
Amy Richards - M.E.D.T.A
CLASSICAL BALLET, CONTEMPORARY, JAZZ, STRETCH, TAP, MUSICAL THEATRE, FITNESS & PERFORMANCE
Starting dancing at the age of 4, Amy has always had a strong love of dance. Knowing that she always wanted to work within 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 and holds a Pilates Fitness Certificate . She was also the Founder, Editor and a writer for 'Australian Dance Teacher Magazine'. The magazine aimed at teaching, inspiring and helping dance teachers which was well received all across Australia.
She was a student of the Academy for 8 years and a teacher for 5 years before taking over as Principal in mid 2007. She has taught at many pre-schools and schools across Sydney and has performed in numerous shows including the 2000 Olympic Games - Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
TEACHING STAFF
Elissa Poulos L.E.D.T.A - Senior Teacher & Examiner
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 - M.E.D.T.A -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. 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.
Laura Cockerill - CLASSICAL BALLET, JAZZ, TAP, PERFORMANCE, DRAMA & HIP HOP
Laura Cockerill has been dancing and singing since the age of 5. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Singing and Drama.
Over the years Laura has been a part of live television events such as Carols in the Domain as a solo singer and a dancer, the Opening of Children's Westmead Hospital, a dancer on "Where are they now" and many big corporate events. In 2008 she was chosen to tour with "SHOUT" the musical as an ensemble/swing member, which was followed by touring around Australia with the Wiggles.
Laura has also completed 3 years of a Bachelor of Arts Education Degree in Dance and Theatre at UNSW and is completing her final year part time.
Laura has a strong passion for teaching and has taught dance and singing at many dance schools and high schools around Sydney.
Laura aspires to sharing her knowledge and love of dance with all her students and encourages them to believe that anything is achievable if you put your mind to it.
Kathryn Ferguson - SINGING
Kathryn has a strong passion for teaching, songwriting and performing and aims to pass this along to her students.
Having trained with vocal coach Liz Scott for 6 years, Kathryn became a vocal coach herself, and at times managed Ms Scotts classes and business also.
Kathryn currently teaches around the inner city and the northern/southern suburbs privately and at music shops and high schools.
She has taught casually at Blakehurst Academy over the last 2 years and was one of the judges for 'BAPA Idol' in 2008.
2009 sees Kathryn take on a permanent role at the school.
Amy Tasker - CLASSICAL BALLET
Amy has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Funk, Musical Theatre and Cheerleading since the age of three. In 2003, she was offered a scholarship to study full-time classical ballet at 'Ecole Ballet Studios' and since completing her full-time course has danced professionally in a number of stage shows, sporting events and featured in multiple television commercials. Amy has also completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology and Nutrition at the University of Wollongong in 2008.
Amy looks forward to sharing her technical knowledge and enthusiasm to encourage students to push their boundaries whilst experiencing the joy and fulfillment of dance.
Leilani Hile - JAZZ & TAP
Leilani started dancing at the age of 3. She is trained in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Ballroom and Musical Theatre, and also in Singing, Drama and Flute. Leilani has grown up competing at dance eisteddfods around Sydney and performing in showgroups at festivals and corporate events. She has performed in Rock Eisteddfod productions with Woolooware High School, the Schools Spectacular and was a chorus member in Engadine Musical Society's "High School Musical" in 2007.
In 2008, Leilani graduated from the Brent Street Studios Full Time Performing Arts Course (Certificate IV). She is preparing to sit her last dancing exams to gain her final teachers qualifications and will be studying a Bachelor of Business Administration (Event Management) in 2009.
Leilani is enthusiastic about teaching and loves helping others to achieve their goals.