Nicole Hough – Director

From very early beginnings, Nicole trained with the best in the Industry including Bernadette Langshaw-Clark, and at Pineapple studios (London). Fully qualified in RAD Classical Ballet, Nicole found her love of teaching to be grounded in Jazz which she has successfully taught for over 20 years across Sydney. Throughout her performing career Nicole has worked with top choreographers and been cast in many Sydney shows including Corporate gigs, Commercial Dance contracts with Di Heaton, Super League, Sydney City Roosters, Canterbury Cheerleaders, Hannah Barbera, Australia’s Wonderland and Walt Disney Productions.

2012 now marks an important era for Nicole joining forces with Hornsby Dance to form INDUSTRY PERFORMING ARTS. Her passion for teaching is evident in her solo and group routines and she is proud of her students’ many successes at local and national level Eisteddfods and being cast in professional children’s shows with RegProm Marketing & Promotions.

Shannon Briscoe- Director

Shannon began her dance training at the age of 5 under the expert guidance of Samantha Simpson and Nicole Hough. She has since excelled in her ballet studies, completing all of her R.A.D. exams and achieving the prestigious Advanced 2 ARAD qualification.

Shannon further honed her skills by training full-time at The Conlan College, where she studied under the esteemed direction of Simone Conlan and Kate Hiron, alongside some of Australia’s most talented dancers. Throughout her journey to becoming a professional ballerina, Shannon discovered her true passion for teaching ballet.

In addition to her dance credentials, Shannon holds the R.A.D. Teacher’s Certificate and is a qualified Primary School Teacher with an arts degree, majoring in Dance and Creative Arts. Her extensive experience both as a performer and educator allows her to nurture the next generation of dancers with knowledge, expertise, and a deep love for the art form.

Kate Hiron – Ballet Teacher

Kate began dancing at the age of 6 at Ecole Classique under the directorship of Prudence Bowen. At 15 she joined their full-time program (by then under new directorship) and later Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy whilst continuing to train with Prudence Bowen privately. In 1998 she completed her RAD Advanced 2 exam, was awarded the Warringah Scholarship, received the RAD Bursary, won The McDonald’s Ballet Scholarship, was awarded the gold medal at the Genee International Ballet Competition and received a scholarship from The Prix De Lausanne International Ballet Competition to The Royal Ballet School in London which she commenced in 1999.

In 2000 she returned to Australia and began teaching at The Conlan College of Classical Ballet where she remained as head of Faculty under Simone Conlan as well as standing in as director for a year whilst Miss Conlan was on maternity leave. Kate spent 2 years in Western Australia with her then fiance Ben and taught for Samantha Leeman at Stevens Dance Academy. She completed her Teachers Certificate with the Royal Academy of Dance in 2003. Some of Kate’s choreographic highlights include winning McDonalds Sydney Eisteddfod Dance of Champions 2013 entry, Por una Cabeza and the Open Age Classical Groups from 2011 to 2016. Kate is married to Ben and has three sons, Mitchell, Archer and Lachlan.

Zoey Black – Jazz Teacher

Zoey Black is from Sydney Australia and began dancing at the age of 6 years old. After years of training, she began her professional career in 2009. She’s worked with Australia’s leading choreographers and artists in televised performances, stage, music videos and corporate events. She was a resident dancer on many seasons of The Xfactor and The Voice Aus and she also went on tour with One Direction, NKOTB and Ricky Martin during their Australia legs with the supporting artists, Timomatic and Johnny Ruffo. 

In 2014 Zoey competed on the hit television series “ So you think you can dance “ where she placed top 10.
Zoey then moved to Los Angeles where she has been fortunate enough to have worked with artists such as Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Selena Gomez, Paula Abdul, JLO, Ricky Martin, Rita Ora, Janelle Monae, Kendrick Lamar, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, Kelly Clarkson, Calvin Harris, Kelly Rowland, Ava Max, Jessie J, Jidenna, Maddison Beer, Fleur East, Louisa and many more…  Zoey has performed on multiple award shows including the American Music Awards, VMA’s, MTV Awards, iheartradio Awards, BET Awards and the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. Zoey has also toured the US and internationally starting with Paula Abdul for “The Total Package Tour” which also included Boyz II Men and New Kids On The Block. Then Katy Perry’s “Witness World Tour”. Zoey then started a contract with Britney Spears for her Vegas residency “Domination” but the show was unfortunately postponed. Zoey then went on an American/European tour with Ava Max whilst also still performing with Katy Perry throughout 2019 and is still a resident dancer for her team.  Between touring, artist work and television performances, Zoey has also worked on many corporate jobs and commercials with companies such as Amazon, Porche, Tiffany and Co, Nike, KIA, Hermes, Amway, and flying to Baku Azerbaijan where she performed as a soloist at the Islamic Solidarity Games. With all of her success and professional experience, Zoey returns to Australia as an established dancer who loves sharing her knowledge and passion for dance.

Ben Zammit – Contemporary Teacher

Born and raised in Sydney Australia, Ben started dancing at the age of 7. He completed training at Ev and Bow Full time Dance Training Centre and travelled to New York City to further his training at Broadway Dance Centre for 3 months, assisting multiple dance teachers and tutors over seas. Highlights of Ben’s career include: Hugh Jackman’s world tour – The Man The Music The Show (Aus, NZ, US) Opera Australia – King Roger, La Traviata The Dream Dance Company – Enter The Vortex Shaun Parker Company – Trolleys Television Series – Dance Boss Stephen Tannos’ We.Are.Dance.Project – FOUND Company’s include – Yamaha, Sydney Trains, Water Aid

Saskia Vogt – Ballet Teacher

Saskia began dancing from 5 years old, training in classical ballet and contemporary at The Conlan College. She joined their fulltime training program at 13 under Kate Hiron, later transferring to Tanya Pearson Academy under the directorship of Lucinda Dunn, whilst training privately with Kate Hiron. She completed all R.A.D ballet exams with high distinction, attended the Royal Ballet Summer School and was a finalist of the Sydney Eisteddfod Robert and Elizabeth Junior Ballet Scholarship. In 2018 Saskia competed in both the Prix De Lausanne International Ballet Competition and in the New York City finals of the Youth America Grand Prix. She took up a position at the English National Ballet School, before returning to Australia in 2020 where she has begun teaching at Industry Performing Arts, whilst continuing her education.

Mikaela Johnson – Ballet and Contemporary Teacher

Mikaela Johnson started ballet at the age of 5 at The Conlan College of Classical Ballet in Sydney. She completed her RAD exams with marks of 94-100% up to Advanced 2. She was a finalist in the Isobel Anderson awards for Advanced 1. In 2014, Mikaela entered the prestigious Genee International Ballet competition in Belgium where she received the Silver Medal, which was awarded to her by Dame Monica Mason and presented by Queen Mathilde of Belgium.

On returning home, she became the model for the Bloch Australia campaign for ‘Dance to School’ as well as the face for the RAD’s 80^th Anniversary celebrations. She was also invited to be a special guest at their 80^th Anniversary Gala, performing ‘Kodo’ choreographed by Lorena Otes. Mikaela also competed in the Alana Haines Awards in New Zealand where she won the audience choice award.

Mikaela received offers to attend International ballet schools and in 2015 at 16 years of age, headed off to the Joffrey Academy of Ballet in Chicago to join their elite Trainee Program.    During this time, she primarily studied Vaganova technique along with many other styles of classical and contemporary such as Balanchine under the direction of Deborah Wingert Arkin (Director of the Balanchine Foundation), MoPed and Gaga technique. She also studied many ballet repertoires and trained alongside well known choreographers and dancers. A highlight for Mikaela was being selected to perform in Cinderella with the Joffrey Ballet Company. This was followed by a year in the pre-professional program at Orlando Ballet where she studied the American Ballet Theatre syllabus.

Through this time Mikaela’s passion for contemporary grew, especially influenced by one teacher and choreographer, Ronn Stewart, who founded the CoCoDaco Project in Chicago. After Orlando she moved to Munich, Germany, to begin her studies at Iwanson International School of Contemporary Dance. Through the 3 year program, Mikaela worked with a new choreographer every week and was exposed to many new styles and ways of moving and creating. Mikaela graduated with her Diploma in Dance. During her time in Germany, she got to perform at the Kunstlerhaus Munich, for Die Lange Nacht der Museen,

‘If Not Us Who? And if Not Now When’ Festival Junger Tanz, Gasteig Munich, 2019- Minka Marie Heiss, ‘ 69 EIGHT’ Festival Junger Tanz, Gasteig Munich, 2019- Johannes Härtl and ‘Displaced Person‘ Festival Junger Tanz, Gasteig, Munich 2018- Pia Fossdal.

Jonny Oliver – Acrobatics Teacher

Jonny Oliver, a Sydney native, shines as an acro teacher and coach. As a state champion acrobatic gymnast and professional parkour athlete. Jonny brings a wealth of experience to the acrobatic arena.

Jonny has performed as an acrobat for over five years and a coached and taught for a decade. He also has danced a variety of dance styles, and is qualified as a high-level gymnastics coach.

Jonny’s expertise extends beyond traditional gymnastics, influenced by martial arts, tricking, contortion, handbalance, and circus arts. His diverse skill set enables him to communicate the core pieces of skills quickly and effectively so his students improve and become better performers.

Natalija Separovich – Hip Hop Teacher 

Natalija Separovich is one of Australia’s most versatile, hardworking and in demand performer and creative.

She made her professional debut in the Australian tour of Annie the Musical, where she played the roll of ‘Duffy’. Since then she has been cast in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as ‘Marta’,
Bring it on as the dance captain/ensemble, Fame as understudy Lambchops/ensemble and High School Musical, Grease, Beauty and the Beast,Legally Blonde and Wizard of Oz also as ensemble. This was all while working along side John Frost, Tim Lawson and Hama Productions.

Natalija also made her professional choreographic debut, choreographing Seussical the Musical, whilst also performing as part of the ensemble and understudying Sour Kangaroo.

She has worked for Channel 7, RAC and The Crown, as a dancer and singer for multiple corporate events.

Since living in Sydney, she has since been working as a professional dancer with gigs including, dancing for Kylie Minogue at Sydney Mardi Gras, The Australia’s Got Talent Grand Finale, AFL grand final and the Suncorp Super Netball grand final with Newground Collective.

Toni spent three years training full-time at LAUNCH Performing Arts Centre on the Gold Coast, learning directly from Michelle Hopper-Doyle, Kate Wormald and Troy Phillips.  She has trained extensively in a plethora of styles – ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and theatre; yet she pertained a strong liking and specialisation to jazz and tap.  Since then, she secured agency representation with Presley Management and has moved to Sydney to further pursue her performing arts career.  As a teacher, her devotion is to her students.  Ensuring that each and every student is given support and guidance to achieve their goals is at the centre of her focus, and fostering a supportive environment in which all students are encouraged to strive for excellence is mandatory in every class she teaches.

Shahnee Page – Ballet Teacher

Shahnee began her full-time ballet training at The Conlan College in Sydney before continuing at the Joffrey Ballet School, New York. After two years, she joined the Joffrey Studio Company and performed Kettentanz by Gerald Arpino at the Beijing Ballet Gala. This led to her participation in the International Beijing Ballet Competition, where she was approached and offered a contract on the spot with Teatrul de Balet Sibiu, Romania. After her first season with the company, she was promoted and performed soloist roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Anna Karenina, La Bayadere and more. Including her dream role, Myrtha from Giselle. She later joined Theater Plauen-Zwickau, Germany. She performed soloist roles in works by Ihsan Rustem, Guillaume Hulot, Cayetano Soto, and Oded Ronen. She had pieces choreographed specifically for her while also creating her own choreography. Shahnee’s career reflects her versatility across both classical and contemporary styles. Since returning to Australia in 2021 she has been teaching in Sydney, where she is passionate about preparing the next generation of dancers for the industry while fostering a nurturing environment that supports their artistic and personal growth.