ELISE RULE
Elise Rule has been dancing for 18 years and is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and contemporary. Elise has completed SFD exams in jazz, tap and ballet and trained full-time at Patrick Studios Australia with some of Melbourne's best teachers. Elise has worked professionally at the Annual Crown Palladium Ball, Bollywood film "Me and Mrs Kana" and "Pink Goes Gaga" tribute shows. Elise began teaching dance in 2005.
GENNA GRUYTERS
Genna has been dancing since age 7, exploring different styles including Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Ballet. She had been a student and a teacher at Vibe Studios for more then 6 years, but has taught at various schools since the age of 19. She completed Cert 4 in Dance Teaching and Managament in 2008, and completed a Teaching Diploma with the SFD in 2012.
LAUREN KERR
Lauren has been dancing with Vibe since day 1. She began training in Jazz, Hip Hop and Cheerleading and later added Ballet and Contemporary. She became an assistant in her second year with Vibe and became a qualified USAF coach in 2009. She is now our Head Cheer Coach, a qualified Level 4 USAF Coach, qualified with the ADA at an Intermediate level and First Aid Certified. She has also completed SFD exams in Jazz and Ballet with excellent marks and is a accredited SFD Jazz instructor. Lauren believes in creating a positive, encouraging environment in which her students can grow and develop their skills, not only as an athlete, but also as a person. She is proud to have taken home two Grand Champion Banners last year, as well as coaching Vibe's first cheer team to win a bid at Pinnacle.
JASON LAW
Jason is a Dancer, Choreographer & Creative Director. He is highly experienced in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip-hop and musical theatre. Jason launched his choreographic company in 2009 (www.jasonlaw.com) producing shows for Crown Casino, BMW, Jessica Mauboy, Elle Macpherson lingerie, Fashion+Aid, St Kilda Football Club and The Red Ball.
AMANDA HOWARD
Amanda began dancing at the age of 4 and later joined Vibe in 2008. Here she has been trained at a competitive level in Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary and Cheerleading. In addition to this, she has completed up to her level 8 SFD Jazz exams and began teaching with us in 2013. She is qualified with the ADA at an Intermediate level and with USASF at level 3. Amanda is currently studying Primary Education at Deakin University with intent to graduate in 2017. She currently mentors a lot of our competitive dance and cheerleading teams as well as our pre-primaries. Amanda can definitely feel the vibe!
GEMMA DONKER
Gemma began dancing with Vibe in 2007, and joined our Teen Pom and Stunt team in 2010. She has also competed in Hip Hop troupes, and was invited to join the Senior team in 2011. Gemma was the 2012 Teen captain and began assisting with our Under 14 Fun Cheer team. Gemma began teaching in 2013, and has recently gained her Level 3 USASF qualifications. She began studying biomedicine in 2015. Her confidence and joy for dance is infectious, and very easily passed on to her students.
CARLO SORONO
Carlo has has been dancing and teaching professionally in the arts of hip hop and break dancing for 15 years.
Currently a member of Rhythm Faction crew and a mentor for Vibe's very own break dancing crew Ageless Style Crew or “A.S.K”. Carlo was influenced and mentored by the original creators of breakdancing and hip hop such as Bboy Poe 1 Style Elements Crew and Suga Pop from Electric boogaloos. His goal has always been to develop students knowledge and movement in not just the art, but the passion and love of dance. Carlo has also been a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance top 50 season 1 and season 2. He was a gold medalist in the 2000 XGAMES and has represented the Australian break dancing team against New Zealand in 2001.
Our Teachers and Staff
CLAIRE FALLA
Claire began dancing at the age of 5 under the direction of Miranda Kalgovas and has studied many different styles of dance. As a student Claire was a Cecchetti Junior and Senior scholar and has completed her Advanced 2 examination as a dancer. Claire graduated from The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and later gained her Bachelor of Dance at VCA. sh also holds the following qualifications L.C.B.A - C.I.C.B Cecchetti Ballet Australia (Licentiate of Cecchetti Ballet International) Throughout her career Claire has had the opportunity to work with some of the best teachers and choreographers from Australia and overseas. With these experiences Claire brings an extensive knowledge of dance to her teaching and has had many students go onto successful careers in dance. She also holds the following qualification L(Dip).C.B.A-C.I.C.B Cecchetti Ballet Australia (Licentiate Diploma)
EBONY REIDY
Ebony has been dancing since she was 4 and later joined Vibe in 2009 where she was part of our senior dance troupe. Ebony is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop and musical theatre. Ebony has completed SFD and cecchetti exams in ballet, as well as SFD exams in tap and jazz and obtained Certificate 4 in Dance training fulltime at Patrick Studios Australia with some of Melbourne's best teachers. Ebony has worked professionally at the Annual Crown Palladium Ball, Regent Theatre, Royal Melbourne Show and in children's entertainment doing kids shows such as Despicable Me, Smurfs and Thomas the Tank Engine.
CHAVONNE MAGNUSON
Chavonne is a 22 year old dancer who has been classically trained and has been dancing since she was two years old. She is currently completing her last year of a full time course at Jason Colemans Ministry of dance, on a full talent scholarship. Chavonne has recently choreographed, performed and directed her own work which has been professionally filmed and is due to come out very shortly. Chavonne has helped out with the hit musical theatre production, "The King and I". She has experience in teaching jazz, ballet, hip hop, acrobatics and contemporary, and she also has valuable experience in working with disabled children. Having received positive feedback from her students and parents, she maintains a teaching style that works to each individuals strengths.
THERESE SORONO
Therese is a self taught hip hop dancer originally and has been dancing for 7 years. Starting out late in life has made Therese more determined to grow and better herself as a teacher and choreographer. With her natural abilities, passion and understanding for hip hop and by learning from some of the best hip hop dancers in melbourne including Vibes very own John-Carlo Sorono and Demi from SYTYCD Australia, she has become confident and extremely capable. Therese has also dabbled in other styles of dance including whacking, dancehall, house and break dancing.
OLIVIA HODGETT
Olivia began dancing at the age of 6 and later came to vibe when it opened in Mooroolbark in 2007. Olivia joined the troupe Jazz and hip hop teams in 2010 and the senior cheer troupe in 2012, she has completed up to SFD level 6 jazz and ballet. Olivia has assistant taught for the past two years and often fills in when needed and now with qualifications to teach level one cheer stunts and tumbling. She started as a receptionist at Bayswater North in 2013 and is now teaching cheer, hip hop, acro and tumbling!
SANDI KRISCHUNAS
Sandi taught mainly preps and grade ones for approximately 20 years at Lilydale West Primary school. In 2004 when her daughter Jaime opened Vibe Studios, Sandi volunteered to take on the relatively easy task of handling invoices and paying the bills for Jaime.....something she did in her 'spare time'. A few years down the track, Vibe grew a bit bigger, so Sandi found a partner and started team-teaching (one week on, one week off) so that she had more time to devote to Vibe. A couple of years later, she retired from teaching and now works full time for Vibe as Administration/Accounts Manager. She loves her job and the Vibe 'family', and of course she loves that she works closely with Jaime, even if Jaime is now her boss!
LISA KERR
Lisa joined Vibe at the beginning of 2014 as a receptionist at our Bayswater factory. She is a qualified primary school teacher, spending the last 30 years teaching at various primary schools in the local area. Lisa is an original vibe mum enrolling her daughters Lauren and Sarah the day Vibe opened. She absolutely loves the family atmosphere at Vibe and enjoys watching the students reach their full potential. Lisa has completed her Level 2 First Aid training and works as our receptionist.
TONI STOREY
Toni has had an extensive Dance & Fitness background. She has had a full performance career, including Princess Cruises, Contracts in China & Japan, and many Australian Performances working as a Bartuccio dancer, a Channel 9 regular & a Fitzgerald Dancer. Toni has Qualifications in Cecchetti (ballet), ISTD Modern Jazz & Tap. Full time Qualifications for Contemporary & Commercial Dance (hip hop/funk). She has been teaching & performing Dance for over 25 years. Toni has furthered her training, gaining qualifications for Pilates, Group Fitness & Zumba. Toni has recently been teaching Special Needs Dance, VCE Dance Composition, & numerous fitness classes around Melbourne’s South East. Toni is passionate about strength & knowledge in dance. Encouraging all dancers to work to their strengths & understand what is necessary to be a working performer or teacher. She is excited to be part of the Vibe team for 2016.
ANNA ABATE
Anna started dancing at the age of 9 at Vibe Studios and began teaching in 2015. Anna has completed her SFD exams in Jazz and Ballet and is now training at Spectrum Dance Full Time Performing Arts where she received her Certificate IV in Dance in 2017 and is currently studying Diploma of Musical Theatre. Anna is training in the styles of Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Lyrical, Cechetti Ballet, Hip Hop, Commercial, Partnering, Acro, Singing and Acting. Anna has performed at The Hope Ball, Ascend into the Darkness, The Australian Dance Festival, Shared Tables, Crown Palladium and at The Palms at Crown.
NICHOLA THIEDEMAN
Nichola was introduced to dancing at the age of 7 years old. She is trained in ballet, contemporary and jazz and has very recently adding hip hop to the mix. She started troupe in 2011 and has been a member of troupe ever since. Through the Southern Federation of Dance, Nichola has completed up to the Elementary level in classical exams, receiving honours with distinction and is currently studying Cecchetti. Nichola has also obtained a classical SFD teachers certificate and has a certificate 3 and 4 in fitness. Nichola began teaching in 2015 and has loved every minute of it.
JEMIMAH CHACKO
Jemimah has been dancing since the age of 5, including jazz, hip hop and contemporary. She also started sports aerobics when she was 8 and continued for 6 years, in this time she competed at both a State and National level. Jemimah starting cheerleading at Vibe in 2013 and fell in love with both the sport and the Vibe family. She recently recieved her Level 1 and 2 USASF qualfications. She loves the teamwork that cheerleading relies on and has a passion for encouraging kids to work hard and achieve their best in a fun and caring environment.
MEG DOLPHIN
Meg has been dancing at Vibe Studios for 9 years and has trained in jazz, contemporary, hiphop, ballet and pointe. She has completed her SFD level 8 jazz exam and is currently studying elementary ballet. Meg has been apart of Vibe's competition team since 2009, she began assistant teaching in 2014 and began teaching in 2016. She cannot imagine her life without dancing or without Vibe! Meg absolutely loves teaching and hopes to continue teaching at Vibe for many years to come!
TAHLIA ALONARITIS
Tahlia has been dancing for sixteen years and is currently completing her second year of Full Time Dance training at Jason Coleman's Ministry Of Dance. She has trained in many styles of dance including: ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre and commercial. Tahlia has completed her SFD level 10 Tap and SFD level 9 Jazz Exams as well as RAD Ballet Grade 8 and Advanced Foundation. Tahlia's performance credits include the role of Amber Von Tussle in an amateur production of Hairspray and numerous corporate events such as the Australian Open and at the Palladium, Crown Casino. She has had the opportunity to work and train with industry choreographers, Jason Coleman, Yvette Lee Adrian Ricks and many more. Through her full time dance course Tahlia is also studying to receive her Diploma in Dance Teaching And Management and is very excited to join the Vibe team and pass on her love of dance!
JAIME RICHMOND - PRINCIPAL
Jaime has been dancing since the age of 3. She obtained a Certificate III in dance from Tony Bartuccio's Dance and Performance Centre and she studied dance/drama at Deakin University. Jaime is an Associate in the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance and a Member of the Southern Federation of Dance.
Jaime performed professionally since the age of 17, dancing for the Melbourne Storm NRL team, the Victoria Giants, and also choreographed and danced for the South Dragons in the NBL. She has performed internationally with her own award winning Rock Eisteddfod creation. Since becoming a mother, she has retired from performing but has really sunken her teeth into teaching. She loves teaching kids of all ages from the pre-schoolers through to the elite seniors at Vibe. She has choreographed many National winning routines and also choreographed Vibe's first ever Pinnacle winning item. Jaime's passion has always been dance and performance, and her dream is to share this with others!
PAUL RICHMOND
Paul is the Director of Vibe Studios and can’t dance to save himself. He has 15 years sales and marketing experience in a variety of fast moving consumer goods businesses including, Carlton & United Breweries, Lion Dairy & Drinks and Peters Ice Cream. Paul has recently joined Vibe Studios on a full time basis, so Jaime can focus on what she does best, teach dance. He played a key role in turning the “MEGA” Studio dream into a reality.
Paul has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Vibe Studios and he looks forward to serving you in the café.
AINSLEY HEINRICH
Ainsley has been dancing since the age of 5, training in Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary & Hip-Hop. In 2002 she gained the Southern Federation of Dance (S.F.D) Jazz Teaching Diploma then went on to freelance teach before owning her own dance studio for 5 years, whilst studying a Diploma of Dance Teaching at Box Hill TAFE. Ainsley has guest taught at Primary and Secondary schools, choreographing a variety of routines for school productions, graduations, VCE and VET dance. Ainsley danced with the Victorian State Dancers performing in 2 state school spectacular performances (Melbourne Park), and a wide variety of functions for both government and private industry. Ainsley joined Vibe as a guest teacher for exam levels, and hasn’t left!
BRENTON DURSCHER
A certified personal trainer (Australian Institute of Fitness), retired circus performer with a bachelor degree in Circus Arts (National Institute of Circus Arts). Owner of Batika Circus Arts & Fitness. Brenton has been involved in sports throughout his entire life. Coming from a gymnastic and martial art background, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Brenton began busking and performing at festivals, cabarets, corporate gigs around Australia. He was introduced to a fellow performer and co-founded '3High' a contemporary circus company which went onto perform internationally.
During this period, he also earned his reputation running specific classes and workshops in the industry as a circus/acrobatic trainer. Furthermore, led him to consult for professionals in various disciplines. Brenton is a highly sought after trainer, a perfectionist in developing correct technique, body alignment, body aesthetics and his ability in understanding the biomechanics in all fields.
VIBE STUDIOS
