About Us
OUR
STORY
OUR
STORY
Originally trading as the “Kim Bowkett Dance Centre” and more recently as “Theatre & Dance”, 2018 saw long-time studio employees Kylie Goeldner and Renée Emery take the helm as studio directors. Kylie and Renée bring a combined 40 plus years of teaching and performing experience to the role and create an environment that is nurturing, fun and innovative.
Their wholistic approach to the study of Performing Arts and how it can be used to enrich and enhance the lives of their students and everyone they perform for means T&D is more than just a dance school.
OUR STAFF
DIRECTOR
KYLIE GOELDNER
CSTD, CERT IV IN DANCE, CERT IV IN TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT, DIPLOMA IN FITNESS PRACTICES
Kylie trained with the Australian Youth Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, New York and worked as a professional dancer for 20 years. She performed in ballet companies, contemporary companies, cruise ships, cabaret productions and commercial work in Australia, Canada, the United States, South Africa and Asia. As a choreographer Kylie has created work for Jupiter’s Casino, The Great Moscow Circus and corporate events including Mercedes-Benz Fashion parades, The Brisbane Ekka Cotton/Wool parades, The Engineers Awards, V8 Supercars and NRL Grand Finals as well as corporate clients Virgin Airlines, Boost Juice, Coca-Cola and Tourism Queensland.
Kylie has appeared in print ads for Dance Train, Jupiter’s Casino and television commercials for Pepsi and Ostelin. She teaches regularly for the Royal Academy of Dancing and has choreographed for their Jacqueline Morland Awards and for the Genee Awards. Kylie is a sought after freelance teacher, choreographer and adjudicator.
DIRECTOR
RENÉE EMERY
CSTD, BA APPLIED THEATRE
Renée has been a staff member at Theatre & Dance since the beginning of 2007 and is an accomplished acting and singing teacher. She trained in singing with Jacqui Devereux for 15 years and continued to strengthen her technique and teaching practices under the guidance of Jessica O’Bryan (Queensland Conservatorium). Renée has been an active member in the Brisbane dance community since the age of 5, and studied all styles of dance (CSTD – Jazz, Tap, Ballet and LGTDA – Tap) at the Michele Keane Academy of Dance and later, at Starstruck Productions.
In 2006 Renée completed a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Theatre. Whilst studying for her degree, Renée was employed by the university as a script-writer and actor, travelling to schools in SE Queensland as part of a University funded education program. Since graduating she has taught musical theatre at both Jam Performing Arts and Australian Dance Performance Institute, Movement for Stage at Brisbane Arts Theatre, singing, acting and tinies dance at Starstruck Productions as well as appearing as a guest teacher for various organisations and Brisbane summer schools. Renée has featured in many musicals, plays and arts festivals in and around Brisbane but now focuses solely on teaching.
Her passions are Musical Theatre and nurturing a love of performance in children and young adults of all skill levels.
BALLET
Lauren Couch
Lauren commenced dancing over 20 years ago at the Carolyn Gilby Dance Centre. During this period her love of dancing and singing lead to her participating in dance concerts, eisteddfods, and overseas performances. Since 2018 she has brought a broad knowledge and versatility to the studio along with teaching experience in many different genres. Lauren’s qualifications include Teacher’s Certificates (COMDANCE Jazz, Tap, Theatrical & Performing Arts, and Classical Ballet) as well as Teacher’s Diplomas (COMDANCE Jazz and Theatrical & Performing Arts). She has also completed RAD Classical Ballet exams (Advanced 2 and Grade 8).
Jazz
Kristy Talbot
Certificate IV in Performing Arts
Kristy began her training in Jazz (CSTD), and Ballet (RAD), Contemporary, Lyrical and Singing at Kim Bowkett Centre and Embien Studios. Later also attending the Queensland Dance School of Excellence for years 11 and 12. After graduating, she moved to Sydney to completed the Certificate IV Full-time Performing Arts Course at Brent Street Studios, and then successfully auditioned for the Wiggle. Kristy worked as a dancer and character suit performer with the popular children’s group for the next 8 years. During this time she was lucky enough to tour many times through the USA, Canada, U.K, Asia, New Zealnd and Australia, appear in numerous Wiggles TV Series, 18 of their DVD’s, perform on shows such as The View, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Late Late Show with Craig Fergusson, The Today Show in America and Ausralia, Sunrise, Carols in the Domain and take part in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC. whilst travelling Kristy took the opportunity to train at some world renowned studious in New York, Los Angeles, London and Sydney. Since moving back to Brisbane in 2010, Kristy has been involved in numerous corporate and fundraising events as both a performer and choreographer, and has taught classes and choreographed routines for dance schools all around Queensland. She now teaches exclusively at T&D and loves having the opportunity to work and create in a supportive environment and teach wonderfully talented students.
Jazz, Tap, Junior School
Ondreea Kitching
Ondreea began dancing at the age of 3 and went on to study full time at Theatre & Dance in Brisbane as well as Village Nation in Sydney Australia. With an extensive professional career, her credits include ‘Thriller Live’ UK and International Tour (Dance Captain/Swing), Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise lines (Dance captain/Aerialist), ‘Finesse Burlesque’, Brisbane’s Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols, Studio City Casino Macau China, Channel 10 Sunrise Morning Show (Backing Dancer).
Acrobatics, Performance
Michael Hughes
Michael grew up training in all genres of dance and performing arts on the Gold Coast and Brisbane before travelling overseas to study further at places such as Broadway Dance Centre USA, Pineapple Dance Studio’s and Studios 68 UK and En Dance Studio Shibuya, JAPAN.
Performing professionally in – ‘Burn the Floor UNTAPPED’, Princess Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, David Atkins Enterprises and musicals ‘Boy from Oz’ and ‘All Shook Up.’
In 2016, Michael completed the ‘Dream Dance Company’ Show Business course under the direction of Marko Panzic, where he was trained by the international likes of Danielle Polanco, Candace Brown, Gerran Reese. Some of Michael’s commercial credits include performances at the NRL Grand Final, 6th AACTA awards, American NFL Grand Final, Taylor Swifts Red Tour Opening Act and Big Brother Launch Night. He has performed alongside artists such as Marcia Hines, Jessica Mauboy, Tim Campbell, Prinnie Stevens, Nathaniel Willemse, Sneaky Sound System and Ministry of Sounds ‘Vandalism’ just to name a few.
In 2017, Michael completed a highly successful season with Opera Australia performing in Carmen (Handa on Sydney Harbour) choreographed by the amazing Kelley Abbey and directed by Andy Morton.
Most Recently, Michael worked as art of the professional team of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies performing alongside Ricki Lee, Delta Goodrem, Anthony Callea, Guy Sebastian and Samantha Jade.
Michael has also performed in‘ Viva Tropicana Spectaular’ as Male Swing/ Dancer for Aerial Angels Productions in a resident show in HONG KONG and was also a part of the cast for a brand new show ‘Colour Emotion’ for Tap for All in SYDNEY in October 2018. 2019 saw Michael join the cast of ‘Diamonds After Dark’ as Featured Male Dancer for Mission Entertainment Co. providing shows throughout QLD and NSW. Currently Michael has just wrapped filming on set for the new Elvis Movie for Warner Bros. productions – followed by a highly successful season of La Traviata Opera Australia choreographed by Shannon Burns. 2021 saw Michael perform with Brisbane’s Finesse Burlesque Cast at the Star Gold Coast and Hit me Britney One More Time produced by Quid Pro Quo.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Marisa Seipel
BEd-EC&P
As a graduate of the Kim Bowkett Dance Centre, Marisa has had extensive training in RAD Classical Ballet, CSTD & FATD Tap & Jazz, contemporary & lyrical dance and musical theatre. Marisa has also completed studies in AMEB Speech & Drama as well as both classical & modern vocal training. Marisa also studied at Emblen Studios, and was an original cast member of “Theatre Kids”.
After graduating from High School, Marisa travelled as a professional dancer. Her performance credits include Warana, Christmas in Storyland, various Westfield shows, Myer Fashion Parades, “SCAT” song & dance troupe, lead dancer for the “Showtime” dance company, lead dancer for the “Wallaces” organisation, back-up dancer for singer Kaye Gordon and as the lead role in local productions of “The Boyfriend” and “The Wiz”. Recently, she appeared as a dancer in the Suncorp ‘Sunny’ TV commercials.
Marisa’s strong creative arts background has given her many opportunities to work with children in schools, preschools and childcare centres teaching early movement, dance and drama.
In 2015, Marisa completed study for her Bachelor of Education Early Childhood & Primary (BEdEC&P) specialising in the education and development of preschool and primary aged children which she uses as a basis for teaching our littlest students in our junior school. She continues to study education, now completing her Masters of Education.
Tap, Musical Theatre, Junior School
Jessica Balmer
Jess began dancing at Theatre & Dance when she was just two years old and has been a constant member of T&D’s performance team until 2022, competing in solo and group eisteddfods. Jess has trained in a variety of dance genres including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Latin and Hip Hop. She has completed her Advanced 2 RAD Ballet and has completed all senior COMDANCE exams in Jazz, Tap and Theatrical Performing Arts (Musical Theatre), achieving Honours Plus for all of these exams.
Jess has a love and passion for Musical Theatre, performing in professional shows; Annie (QPAC, Brisbane 2012) and The Sound of Music (Capitol Theatre, Sydney 2015/16). Additionally, Jess has performed featured roles in Brisbane City Youth Ballet, The Greenroom Project, Oscar Theatre Company and Christmas in Storyland.
Currently, Jess is in her third year of studying a double degree at QUT – Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) and Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in which she received a scholarship for excellence. This training has allowed her to utilise different teaching strategies that create a positive learning environment for all students.
Jess has already had the pleasure of teaching at T&D for the last three years, and looks forward to continuing to nurture a love of dance from Mummy & Me classes through to the Senior students.
Jazz, Tap, Junior School
Caitlyn Wilken
Caitlyn has completed all COMDANCE Jazz and Theatrical Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) exams, COMDANCE Tap (Grade 8), RAD Ballet (Intermediate) and has also trained in Lyrical, Cabaret and Hip Hop. Whilst finishing her senior school studies, Caitlyn was studying part time dance and gained her Certificate III in Dance through Theatre & Dance.
After graduating high school, Caitlyn went on to undertake a Pre-Professional Performing Arts Course at Dance Force on the Gold Coast. This included touring their graduation show to the Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg, Cairns, and Sydney.
Caitlyn is currently in her 2nd year of studying a Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Queensland and is also completing her Certificate III & IV in fitness.
OFFICE MANAGER
Karen Fisher
Karen Fisher has been the smiling face at the door of Theatre & Dance since 2009. Karen grew up dancing in Ipswich, training in CSTD Tap, Jazz and Classical Ballet. She is our administrative extraordinaire, our costume guru, our toastie maker and hug giver. Karen can answer all your questions about classes, timetables, invoices and so much more.
We offer quality dance facilities at Theatre & Dance!
Our premises are located at:
21 CASTLEMAINE STREET COORPAROO, 4151 BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
We are close to the city, not far from the Gabba Cricket Grounds, a very short walk from the Coorparoo train station and easily accessible by car and public transport.
Our building features three studios with air conditioning throughout, large waiting areas, sprung
floors, tarkett, mirrors, viewing windows and an office with friendly staff – all in a bright and
inviting atmosphere.
Call in and see us, we’d love to show you around whether you are a prospective student or would like to hire our premises.
OUR Space
