About

All of our teachers have studied dance at the highest full time levels in their fields and have extensive experience working in the industry and teaching.

All teachers have attained their Working with Children checks.

TDA teachers are very open to working in conjunction with students and parents to individualise the service we provide. To improve communication techniques between teachers, parents and students we now administrate via email and have a new Facebook   page.

Cassie O’Sullivan

Academy Director – C.S.T.D Theatrical Dip. C.S.T.D Tap Dip. Acrobatic Arts Certified Module 1.

Cassie has been training in dance since the age of 5 at Parkwood Dance Academy. During this time she studied many styles of dance and undertook examinations with the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dance and the Royal Academy of Dance. Cassie achieved the highest level of examinations in Classical, Jazz, Theatrical and Tap with the CSTD and also holds a teaching diploma in the Tap and Theatrical syllabus.

Upon leaving school Cassie completed a one year full time course at the Dance Factory. As a dancer she has performed in fashion and hair shows around Melbourne and was a back up dancer for a cover band. Her teaching experience includes over 20 years at Parkwood Dance Academy and several other dance schools around Melbourne including Dance Factory and Gay Wightman School of Ballet. Cassie also holds a Level 2 First Aid Certificate.

At Templestowe Dance Academy, Cassie hopes to create a warm, friendly and nurturing environment where children, teenagers and adults feel comfortable being themselves. A place where self-confidence and respect are held in esteem and a place where students will grow and achieve.

Joanna King

CSTD Jazz Cert

Joanna has been training in dance for the past 23 years. During this time she has successfully completed all Cecchetti Ballet exams, CSTD Jazz exams and is currently working to complete all CSTD Tap exams.

Over the past 8 years Joanna has taught a variety of different dance styles including Ballet, Tap and Jazz to varying levels of age and ability. Joanna is extremely happy to be teaching at TDA again in 2017.

Shannon Turner

Acrobatic Arts Certified Module 1

Miss Shannon Turner has been dancing since the age of seven and has never looked back!

Starting at her local dance school, she followed her love for dancing and performing and went on to grow that into a career. Miss Shannon has completed two years Dancing, Musical Theatre and Performing Arts full time training at Robert Sturrock’s Industry Dance in Brunswick, where she specialised in contemporary, musical theatre and Ballet.

Miss Shannon since then has become a professional dancer, working with various choreographers and companies, performing throughout Melbourne. Getting to share the stage with the likes of Rhonda Burchmore and Jessica Mauboy. In 2016 she also had the opportunity to travel to India to perform. She is currently dancing as a professional cheerleader for Melbourne United Basketball.

Miss Shannon’s aim through her teaching is to foster the love of dance and performance which inspired her as a young child to pursue the career she is fulfilling now.

Paula Lombardo

Paula’s credentials include a BA and a Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management. A passion for dance and a love of inspiring young dancers led to a fulfilling dance teaching career, including a decade at the Victorian Ballet School, Principal of The Ballet Centre, Director of the Primary Dance Program, senior teacher Balwyn YMCA, Programming Co-ordinator for Camp Australia as well as examining and stage managing as a registered dance teacher with VIT and MDEC. With 21 years teaching experience, Paula is currently enjoying a lighter teaching load as she brings up her two beautiful children.

Jo-Anne Walters

Jo-Anne is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and has over 17 years of experience teaching in contemporary, neo-classical, pointe, ballet and R.A.D examinations in both graded and vocational. She has successfully completed a Diploma in Arts – Classical Dance at National Theater Ballet School and continued on to perform professionally as a freelance dancer.

Jo-Anne is passionate about passing on the love for dance to the next generation. Teaching the students artistry and an appreciation of how their bodies move and work through a nurturing and positive learning environment.

Suzi Ristevski

Suzi is a passionate and dynamic dancer, dedicated to teaching young dancers the value and art of dancing. Suzi began dancing at age five, starting off with traditional folk dancing, later transitioning to hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and ballet.

Suzi trained at The Edge Performers School, undertaking the Commercial Dance Training Course and specialising in Hip Hop. She has been trained by some of Australia’s best dance teachers and regularly undertakes classes to continue developing her technique and skill. Suzi has also attended classes in New York and Hong Kong to keep up to date with new styles and choreography.

Julia Cresp

Julia has been dancing at Templestowe Dance Academy for 12 years, studying jazz, tap, contemporary and ballet. She is currently working to complete CSTD jazz and tap exams and has completed the Dance Step program whilst student teaching for 5 years. Julia is studying towards a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education at Deakin University, majoring in dance. She is also the coach of a competitive school aerobics team.

Lucy Harris

Lucy grew up training in all different styles of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acrobatics, Strength and Conditioning. Throughout her ballet education she has trained in the Vaganova Syllabus as well as completed exams with both the Royal Academy of Dance and Australian Conservatoire of Ballet.

Lucy was a dancer with the Victorian State Youth Ballet Company when she was younger before being accepted into their Pre-Professional Year Program that she graduated in December 2020. Upon graduation she was offered a position to perform with the Victorian State Ballet Company for 2021 and has enjoyed taking on her new role!

Lucy’s love of dance and the way the body works to create this beautiful art form has also lead her to studies in anatomy, physiology, nutrition and personal training. These studies have allowed Lucy to gain a deeper understanding into the science behind what we do as well as better her knowledge in injury prevention/management and safe dance practice.