Kaye Emmett – Principal

Kaye commenced dancing at the age of 3 with May Downs learning RAD ballet. She later moved on to Jennifer Stielow and studied the Cecchetti method. And later continuing her training with Maestro Alberto Vila (who worked as a Bob Fosse dancer). Kaye studied ballet with Lynne Golding, Lynne was in the production of Swan Lake and played the dual role of Odette and Odile during this time. She went on to a professional career overseas teaching many professional ballerinas.

Subsequently, Kaye has appeared on the Don Lane show, an ABC Dance Feature, in several television commercials, and worked at both the Swagman and the Overlander. Kaye did a great deal of modelling and theatrical shows. And in her spare time, Kaye choreographed many productions for both theatre companies and project based dance events. She has a Licentiate Teaching Diploma and is an Examiner with the Australian Teachers of Dance (ATOD) She has a post graduate degree in classical ballet teaching and methodology from the University of Melbourne and the VCA as well as a Diploma in Dance Teaching & Management. Kaye is also a director on the Board of both ATOD and ATODI.

Miss Rhonda

Rhonda started dancing when she was 4 years old. She trained with Maestro Alberto Vila. She competed in the Commonwealth and South Street – Ballarat dance competitions, she has appeared in various floor shows and television shows. Rhonda has choreographed fashion and hair shows as well as publicity/choreography for the Film industry. She has been teaching dance for 25 years.

For several years now, Rhonda has been a dedicated and exceptional teacher at Stonnington – teaching all genres across a broad cross section of age groups. Rhonda’s art direction and coordination for our events and concerts is invaluable and she maintains her passion for the SSOD and its students on a daily basis.

Miss Kim

Kim Adam is an established Australian dancer, choreographer and dance instructor. She launched her professional career by completing full time dance tuition at Bartuccios before receiving a scholarship to train at The Edge in Los Angeles. Kim’s dance credits include The Footy Show Players Review, various Disney shows and corporate work at Crown Casino Palms and Palladium Rooms, as well as choreography for Golf Air Airlines, Wog Boy 2 The Movie and Bad Eggs.

Her expertise is in high demand, teaching at several of Melbourne’s best full time performing arts institutes as well as dance schools. Kim enjoys her work immensely and loves being able to share her knowledge and creativity with upcoming young artists.

Miss Lindsay

Lindsay first started dancing with Miss Paris at the Paris School of Dancing in Aldershot Hampshire UK when she was 9 years old. She only ever wanted to be a ballerina, but studied all 3 genres - Ballet, jazz & tap. Ballet still remains her first love.

At the age of 11 Lindsay was extremely lucky to be offered a full-time scholarship to the Arts Educational School in Tring Hertfordshire UK. This was the feeder school into the London Festival Ballet (now known as the English National Ballet). Lindsay was advised that on average - only 1 in 2000 auditionees were offered a place, particularly on a scholarship.

Her dance show experience in Europe was amazing, the Middle and Far East, in 5 star hotel chains, casino's and also luxury cruise lines. Her time in the professional world also gave her the opportunity to experience entertaining the British Forces in Northern Ireland during the height of conflict. Between professional dance contracts, Lindsay studied and gained 3 Associate Diploma’s with the English Dance Syllabus IDTA.

During a conversation with Miss K - they discovered that they had both worked the same "circuits" in the Far East working in the same locations at different times without obviously knowing each other back then!! 6 degrees of separation! After immigrating to Australia in 1988, Lindsay joined the Stonnington School of Dance in 1996 and continued her teaching studies gaining an Associate Diploma with ATOD.

Miss Violet

Violet has been a part of the Stonnington School of Dance since 1995, taking part in the school’s first concert performance! She joined the teaching faculty in 2009. Trained in classical ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop, she exudes a passion for all genres and teaches all ages.

Violet has been a winner of the ATOD Tap Scholarship and the Robert Somers Perpetual Trophy. She has performed for charity events, been a member of successful senior troupes, and performed in L’Oreal and Intercoiffure Fashion Shows.

Violet is a bachelor qualified school educator. She currently leads the preschool program at Stonnington, and enjoys accompanying and supporting students in local and interstate competitions. 

Mr Jeremy

Jeremy started dancing with Stonnington School of Dance as a 6 year old in 1996. Jeremy has competed in many dance competitions winning the ATOD Tap Championship in 2007. He has accompanied SSOD on trips to Hong Kong and Singapore and has done many tap classes & workshops with various choreographers. Jeremy has been on the teaching staff with SSOD since 2009.

Jeremy has learnt with the tap dogs for many years, he has completed all of his ATOD examinations in tap, ballet, and jazz. He was also the winner of the SSOD scholarship in 2008 and is a valued member of the team, and has the best feet that we strive to replicate!

Mr Tommy

Tommy has been dancing since he was 8 years old. Originally starting in Ballroom and Latin American dancing, he competed around Australia as well as internationally in Asia. He attended the Australian Ballet School for 2 years and performed in the Nutcracker at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the Defile at the State Theatre.

Tommy started hip hop dancing following a master class by pioneers of hiphop dance, the Electric Boogaloos at Pineapple Studios in London. He has also trained at Debbie Reynolds Studio LA and Broadway Dance Centre NYC. He is a member of 2 time Australian HipHop Crew Champions “DVP”. He is also a member of Australia’s Got Talent Semi finalist dance crew “Superhoodz”. He has represented Australia the IDO World Hiphop Solo Championships in Germany and Poland. He has danced as an extra in movies including “The King, The Graham Kennedy Story” and “The Pacific”.

Miss Elle

Elle has been a student at the Stonnington School of Dance since she was five years old. Trained in ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop, she joined the teaching faculty in 2009. Elle has represented Australia in competitions in New Zealand, the World Dance Expo in Hong Kong and in an intensive Summer School Program in Singapore.

She has been a winner of the A.T.O.D State Dance Scholarships, and went to represent Victoria in the National finals three times. Elle was also the recipient of the Robert Somers Perpetual Trophy for the most outstanding dancer, and gained a specialised dance role in the Closing Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. More recently Elle has performed at Fashion Aid and the L’Oreal and Intercoiffure Fashion Shows.

Miss Holli

Holli began her dance training with Stonnington School of Dance at the age of 3, studying ATOD and training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop. She has competed in numerous ATOD scholarships and competitions, and was a proud member of multiple Stonnington troupes. She also completed VCE and VET Dance, achieving her Cert III in Dance in 2017. 

With dance being her biggest passion, she is currently in her second year studying to achieve her Performing Arts Diploma at Transit Dance, whist working as a personal trainer. She is very grateful to be able to teach, dance, and do what she loves everyday. 

Miss Sally

Sally began dancing in Sydney when she was nine years old. She participated in various eisteddfods, including the Sydney Eisteddfod where she was awarded the 'Tessa Maunder Award' in 2009. The following year she moved to Melbourne to join the Australian Ballet School.

During her time at the school, Sally was awarded the encouragement award twice and was selected to take part in Canada's annual National Ballet School exchange programme. After graduating from the Australian Ballet School in 2014, Sally returned to Canada before she was contracted to join her home company, The Australian Ballet. Some of her career highlights include; Erik Bruhn's Swan Lake and Balanchine's Raymonda. Since dancing professionally, Sally has felt a need to return her knowledge and experience to the next generation of dancers - taking up teaching at SSOD. Sally has a Graduate Diploma of Classical Ballet as well as a Bachelor in Fine Art (Photography).

Miss Annie

Annie has been dancing ever since she can remember and joined Stonnington School of Dance at age 14 where she immediately fell in love with the purple family.

Annie has completed dance examinations in CTSD, RAD and ATOD as well as completing AMEB exams in trumpet, piano and music theory.

With the support of Stonnington, Annie was accepted into the esteemed Federation University (formerly known as BAPA) where she completed a Bachelor of Arts (Musical Theatre).

Her university credits include Rosie Alvarez; ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ (dir. Sara Grenfel), Featured dancer and ensemble; ‘Rent’ (dir. Jeremy Stanford) and ensemble and trumpet player in ‘Sweeney Todd; The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ (dir. James Cutler).

Since graduation, Annie has written and performed her own cabaret as a part of ‘Odds Sods and Thingamabobs’ (Something Blue Productions), and was in the cast of ‘Barbie Dreamtopia’ (Alikhan Productions) in Malaysia. Annie is absolutely thrilled to be back at Stonnington and can’t wait to share her knowledge to the next generation of talented performers.

Miss Nikki

Nikki commenced dancing at her local school, having trained in all genres,however, her favourite is tap! She has undertaken her exams in ATD (Arts Theatre of Dance), SATD (Society of Australian Teachers of Dancing), SFD(Southern Federation of Dance), ATD and holds a Associate Teaching Diploma with ATOD. Nikki was the first recipient of the Robert Somers trophy, and danced in the Myer windows for the inaugural Melbourne tap festival. Nikki runs our Pre School program, having taught so many of our students from the age of 3 or 4. She is a dedicated Stonnington Member and always accompanies our students on Country, Interstate or Overseas Trips.

Miss Ella

Ella has been a student at Stonnington since she was three years old. Trained in ATOD Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap and Street Beat, Ella joined the faculty in 2016. She has competed in state scholarships and represented Victoria at an Australasian level. 

Ella has been the recipient of the Robert Somers Perpetual Trophy and the Patricia Emmett Award whilst at Stonnington and has represented the school in various troupes and specialised events; such as the overseas trip to Hong Kong and VCE Top Class.  

Ella loves being part of the “Purple Family” and teaching our younger students. You may know her as the face at the desk on a Saturday morning! This year she will be involved in our Pre School program, as well as teaching Tap and Hip Hop to our juniors.