Teachers

Commotion School of Performing Arts employs only the most dedicated and inspiring teachers. All of our teachers have a passion for dancing and the arts, and an even stronger passion for teaching. Our teaching staff are talented and professional. It is with excitement and enthusiasm that we approach all of our classes. All Commotion teachers have had extensive training in their chosen craft. Many of our teachers have professional choreography credits, and we specialise in up-to-date, creative choreography. Our teachers are friendly and approachable, we are living our dream as teachers and we want to help your children's dreams come true too.

As one of Sydney's fastest growing studios, we are often looking for other talented, dedicated and experienced teachers to join our team. If you would like to enquire about a teaching position at Commotion, email me ben@commotionkids.com - Please include a resume and photo.

BEN STOKES

Ben Stokes started dancing at the early age of three. For 15 years Ben studied Jazz, Tap, Classical Ballet, Drama, Singing, Hip Hop/Funk and Musical Theatre. He has trained at a variety of schools including Glenda Benton Academy of Dance, Newtown High School of Performing Arts and Brent Street School of Performing Arts. He has already enjoyed an extensive performance career. Highlights include touring in Queensland and performing at Movie World and Sea World, touring to Uluru, performances at Star City Casino, numerous clubs and other venues, and working for Channel Ten.

In 1997, when Ben was a year six student at Narellan Vale Primary School, he formed a dance troupe. The troupe performed at a variety of events including the school's official opening, presentation days and local shopping centres. As Ben grew older, his relationship with the school grew stronger and when the CAPA program was introduced, he was invited to work for the school, teaching dance and drama. In 2004 Ben implemented a whole-school dance program which had all 900 students participating in weekly dance classes. In 2006, Ben was approached by Tahmoor Primary School to teach Hip Hop as part of their sports program and to choreograph for their 2006 Wakakirri and Junior Rock Eisteddfod entry. He also works at Currans Hill Primary School teaching Hip Hop/Funk and at Pegasus Pre-school in Narellan teaching Jazz/Modern.

Ben regularly teaches at workshops for other dance studios including Turning Pointe Academy of Dance, and Studio 7 School of Dance.

In February of 2002, Ben created Commotion School of Performing Arts where he currently teaches Jazz/Funk/Hip Hop, Tap, Ballet, Troupes and Private Lessons, as well as directing the studio.

Ben has recieved several awards and outstanding reviews of this choreography. In April last year, Ben was given the "best choreography" award at Feel the Beat Dance Festival. He has been approached by adjudicators who have seen his work at eisteddfods with job offers on numerous occasion. Ben has worked as a professional choreographer for the West Sydney Pirates cheerleading squad and for the children's entertainment group, "Go Seek". Ben is a freelance choreographer, and in addition to choreographing for his own students, he also choreographs routines for many other dance schools and soloists from other studios.

In 2007 Ben founded the Australian Dance Challenge, a new dance competition in the Macarthur region. This was a very successful event featuring over 500 dancers and special guest judges including Juliette Verne. The 2008 Australian Dance Challenge had over 600 entries and thousands of performers. Go to www.australiandancechallenge.com for more information.

Ben Stokes is currently working on a new project, a non-profit organisation called BOYS CAN DANCE (visit www.boys-can-dance.com for more information).

 

This page is currently under development... Some of our other teachers include:

Kristel Arnold
Kelly Duroy
Lawrence Stark
Danielle McEvoy
Rebecca Woods
Hanna Hyeronimus
Marlee Hyeronimus
Ashleigh Freer
Kim & Courtney Leech
Ashleigh Giles