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 recently worked as an adjudicator for one of Australia's largest eisteddfods, the Brindabella Dance Festival in Canberra. He has since been approached to judge at several competitions in 2010.
Kristel
Arnold
Kristel
Arnold has been studying dance for most of her life and has
trained at a number of reputable studios including Glenda Yee
School of Dance and ED5 International, where she did the Full
Time Performing Arts Course Certificate IV. Kristel has also
recieved F.A.T.D Elementary & Intermediate Certificates
in Tap & Jazz.
Her
performance credits are extensive. Highlights include dancing
with Marcia Hines at the Australian Idol Grand Final, 12 month
contract on the Regal Princess Cruise Liner as a dancer/singer
and appearing as Serena Katz in Fame the Musical.
Kristel
has been teaching for many years, and her experience shows in
her professionalism and devotion to her students. Having previously
taught at a range of dance schools including Glenda Yee School
of Dance, Australian College of Entertainment and Kidz in the
Biz Performing Arts Studio, Kristel now teaches full time at
Commotion School of Performing Arts and is a favourite amongst
the students.
Hanna
Hyeronimus
"JET"
Valencia
Jet
is a very passionate Hip Hop dancer who has several years experience
in Hiphop, Krump & Popping. Jet’s greatest achievement
to date is being in the top 100 in Season 2 ‘So You Think
You Can Dance’. He has gained professional experience
performing at several of the hottest Hip Hop clubs across Sydney
as well as performing with his dance crew, Doppelgangers. Jet
loves working with young people as he offers a fresh approach
to movement and dance fitness.
Jet
has studied Hip Hop with legends such as Sisqo and Darrio. He
continues to develop his skills by doing regular workshops in
a range of dance styles. Jet currently teaches at several high
schools around Sydney and has taught at DanceGeneration in Eastwood
and Mango Dance Studio. We are very lucky to have Jet run our
BOYS-ONLY Hip Hop class.
Marlee
Hyeronimus
(info coming soon)
Ashleigh
Giles
(info coming soon)
Tracey
Smith
(info coming soon)
Hayley Turski
(info coming soon)
