Dance Adjudicator

Amanda believes in constructive critique that both guides and encourages. She strives for positive outcomes both physically and mentally for every student regardless of their final ambitions.

Adjudicating many eisteddfods and competitions nationally allows her to use her vast experience to best help each individual student . References available.

Trained in all facets of dance- Scully Borovansky (Classical), Australian Ballet School (classical and contemporary), Bodenweiser (Contemporary), Edna Storey/Joan Smith (tap and jazz), Conservatorium of Music ( Singing ,Piano), Ensemble Theatre( Acting).

Professional engagements include – Earlier: Jesus Christ Superstar, Mo Award nominated Vocal trio “ Network”, Acting roles in Return to Eden, Bodyline and Ben Hall. Later: Australian Ballet Company, Bayerische Staatsballet (Germany as soloist), Principal Guest Artist for ‘The Jessica Iwanson Contemporary Company’ (Munich).

Amanda, whom is RAD registered and qualified, has been teaching and choreographing for over 35 years. On her return from Germany she opened Dance North Academy (Sydney) which saw many former students go onto ballet companies , contemporary companies, Musical theatre productions and dance school ownership.

Amanda is both excited and inspired to pass on her wealth of knowledge and experience in encouraging all students to their personal best and the life skills that performance and competition can offer for all.

Amy began her education in singing, dancing and acting at age 5, studying all areas of performing arts including formal examinations in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and National Character. She has studied singing in classical and music theatre techniques focusing on the Estill method for 15yrs and her gymnastic and acrobatic training providing another level to her work.

 

Amy has worked professionally in Australia and overseas alongside the likes of John Farnham, Kylie Minogue, The Living End, James Blundell, and the late Doc Neeson and has choreographed music videos, wedding fairs and many dance tours.

 

With a passion for music theatre, Amy has been a regular on the stage for over 20yrs and is a multi-award-winning choreographer, using her experience to write and direct children’s pantomimes and parades.

Amy obtained qualifications in Classical Ballet (R.A.D), Jazz & Tap (I.D.T.A) and is a proud member of the B.A.L

 

Amy started teaching in 1992 going on the direction her own Dance and Performing Arts Centre and eisteddfod. Amy has been invited to teach and choreograph for many schools in Australia and U.S.A. and takes great pride in training and nurturing young performers, with many of her past students continuing to work professionally around the world.

 

Amy has been adjudicating for the past 20yrs and is confident in her kind and constructive feedback. She is experienced in both written and voice critiques and is known for her fast adjudications yet still focusing her attention to each dancer on stage.  Her friendly demeanour has previously earnt her the nickname, ‘The Smiley Judge’

Kate is an inspiring and motivating adjudicator in all genres of. She is an advocate for guiding children to develop their intrinsic motivation and focus on their strengths. She gives positive and constructive feedback focusing on the long term development.

Kate has owned her own dance school Dance Dynamics Byron Bay which she recently sold after 23 years. https://youtu.be/QKQsaYohkBw Her dream was to create a school where children could thrive personally, technically and creatively in all genres of dance. Kate has had the pleasure of seeing many of her students move on to careers as professional dancers and/or qualified teachers.

Kate was four years old when she began dancing at the Tessa Maunder Ballet School in Newcastle. By six years of age, she was performing regularly in competitions and events, both as a soloist and as a troupe member in all genres. At fourteen, Kate’s talent for dance was recognised when she was accepted into full-time training at the Marie Walton Academy of Dance (now known as the National College of Dance). In her second year of fulltime, Kate danced with the Australian Ballet Company in their rendition of Swan Lake. She was a commercial Jazz dancer with The World’s Biggest Disco and as well as the stage, she has appeared in several tv commercials for dance, modelling & acting. Kate is a certified Royal Academy of Dance teacher having graduated with distinction.

Determined to understand the power of the mind in order to benefit the development of professional dancers, Kate gained qualifications in NLP-Neuro Semantics and The Demartini Method. She incorporates this knowledge into training teachers instilling communication excellence and leadership in the teaching community.

As well as being a qualified dance teacher with over twenty-five years of teaching experience, Kate is a consultant to teachers and dance schools (both locally and interstate), and a contributor to “Dance life Australia”. Kate is also a proud mother of two.

Nerida began dancing at the age of 3 and has been formally trained in Jazz; Tap and Classical Ballet. She has now been teaching since 1996 and is a qualified teacher with the Australasian Dance Association (A.D.A)

Over the years Nerida has done extensive performance and choreographic work starting to dance professionally at the age of 8 with her first pantomime. She has choreographed performances for Darling Harbour, Royal Easter Show; Wonderland Sydney, Disneyland California and Universal Studios, FATD.

Performance Grade choreography and numerous pantomimes and sports and community events.

Nerida is now the Principal of Flight Dance Project located in the Hills District of Sydney.  The students are successful in competition and outstanding exam results.  A variety of genres are taught from beginner through to advanced students.

Nerida has also choreographed award winning troupes and solos for her students. Nerida is an ambitious, determined and enthusiastic teacher and dedicates her time to teaching students and works to always bring out the best in each of her students always encouraging creativity and a love of dance.

Nerida began adjudicating formally in 2012.and is excited to now be a part of the Australian Dance Adjudicators. Nerida is known for her fast, fresh and fair presentation of reports. Nerida is an encouraging adjudicator and ensures that the competitors are congratulated on their strengths and provides encouragement for progression.

Katie fell in love with dance at an early age and has spent the last 15 years teaching & studying her craft. She enjoys all styles of dance with a strong focus on classical & contemporary styles. She has a passion for choreography & loves seeing her pieces come to life on stage. 

Katie has completed the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Management through the Australian College of Dance & is a Registered Teaching member of Ballet Australasia Limited having also completed their Teaching Certificate III. 

Katie opened her own studio, Dream Dance Academy in 2005 & currently teaches more than 50 classes each week in all dance genres. 

Her students have been successful in auditioning for Ev&Bow, The Australian Ballet School, ed5international, National Capital Ballet School, Brent St, JR Management, The McDonald College, The National College of Dance as a featured artist in Schools Spectacular. 

Katie believes in creating a positive environment in which every child is given the opportunity to shine and their little hearts are nurtured with as much care as their bodies. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to inspire the next generation of young dancers & share my love of dance with as many of them as possible.”

Pamela Cramp  commenced training at a young age with Dianne Talbot & Margo Kerr in Newcastle at the renowned Talbot School of Dance

Pamela has studied all facets of Dance & are accredited with the following syllabi-

• AICD – Australia Institute of Classical Dance
• RAD – Royal Academy of Dance
• Glenn Wood Tap- GWT
• Les Griffith (LGTDA)
• Australian Acrobatics Association- (level two coaching credentials)
• Jazz, Hip Hop, Cabaret/ Burlesque, Modern, Contemporary & Lyrical
• Cheerleading AASCF (level 2 coaching credentials)
• Vocal and Musical theatre

A successful studio owner of 30 years, past and present students have been involved heavily with eisteddfods, performed both here & abroad in professional shows in casino and show venues, television, media, cruise ships and many have become wonderful teachers themselves.

Pamela feels very fortunate to have had the opportunity to pass on her expertise and knowledge to my students and to now apply it to adjudicating.

A very proud ambassador for DACAU- Dancers against Cancer Australia with Pamela’s former studio being the first Australian HOPE studio to help raise money for this very important cause. I also hold a “Citizen of the year award” for my work with Children with Disabilities over the years.

“I absolutely love to adjudicate and because of my extensive training in most genres consider myself an all-rounder. I can say with all confidence that I would do a fantastic job!” – Pamela Cramp

Amy Holder is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and holds a Bachelor of Dance from Melbourne University.
In her younger years, she was recognised as an accomplished singer and dancer being selected for the NSW Talent Development Project and featured performer in the NSW Southern Stars and NSW Schools Spectacular. Her outstanding eisteddfod success stretched to winning Championships and Scholarships in four Australian cities. Later, she went on to become a top 100 finalist in Australia’s So You Think You Can Dance and a two-time finalist in the prestigious Victorian Musical Theatre Guild Awards for her role as Victoria in Cats.
Miss Amy is an Associate Teacher with the Australian Teachers of Dancing Ltd and holds a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management. Some of her overseas experience includes dancing in Italy and New York with the Ajkun Ballet Theatre and entertaining while cruising onboard Royal Caribbean’s, Freedom of the Seas as a professional dancer. As a previous dance school owner, Amy has choreographed and conducted overseas dance tours with her students performing guest showcases onboard Radiance & Explorer of the Seas.
As a student then teacher Amy has always placed a high value on the individual critique of her own work and appreciates the importance of advice from other professionals. As an adjudicator, Amy brings her wealth of dance and entertainment experience to eisteddfods. Her goal is to inspire the next generation of performers and teachers by offering encouragement, acknowledging strengths, suggestions for self-improvement, reinforcement of the importance of technical training, and promoting a greater understanding of their craft.

Chantelle Duncan began dancing at the age of 7, studying a wide range of genres, including Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet, jazz, Glen Wood Tap (GWT), Broadway jazz, lyrical and contemporary, and has loved dancing ever since.

Chantelle has performed in productions and eisteddfods across Australia and Internationally and completed all her RAD examinations. Chantelle’s passion for dancing led her to teaching and successfully completing her Teaching Certificate with the RAD.

Upon completion Chantelle has entered students in numerous Eisteddfods, RAD and GWT exams with outstanding results.

Chantelle continues to attend courses to ensure she is giving her students the best knowledge to grow and learn through dance. Chantelle’s aim is to provide competitors with positive feedback and encouragement, making it a pleasant experience for all.

Alice Carden was born in the seaside town of Bournemouth in the UK and has been dancing since the age of 3. She studied dance at the local school alongside being a Junior and Mid Associate at the Royal Ballet School in London. She also competed in competitions nationwide, including the All England Finals and performed in such events as the 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony.

She then went on to receive her Bachelors degree in Ballet Education from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), as well as the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance (LRAD), Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD) and Registered Teacher’s Status. After teaching in numerous schools in the London area, she set out to travel the world, which has seen her settle in Australia to pursue her career as a dance teacher.

Now based in Newcastle, Alice continues to teach her passion for dance, entering students for examinations and creating solos and troupes for eisteddfods. Wishing to further develop herself, adjudicating gives the opportunity to grow as a teacher and gain knowledge across the industry.

Leigh Archer

With a career spanning more than two decades, Leigh Archer’s performing credits are as diverse as they are long. An accomplished singer, dancer and actress her stage credits include:

• Marty in ‘Grease – the Arena Spectacular’,
• Demeter in ‘Cats’,
• Consuelo in ‘West Side Story’,
• understudy to Glinda/Aunt Em in ‘The Wizard of Oz’,
• Mrs. Zebulan in the Australian tour of ‘Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, and
• ‘Get Happy’, performing the roles of Dana and Marilyn Monroe to critical acclaim.

Recently Leigh has returned from Melbourne after understudying the roles of Zena and Layla in the Cat Stevens Musical “Moonshadow”. Currently Leigh is performing in the Baz Luhrmann production of ‘Strictly Ballroom The Musical’.

The face of numerous commercials, Leigh has appeared on The Midday Show, GMA with Bert Newton, Three Men & A Baby Grand, Hits and Memories, Carols In The Domain, and also featured in the TV movie remake of ‘The Three Stooges’.

Her natural humour and candid intimacy with audiences has seen Leigh appear extensively in cabaret and at numerous corporate functions performing her One Woman Show “Leigh Archer in Cabaret”.

Experience

 

Gunnedah Dance Eisteddfod    2020

(“Thank you so much for coming, you did a fantastic job” Convenor Kiarnii Miller)

Convenor Kiarnii Miller

 

Murwillumbah Festival of Performing Arts      2019

 

Dance and Cheer Events- Sydney     2019

 

Sydney Catholic College Dance Competition      2018

 

Illawarra Region Eisteddfod   2018

 

Winter Dance Festival – Newcastle      2017

 

Burn The Floor – Central Coast       2017

 

Showcase Regional’s/Finals – Australia wide      2000- 2016

 

Hollywood Bound Regional’s – Australia Wide    2015

 

“My goal is to encourage, guide and inspire”