OuR tEAM
Introducing our amazing teachers....
carlie McKenzie
Principal & Teacher
Carlie is a fully qualified CSTD Theatrical Dance Teacher with 12 years of teaching expertise covering Classical ballet, Modern Jazz, and Tap.
She has taught all ages of students over the years, from age 2 to adult, and teaches a wide range of classes including ballet, jazz, tap, performance troupe and a strength & flexibility class.
Carlie is also a qualified musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor and has extensive knowledge and practical experience in dance strengthening, conditioning and injury prevention.
Having been involved with dancing her whole life, as a performer, as a physiotherapist managing dance injuries, and as an educator of dance her experience is wide ranging.
She is a dedicated, creative and motivated person, and this is evident in her approach to her teaching. She looks forward to imparting her passion and love of dance onto the young dancers of the Sunshine Coast!
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“I love watching young ones fall in love with dance the way I did when I was a young dancer. And I just love the creative outlet that choreographing provides me. Nothing better than seeing you students dance their hearts out to your creation.”
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Jocelyn lysaght
Principal & Teacher
Jocelyn is a qualified and registered Early Childhood teacher who is passionate about sharing her love of dance with the youngest of ballerinas.
Having danced herself for over 10 years from a young age, Jocelyn’s passion for dance continued to burn as she obtained her Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood from QUT.
While living in New Zealand for 8 years, Jocelyn took the opportunity to incorporate her Dance teaching skills into the classrooms of Kindergartens and Childcare Centres of South NZ. Relocating back to Australia with her husband and three children, Jocelyn returned to the dance studio!
Since then, she has been dedicated to bringing her knowledge and love of dance to the littlest dancers of the Sunshine Coast.
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“I love seeing that spark ignite. That discovery that dance can bring them so much joy. Whether it’s a little poppet or even a grandmother putting on tap shoes for the first time - I love being there as they take those first steps in their dance journey”.
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chloe paix
Teacher & Marketing Manager
Chloe has been dancing since the age of two and continues to bring her love of dance to her students.
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Completing her recreational training at Sunshine Coast Conservatory of Dance she then went on to complete her full time training at the prestigious Conroy Performing Arts College in Brisbane where she gained her Comdance teaching accreditations in Jazz and Tap.
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Joining the Studio 2 Team in 2019 Chloe has also completed her Module 1 & Module 2 qualifications in the Acrobatic Arts syllabus.
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“I love teaching because I get to pass my passion and love for dance onto others. I love seeing their faces when they achieve something or the joy they get from performing on stage. But more so, I love providing them a safe space to express themselves, let out their frustration for the day, leave at the door and allow them to just be who they are”.
Kiara barr
Teacher
Kiara is one of our newest instructors who teaches contemporary, jazz, heels, hammock yoga and performance troupe.
She has lived between Australia, America and Tahiti where she has learnt different lifestyles, cultures and languages.
Kiara is currently completing her final jazz exam and Comdance teaching certificate. She is an advocate for continuous learning and not letting where or when you started, stop you from achieving your goals.
tahlia mcswan
Teacher
While Tahlia started dancing at the age of 2, it didn’t take long for her to realise that dance was no longer a hobby but a way of life.
After a small break during her final years of high school, Tahlia soon returned to what she loves and completed her Cert IV in Dance Teaching and Management while continuing to perform and teach.
Stepping in to teach for the studio at the end of 2021, Tahlia permanently joined the team in 2022 teaching and sharing her passion for dance to students and furthering her teaching journey.
“I love dance not only because of the way it makes me feel, but the way it touches other people too. I believe dance allows you to express feelings and emotions in a way words just sometimes can’t. My love for dancing has now grown into a love of teaching. I love seeing the joy in students’ faces when they achieve something they are so passionate about. Those moments are inspirational and the reason I continue to do what I do everyday”
jasmine ballantyne
Teacher
Jasmine is exclusively trained in hip hop and urban choreography under The House of Sole. Her expertise has been shaped by travelling and competing in various international events and workshops from a young age. From these experiences, Jasmine has gained wealth of knowledge from industry legends and founders of hip hop genres.
In 2020, Jasmine joined the Studio 2 Dance family and has found a new passion for teaching all things hip hop - from the history, culture and music.
“As a teacher, the most fulfilling thing is to see your students have fun and connect with their inner groove. I love creating a space where my students can express themselves freely - this is where the magic happens!”
kaitlin ardrey
Teacher
A long time student of Studio 2 Dance, Kaitlin started her dance journey right here in the studio at the age of 4. Starting with ballet, jazz and tap it wasn’t long before dance became an integral part of life.
Already having completed her Acrobatic Arts module 1 qualification and her Cert 2 in Dance and also finishing all her Comdance jazz exams. Kaitlin is currently completing her cert 3 in dance while being excited to further her knowledge of teaching while completing her high school education as well as her own dance education sitting her final ballet and tap exams.
“I love teaching and watching the students grow in their own skills each day, knowing that alongside the other teachers, I played a small role in them achieving their dance goals.”
lani geppert
Teacher
Lani fell in love with dancing at the age of 2, and since has continued to pursue this passion. She grew up learning at a ballet school for 9 years before moving to Studio 2 Dance to further grow in other dance styles as well as explore the performance attribute of dancing.
She since has successfully completed her final jazz and ballet exams achieving honours plus, and is continuing to work towards the completion of her high school education as well as her dance teacher studies.
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“the most precious thing is watching them grow and achieve, and to me, guiding them in such achievements means to share with them my endless love for dance. As they continue their dance journey i love being their to watch their smiles light up as they continually progress and achieve their goals”
Teacher
More information coming soon...