Studio Locations

KICK STUDIOS (Above Video Ezy)
Old Illawarra Rd, Menai

NEW STUDIO OPENED 2009
CARINGBAH

LUCAS HEIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL PERFORMANCE SPACE


Studios are fully equipped with barres, mirrors and air conditioning.




ALISON NESTOR
PRINCIPAL - A.R.A.D. – E.D.T.A. – ADV I.S.T.D. – CECCHETTI

Alison Nestor was born into a family of professional dancers and musicians. Alison’s mother was a professional ballerina / soloist for the Australian Ballet Company , then known as the Borovansky Ballet. More recently her mother was invited to perform as a guest artist with the Australian Ballet Company in Graeme Murphy’s production of the Nutcracker. Alison’s father is an internationally acclaimed MD ( musical director ) who has worked personally with Dame Margot Fonteyn, one of the most famous ballerinas of our time. He is also famous for his numerous television scores which he has written, to include the incidental music for Doctor Who, which he wrote for over 30 years. It was a natural progression for Alison to persue a career within the same industry under the guidance of her parents.

Alison Nestor was a ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCING SCHOLAR in London for 6 consecutive years. Scholars were selected by the Royal Academy and used to set the standard for all other students taking examinations. Scholars were re assessed each year and for the last two years of her training Alison was the only scholar representing her age in London. On completing her scholarship, Alison was one of few students accepted to study at the ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL where she studied full time and graduated with a DIPLOMA IN CLASSICAL BALLET. She performed on numerous occasions with the Royal Ballet Company at Covent Garden, the London Colliseum, and also performing for her Majesty the Queen, Prince Charles and Lady Diana in the ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE. Alison was also awarded the IMPERIAL SOCIETY of TEACHERS of DANCING CLASSICAL BALLET CHAMPIONSHIP. Alison passes on knowledge to her students which she herself has gained from leading teachers from around the world, through her own diligent training.

Alison has over 20 years teaching experience and most recently became involved in the television industry, choreographing for PAY T.V and CHANNEL 7 * DISNEY PLAYHOUSE* and has worked with many children’s entertainers in the past few years, to include THE HOOLEY DOOLEYS and MONICA TRAPAGA ( from Play School and Better Homes and Gardens ). Alison worked alongside Monica Trapaga , choreographing and incorporating her dance students in shows all around Sydney to include NEW YEARS EVE FOR KIDS, HYDE PARK / OLYMPIC TORCH CEREMONY , MAITLAND / THE LORD MAYOR’S CELEBRATIONS, THE DOMAIN / TEDDY BEARS PICNIC, RANDWICK. Alison has given her students opportunities as performers and also as actors in the DISNEY PLAYHOUSE SERIES. Alison’s students can be seen in the cooking segment of the show, and Alison’s name can be seen on the credits.




KATRINA RILEY
PRINCIPAL – A.R.A.D. - ADV F.A.T.D. – CECCHETTI

Katrina was born into a family of professional dancer’s. Katrina’s mother performed with many well known identities such as BERNARD KING, GORDON BOYD, KAMAL and JOHNNY O’KEEFE. Katrina was very fortunate to have the guidance of her mother’s experience when entering into the entertainment industry herself. She also had the guidance of her grandmother, also an ex professional dancer and now a teacher and examiner. Katrina commenced her training at a very young age and studied all facets of dance to include classical ballet, jazz, tap, modern, national and character. Katrina commenced her dance training locally, here in the Shire and remains here as a principal of KICK ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS.

On graduating, and having studied for many years, Katrina successfully attained her ADVANCED classical ballet and her ADVANCED teachers qualifications in modern and tap under the FEDERAL ASSOCIATION of TEACHERS of DANCING. Katrina is very experienced in the field of Eisteddfords, having competed in numerous events throughout her training. During this time, Katrina won first place in the F.A.T.D STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS / GOLD STAR tap and modern events and also in the GOLD STAR TAP challenge at Homebush.

Katrina has been asked to ADJUDICATE on several occasions at various eisteddfords, to include Wollongong eisteddford. Katrina continued her training to complete a full time dance course covering all dance forms and is able to pass on her knowledge and experience to her students through her own thorough training.

In 1993 Katrina was accepted to dance in the WESTERN AUSTRALIA PERFORMING ARTS company. In 1994 Katrina successfully auditioned and was accepted to study at DANCE WORLD 301, A Melbourne based full time dance school. Katrina was accepted into their full time classical ballet course.

Katrina then auditioned and was accepted in BRENT STREET, into their full time performing arts course, then more recently Katrina performed in several countries overseas and in various productions. Katrina has over 7 years of teaching experience and has taught in various studios in the Sutherland Shire, and also in various locations and studios around Sydney. She has even taught children of famous identities to her credits, including the daughter of SAM NEIL.




DARREN DISNEY

Tours & Concerts
Original Dein Perry Tap Dogs World Tour, 42nd St, Me & My Girl, Mack & Mabel In Concert, Tina Arena & The Ramjets, Melissa & C+C Music Factory, Gimmie Five Dance Group, Belinda Carslile

Film
Tap Dogs-Original Cast Live In London, Melissa-Sexy Is The Word, Skin To Skin, Jo Beth Taylor- You Don't Own Me, Mark Stevens- Cold War, Toni Pearon- Walk Away Lover

Television
Network Ten Pro-Mo's, Midday, Hey Hey It's Saturday, Logies, Peoples Choice Awards, AFI Awards
ABC - Party Machine, Denton, Today, Princes Trust Concert - Royal Albert Hall London, Blue Peter,
Good Morning Aus- Uk- Usa, Ellen Degeneres - Sitcom, Jerry Lewis, Jay Leno, MTV,NBC Today - London
- New York, Regis & Cathy Lee With Cindy Crawford, Just For Laughs- Gala- Montreal

Choreographed
The Superleague Grand Final 'Grease' 20 th Anniversary, Olivia Newton John, Jon Stevens & Gina Jeffries
Gala Film Festival- State Theatre Sydney, That's Dancin, Star Search, Cathay Life- Summit, Darling Harbour Convention Centre

Trained
Les Griffith, Tessa Maunder, Newcastle.

Taught
Brent Street Studios, Sydney Dance Company, Danceworld & David Atkin"S Dynamite Studios.

Adjudicated
Mcdonalds Challenge 1998, Showcase Dance Championships & Final 1999, Ultimate Dance Finals 2006




JILL BATHURST

Jill danced in the Australian Ballet [formerly the Borovansky Ballet] performing in productions with Dame Margot Fonteyn and other high profile dancers . Jill Bathurst performed as a soloist with the company before furthering her career overseas with the London Festival Ballet.

During her time with that company she toured extensively around the world including Europe, Malta, and Central and South America . On her return to London she was invited to join the Walter Gore company to dance many of the famous roles demanded of a Ballerina. In most recent years Jill Bathurst was invited to perform with the Australian ballet as a guest artist in Graeme Murphy’s production of the Nutcracker playing the role of one of one of Clara’s friends ,at the Sydney Opera House . We are very privileged to have Jill’s expertise to guide and encourage our students at Kick.




RHONDA PICKERING

We would like to welcome Rhonda to our teaching faculty and we are fortunate to have such a highly qualified teacher with a reputation for high standard and perfection in her classical ballet classes. Rhonda is a fully registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dancing as a classical ballet teacher, and also with the Federal Association of Teachers of Dance as a tap and jazz teacher . Rhonda is also an experienced adjudicator having been invited to adjudicate in numerous eisteddfods around N.S.W. over the past 16 years , and has taught at many high profile studios.



SARAH KEY

Sara has had a successful career in entertainment for over sixteen years covering a wide variety of areas within the industry. Sara has performed in the Fantasy Las Vegas show for the past nine years as a compere and singer working with full production dancers in a vibrant, modern extravaganza. Largely owing to the longevity of the production, Sara remains a featured personality in the entertainment industry. Sara’s high energy and brilliant stage presence complement her extraordinary repertoire giving Sara the flexibility to entertain any audience and to teach our students at Kick the art of song and dance from 4 years of age to seniors.



MATT GERONIMI
JAZZ / ACRO / HIP HOP / BOYS / FUNK - PROFESSIONAL PERFORMER

Matt Geronimi has already had an extensive career in the entertainment industry with many achievements to his credits. He has had extensive dance training and is an experienced teacher and choreographer, having taught and gained a high reputation for his drive, enthusiasm and talent. Matt has studied all facets, completing his training with a full time dance course at Brent Street.

Matt’s incredible achievements include…

Australian Dance Idol WINNER Hip Hop Section. Matt performed with NIKKI WEBSTER on her ‘Bliss Tour’and has also toured NSW and QLD. He also can be seen dancing in her film clip ‘24 / 7’. Matt performed in the lauch of BRITANNY SPEARS new perfume ‘Fantasy’ and danced in PAULINI’S film clip ‘So over you’. He has also made several HOME AND AWAY appearances and performed in many pantomimes / cabarets / musicals to include the role of ‘Baby John’ in WEST SIDE STORY.

Matt has won a multitude of awards for his ballroom dancing not only in Australia but all over the world competing in world championships. Matt was RANKED 22nd IN THE WORLD in 2003 for his latin / modern. He took out the title of JUNIOR AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION in 2002 and also in the same year became the VICTORIAN JUNIOR MODERN CHAMPION and the SOUTH PACIFIC MODERN AND LATIN CHAMPION.




STEPHEN TANNOS
GUEST TEACHER / CHOREOGRAPHER

Training
Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Modern, Singing, Drama, Acrobatics & Gymnastics (level 6) Brent Street Studios, Nida Breakfast Club, ATYP.

Experience
Showtime Attractions - "Rugrats Live" and various other characters. "RAPT"- 4 member hip-hop Dance Group. Won the Australian Dance Idol HIP HOP division. Regular performers at "CRUSH" events and corporate functions, BRITNEY SPEARS perfume launch - FOX STUDIOS. CATS - "Tumblebrutus/ Mungojerry" Asian Tour 2007. WESTSIDE STORY - "Chino", Rob Martin Productions - 2006. OLIVER - "Orphan", Cameron Mackintosh Productions - 2002. 2000 Olympic Closing Ceremony. "Dammit Janet" (Rock Band)- lead singer

Television
Freddo Frog Commercial, KFC Commercial & Kool Aid Commercial




B.J RORKE

BJ is one of the most known and respected performers and choreographers in Australia performing with the likes of Fergie, Young Divas, Maxine Nightingale (Tour) and Jessica Mauboy. He created and choreographed Hip/hop group RAPT, featured on Australia's Got Talent, Australian Dance Idol and Hollywood dance comp hip hop champions. Currently working on his new business A-Live Entertainment, BJ plans to improve and enlarge the Australian dance industry. His choreography specialty blends hip/hop with such styles as jazz and lyrical with an always new and interesting feel.

Credits include
So You Think You Can Dance 09 TOP 6, Showcase National Dancer of the Year winner (2006), featured dancer in the film “Mao’s Last Dancer”, Opera Australia, MTV awards and CATS the musical Asian tour.



HILTON DENNIS
GUEST TEACHER / CHOREOGRAPHER

"SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE"


Commenced teaching at KICK SUDIOS in 2008.

Hilton teaches Elite Urban Street and Novice Street classes.

Hilton is already a highly experienced in the commercial dance world, continually rising in the ranks as a professional dancer and choreographer. Previously working with the likes of Fergie (Black Eyed Peas), Paulini, Young Divas, and S2S. Hilghlight performances including The Helpmann Awards, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, MTV, Opera Australia and Australian Idol. With most recently being a top twenty finalist in Australia's 'So You Think You Can Dance'. Hilton's specialities (for teaching) include acrobatics, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, technique and tap.

Choreographic projects include his co-creation of the performance group 'RAPT', who performed as finalists on the TV series Australia's Got Talent. All these successes culminating into Hilton's Production Company (Co-director): Milk and Cookies, specialising in Dance workshops and performance art entertainment.

TV/Film credits include Home and Away, Mcdonalds, Farscape, All Saints, Moulin Rouge and Peter Jackson's King Kong.

We are privileged at KICK to have such a brilliant performer and teacher to pass on his knowledge to our students.




ALEXANDRA GROGAN

Alexandra first started dancing at the age of seven and joined the Alison Nestor School of dance, now known as Kick Academy of Performing Arts , where she studied and completed her Checchetti syllabus and studied a large range of other dance facets. After completing her Higher School Certificate, in 2007 she auditioned and was accepted into Brent Street’s full time course where she graduated and received her Certificate IV in Performing Arts. After completing Brent Street she has been fortunate enough to perform in various gigs around Sydney as a dance entertainer for large corporations.

Beginning of 2009 she choreographed an amateur musical production called ‘So You Think You Should Be Dancing’. Alexandra has a passion for dance and a distinct choreographic style which Kick students adore. Alexandra shares her knowledge with every student wanting to dance!



NAOMI HAMMOND

Naomi has staudied all facets of dance for  18 years, specialising in jazz, theatrical and contemporary dance. Naomi  has  8 years  of teaching experience behind her. Naomi has performed in many events including school spectacular, 2000 olympics and para olympics and performing with NSW state dance company touring America and France.  Naomi has  also been involved with various singing competitions including song writing and attended workshops in New York and Disney World.

Currently  she is  studying Television Production at Charles Sturt University and Performing  as a dance entertainer in a new children's show which Kick students are also performing in.  Naomi brings not only her dance skills , but her skills behind the camera with her to our studio , and most recently placed an entry into the 'So You Think You Can Dance' school's entry competition , which was lucky enough to be placed on the official website.




CHRISTOPHER TAN

Christopher studied numerous styles of dance and drama from an early age; specializing in Jazz, Broadway Theatrical Dance and Musical Theatre, right here at Kick Academy of Performing Arts (then Alison Nestor School of Dance) under the direction of senior teachers Alison Nestor, Katrina Riley and Darren Disney. Christopher has also been fortunate enough to have had training and guidance under a number of leading and internationally renowned teachers and examiners. Amongst many of his achievements in the performing arts, Christopher represented NSW and won three gold medals at the Crown International Championships held in Melbourne with his dance teams, competed at the prestigious International Dance Organisation Jazz Championships (also held in Melbourne) and was crowned state runner up at the Australian Dancing Society’s Jazz Ballet and Theatrical Championship. Christopher has also won at the International Festival of Theatrical Dance, performed in the Sydney Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Sydney Pan Pacific Games Opening Ceremony as well as 3 Schools Spectaculars. Christopher passes a wealth of knowledge to his students and has recently returned from the UK where he was able to take class held at the internationally renowned Pineapple Dance Centre in London’s West End Theatre District.



STUDENT TEACHERS

Jenny Brown, Chris Tan, Alexandra Carr, Sarah Gaydon , Jaqueline Rosenberger

 

Downloads
Click on the links below to download the various Kick Academy forms.

Kick Enrolment Form
Kick Uniform List
Kick Uniform Order Form