STUDIO M TEACHER PROFILES

Emma Russell – Artistic Director/Principal

Emma started dancing when she was 3yrs old. From a very young age she always knew that teaching was her passion and started student teaching from the age of 14. After she completed her teacher’s exam she began to teach at a selection of coastal schools.

After performing and choreographing Emma has been artistic director/principal of Studio M Avoca for the last seven years building up a school that has produced talented, high skilled, technical dancers and is known for providing a fun safe environment for students of all abilities and ages.

In 2007 and again in 2012 Emma created and directed a travel experience of a life time, taking large groups of dancers to L.A to perform in Disneyland and many other dance experiences.

Emma specializes in JFH (jazz, funk, hip hop), Modern Contemporary and Lyrical.

Mr Joshua Lucas

Josh has been dancing since the age of 7, 16 years on he goes into his 7th year of teaching at Studio M. Tap has always been his strong point learning from syllabus's such as Ballet Australasian Limited and Australian Teachers of Dancing, and now currently teaching the Glenn Wood Tap syllabus. Josh’s style of tap has a street edge feel, focusing on rhythm and technique, drawing comparisons to that of Tap Dogs. His style highlights the importance of traditional tap with a more modern approach.

His horizons have broadened with Gosford Musical Society, a featured dancer in Thoroughly Modern Millie, an ensemble member in Spamalot, and recently cast as Mike in A Chorus Line.

Michelle Gorey – Classical Ballet

Michelle completed 2 years full-time Classical with the Halliday Dance Centre in Sydney completing all major R.A.D Exams to Advanced level.  Michelle also studied Spanish dance, contemporary, dance history, classical repitoire etc. Michelle spread her knowledge with a 12month dance study at the Bodenwiesser Dance Centre in Sydney also studying CDA contemporary.

After her 3 years of intensive training at professional level she travelled with Dance Encore Productions to Japan and Greece as a solo performer.

She holds certificates in Fitness Leader, Personal Training and First Aid. Michelle’s interest for fitness found herself as Fitness leader for 10 years at Crown Plaza Terrigal designing fitness and strength training programmes. 

Michelle is currently studying educational kinesiology Brain Gym educator (integrated movement programmes for children and adults).

With over 17yrs teaching experience on the Central Coast teaching R.A.D Classical, Modern Contemporary and various styles of Jazz we are extremely fortunate to have Michelle’s level of expertise at Studio M.

Kate Richmond - Classical Ballet

Kate won first place in the very high standard City of Sydney Eisteddfod. Kate’s level of dance was a product of intense classes at Bodenwiesser Dance centre, Sydney.

Kate began teaching for Helen France School of Ballet. Kate then moved to Western Australia attending classes at three different dance schools obtaining skills in Jazz, Modern, Contemporary and Tap. She continued teaching R.A.D Ballet and performing in variety shows until she moved back to Avoca and started her family.

Kate began a small school called “Dance Steps that concentrated on dance in preschools over the coast. She has been teaching our younger ballerinas (even with nappies under their leotards!) since 2005.

Assistant Teachers