Teachers

The Next Step Performing arts teachers are leaders in their field of the entertainment industry.

Whether it is for fun or to train for a career in the in entertainment our teachers will cater for you.

Kris Lewis - Director

Kris began his Dance training at age 6 at CHPYC. He then went on to train at Brent Street Studios, The McDonald College and later moved to Melbourne to study at The Australian Ballet School. He moved back to Sydney to complete Certificate IV in Performing arts. Kris has 10 years of experience teaching and choreographing all over sydney.

Dance credits include: Tap Dogs, Lady GaGa, BMW 3 Series Launch in China, Happy Feet 2, and performances for Sir Elton John and Richard Branson (with Tap Dogs). Choreographic credits include; Australia’s Got Talent, Johnny Ruffo TVC and assisting Dein Perry on the opening number at the NRL Grand Final. In 2007 Kris Joined forces with his brother Jason to create their own show called The Next Step. They have performed for Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Elton John and with artists such as Michael Buble, Kelly Rowland, Pittbull, Akon and they were winners of the Australian Choreographic Competition - Kicking Up The Dust. Kris has also featured in TVC’s for Starburst, McDonalds, Lifestyle, Telstra, Ausstar and Nestle.

Laura Webb - Director

Laura began her dance training at the age of 3 at The Patricia Stevens Dance Studio. She then furthered her studies by attending The McDonald college and Glenda Yee School of Dance. Laura then completed her Certificate IV in performing arts at Brent Street Studios in 2010.

Since the start of her professional career Laura has had the chance to work with choreographers including Kelley Abbey, Marko Panzic, Ame Delves and Simon Lind. She completed contracts with Sydney Showboat in 2011 and Opera Australia in 2013 performing in Carmen directed by Gale Edwards.
Laura has featured on TV shows including X-Factor, Sunrise, Young Talent Time, So You Think You Dance, The Voice and Dance Academy. Laura had the privilege of working with Baz Lurhman on The Great Gatsby.

Laura has worked with artist's such as Jessie J, The Wanted, Kelley Rowland, Zoe Badwi, Cassie Davis, Wes Car, Scarlette Belle, Anthony Callea and Brian McFadden.

Jason Lewis

Jason started dancing at the age of 7 in all genres of dance at Brent Street Studios, The McDonald College and CHPYC, Jason also completed his Certificate IV at Brent Street Studios. Jasons years of experience has allowed him to dance for such acts as Dein Perry's Tap Dogs, Sir Elton John, Fergie, Olivia Newton John, Tv Rock, Young Diva's and Cindy Lauper. Jasons's intense training and experience has allowed him to travel the world entertaining throughout Europe, Asia, U.S.A, London and of course here in Australia. Jason has been a member of Tap Dogs since 2005.

In 2003 Jason alongside his brother Kris Lewis established The Next Step. The next step is the first group in the world to fuse Tap, Hip Hop, Break Dancing, Singing, Raping and Live Original music together into a live stage show. Jason has travelled the world with The Next Step entertaining. Some of their performance credits include performing for Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Elton John, MTV Awards, Splendour in the Grass, The Helpmann Awards and countless festivals and coporate events. These are just some of the accomplishments The Next Step have achieved in the years they have been together. Jason was apart of the creative team of Australia's Got Talent 2013.

Rosa Agius - Hip Hop

Rosa has taught workshops internationally in New zealand , Indonesia, Taiwan and all over Australia. Rosa has choreographed many shows both Corporate and commercial, for stage, film and also competitions, including choreographing for Australia’s leading artists and Peforming arts institutions.

Rosa’s stage and theatre credits include The Urban Music Awards, Aria Awards, Diva Live Girl Band (Macau), Marvin Priest’s Australian Tour, Austereo Awards, The Edge 96.1 Annual Party, and NYE at Luna Park.

Rosa’s Television credits include Aria Awards, So You Think You Can Dance 2009 and 2010, Good Morning Australia, The Morning Show with Marvin Priest and Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice awards with Stan Walker. She has also appeared in TVC’s including Mountain Dew, Channel V, Foxtel IQ, SYTYCD (hero dancer), Channel 10, SYTYCD (Nacho Pop Road Trip) and Rosa also had the privilege of working on the movie “Australia”.

Rosa has appeared dancing for various artists including DJ Nino Brown, Flo Rida, Isreal, Guy Sebastian, Mike Champion, Sneaky Sound System, Ruby Rose, Marvin Priest, Stan Walker, Zoe Badwi and appeared in Music Video’s for Richard Tanumi, Radio Inc and Sophie Monk just to name a few.

Rosa has choreographed for XFactor, So You Think You Can Dance and artists such as Zoe Badwi, Marvin priest various events including NYE at Luna Park Sydney, Jade Macrae, Israel Cruz and Jodeci. She has also choreographed for The Australian Radio Network, The Edge, Virgin Music, MTV, Bonds, Puma, SYTYCD, Nova and rosa is a resident choreographer for RSPM Entertainment and 11 Productions.

Olivia Jenkins - BA(Hons) PDTD (RAD) Ballet

Olivia trained first with Joan and Monica Halliday in Sydney and on their retirement with Marie Walton-Mahon in Newcastle. At 14 she went to Paris to study with Monique Arabian followed by a year at Roland Petit's Ecole National Superieur de Danse in Marseille. She completed her training with 3 years on scholarship at English National Ballet School in London. Olivia toured with English National Ballet and danced in France with Cannes Jeune Ballet, in Italy with Balletto di Teatro Massimo and in Germany for 5 years with Anthony Taylor at Stadt Ballett Koblenz. Olivia's ballet training enabled her to work with many different choreographers and in different styles including working with Madonna and performimg in not only classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Nutcraker but also in musicals such as West Side Story (Alonso Barros), Cabaret, La Cage aux Folles. Whilst working professionally she gained a First Class Honours degree in Professional Practice (Ballet) from London University. In August 2013 she graduated from the Professional Dancers Teachng Diploma at the Royal Academy of Dance headquarters in London with Distinction. The RAD have subsequently asked Olivia to teach at their International Summer Schools in Singapore and Tokyo this year. One of the highlights of her career was dancing for Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Albert Hall.

Beck Christel - Singing

Beck is a triple threat and has been a professional performer from a young age. At the age of 12 she was in the musical "ANNIE" at Star City NSW. Beck has been a singing and dance teacher at the very successful school of SISTER2SISTER SCHOOL OF SINGING for many years.
She has been involved with many bands, such as “Tall Pop” , “peachy”, "funkstar" and corporate shows such as “THE PUSSCAT DIVAS” AND “THE DIVER SHOW” which has toured all around Sydney and Australia at pubs, clubs including the "Hard Rock Cafe" sydney and corporate events and parties.
Beck has done tribute shows such as “Britney Spears tribute” and “Christina Aguliera Tribute” around Sydney and Australia.
She was also backing vocalist for Delta Goodrem on Australian Idol, and is currently lead singer on the “Sydney Showboat”.
Beck toured America singing and dancing, and was the lead singer for “FRESCO” at the “Venetian” hotel in Macau, CHINA in 2010 and 2011 which also made it's way to Goa, INDIA.
She is still currently working Australia wide and internationally in pubs, clubs and corporate events and venues.

Zak Beasley - Contemporary

Zak has trained in a wide range of dance styles from a young age, training at some of the countries top performing arts schools.Some of his credits include working on “Dance Academy Television Series” “Disney Channel” and “Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards” and also working with Choreographers and Directors such as Kelley Abbey, Matt Lee, Christian Patterson, Marko Panzic and more. An up and coming choreographer himself, he has choreographed and produced shows at WIN Entertainment center and choreographed for artists such as Prinnie Stevens (“The Voice AU”).

Nancy Denis - Musical Theatre

Nancy Denis was the tender age of three when she began her dance training at Sydney’s Brent Street studio. She further honed her talents in all facets of the entertainment industry by attending the Talent Development High School from years 7 through to 12.

Nancy graced the professional stage at an early age, playing Tessi alongside Anthony Warlow in John Frost’s production of Annie. In 2008, Nancy won a place as a member of the pop group Panjo 5 through Nickelodeon’s talent search show Airtime! Nancy’s other screen appearances include the 2009 MTV Awards, Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards, Australian Idol (with Delta Goodrem) and Mornings with Kerri Anne.

Nancy has toured Australia with US Hip-Hop artists Omarion and Fatman Scoop.

In 2010 halfway through her full-time year at Brent Street Studios Nancy obtained the role of 'Little Inez' in the Australian production of Hairspray the Musical Australia Directed by David Atkins and presented by Paul Dainty, Dainty Consolidated Entertainment and Joel Pearlman, Roadshow live.

Shortly after Hairspray ended in 2011 Nancy Landed a Feature Artist role in Baz Luhrmann’ 'The Great Gatsby' along side Leonardo Dicaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton.

In 2013 Nancy performed two sold out seasons of the critically acclaimed play directed Ros Horin ‘The Baulkham hills African Ladies Troop’

Renee Armstrong - Fitness

Megan Bolton - Acrobatics

Megan Bolton, of Sydney Australia, has been performing for twenty-four years. She has explored acrobatics in the form of gymnastics, sports acrobatics and now as a performing artist.

Competitively, Megan has represented Australia in gymnastic acrobatics, including two Junior World Championships, two Senior World Championships, Hungarian open and qualification for the World Age Games in Japan. This is the highest number of World Championship representations by any Australian acrobat. Her finest placing was 5th in the world at the 2000 Senior World Championships in Poland. Her competitive experience takes the form of the top position (flyer) in women's pairs, women's trio and mixed pairs. Within Australia she was number one for more than seven years. Upon retiring, she received the most prestigious award from the Gymnastics Australia Commission, which acknowledges athletes who have reached the international highest level within their chosen gymsport.

Today, Megan is involved in work with, not only acrobatics, but also handstand bars, tumbling, contortion, trapeze, silks and lyra. She has performed for numerous touring groups, corporate functions, advertisements, children's and adult events, sporting events, stunt and circus shows to name a few.

Megan has taught, coached and mentored thousands of children and adults over the past 12 years. This includes world class acrobats, eilte dancers, clinics and seminars across Australia, school programs, team building for adults, personal training, stunt groups, children’s performer groups, recreational classes, and more. She focuses on a russian style of teaching gymnastics and acrobatics based on her previous training, currently recognised methods and her co-workers experienced coaching (Russian, American and Australian olympic gymnastics coach). She is accredited by Gymnastics NSW.

Karinna Greksa - Contemporary

Having trained at “Brent Street Studios” from a young age, Karinna has had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in our Industry. From working as a featured role in Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby “ Film, to working with Cirque Du Soliel, Karinna has shown her ability to be versatile in all genres.

Some of her other credits include working with Dein Perry (Dhoom 3 Bollywood Film), The Helpman awards, Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge”, MTV Awards, The X-Factor and more. Karinna has also worked with many other Choreographers/Directors such as Kelly Abbey, Matt Lee, Marko Panzic, and Jason Gilkison.

Kino McHugh - Hip Hop

Yukino McHugh started her training at the age of 8 studying Ballet in Austalia and Japan she studied RAD syllabus until she graduated the Intermediate Foundation exam and scored a High Distinction She decided to move to Sydney at the age of 16 to widen her training and continued on her studies at TDHS (Talent Development High School. From a young age she was continuously busy being asked to perform for big named choreographers such as Tony Czar (choreographer for Brittany Spears) Amanda Suk( dancer of World of dance N.Y) Andre fountes ( dancer for Michael Jackson ) She then won a the Source dance national Competition which gave her a Scholarship to America in 2009 at the age of 15, She was then scouted by the MSA agency in America. She continued teaching in Australia and assisted Renee Ritchie and Travers Ross in ADF (Australian Dance Festival) and was flown over to Broken Hill to teach with Instant Bun. She was given great opportunities to perform for Rupaul, and choreographer a short video Xendria by Toni Martelliand was asked to choreograph a whole Production called Sweet Dreams And Beautiful Night Mare. She also appears in various films and music videos such as Hermitude – Speak Of The Devil, Kat Risteska – Cinderella and even as an Actress of Vicks TV commercial olympicsspecial and Featured dancer and Actress in the TV series Dance Academy. Her highest achieved goal is when she had the pleasure of working with the artist 360 at the ARIAS awards night.

Natalia Belovukovic - Ballet

Natalia graduated with her BA Dance/B Education (Hons) from the University of New South Wales, (2006). She began dancing at the age of 5 and over the years trained under the tutelage of Robyn E Dixon, Sharyn Constable and Hilary Kaplan in RAD Ballet, FATD Tap and Modern and Contemporary.

As a professional dancer Natalia performed at the Atlanta Olympics Flag Handover Ceremony with Bangarra Dance Theatre directed by Stephen Page, (1996), the Sydney Olympics directed by Dein Perry, (2000) and dabbled briefly in film after appearing as a dancer in both Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions, (2003). In 2004, Natalia became an ensemble member of the Disney Theatrical Production of The Lion King performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Shanghai.

Also passionate about fostering education, Natalia is currently heading the HSC Dance program at The Australian Institute of Music (AIM High). She continues to remain actively involved in the industry and is a proud supporter of equity.

Lauren Howes - Silks

With 10 years of professional performance experience and a background in classical ballet, modern and tap Lauren has completed major examinations in all disciplines and gained a Bachelor of Music at the University of New South Wales majoring in Vocal Performance.

Lauren was successful in obtaining her first international contract with P&O European Cruises in 2004 as a Singer/Dancer and toured England, Spain, France, and Ireland.

While resident in Sydney she performed productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Me and My Girl, Oklahoma and as part of a trio for Pandora’s Cabaret resident at Bar Me (Sydney).

Lauren returned to Sydney after spending over 3 years abroad where she toured England and Wales as a singer/dancer for Formula Live Productions, starred in the cabaret Permanently Temporary in London’s West End, and performed for Costa Cruises as lead production vocalist touring the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Lauren is a trained aerialist specializing as a singing aerialist and performing aerial acts on Tissu (Silks), Lyra (Aerial Hoop) and Spanish Web. Recent productions and performances include French cabaret Paris By Night, aerial dance theatrical production Earth Angel, the Sydney Mardi Gras, the Victoria Room’s Performance Carnival and corporate events for Candy Stripe Circus, Avion Aerial Arts and Wild Spirit Productions.

Kieran Crowe - Hip Hop & Break Dancing

Kieran started off his professional career apearing on Australia's Got Talent season 5 performing with Instant Bun,

He then travelled to Los Angeles with Instant Bun after being invited to perform at the prestigious 13th year anniversary of Carnival LA.

Kieran has performed with many world class artists including Little Mix, Cody Simpson and Johnny Ruffo on the One Direction world tour and has also performed at numerous events including Australian Dance Festival with both Instant Bun and A-Live Entertainment.

Some of Kierans television credits include XFactor, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards and Dance Academy where her not only performed but also Choreographed.

Kieran is also a member of The Next Step directed and choreographed by Jason and Kris Lewis.

Kierra England - Jazz

Kierra began her training of the performing arts at the age of 2, and since then spent all her afternoons and weekends working towards her career in the industry.
Kierra has travelled to many places to pursue her advanced training. One highlight of her dance career was travelling to Japan at age 10 with the Central Coast Ballet Company to perform in the nutcracker with a Japanese company, and also travelling to America to enter in various international competitions and workshops.
To add to her achievements, Kierra's career was also involved in performing with Kelly Rowland, Cassie Davis, Wes Carr, Brian McFadden, Prince of Thieves, Johnny Ruffo, The Next Step and also being involved in the film Razzle Dazzle.
In 2005 she was accepted into The McDonald College with a full scholarship for the dance stream, and in 2012 completed the Cert 4 Full time course at the Village Performing Arts.

Karlee Misipeka - Musical Theatre

Karlee trained at The McDonald College of the Performing Arts and TDHS, and completed Full-time at Brent Street Performing Arts.

Some of her credits include: ‘Dance Academy’ ABC television, ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Grand Finale for Network Ten, The Helpmann Awards Sydney Opera House, and ‘Mornings’ breakfast program Ch9 where she sung ‘What I Did For Love’ promoting 'A Chorus Line'.

Karlee made her Musical Theatre debut in 2009 in Disney’s ‘High School Musical Live On Stage’.In 2010-2011 Karlee was cast in David Atkins ‘Hairspray The Musical’ understudying Little Inez and also the three Dynamites, which played both Sydney and Melbourne.She then went on to play the role of ‘Diana Morales’ in the successful Australian revival of the musical ‘A Chorus Line’. It toured 6 cities including Singapore, spanning 2011-2012.

Karlee is currently performing with Johnny Ruffo as one of his backup dancers, and is part of a corporate singing group 'The Diamonds', SMA Productions.