Yarra Heights Dance Academy is led by Principal, Louise Smith who has more than 25 years of dance teaching experience and AATBD Inc Teaching Diplomas in four styles of dance. Louise is supported by some of the best teachers in the business who are fully qualified and experienced in a number of popular styles of dance.

Louise Smith

Director / Principal

ADJUDICATOR, POINTE ASSESSOR, EXAMINER AATBD, TAP. DIP. AATBD, T. Th. DIP. AATBD, JAZZ DIP. AATBD, BALLET DIP AATBD, Adv. BALLET DIP. AATBD.
Louise has been involved in the dance industry for more than 40 years and the Principal of YHDA for 30 years.
Teaches exam work, classical ballet, theatrical, jazz, tap.

Leticia Barlow

Principal Teacher / Dancestep Manager

TAP. DIP. AATBD, T. Th. DIP. AATBD, JAZZ DIP. AATBD, BALLET DIP AATBD
Leticia has been teaching dance for 27 years, 22 years at YHDA.
Teaches classical ballet, pointe, preschool, jazz, tap, VCE Dance.

Jason Law

Principal Teacher /
Competition Teacher

Involved in the dance industry for 20 years and a teacher at YHDA for 14 years.
Teaches jazz, contemporary, lyrical, technique, performance teams.

Samantha Ambrosy

Teacher

Diploma Elite Dance and performance, Acrobatic Arts Certified. PBT Certified.
Teacher at YHDA for 8 years.
Teaches classical ballet, pointe, jazz, acrobatics, contemporary, hip-hop.

Sue-Ellen Shook

Teacher

Sue-Ellen has been in the dance industry for nearly 4 decades.
A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts, her career covers all facets of dance, in Australia and internationally, including Film, Television, Musical Theatre, Music Concerts, Sporting Events and Corporate Entertainment.
Teaches Jazz, Technique.

Robert Shook

Teacher

Robert is a professional Actor, Stuntman, Specialty
Entertainer and Fight Director/Trainer with over 40 years of professional
experience in Stage, Film, and Television. MEAA Graded Stunt Actor and is a
member of Screen Actor Guild.
Teaches Acrobatics, Physical Theatre.

Natalie Smoel

Teacher

Diploma in Dance
Teaches Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Commerical, Theatrical/Broadway, Tap.

Alarni Morgan

Teacher

Trainer and assessor – Cert IV Dance Teaching and Management, Pilates Instructor.
 Teaches jazz, hiphop, contemporary, commercial/heels

Andy Chen

Teacher

Teaching for 9 years, 6 years at YHDA.
Teaches hip hop

Annelise Jenkin

Teacher / Competition Teacher

TAP. DIP. AATBD, T. Th. DIP. AATBD, JAZZ DIP. AATBD. Diploma in Musical Theatre. 
Teacher at YHDA for 6 years. Pilates certified teacher.
Teaches pilates, jazz, tap, contemporary, hiphop.

Jessica Hope

Teacher

JAZZ DIP. AATBD, Acrobatic Arts Certified, Teacher at YHDA for 13 years.
Teaches ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hiphop, acrobatics/tumbling, preschool.

Georgia Corless

Teacher

JAZZ DIP. AATBD, TAP DIP. AATBD, BALLET DIP. AATBD, T. Th. DIP. AATBD
Teacher at YHDA for 6 years.
Teaches jazz, ballet, tap.

Ethan Cooper

Teacher

Diploma in Musical Theatre (PSA)
Teacher at YHDA for 3 years.
Teaches musical theatre, acting, jazz, boys classes.

Vivian Harvey

Teacher

TAP. DIP. AATBD, T. Th. DIP. AATBD, JAZZ DIP. AATBD, BALLET DIP AATBD, Adv. BALLET DIP. AATBD.
Teaches ballet, jazz, tap, theatrical, exam work.

Jess Saunders

Teacher

JAZZ DIP. AATBD, TAP DIP. AATBD
Teaches Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hiphop, Contemporary, Musical Theatre.

Maggie de Koning

Teacher

Trained at the Australian Ballet School for 10 years. Currently dancing with the Victorian State Ballet.
Teaches ballet.

Jaymie Cathie

Teacher

Teaches vocal