Our Dance Teachers
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Rebecca Allan
Rebecca is an accomplished dancer, dance teacher and children's educator. She has been dancing since she was two and a half years old and in this time has studied ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical and tap. Rebecca has been teaching at Dance Northside since 2007.
Rebecca’s passion for teaching and education led her to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies (specialising in Early Childhood) at the University of Canberra. During this time, Rebecca discovered the value of dance and movement for young children as tools for self-expression and discovery of the world. Her dance teaching philosophy's foundation is both her passion for teaching the youngest of students, along with her understanding that the earliest movement experiences create strong links to success in formal education.
Besides teaching for Dance Northside, Rebecca is the Director of Kaleen Cubby House, has taught within the ACT primary school system and continues to work with local community groups and raising her young sons, Jack and Thomas.
Rebecca’s passion for teaching and education led her to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies (specialising in Early Childhood) at the University of Canberra. During this time, Rebecca discovered the value of dance and movement for young children as tools for self-expression and discovery of the world. Her dance teaching philosophy's foundation is both her passion for teaching the youngest of students, along with her understanding that the earliest movement experiences create strong links to success in formal education.
Besides teaching for Dance Northside, Rebecca is the Director of Kaleen Cubby House, has taught within the ACT primary school system and continues to work with local community groups and raising her young sons, Jack and Thomas.
Genevieve Chan
Genevieve - better known as Gen - is an experienced dancer and dance teacher who specialises in teaching adults. Her passion for creating dance opportunities for adults led her to open 6th Position in 2017. A year later, she was a finalist in the 2018 Canberra Women in Business awards. COVID-19 prompted her to make a difficult decision and bring forward her exit plans, but she is excited the move has led her to Dance Northside.
Gen began learning ballet at the age of seven. Her earliest training was in the United States and because her family frequently moved for work, she attended three different dance schools over five years. To this day, her ballet dancing has retained its American style. A couple of years after returning to Canberra, she was unable to continue her dance training.
Gen returned to dance as an adult, learning contemporary and falling in love with movement all over again. She later returned to ballet - her big love - and has never looked back. In recent years, she expanded her dance horizons by learning jazz and tap. You can get the full story on Gen here.
Outside of dance, Gen works in advocacy at the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in Gender Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy.
Gen began learning ballet at the age of seven. Her earliest training was in the United States and because her family frequently moved for work, she attended three different dance schools over five years. To this day, her ballet dancing has retained its American style. A couple of years after returning to Canberra, she was unable to continue her dance training.
Gen returned to dance as an adult, learning contemporary and falling in love with movement all over again. She later returned to ballet - her big love - and has never looked back. In recent years, she expanded her dance horizons by learning jazz and tap. You can get the full story on Gen here.
Outside of dance, Gen works in advocacy at the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in Gender Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy.
Erin Gale
Erin is an experienced dancer and dance teacher and is currently completing her Masters of Education with Charles Sturt University.
She started dancing at the age of four with the Jill Glastonbury Ballet Academy. She has trained in a range of dance styles and has taught tap, Cecchetti ballet, jazz and lyrical dance. Erin enjoys choreographing and has received several awards at choreographic competitions.
Erin joined Dance Northside’s adult contemporary class four years ago and has recently joined the team to teach ballet and jazz classes. She has also choreographed on the Advanced Performance Team. Her main goals in teaching are to build skills, confidence and creativity in her students, all within a fun and supportive environment.
Erin joined Dance Northside’s adult contemporary class four years ago and has recently joined the team to teach ballet and jazz classes. She has also choreographed on the Advanced Performance Team. Her main goals in teaching are to build skills, confidence and creativity in her students, all within a fun and supportive environment.
Laura Gerstenberg
Laura is an experienced and knowledgeable dance teacher, with a passion for working alongside individuals living with additional needs. Laura holds a Certificate III and IV in Disability Studies and has worked extensively in the ACT specialist education space. Laura is nearing the completion of her Social Work degree.
Laura is a strong believer in providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for her students, believing that dance provides an opportunity for anyone to shine, no matter their abilities.
Laura began her dancing journey at the age of two, with the Jill Glastonbury Ballet Academy. In 2007, when Dance Northside emerged, Laura continued her dance training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop. At 13, Laura developed an interest in teaching and started training alongside Rebecca Allan with Dance Northside’s youngest students. Laura taught the Kids Creative Movement (now Minis Creative Movement) classes and enjoyed this role. In 2016, Laura took a break from dancing to focus on her studies but is excited to be back at Dance Northside as Customer Relations Manager and teaching Mini’s, Kid’s, Junior and Youth classes.
Laura is a strong believer in providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for her students, believing that dance provides an opportunity for anyone to shine, no matter their abilities.
Laura began her dancing journey at the age of two, with the Jill Glastonbury Ballet Academy. In 2007, when Dance Northside emerged, Laura continued her dance training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop. At 13, Laura developed an interest in teaching and started training alongside Rebecca Allan with Dance Northside’s youngest students. Laura taught the Kids Creative Movement (now Minis Creative Movement) classes and enjoyed this role. In 2016, Laura took a break from dancing to focus on her studies but is excited to be back at Dance Northside as Customer Relations Manager and teaching Mini’s, Kid’s, Junior and Youth classes.
Caitlin Johnstone
Caitlin has loved to dance since she was very young. She was first introduced to dancing at the age of three, starting in ballet. At age four she took up Irish Dance, and trained competitively in the style for nine years, representing the Liz Gregory Academy at state, national and international level. Caitlin was ACT State Champion for four years running, from 2009 to 2012. She consistently placed in the top twenty nationally, with her best result being 9th place in 2011. In 2013, Caitlin travelled to California to compete in the North American National Championships, open to dancers from across the globe, where she placed 38th.
Caitlin met Holly in 2012, through the primary school dance competition known as Wakkakirri. Since then, Caitlin has taken five years of contemporary classes and two years of jazz classes at Dance Northside. She has also been part of the Dance Northside Performance Group since 2016, allowing her to gain experience in other styles of dance and perform extensively across Canberra. In addition to teaching at Dance Northside Caitlin is undertaking a degree in International Relations at the Australian National University. Caitlin gains so much happiness from dance and aims to inspire the same joy in young dancers.
Caitlin met Holly in 2012, through the primary school dance competition known as Wakkakirri. Since then, Caitlin has taken five years of contemporary classes and two years of jazz classes at Dance Northside. She has also been part of the Dance Northside Performance Group since 2016, allowing her to gain experience in other styles of dance and perform extensively across Canberra. In addition to teaching at Dance Northside Caitlin is undertaking a degree in International Relations at the Australian National University. Caitlin gains so much happiness from dance and aims to inspire the same joy in young dancers.
Cara Martin
Cara began dance at age five with Dance Northside. She has trained in Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet. Cara is in her fourth year as a member of Dance Northside’s performance team, and has performed extensively throughout Canberra.
She has also attended Capital Dance Studios and Play the Dance Agency to expand her Hip Hop and jazz training.
Cara has undergone teacher training with Dance Teacher Rebecca Allan. She now teaches Junior Hip-Hop on Wednesday and Kids Jazz on Thursday.
She has also attended Capital Dance Studios and Play the Dance Agency to expand her Hip Hop and jazz training.
Cara has undergone teacher training with Dance Teacher Rebecca Allan. She now teaches Junior Hip-Hop on Wednesday and Kids Jazz on Thursday.
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Nathan Rutups
With over 10 years of customer service experience Nathan has worked many roles from admin toreceptionist and operating call centers. Whilst studying at university he has undergone jobs formedical practices and service help desks to offer excellent customer service and help to assist allco-workers and employers. He has extensive experience with all administrative tasks, includingcorrespondence and scheduling. Nathan has completed a Bachelor of Commerce, Majoring inHuman Resource Management at the University of Canberra.
Nathan is an aspiring choreographer who has gone through his years performing in localCanberra theatre and dance performances. With a keen interest in musical theatre, contemporary,lyrical, hip hop and jazz, Nathan has been in various musical theatre performances, performed inQL2 Dance shows and has completed a Diploma of Musical theatre at Perform Australia (formerlyCanberra Academy of Dramatic Art).
Nathan has developed a deep attachment for choreography and has gone on to receive the'People's Choice Award' for his choreography performance at the Canberra SIDS for Kids, RedNose Charity; Dancing with the Stars 2017. Nathan was thrilled for the opportunity tochoreograph 'Heathers' the musical in 2019 with Dramatic Productions. His musical threatrechoreography debut went on to receive a Canberra Critics Award for best choreography for amusical.
Bringing a drive for business into his world of dance was an opportunity like none other andNathan is delighted to be a part of the Dance Northside Community.
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Abby Schoon
Abby started dancing at the age of 5, where she took her first ballet class at Dance Northside. At age 8 Abby began training in competitive Irish dancing, representing the Liz Gregory Acadamy at state and national level.
Abby returned to Dance Northside in 2015, since then she has taken classes of Contemporary, Hip Hop and Jazz. Abby joined Dance Northside’s Intermediate Performance Team in 2017, and then the Advanced Performance Team in 2018. She has performed extensively throughout Canberra and has expanded her experience in other dance styles.
Abby has undergone teacher training with Dance Teacher Caitlin, assisting her Mini's Creative Movement class for two years. Abby now takes her own Mini's Creative Movement class and wishes to teach young dancers her love and joy of dance in a safe and supportive environment.
Abby returned to Dance Northside in 2015, since then she has taken classes of Contemporary, Hip Hop and Jazz. Abby joined Dance Northside’s Intermediate Performance Team in 2017, and then the Advanced Performance Team in 2018. She has performed extensively throughout Canberra and has expanded her experience in other dance styles.
Abby has undergone teacher training with Dance Teacher Caitlin, assisting her Mini's Creative Movement class for two years. Abby now takes her own Mini's Creative Movement class and wishes to teach young dancers her love and joy of dance in a safe and supportive environment.
Shayla Tarrant
Shayla started dancing at age three, where she won a scholarship in her first year for ballet. At age five Shayla started training in Irish dancing, winning several awards in local competitions. In 2009 Shayla joined the Dance Northside community, training again in ballet, then adding contemporary, jazz and hip hop to her styles repertoire.
By 2014, Shayla joined the Advanced Performance Team in its' inception and as a result, has performed extensively around Canberra. Shayla took a break from performance group in 2017 when she graduated from year 12 but has re-joined the team for 2020.
In 2014 Shayla underwent training with Rebecca Allan and Amy Foreman assisting their classes for 3 years. She took on her own Creative Movement class in 2017. Since then Shayla has taught multiple styles and age ranges at Dance Northside. In addition to Dance Northside, in 2019 Shayla completed her Certificate 3 in Early Childhood and Care while working at Kaleen cubby house since June 2018.
By 2014, Shayla joined the Advanced Performance Team in its' inception and as a result, has performed extensively around Canberra. Shayla took a break from performance group in 2017 when she graduated from year 12 but has re-joined the team for 2020.
In 2014 Shayla underwent training with Rebecca Allan and Amy Foreman assisting their classes for 3 years. She took on her own Creative Movement class in 2017. Since then Shayla has taught multiple styles and age ranges at Dance Northside. In addition to Dance Northside, in 2019 Shayla completed her Certificate 3 in Early Childhood and Care while working at Kaleen cubby house since June 2018.
Emma Wilson
Inspired by the Nutcracker, Emma began her dance journey at age 7, originally only studying classical ballet in the RAD syllabus. After receiving a Scholarship from GDance (formerly known as Gungahlin Dance Academy) she branched out into many styles including jazz, contemporary, and lyrical. At age 14 Emma began Assistant teaching under the tutelage of Joanne McKinley. By Age 16 Emma had undertaken her own Junior Jazz class and discovered her love of working with and inspiring young dancers.
In 2014 Emma made the big move to Melbourne, Victoria to Study dance and Musical theatre full time at Dance World Studios and APO Arts Academy. She graduated with an Advanced Diploma of Dance (2015) and a Diploma of Musical Theatre (2016). In this time Emma received many awards such as encouragement scholarships and diligence awards for her hard work and determination.
In 2017 Emma began teaching at many dance schools across Melbourne. Most notably at Melbourne Dance Centre (MDC), Dance Theatre, and Dance World Studios. Emma taught a variety of age groups and styles but she is most passionate about contemporary. It was during this time that she discovered her love of choreographing in this style. Her biggest choreographic achievement was being asked to choreograph a contemporary piece for the full time dancers at Dance World Studios for their graduating performance two years in a row.
Emma is excited to be back in Canberra and sharing her passion and knowledge with the Dance Northside community!
In 2014 Emma made the big move to Melbourne, Victoria to Study dance and Musical theatre full time at Dance World Studios and APO Arts Academy. She graduated with an Advanced Diploma of Dance (2015) and a Diploma of Musical Theatre (2016). In this time Emma received many awards such as encouragement scholarships and diligence awards for her hard work and determination.
In 2017 Emma began teaching at many dance schools across Melbourne. Most notably at Melbourne Dance Centre (MDC), Dance Theatre, and Dance World Studios. Emma taught a variety of age groups and styles but she is most passionate about contemporary. It was during this time that she discovered her love of choreographing in this style. Her biggest choreographic achievement was being asked to choreograph a contemporary piece for the full time dancers at Dance World Studios for their graduating performance two years in a row.
Emma is excited to be back in Canberra and sharing her passion and knowledge with the Dance Northside community!