PRINCIPAL & CHOREOGRAPHER:
Amy Newton Christie
Amy began as a self-taught Hip Hop dancer/teacher and choreographed her first concert at the age of 17 at her high school in 1995. Amy trained 11 yrs in Martial Arts attaining her black belt in 2000, she also competed regionally in Karate tournaments receiving placings in all categories inlcluding winning the Black Belt Open in her younger years. Due to her background in martial arts Amy firmly believes in running fun enjoyable classes for all ages, but with a strong foundation of discipline: maintaining respect, growth, resilience as well as encouragement and mental/physical stamina.
Finding her love in dance she taught in various schools & community centres across Victoria and opened her own school Amy Newton Dance Studios in 2001 with a Cert 4 in Business.
In 2009-2010 Amy completed a full-time Diploma of Dance & attained Cert 4 in Teaching & Management with professional teachers from Melbourne covering Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap, Voice & Theatre. During this time Amy performed at the Victorian Training Awards at Crowne Casino Melbourne. After finishing her full-time training, she began broadening the schools dance curriculum.
Amy is the main teacher for Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Comp Team and Fierce Fusion added in 2022. Outside the dance school Amy is involved in other dance work such as teaching and training Debutante Balls & choreography since 2015. Also choreographing School Productions, Club Gigs, Sports model comps, and has assisted and co judged in pole comps also. Amy co-judged alongside Justice Crew at Shepparton Hip Hop Fest and has choreographed flash-mob work for Adam Thompson.
Amy offers dance workshops with industry professionals as much as she can and encourages her students to broaden their dance learning continuously, and to be challenged with options/opportunities to take it further one day. Amy has assisted many students attain Professional Full-time Training with the likes of Robert Sturrock, Ministry of Dance, VCA and Transit.
Amy stands by her motto:
"Perform for an Audience...But Dance for Yourself"​!​
TEACHER & ASSISTANT:
Mariah Tejones
Mariah choreographs and teaches genres: Hip Hop, Commercial, Jazz + Contemporary.
Mariah began dancing at ANDS in 2011 at just 8 yrs old in Hip Hop and Jazz. She was one of the first members selected to join our first Jnr advanced Hip Hop class in 2012. She moved into the position of Jnr Dance Assistant in 2015 and also competed in regional dance competitions from 2016, placing in all categories of solos, duos, trios and troupes. Mariah began teaching and choreographing from the age of 16 creating amazing Hip Hop numbers for all age groups. Mariah has performed in dance gigs, dance films and has also competed as a beauty pageant for Miss Teen Galaxy in QLD.
Mariah is a member of our Advanced group, Snr Urban Heels and has returned to the competition circuit rejoining our Competition Team and continues performing and teaching. Mariah is also a Qualified Childcare worker elevating her skills and experience in Teaching Children.
Mariah attended a workshop with the world renowned "Royal Family" in 2022 which gained the interest of their manager inviting her to audition for the Royal Family in New Zealand.
Mariahs ANDS awards:
* Jnr Dancer of the Year - 2012
*10 yrs Dedication Award - 2020
TEACHER & ASSISTANT:
Jennah Ahmet
Jennah choreographs and teaches genres: Hip Hop + Commercial
Jennah has been a Hip Hop student throughout the years of ANDS since she was 11 yrs old beginning her first year in 2009. Due to her high level of skills and abilities in hip hop at such a young age Jennah was the first student to jump from Jnrs to Adv in just one year, skipping inters and Snrs. Jennah is and has always been known for her capturing performances on stage and on film. She has received many lead roles including own choreography via auditions.
Jennah has featured in film clips for ANDS and was also selected for the dance film "No "at Bukis Dance Studio in Sunbury. Jennah is a member of our Advanced group and continues her love of teaching and creating in her favourite styles of Old School Hip Hop and Dance Hall.
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Jennahs ANDS awards:
* Jnr Dancer of the Year - 2009
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TEACHER & ASSISTANT:
Emilie Harrison
Emilie choreographs and teaches genres: Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz + Commercial.
Emilie began at ANDS in 2010 in Jazz and later Hip Hop 2012. As of 2017 she joined our ANDS staff. Emilie is also a vocalist and has been singing and training since she was 10.
Emilie performed as a dancer for her idol Katy Perry at the Womens T20 World cup Cricket 2020 final at the Melbourne MCG. She has also performed regionally in Shepparton; Gatherings, Stag, ANDS shows Carols by Candlelight, and a featured singer and performer for the Band "Misty Kid".As an ADT member she has also performed in gigs and drag shows, nightclubs, Glamour Party and dance films.
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In 2016 She was an extra in the movie “Spin Out" that was filmed in Shepperton. She also appeared in Taylor Henderson’s music video “Light Up the Dark" which was filmed on the set of “Spin Out “.
Emilie is also an amazing well acclaimed Make Up Artist, creating incredible looks.
Emilies ANDS awards:
* Excellence Award - 2014
*10 yrs Dedication Award - 2019
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TEACHER & ASSISTANT:
Sierra Tejones
Sierra will be teaching and assisting in genres: Hip Hop, Commercial, Jazz + Contemporary.
Sierra has recently joined ANDS Staff this year in 2023. She began dancing at ANDS in 2011 with her sister Mariah at just 6 yrs old in Hip Hop and Jazz. She was selected for Jnr Advanced in 2014, and at the age of 10 began competing in regional dance competitions from 2015, placing in all categories of solos, duos, trios and troupes. Sierra has attended many workshops and auditioned/received many roles throughout the years at ANDS and has also helped teach hip hop in Primary schools. Sierra is also known for her strength, resilience and sporting skills in women's football.
Sierra is a member of our Advanced group, and we look forward to having her express her talents joining the team.
Sierras ANDS awards:
* Excellence Award - 2013
*10 yrs Dedication Award - 2020
DANCE ASSISTANT:
Shinae Harrison
Shinae was previously employed at ANDS in 2016 under a traineeship. And has returned to work for us to assist in supervising, admin and concert work.
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Shinae began dancing at ANDS in 2010 at the age of 12 in Hip Hop and Jazz with her sister Emilie. She joined our Advanced team in 2015 and worked for ANDS in 2016, during that year amongst yr 12 studies Shinae attained a traineeship with us receiving a Cert 3 in Business.Over the years Shinae has continued dancing and maintained her support and voluntary skills in the later parts of the year helping organize and create costumes, props and many other concert requirements.
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Shinae has also performed regionally in Shepparton; ANDS shows and Carols by Candlelight and dance demos. As an ADT member she has also performed in gigs and drag shows, nightclubs, Glamour Party and dance films.
In 2016 She was an extra in the movie “Spin Out" that was filmed in Shepperton. She also appeared in Taylor Henderson’s music video “Light Up the Dark" which was filmed on the set of “Spin Out “.
Having a firm understanding of our dance studio and industry we look forward to Shinae returning her knowledge and skills in admin, reception and dance organized activities/ performances. Shinae will also begin assist Choreographing Routines.
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Shinae ANDS awards:
* Dancer of the Year - 2013
* 10 yrs Dedication Award - 2019
JNR TEACHER + ASSISTANT: Charlotte Seal
Charlotte will be Co-teaching and assisting in genres: Hip Hop, Commercial, Jazz, Contemporary, Comp Team, Acro, Fierce Fusion.
Charlotte has been a student at ANDS since she was 8 yrs old beginning her first year in 2016. She has accomplished many goals as a young dancer, including dancing for Katy Perry at the Womens T20 World cup Cricket 2020 final at the Melbourne MCG.
Charlotte will be performing in LA at Disneyland and Universal in July 2023 with Dance the Magic tours alongside TDA Performing Arts.
Charlotte is one of our vast competition dancers and has been competing regionally in Dance comps receiving many placings in all categories and genres from solos, duos, trios and troupes over the last 5 yrs. She has also performed regionally; ANDS Show, gigs, Dance demos and participates in workshops annually. Charlotte is a member of Adv Hip Hop/Commercial, Advanced Jazz/Contemporary, Snr Fierce Fusion, Snr Acro, Snr Tap, Snr Ballet & Comp Team.
Charlotte has also received lead roles and special parts in auditions and was the first youngest student at ANDS to perform 21 dances in a show at just age 11. Since Amys sisters & Mariah, Charlotte is our 4th person to receive a Jnr Dance Assistant position at ANDS over the last 21 yrs. Charlotte assists our main teachers in classes with warm up drills and tasks and works as personal Jnr assistant for Principal Amy. In 2023 she will begin Co-Choreographing with our teachers to further her dance skills & experience.
Charlottes Awards:
* Dancer of the Year - 2017
* 5 yrs Dedication Award - 2020
* 5 yrs Dance Competitor Award - 2022
