ROLES:
Administration and Reception
Hip Hop Teacher
Dance Experience
I was basically born and bred at Dance Central and over the years have worked my way through Dance Central’s elite crews, travelling interstate for competitions several times a year. I started off in the junior development Crew. I then moved up to the junior crew, then to the varsity crew and now I am part of both Mercy and Legacy. I’ve come full cycle, which is really crazy to me! More recently, I choreographed and danced for rock band Hands Like Houses.
Teaching Experience
I have been teaching at Dance Central since the beginning of 2017. I have taught junior classes and two of our Junior crews Reckless and DKC.
Q&A with Bella
What got you into teaching?
I really idolised my teachers growing up and I really admired their wisdom so from day dot I knew I wanted to one day be able to teach my own crew/class. I count my blessings every day that I am able to do what I love for work.
What styles of dance do you teach?
I teach Hip Hop which actually is made up of a whole bunch of different foundational styles eg. Waacking, Popping, Locking, Reggaeton and House just to name a few.
What is your favourite age group to teach?
I love teaching the little ones (4-6yrs) but my favourite would have to be 8-12yrs because at that age you can really see their passion for dance grow and they are super eager to learn.
What’s your style of teaching (i.e. goofy and upbeat, rigorous and attentive to detail, calm and friendly etc.)?
I like my teaching environment to be calm, welcoming but super fun (I love trying to out-crazy the kids) but when it comes to competition time or when we are prepping for a performance I become a bit more rigorous and definitely make the kids work hard!
What inspires you when it comes to choreographing?
Other performers, choreographers and artists inspire me! I spend hours and hours watching dance videos!
What do you love most about dance?
There are a million and one things I love about the art form. As cliché as it sounds, it is such a great way to express yourself. It can be used both to create/play around with different characters or as a way to express/release emotion. Not to mention it’s a great form of exercise (dance looks easy but I can promise you it’s not haha). I almost always leave feeling amazing after dancing and a lot of it is down to the beautiful people I dance with but dancing and exercising is also proven to release a bunch of the feel-good hormones.
What do you love most about teaching?
I really value the relationships I form with my students. It is especially important as the leader of a crew. It’s so crucial for your students to trust, respect and confide in you as a teacher but also be able to crack a joke with you.
What are your top tips for students to get the most out of class?
Practise, practise, practise! And watch lots of videos/performances to keep yourself inspired!
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Making homemade pizza’s and snuggling up on the couch with a tv series (that I will most likely finish watching in one sitting whoopsies).
What’s your favourite quote?
Starve your distractions, feed your focus. I think this can apply to anything really (happiness, your goals and dreams etc.)
Where would you go on your dream holiday?
I would go to Greece for sure! I think the country is so beautiful! Fun little fact, I could have actually had duel-citizenship there had my dad applied in time (still slightly mad about that haha).
