Julia Duffy - Principal
RAD RTS, ARAD, Cert IV Dance Teaching & Management, ComDance (previously CSTD) Cert (Jazz), Bachelor Health Science (Pod)
Julia is an experienced dancer, and passionate teacher. She takes great pride in guiding and supporting young students, as they grow and develop, their skills and self-confidence. Julia has completed extensive training in classical ballet, jazz, tap, cheerleading, and contemporary dance. After gaining her ARAD from the Royal Academy of Dance in 2007, Julia moved to Japan to perform in numerous shows and parades at Tokyo Disney Resort (successive winter contracts 2007-2011). She has performed the role of Snow White for Tokyo Disney’s, Kirin ‘Dream Party’ which toured through seven major Japanese cities in 2010 and performed alongside Expressions Dance Company in their acclaimed production R & J (2011).Julia also holds a Bachelor of Health Science (majoring in podiatry) from QUT. During her time as a podiatrist, Julia focused on biomechanics, injury prevention, rehabilitation and performing pre-pointe assessments for young ballet dancers. Julia holds registered teacher status with the RAD, and a Certificate IV in Dance teaching and Management. After 6 years of freelance dance teaching, Julia decided to pursue the dream of opening a studio of her own; Footlights Dance Studio! Julia is excited to be able to share her love of dance with students for many years to come.
Current Blue Card for working with children
Current Senior First Aid & CPR certificate
Zoe Schnitzerling - Principal
RAD RTS, ComDance (previously CSTD) Dip (Jazz)
Zoe is a highly trained, performer and teacher. Zoe spent her earlier years at Tokyo Disney Resort, where she danced and acted in numerous shows, parades and eventually moved into aerial work within the park. Zoe fell in love with her job & the country and was given consecutive contracts from 2007-2012. In between travelling back and forth to Tokyo, Zoe performed in various shows around Brisbane & the Gold Coast; whilst teaching for various Brisbane dance schools. In 2013, Zoe moved to India to dance in several Music Videos, TV Commercials & Live Shows. Following her time in India, Zoe moved back to Japan; this time to perform at Universal Studios Osaka. Zoe is an extremely passionate artist and a dedicated teacher. Zoe holds her Teaching Diploma in CSTD Jazz and is a registered teacher with the RAD.
Current Blue Card for working with children
Current Senior First Aid & CPR certificate
Eden Carroll - Teacher
Dip Performing Arts (Dance)
Eden is an experienced acrobatics and dance teacher who coaches at various dance studios across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Eden began dancing at 4 years of age training in ballet, jazz, tap contemporary lyrical, cheerleading and acrobatics. Eden holds a Diploma in Performing Arts (majoring in dance) from Sydney's prestigious ED5 International performing arts college. Eden loves watching her students improve and grow through careful guidance, and can't wait to work with our Footlights students again this year.
Current Blue Card for working with children
Current Senior First Aid & CPR certificate
Amber Nofal - Teacher
RAD RTS, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance Performance)
Amber is an experienced professional dancer and teacher. A graduate of Queensland University of Technology, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and is an accredited RAD teacher.
Amber is currently a dancer for Karul Projects, a First Nations Australian performing arts company. In 2020 Amber performed in a public space performance titled City Horses for Supercell; Festival of Contemporary Dance. She has also performed at the 2018 Australian Dance Awards with the Phluxus2 Dance Collective and Force Majeure for the Commonwealth Games Festival 2018 in FLOCK. Amber also travelled to China where she worked with multiple international contemporary artists in the 2017 Beijing Dance Festival.
Amber enjoys teaching ballet, contemporary and jazz to students of all ages and is eager to share her love of performance and dance with Footlights Dance Studio. Current Blue Card for working with children Current Senior First Aid and CPR certificate
Amber is currently a dancer for Karul Projects, a First Nations Australian performing arts company. In 2020 Amber performed in a public space performance titled City Horses for Supercell; Festival of Contemporary Dance. She has also performed at the 2018 Australian Dance Awards with the Phluxus2 Dance Collective and Force Majeure for the Commonwealth Games Festival 2018 in FLOCK. Amber also travelled to China where she worked with multiple international contemporary artists in the 2017 Beijing Dance Festival.
Amber enjoys teaching ballet, contemporary and jazz to students of all ages and is eager to share her love of performance and dance with Footlights Dance Studio. Current Blue Card for working with children Current Senior First Aid and CPR certificate
Alice Vivian - Teacher
Alice has been dancing since the age of 4 and has studied many styles including ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and tap. She partook in exams in ballet and jazz, as well as workshops with Queensland Ballet and exam intensives with the Royal Academy of Dance, achieving her RAD Advanced Foundation exam in 2021.
In her more recent years Alice has explored the world of technical production in theatre, musical theatre and dance. In 2022 she was a member of Creative Generations' Event Crew and since 2023 has worked in sound, stage and production management in university productions with Underground Theatre Company - advancing to an executive role in 2024.
Today her passions lie in introducing the world of dance to our tiniest members and watching them begin the lifelong passion for the arts she herself has embarked upon.
Alongside this new teaching journey, she studies a Bachelors Degree in Occupational Therapy (Honours) at the University of Queensland.
Current Blue Card for working with children
Current Senior First Aid and CPR certificate
Brooke Whillans - Teacher
ComDance (previously CSTD) Cert (Jazz), Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance)
Brooke began dance training at 4yrs of age and has achieved outstanding success over her many years of examinations in in ComDance Modern Jazz and Contemporary, and Glenn Wood Tap. Brooke has a close eye on attention to detail and strives to build strength and technique as a teacher and dancer. She is an integral member of our Footlights community, and has enjoyed performing at numerous local events including the Brisbane EKKA, Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce’s Jingle All the Bay and Westfield Group events.
Brooke holds a Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance).
Brooke is excited to share her knowledge and passion for dance with the next generation of Footlights dancers.
Brooke is excited to share her knowledge and passion for dance with the next generation of Footlights dancers.
Current Blue Card for working with children
Current Senior First Aid and CPR certificate
Georgia Vare - Teacher
Georgia has been dancing since the age of 3 and is now a dedicated dancer, performer, and instructor with a strong background in various dance styles, including tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet and commercial dance. She has trained extensively with multiple dance institutions, and has performed professionally in live performances, private entertainment and suit performances.
As an instructor, Georgia teaches a range of dance styles to students of all ages, focusing on technique, choreography, and performance development. She is currently furthering her expertise by studying a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management, enhancing her skills in dance education and industry management.
In addition to her dance career, Georgia has pursued studies in business and leadership, bringing a professional and disciplined approach to her work. Known for her passion, reliability, and versatility, she continues to inspire and contribute to the dance community through both performance and education.
Current Blue Card for working with childrenCurrent Senior First Aid and CPR certificate
As an instructor, Georgia teaches a range of dance styles to students of all ages, focusing on technique, choreography, and performance development. She is currently furthering her expertise by studying a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management, enhancing her skills in dance education and industry management.
In addition to her dance career, Georgia has pursued studies in business and leadership, bringing a professional and disciplined approach to her work. Known for her passion, reliability, and versatility, she continues to inspire and contribute to the dance community through both performance and education.
Current Blue Card for working with childrenCurrent Senior First Aid and CPR certificate
Lillian Wright - Teacher
Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance)
Lillian is a passionate and versatile dancer and teacher who inspires students to reach their full potential while nurturing their unique talents. She has a strong foundation in classical ballet, and a love for contemporary, lyrical and commercial styles of dance. Lillian holds her Advanced Diploma in Professional Dance (Elite Performance), and has trained extensively with Royal Academy of Dance, having completed her Advanced 2 exam in 2022. Since 2023, Lillian has worked closely with Australian National Living Treasure, Graeme Murphy, performing his works around Brisbane, and looks forward to dancing with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra as part of their 'Obscura 3' concert later this year. She was also a featured dancer in Roby Santini's 'Italiani Nel Mondo' tour, and is a current company member with Merge Dance Theatre. Lillian is thrilled to be a part of Footlights Dance Studio, and is excited to share her love of the arts with her students.
Current Blue Card for working with children