Julia Duffy - Principal
RAD RTS, ARAD, Cert IV Dance Teaching & Management, ComDance (previously CSTD) Cert (Jazz), Acrobatic Arts Cert Module 1, Bachelor of 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), Acrobatic Arts Cert Module 1
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
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Samantha Smart - Teacher
Acrobatic Arts Cert Module 1 & 2
Samantha began her movement journey as a gymnast before transitioning into dance at the age of 12. Throughout her training, she achieved success in Cecchetti Ballet examinations and gained extensive performance experience at local venues, interstate competitions, and international locations including Disneyland and Ocean Park in Hong Kong. Samantha has also performed professionally as a dancer in Darwin.Recently relocated to Brisbane from Darwin, Samantha brings a strong background in dance education to her role. She has a passion for acrobatics and offers a thorough understanding of strength, control, and safe, progressive skill development to her classes. Alongside acrobatics, Samantha has experience teaching ballet, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical, allowing her to support students with well-rounded technique that complements their acrobatic training.In her acrobatics classes, Samantha prioritises correct technique and appropriate progressions tailored to each student’s age and ability, while maintaining an inclusive and supportive learning environment. She values clear instruction and consistency, encouraging students to build confidence, body awareness and resilience, while always keeping safety at the forefront of her teaching.Samantha is excited to share her passion for acrobatics and dance with the students of Footlights Dance Studio.
Current Blue Card for working with childrenCurrent Senior First Aid and CPR certificate
Current Blue Card for working with childrenCurrent Senior First Aid and 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 has been 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 has been 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), Acrobatic Arts Cert Module 1
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
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Holly Lobb - Teacher
Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management. Diploma in Professional Dance. A.T.O.D Certified.
Holly is a Brisbane based dancer and teacher, who has been performing and touring in productions from a very young age. Classical highlights include performing as Lilac Fairy and Aurora in Sleeping Beauty and Lead Swan in Swan Lake. Some of Holly's other performance favorites include; Satine in Moulin Rouge and the always high energy Chicago. As a teacher, Holly’s focus will always be teaching and encouraging strong foundation and technique in all styles while still maintaining a nurturing and supportive environment. As a choreographer Holly aims to highlight each student and encourages students to embrace new opportunities not for awards or accolades but for experience and memories.
Current Blue Card for working with children
Asha Wassell - Teacher
Acrobatic Arts Cert Module 1
Asha's comprehensive training spans multiple disciplines including acrobatics, ballet, contemporary, and jazz, giving her a well-rounded foundation that enriches her teaching approach. Her dedication to classical ballet is particularly noteworthy, having successfully completed all Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations through Advanced 2 level—a testament to her technical excellence and commitment to the art form.Beyond the studio, Asha has brought her artistry to the stage and screen, performing in several semi-professional musical productions and featuring in a music video in 2024, which she also co-choreographed. These performance experiences provide her with valuable insights into the professional dance world that she eagerly shares with her students.What truly sets Asha apart is her enthusiasm for teaching and her desire to inspire the next generation of dancers. She understands that dance is not just about technique, but about fostering creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement. Students will benefit from her patient guidance, technical expertise, and the real-world perspective she brings from her own performance career.
Current Blue Card for working with childrenCurrent Senior First Aid and CPR certificate
Current Blue Card for working with childrenCurrent Senior First Aid and CPR certificate
Isabella Palmer - Teacher
RAD RTS, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance Performance)
Isabella is a performer and dance teacher passionate about inspiring the next generation. She began dance at the age of four and in 2017, accepted a Vice Chancellor’s Elite Visual andPerforming Arts scholarship to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). In 2019, she was a finalist in the Brisbane International Contemporary Dance Prix and received an International Dance Performance scholarship from QUT. After graduating with Distinction in 2020, she then trained in the Victorian State Ballet Pre-Professional Program performing in various productions with thecompany. She has since performed in musicals including ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ , ‘Cats’ and ‘A Chorus Line’. Isabella began teaching in 2022 and is a registered RAD teacher. She enjoys engaging with various ages and dance styles and specialises in technique and choreography.
Current Blue Card for working with childrenCurrent Senior First Aid and CPR certificate