Mariana is a classically trained professional dancer who began her ballet studies in Costa Rica at a very young age. Aged 18 she travelled to New York City to study at the Joffrey Ballet School and to complete an apprenticeship with Eglevsky Ballet Company. During her first year there she was also awarded a Scholarship to study at Steps Studio on Broadway. In 1999 she returned to Costa Rica to join Costa Rican Youth Ballet Company where she performed Principal roles of the classical and contemporary repertoire such as Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadere, Paquita, Les Sylphides and many others. Mariana is also regularly invited as Guest Artist in Costa Rica’s National Theatre's productions of The Little Mermaid and the yearly Nutcracker. In late 2005 she relocated to Sydney and shortly thereafter obtained a role with the Phantom of the Opera World Tour, performing in Taipei, Hong Kong and Singapore. Later Mariana danced in Melbourne Ballet Company’s inaugural season and Tasmanian Classical Ballet Company’s production of Giselle in the role of Myrtha. In July 2008 she was invited to perform as Principal Dancer with Sydney City Youth Ballet at the Evening Vigil of World Youth Day, Sydney 08 in front of over 250,000 spectators and later returned on board the Phantom of the Opera Australasian Tour where she was promoted to Dance Captain this year. In December, she will perform as a Guest Artist in the leading role with Sydney City Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Concurrently with her professional dancing career she has worked regularly in the Arts Administration field, including owning her own business that consisted of importing, distributing and selling dance brand products. She also teaches ballet to students of all ages and in October 2008, began working in a modern tango project that has now become the newly launched Three2Tango, Australia’s first modern tango trio. 

SUZI-ANNE RYAN

   
Suzi began her early dance training at Carolyn Madden’s School of Dance before receiving a full scholarship to study under the directorship of John Byrne at SCECGS Redlands. During her time at SCECGS Redlands Suzi was awarded the Redlands Medal for Excellence in Classical Ballet and was accepted in to the Interstate Associate program at The Australian Ballet School. In 2000 Suzi was invited to join the Australian Ballet School full time to undergo three years of intensive training. During her time at the School Suzi performed in Aurora’s Wedding, Nutcracker, Florestin Pas De Trois and with The Australian Ballet Dancer’s Company in SwanLake, Symphony in D and Simone Clifford’s Pointe-Counter-Pointe. Suzi graduated from The Australian Ballet School with an Advanced Diploma of Dance and has performed with companies both in Australia and the United States. Suzi has appeared in the feature film Mao’s Last Dancer and the ABC TV series DanceAcademy. Most recently Suzi danced in Opera Australia’s national tour of Aida directed by Graeme Murphy.



BRITTANY BRYDEN

 

Brittany has recently left her home town Toronto, Canada where she studied dance and yoga and performed and choreographed for all types of shows all over the city. Brittany also studied in New York City for three months completing the ISVP and performed in pieces for Jared Grimes dance company "Broadway Underground" at B.B.Kings. In past years in Toronto Canada she has performed in many shows including Toronto Choreographers Ball and Carnival. Also just recently was chosen to be a top 100 finalist in So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Brittany has had specialised training, workshops and classes in all dance forms by renowned choreographers; Paula Abdoul, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, A.C., Richard Pierlon, Shelia Barker, Mia Michaels, Gregg Russle,Michele Assaf, Joshua Pelatzky, Jared Grimes, Luam, Sheryl Murakami, Judy Rice. She has also recieved the Paula Abdoul Scholarship for outstanding potential amongst many other incredible accolades and award from various internationally recognised competitons. We are excited to have Brittany join the teachers here at J.O. Studios.


TIBOR HORVATH
  

Soloist with the Finnish National Ballet Company, Tibor Horvath has worked with some of the worldʼs most prominent and renowned choreographers including Sylvie Guillem, Natalia Makarova, Patrice Bart, William Forsythe, Jiri Kylian, John

Neumeier, Jorma Uotinen, Derek Dean, Pierre Lacotte and Per Jonsson. Born in Hungary and raised in Sweden, at an early age Tibor commenced his training with the Royal Swedish Ballet School before being offered a scholarship by John Neumeier to continue his studies with The Hamburg Ballet School at the age of 15. After a successful audition tour in Europe, Tibor danced with the Royal Swedish Ballet Company before accepting a place with the Finnish National Ballet Company. He was soon promoted to Soloist despite being only 21 years of age -performing soloist roles in Nureyevʼs Nutcracker, Crankoʼs Romeo and Juliet,

Makarovaʼs La Bayadere, Bourmeistersʼs Swan Lake and Uotinenʼs Firebird. After a contract with the English National Ballet, Tibor decided to extend himself to other styles of dance. Further developing himself as an artist, he worked at the famous French Cabaret Lido de Paris before returning to the classical ballet company Trockadero. After several tours around many parts of the world Tibor concluded his time with this award-winning ballet company in which he featured in soloist and principal roles.He has since settled in Australia and has begun his teaching and coaching career mentoring young dancers to fulfill their potential.

DEANNA MAZZONI
  

Deanna Mazzoni has been travelling the world performing with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as a Dancer/Aerial Artist and Wardrobe and Wig supervisor since 2005. In 2008 Deanna was promoted to Dance Captain working with an international cast of dancers, singers and Ice-skaters. In 2009 Deanna moved into the production side of the company focusing on Costumes and Wigs. She has been installing new shows overseeing the construction and maintenance as well as working on the cast changes of over 20 shows. Deanna has trained with elite performance and dance studios including Zoop Performing Arts, Brent Street Studios, and the McDonalds Performing Arts College. Throughout Deanna’s career she has performed as a dancer/singer in many variety and revue shows and music videos throughout Australia and worked with such artists as Caroline O’Connor, Guy Sebastian and Ross Coleman and hopes for a long and exciting career in all aspects of performing arts.



LEAH THOMAS

   
Leah Thomas has been a professional singer and actor throughout Australia, Asia and New York for the past 10 years. She has performed on renowned children’s shows in Australia (ABC, SBS) and Hong Kong (TVB 1), with distribution throughout Asia. Leah travels around Australia regularly performing at corporate events doing cabaret, opera, comedy, and impersonations of famous TV, film and rock stars. Leah also writes music for film and television in all genres for the international market.  One of her songs is currently a top 10 Finalist in the 'International Songwriting Contest' USA which received over 15,000 entries world wide. Leah holds a bachelor in Drama and Theatre and teaches singing and performance.  She is trained Classically and performs and teaches everything from classical, music theatre, jazz, blues and pop. For more information, visit www.leahthomas.com

OLIVER NGUYEN
   

 

Olivier, "Ollie", started dancing at the early age of 5 in Paris. He started with ballet, jazz and tap until he found his passion/ talent for Hip Hop dancing at the age of 14 when moving to Sydney. A style he has been perfecting and succeeding in ever since.

Ollie, known for his versatility, has over 10 years experience in Hip Hop dancing and his main street styles include Breakdance (Breaking), Popping, Locking and Hip Hop (Styles in which he keeps developing and improving). He has been taught by many Hip Hop pioneers and well known dancers such as Mr Wiggles, Popping Pete, Suga Pop, Storm, Salah, Poe1, Greg Campbellock Jnr, Boogie Frantick, Mamson, Bboy Bounce, Roxrite, Frankie Flave, Nasty Ray, Blonde, Venum, Rush, Don and Sho-Tyme. He is a current member of Australia’s top crews: SKB, Zealous, Lemmings, Toilet Funk 9, Supreme Dance Renegades (SDR) and has been competing in Australia/overseas to test his ability as a dancer. Some of his competition credits are: “360” Freestyle Hip Hop champion, Encryption Canberra Bboy and Freestyle Hip Hop Champion, Looze Control Bboy Champion (Sydney), Masters of Hip Hop (Sydney and Melbourne) champions in Bboying, CYC Jam Champion in Bboy, Encryption Sydney Finalist in Popping and freestyle Hip Hop, Australia’s Prodigy finalist in Bboying and semi-finalist in Popping, Dancekool Vol 2 “Hyped up” freestyle Hip Hop Finalist and Top 16 Evolution Europe in Bboying.

 

He also had the privilege to judge many competitions. Some including: Dancekool “King of dancers”, Ace Studios Open day battles, Crossover $2 battles, Liverpool St Familia 5yr Anniversary Jam and the Scenario Freestyle Battles.

 

Ollie has been featured in the Swarovski Crystals open show Sydney, X-factor, Nickelodeon "MeTV", NSW swifts Netball Half time show, Immortality Kick Boxing half time show, Funk Boat Party, Panadol advertisement and McDonald's happy meal advertisement. He has danced with Guy Sebastian, in his "Out with my baby" film clip and was featured in the Hip Hop Elements tour with Savage. He has also made it to top 60 in So You Think You Can Dance Australia Series 1.

 

 

KYLE HEINE
  
Kyle began his training at Legs Dance Studio, Canberra and continued his full time dance education at both ED5 International and Brent Street Studios in Sydney. Kyle has performed in several cities and countries for many dance conventions and expos including Centenary of Federations Parade, Sydney Dance Expo, Kuala Lumpar Christmas Pagents, Chong Ching, China Cultural Exchange and Pan Asia Convention. Kyle has also featured in Carnival twice both her in Sydney and in Los Angeles, USA with choreographer Andre Fuentes. Kyle has been a member of RAW Metal - Get Up & Go Tour which toured through Romania, Dubai and Australian wide, as well as with RAW Dance Company on their Queensland tour.  Kyle was also featured in "Heyy Baby" a Bollywood Film shot in 2007 and some of his TV credits include "So You Think YOu Can Dance" 2009 with Cassie Davis, "I Like It Loud" Cassie Davis film clip and several television commercials. 



MATT PAPA

  
Matt Papa is trained in all styles of dance and was a finalist in the Australian Dancer Of The Year 2005 and since then has gone on to perform worldwide from: Australia, to Europe and Asia with the Tap Dogs since January 2006 and has since become a member of both the European and Australian companies respectively. Since then Matt has had the opportunity to perform with the company at such events as: The finale shows of So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars as well as the NRL Centenary Ball, Sydney Boat Show, Steve Waugh Forever Green Charity Event, Bacardi B Live, Vodafone Annual Dinner, FIFA International Conference, Optus Launch and the 2008 World Youth Day Opening Ceremony. Some of Matt’s other credits include the 2009 Jeans West Fashion Launch, RSVP Business Conference and Doulton House Shows with The Next Step as well as television appearances on All Saints and Home and Away as well as being in advertisements for Suntory (Japan), jaPOP (Japan) and Capri Sun (USA). Since then Matt has started his own touring workshop company TAPistry which aims at bringing dance workshops to regional areas around Australia.




TARA BURNETT

    
Tara Burnett is a graduate of UNSW BA Arts in Dance and Education. IN 2002 she successfully completed her ATOD Junior teachers of Dance Award in both theory and practical as well as her associate teacher of Dance Award in 2003 and 2004. Tara was awarded 3^rd place in the state of NSW Australian Teachers of Dance Senior Jazz Scholarship as well as performing in the NSW School Spectacular and Short & Sweet Dance Festival. Tara has taught at many reputable schools and has trained under some renound teachers including Sue Ellen Chester, Paul Bennet, Dale Pope, Bill Pengelly and many more. Tara has trained with the Sydney Dance Company, LA Dance Force workshops, Dance International and UNSW Dance Education Courses. Tara now runs affiliated company ICE Dance Company (www.icedancecompany.net) which focus's on dance education programs within primary & high schools.




KRISTIN MCCABE

  

Kristen has been passionate about American style cheerleading all her life.  She has over ten years of experience cheering at games, including in NCAA Division 1 for Marquette University, and 4 years of Varsity in high school where she was co-captain.  She has received various awards, including multiple UCA All-Star Awards and the privilege of cheering in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City with UCA.  Kristen taught cheerleading throughout Illinois as a staff member of SuperCDA, and in Wisconsin through Altius Cheer Elite and assisting with  MSOE’s University cheer squad.  She also competed at the 2009 Australian Nationals with Sydney Altitude’s team, which won a bid to compete at Cheerleading and Dance World Championships in Florida.