Vanessa Tota
Dance Instructor
Principal & Director
I come from an extensive background of dancing, singing and teaching. At the age of 5, I commenced training in jazz, tap, ballet (RAD) and singing at the Johnny Young Talent School in Richmond. During my childhood and teenage years I performed extensive shows throughout Victoria as a member of the Young Talent Team. Furthermore in 1996, at the age of 16, I was selected to perform several shows at Disneyland, Los Angeles, which was a great honour and one that I am extremely proud to have experienced.
In addition to the mainstream styles of dance, I have also trained in Brazilian and Latin dancing, having been part of shows at the widely renowned Copacabana restaurant. During 1997–2004 I taught various dance styles at the Johnny Young Talent School and Star Train Academy for toddlers through to young adults.
Throughout my 12 years of teaching experience, I have discovered that performing arts is not only about rhythm, but most importantly it is about the mental excitement my students gain when performing and knowing they have independently acquired a unique but recognised skill and attribute. Therefore with my style of instruction, I aim to connect with each student’s mind to help gain maximum benefit in their performance technique, whilst instilling the confidence and passion in them to succeed in all the new challenges that lie ahead in life.
First Aid – Senior (level 1 and 2) qualification, 2005
Priscilla Lefebure
Dance Instructor
Bach. Phys Education (Secondary)
Priscilla began her dancing and singing training at the Johnny Young Talent School at the tender age of 7. After blossoming into one of Johnny Young’s Talent Team she performed at various events including; The Royal Melbourne Show, The Paladium at Crown charity events, AFL Grand Finals and cheerleading for the Melbourne Tigers and Melbourne Knights.
Priscilla also has a keen interest in Aerobics which led her to win the National Schools Aerobics Championship in 2003. She then went on to coach the Sacred Heart Girls College Aerobics team who remarkably achieved the same title consecutively in 2004 & 2005.
Priscilla’s interest in dancing, teaching and all things sporty inspired her to complete a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education at Deakin University in 2009. She is now a fully qualified Secondary teacher. Priscilla’s forte is in jazz, funk, hip-hop and tap dancing as well as aerobics and fitness instruction. In addition to Priscilla’s outstanding qualifications, her love of children makes her a great asset to Shine Dance Studio.
Ashlee Clement
Singing Instructor
B.A (Hons) Musical Theatre & Dip Jazz/Performance
A proud born Novacastrian from Newcastle Australia, Ashlee fell in love with music the second she could hear it. She started singing and piano lessons at the age of 5 and from that moment on, her passion for music blossomed. She is now a very talented and versatile musician having studied Classical singing (Trinity College London) from the age of 11, and achieved top of state in NSW for her Trinity First Concert Certificate in 2004.
She went on to complete a Diploma in Jazz/Performance at Box Hill Tafe in 2005. In 2009 Ashlee returned from Singapore after three years of completing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Musical Theatre at Lasalle College of the Arts.
Ashlee has been poached from all over Australia to perform, however one of her most memorable moments was being a feature vocalist for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games pre-concert at Docklands Stadium.
As well as being a technically trained singing teacher and performer, she is also a Piano teacher, which complements her role at Shine very well. Ashlee thrives on the satisfaction gained from teaching students of all ages the absolute joy and love of music. Her personable nature and bubbly attitude makes her a great acquisition for Shine Dance Studio.