Faculty
Meet The Team
Jody Burchill
Jody has been involved in the West Australian dance community for over 50 years, 40 of which she has been doing what she loves most...teaching dance. She has trained dancers, preparing them for exams at all levels, choreographing routines for televisions, weddings and corporate events and producing large scales dance concerts.
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Her dance journey began with Miss Shirley Halliday in the early 1960's where she performed regularly on television programs including Children's Channel Seven, Stars of The Future and Miss West Coast Productions. After a short stint dancing professionally overseas (Buddy Loren productions) and interstate (Flintstones On Parade) she then taught for 13 years for Miss Halliday. Jody then founded Dance In Perspective in 1992 which is now in its 30th year of operation. Over this time Jody has entered more than 30 young women for over 40 teaching certificates and Diplomas. As Principal of Dance In Perspective she continues to successfully enter students for examinations in jazz, tap and classical ballet.
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Jody is a Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D) holding her RAD Teaching Diploma in Child Psychology and Anatomy. She also holds Teaching Diplomas in both Theatrical and Tap with COMDANCE (previously C.S.T.D, the Commonwealth of Teachers of Dance). Jody also holds Affiliate membership with the Australian Teachers of Dance (A.T.O.D).
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Previously, Jody was the Secretary of WA RAD regional Panel and has conducted classes at the Panel's Grades Awards. She has adjudicated at various eisteddfod in the South West and was employed as a tutor with the Royal Academy of Dance CBTS program.
Jody is married with 2 adult children. Jody was recently awarded Life Membership with R.A.D marking 42 years of membership.
Carmel Demaio
Carmel began dancing at the age
of 5. Throughout her many years
in dance she realised her talent and love for everything involving
theatrical dance.
She has taught jazz, tap, classical and acrobatics at Dance In Perspective for over 25 years.
Carmel achieved her CSTD Theatrical Diploma in 1993 and CSTD Tap Diploma in 1997.
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She has performed at many events, venues and TV shows including Telethon, Fat Cat's Fun time Show in the 80's, Burswood Casino & many private functions.
During the week Carmel is a full time Dental Nurse and wife & mum to her three gorgeous girls.
Joanne Morris
Joanne began dancing in 1975 at M&M School of Dance moving to
the Shirley Halliday Dance Gallery
in 1982.
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After dancing professionally for
4 years in overseas cabaret productions for both Kerry Ayres and Coby Volleman, Jo returned to Perth to Dance In Perspective to complete the Gold Cross and Performance Shield in 1995.
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She achieved her CSTD Teaching Diplomas in both Theatrical (1998) and Tap (1999). A reliable, experienced and loyal faculty member, Jo has been teaching at Dance In Perspective since 1998 and is still loving it.
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Joanne is married with 2 children.
Cass Mahoney
Cass has been a familiar face at Dance In Perspective since 1992 when she commenced her dance journey. Cass danced her way with ease through the CSTD exams culminating in her being awarded the Gold Cross in 2001 and the CSTD Teaching Diploma in Tap in 2004.
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She has performed on Telethon Live Broadcasts, at Crown Theatre and at various local productions and events. Cass has taught for Dance In Perspective, Top Tappers Dance Company and Perth Variety Performers choreographing for concerts, small group and solo performances.
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Cass is married with 3 delightful children.
Gemma Milentis
Gemma began dancing at Dance In Perspective at the age of 4. Throughout this time she has danced in a number of events around Perth including performing with the WA Ballet, WA Young Dancers, RAD Combined Schools Concert & appearances on Telethon. Gemma was awarded both Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Trophy for Most Outstanding Public Performance
in 2011 and the Gwen Mackay Tap Award for the Most Outstanding Gold Cross in 2012.
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More recently, Gemma completed her stage exams dancing for the CSTD's most coveted award, the Blue Sash in 2015. She completed her CSTD Theatrical Teachers Certificate in
2010 and has been teaching all styles
of dance since this time. Gemma graduated from ECU in 2013 with
a Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy). She is currently working with children as an Occupational Therapist.
Amanda Barville
Amanda began her dance training at Dance In Perspective at the age of 6. She has trained in jazz, tap and ballet and was awarded the CSTD Theatrical Shield in 2012. Amanda began as an assistant teacher in 2010 working with many of the junior & intermediate jazz and tap classes, she subsequently completed her CSTD Theatrical Teachers Diploma in 2016.
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Amanda holds a BSc (Anatomy and Human Biology), a Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science, and a Masters of Forensic Science (by research).
Amanda is a knowledgeable, reliable and enthusiastic young member of our teaching team.
Maddison Francis
Having danced at Dance In Perspective since 2000, Maddie is a familiar face at the studio. She has trained in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary and hip hop. Maddie was awarded the CSTD Theatrical Shield in 2016 and the CSTD Gold Cross in 2018.
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She will be passing on her enthusiasm and up-to-the-minute style in 2 of our Hip Hop classes
this year.
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In 2015 Maddie completed her CSTD Tap Teachers Certificate whilst studying full time at UWA where she completed her BSc (physiology, Law and Society) in 2017 and went on to complete Honours in Physiology in 2018. Maddie is currently completing her Masters in Pharmacy.
Sharni Cresswell
Sharni began her dance training at Dance In Perspective at the age of 3 making her a familiar face around the studio. She has trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop & Contemporary.
In 2016 Sharni attended Dance Excellence in LA. She gained her C.S.T.D Modern Jazz Teaching Certificate in 2019.
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Sharni's passion for teaching began when she started assisting many years ago. She will be passing on her happy and easy going nature to our youngest Hip Hop class and two of our Contemporary classes this year.
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Sharni is currently studying a Bachelor of Microbiology and Immunology at UWA.
Lauren Ray
Lauren began dancing at Dance In Perspective at the age of 5. She has trained in Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Ballet and Acrobatics.
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Lauren attended Global Dance Convention in Sydney in 2014. In 2019 she was awarded the CSTD Gold Cross.
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Lauren has completed her CSTD Teachers Certificate in Tapping in 2019.
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Lauren is currently studying full time, completing a bachelor of science (Occupational Therapy) at ECU. She is also working part time at a Childcare centre.
Alexandra Trick
Alex started her dance training at Dance In Perspective in 1999. As well as studying tap, jazz & ballet, she also participated in competitive Irish Dancing for many years.
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Alex was awarded the Gold Cross in 2014 and the Theatrical Shield in 2018, before achieving her C.S.T.D Teachers Certificate in tap in 2020. Tap has always been the style of dance that Alex loves most but it was a trip to the 2019 Australian Tap Dance Festival in Melbourne that solidified this and motivated her to take tap dancing further.
Alex attained a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education in 2018 and currently teaches English and Science to high school students.
Alysia Demaio
Alysia started dancing in 2002 at Dance In Perspective. Over the years she has studied jazz, tap, ballet, acrobatics, hip hop & contemporary.
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She is one of a few students to complete all three CSTD Dorothy Gladstone Stage examinations. Alysia achieved her Theatrical Performers Shield in 2016 and her Gold Cross for Tapping in 2017.
Alysia attended Global Dance Convention in Sydney in 2014. In 2016 she attended Dance Excellence in LA.
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In 2019, Alysia moved to Melbourne to study full time dance at Transit Dance. Here she performed in 8 shows over two years and attained her Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance).
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Alysia has recently returned home to Perth where she will be teaching Jazz & Contemporary while studying for the CSTD Modern Jazz Teaching Certificate and the CSTD Modern Jazz Performance examination.
Lauren Parsons
Lauren began her dance training at the age of 5, learning jazz, tap, ballet and acro. She was awarded the CSTD Theatrical Shield in 2004 and the CSTD Gold Cross in 2006.
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Over the years Lauren has performed in shows around Perth including Perth Glory finals, the Perth Royal Show, the Wanneroo Show, the Telethon Ball, and Telethon Live Broadcasts. She has also attended many Global Dance Convention events in Sydney and LADF workshop in Perth.
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Lauren has been a student at Dance In Perspective since it began in 1992 and is still a familiar face in the Open Tap class to this day. She has been assisting with the acro classes for many years.
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Lauren is a Speech Pathologist, and has completed a PhD in Social Communication and Autism. During the week she works as a researcher at Curtin University, and is a mum to two daughters who have started their own dance journeys at Dance In Perspective.
John Paffett
John started dancing at the age of 4 training in Ballet, Tap & Jazz. This year celebrating 31 years of dancing, with the last 23 years at Dance In Perspective.
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John has a strong passion for acrobatics and partnering work running several partnering classes over the years as well as assisting with the Acro classes for the past 5 years. During the concert, John also takes on the resident photographer role producing some wonderful images of our dancers.
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Outside of dancing, John participates in gymnastic classes to further his knowledge and brings those newly learned skills and exercises back to the studio. John has completed a degree in Civil Enginerring and works as a project manager during the week.
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John is married with a daughter and has great hopes she will share his love of dance. You will find John continuing his dance training in Advanced Jazz & Tap and assisting with our Acro classes.
Deanna Faust
Deanna began dancing at the age of 7, studying ballet, jazz and Spanish dance with the late Lyn Cosgrove. She attended Balcatta SHS where she graduated as top student from the specialist dance programme, before commencing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance at WAAPA.
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When a back injury forced her to defer her studies, she moved to Melbourne where she continued to teach part-time, and pursue her passion for Flamenco. In 2002 she travelled to Spain where she studied for two months in Madrid, Jerez and Granada.
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Since returning to Perth she has continued to teach, as well as perform alongside international guest artists with local ensemble Flamenco Puro. Most recently, Deanna returned from a second study trip to Spain, where she was awarded the advanced scholarship to attend the Taller Flamenco Miraflores workshops.
Desiree Davis
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Jorgie Cresswell & Patsy Moore
Jorgie began dancing at Dance In Perspective in 2006. In 2016 Jorgie attended Dance Excellence in LA. She completed her CSTD Dorothy Gladstone Theatrical Award in 2017 and CSTD Dorothy Gladstone Tap Award in 2018. Jorgie completed the Grade 8 Higher Grades RAD Ballet award in 2019. Jorgie has been assisting with the younger
Hip Hop & Acrobatics classes for several years now.
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Patsy began dancing at Dance In Perspective in 2007. She completed her CSTD Dorothy Gladstone Tap Award in 2019. Patsy attended The Australian Tap Dance Festival in Melbourne in 2019. She has recently completed the Grade 8 Higher Grades RAD Ballet award in 2020. Patsy has been assisting with the junior students for several years.