LKM Staff

Lisa Mandavy-Sammour  (Studio Director)

Lisa is an experienced, highly creative and professional teacher, her enthusiasm for both her classes
and her students is contagious!

Lisa has been dancing for 25 years - her passion for dance
has seen her build her life around her thriving dance studio which started off with just a small number of students operating from a local community hall.

Not content with just dancing for fun, Lisa and a fellow student were responsible for the introduction of Dance as part of the HSC curriculum into Blaxland High School.   Through her hard work and persistence, this school now
boasts in excess of 100 students incorporating Dance into their HSC studies.

Lisa then went on to study Dance in a three year, full time degree at the University of Western Sydney, NSW, successfully completing her Bachelor of Arts degree.   She has trained in Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre, Classical Ballet, Modern Expressive and Contemporary techniques.  She has participated in numerous eisteddfods and other performances including the Olympic Torch Relay (2000), Penrith City Festival, the NSW tour with "MESH" dance ensemble, Australia's Wonderland, School Spectacular and the "Streets of Dance" in Sydney City.

Having studied under some of Australia’s most influential choreographers including Bernadette Walong, Kay Armstrong, Helen Markstein, Garry Stewart and Graeme Watson, Lisa believes in passing on knowledge for those hoping to pursue a career in the Performing Arts.

One of Lisa's dreams was realised in April 2008 when she lead 100 members of the LKM Dance family to the USA.  The 30 strong troupe of dancers performed at Disneyland LA and California Adventure.  This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for many and the memories made are priceless!

Lisa loves seeing her students grow and develop into amazing dancers and realising their dreams.  Whether you're dancing for fun or seeking a career in dance, LKM Dance studios is the place to be - "Where Everyone's A Star"!!

---

Bec Oppy

Bec has been dancing for 17 years, training in classical ballet, contemporary, jazz and hip hop.  She has successfully completed all RAD graded ballet exams along with intermediate major examinations.  Rebecca has also completed her RAD ballet teaching qualifications.

Bec has performed in many competitions as both a troupe member and soloist, a highlight being the Crown Casino Championships in Melbourne.  She is also proud of her achievement of winning the Wonderland School Talent Search in 2003!  She has also refined her skills attending workshops with Lisa Howell - well known dance physiotherapist and creator of the Perfect Pointes System.

An invitation from the Mayor saw Bec perfoming at the Mayoral Musicale at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith.  She has also performed alongside the Blue Mountains and Penrith Symphony Orchestra in ballet.

Bec is looking forward to another exciting year at LKM!

---

Linda Aubrecht

Linda comes to LKM with a wide and varied background.  She is a professional figure skater and worked for 7 years in Europe for one of the world’s top ice shows, Holiday On Ice.  She more recently worked with Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean in the TV series ‘Dancing on Ice’ where she and partner Karl Stefanovic were runners up.  She was also a coach to celebrities in ‘Skating On Thin Ice’ also on Channel 9.

 Linda has done dance classes all her life including ballet, jazz, contemporary and ballroom.  She is a level 2 accredited sporting coach with NSW Institute of Sport, and has worked as a skating coach for 8 years both in Australia and overseas.  Linda is the Coach and the Choreographer of Sydney Ice Theatre, a troupe that will represent Australia in 2009 in a competition in Nice, France.

Linda is excited to be teaching our Tiny Tot Fairy Ballet, Jazz and Musical Theatre classes.

---

Brittany Gillespie

We are very proud to have Brittany join our teaching staff this year.  Brittany has been dancing for several years and has been part of the LKM Senior Performance Troupe for five years.

After completing her HSC in 2008, Brittany has successfully auditioned and been accepted as a member of the full time dance course at Urban Dance Centre.   Brittany will be training under the direction of Julienne ‘Jet’ Verne and Nacho Pop, the star choreographers on the hit show ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’ The whole studio is extremely excited and proud of Brittany and is eagerly waiting to see what amazing tricks she’ll bring back to the mountains!

 

---

Rebecca Blackwell

With Rebecca's vast experience in dancing and performing, we are excited to welcome her to our Studio.  Dancing since she was just 2 years old, Rebecca has performed in many eisteddfods, concerts, shopping centre pantomimes and shows and has also appeared in commercials and film clips!

Highlights of her performances have been her appearance on Young Talent Time, Channel 7 Telethons, the opening of the Mo Awards, backup dancer for Joey Perone (former Young Talent Time) and a performance at the Regent Hotel.

Rebecca has successfully completed her exams in Jazz, Ballet (BBO/RAD) and Tap (BBO/Glenn Wood).  Along with her studies in Musical Theatre, Singing and Drama, she has also choreographed and performed in musicals and rock eisteddfods.

We are thrilled to have Rebecca on our teaching staff at LKM - her experience and "all round" abilities are very impressive and her ability to pass this on to her students is evident in her classes.

---

Kate Gentles

Kate has been a student at LKM for the past 10 years, with most of this time spent in the LKM senior performance troupe. During her time at LKM, she has studied Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical and Hip Hop and has performed in many eisteddfods and festivals with the LKM senior troupe.

After graduating high school in 2005 with a passion for sports and fitness, Kate earned a degree in Applied Science – Exercise and Sport Science whilst at the same time completing her Certificate III and IV in fitness. She is now a registered exercise professional with Fitness Australia and will this year study to complete her masters in exercise science/rehabilitation.

Kate is excited to take up the position of Booty Camp Instructor in 2010 and is thrilled to be given the opportunity to pass on some of her knowledge of health and fitness to everyone in the LKM family!
 

---

Elise Dale

Elise's specialty lies in Acrobatics in combination with Dance.  Having completed her coaching studies in WAG Level 1 (Womens Artistic Gymnastics) and General Principles of Gymnastics (GP), Elise is currently completing her Level 1 Sports Acrobatics Course and several additional bridging workshops with Gymnastics NSW including Salto Bridging and Limbers to name a few.

Elise has been dancing at LKM now for more than 5 years, assisting as a student teacher since 2007 and in 2010 we welcome her as our Acrobatics teacher.  She has also participated in several classes and workshops at Sydney Dance Company and at Sydney's Urban Dance Centre.  Elise has trained in various forms of gymnastics and tumbling since she was 5 years old and now has experience in Circus skills, having participated in workshops at the Sydney Aerial Theatre.

During her HSC studies, Elise had the privilege of being choreographer for the St. Columba's School Spectacular held at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.  Elise was also responsible for costuming, rehearsals and managed the dance portion of the production.

Elise is aspiring to become a dance teacher through University studies at the Australian College of Physical Education under the Youth Leaders Scholarship and continues to further her coaching knowledge and understanding in many facets of Gymnastics.  She fosters an enthusiastic class atmosphere and strives to help her dancers to achieve their skills to the best of their ability.
 

---

Michelle Court

Michelle may be a familiar face to many as she has been a student at LKM since 2002. During these 8 years, she has studied Classical Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop and Jazz and joined the Senior Performance Troupe in 2007.  Michelle has performed in many eisteddfods and festivals both with the LKM Senior Performance Troupe and as a soloist. But the highlight so far came in April 2008 when she was lucky enough to perform with LKM Dance Studios at Disneyland.

It was after joining troupe that her love for dance and her ability to relate to the younger students inspired her to become a student teacher at LKM.  After completing her HSC in 2009, Michelle is looking forward to sharing her enthusiasm with her students so they are able to enjoy the fun of dance, as she has at LKM.

In 2010, Michelle will be teaching classes in jazz, tap and fairy ballet.  She enjoys teaching the younger students new ways to dance and loves to celebrate alongside them when they finally get that step they have been struggling with.

---

Emily Milsom

Emily has been part of the LKM family for 10 years and it was after beginning dance classes at the young age of 6, that she discovered and developed her love and passion for dance!  Wanting to inspire younger children to develop this passion themselves, Emily joined the LKM teaching staff in 2005, assisting as a student teacher. During her 10 years at LKM, Emily has studied Jazz, Hip Hop and Classical ballet and joined the Intermediate Performance Troupe in 2001. She has participated in many shows, festivals and eisteddfods, not only as a LKM Performance Troupe member but also as a soloist.

After completing her HSC in 2009, Emily is studying to achieve the 'Diploma of Children's Services' at Bedford College. Upon completion, Emily is hoping to obtain a Bachelor of Teaching (specialising in children 0-8 years). Together with her love for dance, Emily is looking forward to sharing her enthusiasm and passion both in a childcare centre as well as with her students at LKM.

In 2010, Emily will be teaching classes in both Jazz and Fairy Ballet, ranging from Tiny Tots to Juniors. Emily is looking forward to sharing her new ideas and making 2010 another brilliant year at LKM!
 

---

Rebecca Morley  -  "Disco Diva Birthday Parties"

In 2009 we introduced our new "Disco Diva Birthday Parties" which have proven to be a real hit with the kids, mums and dads!!

Our hostess, Rebecca, will co-ordinate with parents to run children's birthday parties at the Studio. 

So if you're tired of the same old children's parties, and looking for something different, contact Rebecca  and see how we can help!  Email parties@lkmdance.com.au

Click here to go to our Disco Diva page

 

---

 

Rebecca Morley  -  Studio Administration & Accounts

Another familiar face at the Studio, Rebecca is responsible for all the administration and accounts.

Also known as "Miss Lisa's mum", Rebecca is able to help out with most questions - or if she doesn't know, she'll find out!

Any queries can be directed to accounts@lkmdance.com.au

We also have a huge range of costumes available for hire - contact Rebecca for further details.

 

 

---

Grant Blackwell  -  Studio Photographer

We are very pleased to have Grant on board as our official Studio Photographer. Grant is the man responsible for all those wonderful photographs at dress rehearsals and concerts!

If you'd like to organise a family portrait or other photographs, please contact the Studio and we'll put you in touch with him,

 

 

 

---

POSITIONS VACANT

There are currently no positions vacant, however if you are interested in joining our teaching staff, please email your resume and contact details to us.

---

"I do not try to dance better than anyone else.
I only try to dance better than myself."

Mikhail Baryshnikov