Cathy-Lea Smith
(studio director and senior ballet teacher)
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Cathy-Lea Smith is a highly regarded teacher of dance and performing arts with 35 years experience teaching in schools and studios. As well as operating Cathy-Lea Studios and teaching many classes, Cathy works for Ausdance VIC who are the peak body for Dance in Victoria, where she manages the delivery of VET Dance in studios and schools across Victoria..
Cathy is the mother of 5 children, one of whom has special needs, one who is a gymnastic and acrobatics coach and 2 girls who are dancing full time at Brent Street Studios in 2021., She is a passionate teacher who loves helping children of all abilities grow in confidence and achieve their personal best. Qualifications: Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Master in Education Licentiate in Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Licentiate with Southern Federation of Dance Affiliate membership with the Australian Teachers’ of Dancing Certificate III in Fitness Accredited teacher of Progressing Ballet Technique First Aid Experience: Head of Drama and Head of House at Beaconhills College Pakenham Director of Drama and Head of House at Yarra Valley Anglican School Sessional Dance teacher St Margarets School Sessional Dance teacher Beaconhills College Berwick Choreographer for school productions including St Margarets School, Beaconhills College, Yarra Valley Grammar, Berwick Primary school and Emerson School Assessor of VCE Drama and Theatre Studies Organiser of 4 overseas dance tours to USA, Hong Kong, England and France Australian and overseas performance experience including touring shows in USA and the Philppines Proudest moments: Receiving Dance Studio of the Year award 2016 Campaigning for and establishing Officer Specialist School Receiving Holt Australia Day award Being nominated for Casey Citizen of the year twice Being nominated for the Lindsay King Arts award Supporting the dance studio sector through covid-19 Proposing the Active Kids Sports voucher program to government, which has been implemented in 2021 Developing talent. Creating stars. "The reward of teaching comes when you see a spark develop in a child; a sense of pride, of achievement, of enlightenment that comes with new understandings, the mastery of new skills, or finding new modes of self-expression. Teaching dance and performing arts really is about 'igniting the star in every child'. It is a joy for teachers and parents to then stand back and watch that star sparkle." |