Cathy-Lea Smith - studio director
(VET Dance, vce dance, ballet, musical theatre, Drama, pbt, elite training)
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"Passion, Technique & Artistry"
Cathy-Lea Smith is a highly regarded teacher of dance and performing arts with 35 years experience teaching in schools and studios. A quadruple-threat performer herself, Cathy is accomplished musician, singer, actor and dancer. Cathy took over a small studio in Mulgrave in 1990, and when she moved to Narre Warren in 1993, opened Cathy-lea Studios. Since then, Cathy has shared her passion for performing arts with thousands of students across South-East Melbourne. Cathy has dedicated her career to helping her students grow in confidence and achieve their personal best. She is a highly qualified teacher with multiple degrees in education, dance and communication. She is also a highly regarded dance instructor whose students win multiple awards and scholarships each year. Graduates from Cathy-Lea Studios are working all over the world in the performing arts as dancers, singers, actors, performing arts teachers and studio owners.. In 2021 Cathy worked for Ausdance VIC who are the peak body for Dance in Victoria, where she managed the delivery of VET Dance in studios and schools across Victoria. In 2009-2014 she led a campaign to build a new specialist school in Casey-Cardinia, which resulted in the Officer Specialist School being established. She received a Holt Australia Day Award for her volunteer work on this project. Cathy trained in Cecchetti Ballet to Licentiate with Rosslyn Charlesworth (OAM). She also in theatrical and commercial dance styles with Mary Charleston, Alana Clark, Louie George, Lisa Woolley, Ann-Marie Ryan and Annemarie Wilson. She is a qualified secondary school teacher of Drama and Music. Cathy says "Dance teaching is about developing passion, training technique and inspiring artistry. I aim to ignite a spark in my students that helps them fulfill their potential and grow into super stars!" . Qualifications: Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Master in Education (Performing Arts, Special Ed) Grad Cert Communications Licentiate in Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Licentiate with Southern Federation of Dance Affiliate membership with the Australian Teachers’ of Dancing Certificate IV in Training and Assessment Certificate III in Fitness Accredited teacher of Progressing Ballet Technique First Aid Experience: VET Dance Co-ordinator at Ausdance Vic Director of Drama and Head of House at Yarra Valley Anglican School Head of Drama and Head of House at Beaconhills College Pakenham 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 numerous dance tours to USA, Hong Kong, England, France and Gold Coast. Australian and overseas performance experience including dancing in shows in USA and the Philippines |