Director: Kate Histon R.A.D rts

An accomplished dancer and performer (having appeared in various productions including “Swan Lake” (Australian Ballet Company 1997) and “Big Feet” (2004 & 2005), (SYTYCD 2007) and having been a company member of the ‘Dream Machine Dance Team’ for the ‘World’s Biggest Disco’ (1998-2000), Kate Histon established Dance Dynamics in 2000. Her aim was to inspire students to develop within themselves a love of dance, performance and life. Since then she has taught over 1000 students through her school and helped produce high caliber dancers and performance artists in the Byron Shire and beyond.

Several of Kate’s students have built promising dance careers and been accepted into full-time performance training institutes. Jemima McDonald, a former student, was recently accepted into the prestigious Brent Street Talent Development High School; and Olivia Anderson (another past student) is now a fully qualified dance teacher graduate of the Queensland University of Technology. Other students have also moved onto dance success, with Margot Robertshaw dancing with the Gold Coast Dance Company, and Ellen Meir being accepted into the Gloucestershire Dance Company.

Kate’s journey into dance began as a young girl and by age 15 Kate had been accepted into the Marie Walton-Mahon Academy of Dance in Newcastle where she trained full time while simultaneously completing her secondary schooling via distance education. Kate then went on to perform with various dance companies before gaining dance teacher accreditation through the Royal Academy of Dance.

As well as being a talented dancer and brilliant teacher, Kate is also a renowned transformational coach and trained facilitator of the Demartini Method®, having facilitated in both Australia and New Zealand. Kate infuses her skills within both the dance and personal development industries to help the performers discover, embrace and express their full creative potential, as well as overcoming any fears or emotional charges, so they can deliver and empowering performance every time.

Kate also consults with dancers and dance teachers from interstate schools on a regular basis.

Manager: Jason Mickan-BExScNut
Jason Mickan is our fantastic school manager. When he is not helping out with our school he is busy with his own practice “Dynamic Health”.
Queries regarding any aspect of Dance Dynamics (including timetabling and class fees) can be directed to Jason on 66853514.
Jason is also available for individual consultations in exercise physiology, nutrition and personal training through “Dynamic Health” on 0421932959.

Resident Teachers

DD Company Principal Choreographer: Jen Murray
Having embarked on a lifelong exploration of physical and energetic principals, Jen continuously strives to continue her understanding of the mechanics and artistry of the body in motion. She performed professionally as an independent contemporary dance artist in Canada from 1997-2003, after which time she traveled to Australia where she guest taught and choreographed at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium of Arts. Jen’s contemporary classes and choreographic vocabularies are influenced by the myriad of dance styles she has studied including; ballet, Graham, Cunningham, butoh and improvisation. Her classes are technical, challenging and fun and she encourages her students to explore the dynamics, energy and breath within their dancing to deepen their interpreting performing abilities. Jen is also a practicing and certified Hatha/Vinyasa yoga teacher.

Musical Theatre Director: Rebecca Balfour
Rebecca brings her extensive experience of the theatre and dance to our school. She has performed in many musicals and toured America with the musical theatre company “Up With People”. Rebecca ran her own dance school in Tamworth, and was a gymnastics instructor for ten years during her time there.
Rebecca teaches Musical Theatre as well as Jazz/Funk and Hip Hop. She is also mother of two and Property Manager at L.J Hooker Byron Bay.

Voice Coach: Mary-Ellen Stringer
The beautiful Mary-Ellen is an accomplished singer and performer with extensive experience in the music industry and recording studios. Her skills as a voice coach have been invaluable for our Musical Theatre students, and her respect for the students and passion for her craft are inspiring. Mary-Ellen is also a mother of two.

Jazz/Funk/HipHop and Contemporary Ellen Meir
Ellen has been dancing since she could walk! She has been a student of Dance Dynamics for 7yrs. Ellen has also traveled to England where she danced in the Coady Crew and was also accepted into the Gloucestershire Dance Company. Ellen has been an inspirational teacher for the past two years at our school and is a gifted choreographer and exceptional performer. Ellen will be teaching only for term one this year at our school as she will then be venturing overseas and continuing her dance career.

Teacher Trainee: Bo Daley
Bo has had a variety of dance experience in the Byron Shire. Her focus and dedication to dance has led her to achieve outstanding results in her examinations and dance in general. She was 2006 Dance Dynamics Dancer of the Year due to her commitment to her team, inspiration to her peers and the junior school. She is a great role model and we are excited to watch her teaching career unfold.

Jessica Palfrey Jess has been dancing since the age of five and for the last six years Jessica has been a dedicated performer with Dance Dynamics. She gives a new and upbeat approach to routines and choreographs with creativity and humor making every dance 100% entertaining. Jess has a Diploma in Screen and Filmmaking after studying at SAE College Byron Bay and made her first film clip last year. Her expansive creativity, joy and enthusiasm she brings to her students is catching and inspiring to all.

Regular Guest Teachers

Performance Troupe: Jessica Capolupo
Jessica has had extensive experience in the performance industry. She is skilled in Funk, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Singing and Contemporary Dance, and has also been involved in actress-commercial work and other screen time opportunities. Jessica trained at ‘Brent Street’ in Sydney and her skills and experience are an asset to her students.

Hip Hop Guru: Cristy Kilkeary
Cristy is a local performance artist well known for her innovative contemporary pieces and authentic Hip Hop. She holds a Bachelor of Education and is a local casual Primary School Teacher. Her unique flare, love of creativity and expression continually inspires her students and audience. Cristy also teaches at the Conservatorium of Arts in Lismore and has orchestrated many local and regional dance programs for schools and disadvantaged youth.