Our Staff

  • Amanda-bw-e1524890174831

    Amanda Best

    - Director

    Amanda grew up in Melbourne and from the age of 3 began training in Ballet, Jazz and Tap. At 8 years old, Amanda successfully joined the cast of  ‘An Inspector Calls’ for an 8 week season at Her Majesty’s Theatre. This experience encouraged her passion for performing from a young age. Moving to Geelong at age 10 she found interest in Hip Hop and Contemporary to broaden her ability in more genres. In 2011 Amanda completed her VCE Dance studies at Sacred Heart College. After choreographing her first large group dance piece at SHC’s Mercy Arts Day at age 17, Amanda’s interest in coaching and mentoring began.

    In 2014, she completed a 2 year full-time Performing Arts course at Patrick Studios Australia, and obtained her Certificate IV in Dance.  Amanda performed in various entertainment performances at Crown Casino as well as dancing back-up for artists such as Jessica Mauboy and performed as a featured dancer on The Real Housewives of Melbourne. Other television appearances include ads for Target and Telstra Bigpond.

    Amanda has now had over 10 years teaching experience, beginning her career assistant teaching at multiple schools across Melbourne during her full-time dance training. On her return to Geelong, her passion for mentoring grew, and her desire to share her knowledge with future generations flourished. 2018 was Amanda’s first year at Infinite Dance Studios where she instantly felt at home. The energy and passion found in the studio was second to none, and Amanda was excited for her future at IDS. In 2020, Amanda’s lifelong dream became a reality and took on the role of Co-Director at Infinite Dance Studios. As of 2024 Amanda became sole Director and is very excited for this new career adventure with her dance family.

  • Casey

    Casey Angus

    - Studio Co-Ordinator and Head Ballet Coach

    Casey began dancing at the age of three, training in ballet, jazz and contemporary. This enlightened her passion for dance and has since been training in hip hop, tap and acrobatics as well.

    Throughout her training, Casey completed her RAD syllabus ballet exams (Grades – Primary to Advanced Foundation), all to a distinction level.
    In 2018, Casey commenced training at Infinite Dance Studios where she was fortunate enough to learn from devoted and enthusiastic staff members and compete for the studio multiple times.

    Casey graduated from Secondary School at the end of 2018, achieving Dux of VCE Dance for Sacred Heart College Geelong and was selected to perform in the Top Class for VCE Dance.

    Moving to Sydney in 2019, Casey commenced a full time dance course at Brent Street Studios where she attained her Diploma in Dance (Elite Performance) – Focusing on Performing Arts. This allowed her to perform on ‘The Voice Australia’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars’ as well as performing with artists such as Guy Sebastian, Casey Donavan and Tim Campbell.
    Studying Business at Deakin University, Casey will obtain skills and knowledge which she hopeswill be a useful asset for Infinite.
    Casey began her teaching by assisting classes around Geelong and after returning from Sydney wants to further her teaching as it has become a passion of hers and she is fortunate enough to do this, here at Infinite.

  • Mikki Headshot

    Mikki Lipson

    - Strength & Conditioning and ETP Coach

    Mikki Lipson combines performance pilates, classical ballet training, performing arts training (all styles) and professional performance experience to help elite dancers and gymnasts achieve excellence in their chosen fields.

    Mikki has been coaching performers for over 15 years. Her students have gone on to achieve incredible accolades in the Performing Arts Industry including cruise ship contracts, professional musical theatre contracts and even the prestigious Rockettes in New York!

    Mikki is an expert in assessing challenges for her students and developing tailored exercises and training programs to help performers progress to the next level and achieve their highest goals.

    Mikki is a supportive coach and provides a nurturing environment whilst holding high expectations for her students.

    Some private coaching students include Caitlin Marks (Rockette, NYC) and Tyler Lotzof (CATS, the Musical) and Ashley Diamond (singer/dancer, Royal Caribbean)

     

  • Mia Ryan Dance Coach

    Mia Ryan

    - Strength & Conditioning, Jazz and Contemporary Coach

    Mia is an emerging actor and dancer, located in Melbourne. Mia began her training as an Elite Company member at TDC The Dance Company, under the direction of Lisa Hammer. Her artistic skills range across various disciplines, including commercial, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, screen acting, and hip hop. In 2021, Mia was awarded ‘Technician of the Year’ as a part of the Elite Conditioning Program by Mikki Lipson.

    As a performer, Mia’s credits include the role of ‘Sandy’ in Grease: The Musical Jr, Legally Blonde (PAC), The Next Step: Live, ARTSBUS TV and Boss Dance Company Generation. Mia has also worked with Australia’s lead choreographers include Marko Panzic, Blake-John Wood, Shannon Atkins, Brad Green and SCIMM.

  • Sarah

    Sarah Sheils

    - Beginner, Junior & Senior Acrobatics Coach

    Sarah grew up in Melbourne and at the age of 3 attended her first ballet class followed by beginning jazz classes at age 5. Sarah later began to take contemporary and acrobatics classes at WestEnd Performing Arts as her passion for dance continued to grow. Sarah started out as a student teacher in 2009 assisting with jazz and acrobatic classes. In 2011 Sarah completed her year 12 VCE dance unit at Rosehill Secondary College in Essendon.

    In 2015 Sarah moved to a remote town in Western Australia’s South East, where she opened a small dance school which was extremely successful, however a year later moved back to Victoria to complete her Bachelor of Education at Deakin University where she is completed her final year in 2019. She currently is working at Lismore Primary teaching grades 3-6 and still loves to come back down to Geelong on Friday afternoons to teach our Acrobatics students.

    Sarah has recently completed an Acrobatic Arts course which allows for stronger technique and the opportunity for the students to sit exams.

    Sarah loves being part of the IDS family. She cannot wait to see the progress throughout the studio.

  • Elyssa Jeffreys

    Elyssa Jeffreys

    - Beginner Hip Hop Coach

    Elyssa’s love for performing began at the age of 5 when she commenced her dance training in Jazz and Tap. At age 7, Elyssa landed the role of Molly in Annie with Geelong Lyric Theatre Society, which sparked her passion for musical theatre. Later that year, she made the move to Infinite Dance Studios where she also found an interest for Ballet, Contemporary, Acro and Hip Hop.

    Since then, Elyssa has also performed in other productions including ’Mary Poppins’ and ‘Chicago’ with Footlight Productions; ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ and ‘Wish Upon a Song’ with Geelong Lyric Theatre Society; ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, ‘Cinderella’ and ‘The Sound of Music’ playing the role of Louisa Von Trapp with Centrestage Geelong; Diamonds: Women Take Centrestage playing the roles of Tina Turner and Cher with Sacred Heart College; and Into The Woods playing the Baker’s Wife and Narrator with Stage Arts Geelong. Elyssa has also completed multiple levels of the AICD syllabus Ballet Exams to levels of Distinction and Glenn Wood Tap Exams scoring above 95 for all.

    Growing up at Infinite, Elyssa has competed in many competitions and performances in the elite troupe. Her favourite memory with her troupe was winning 1st place in 2022 at the DanceLife Unite Nationals in Sydney. She has also had the wonderful opportunity of sharing her passion of dance to younger students since 2019 as an assistant teacher and has loved watching them grow and learn new skills

    Elyssa is most grateful to become a teacher in 2022. She hopes to bring smiles to everyone who walks into her class and ignite their passion for dance and the Performing Arts. She is so excited to see where this journey may take her and pays so much credit to IDS forever.

  • Abby Spronken

    Abby Spronken

    - Beginner Hip Hop Coach

    Abby has been dancing with Infinite Dance Studios since she was 3 years old and has loved every minute of it. She currently trains in tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet and contemporary. Abby has been privileged enough to be part of an elite competition troupe since 2016 which has given her incredible opportunities to dance and compete on many stages across Victoria. In September 2022, Abby was very fortunate to be part of the elite troupe and had the opportunity to go to Sydney, Australia to compete in the Dancelife Unite Nationals competition. Abby got to perform multiple routines with her troupe on the nationals stage which is an experience she will never forget. Her troupe competed in the finals round and the grand final section where her troupe was awarded first place for their contemporary piece ‘Turnstile’. Abby couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

    Throughout her years of dance, Abby has had the opportunity to sit her tap and ballet exams. Abby has successfully completed levels 5 to Advanced 1 of the AICD ballet exams and levels 3 to 10 of the Glen Wood tap exams. She is very grateful for the knowledge and encouragement her teachers have given her to prepare for her exams.

    Abby has been an assistant teacher at Infinite from 2018 and has learnt an enormous amount about teaching since she started. Assisting the younger classes has definitely pushed her out of her comfort zone but it has also brought her new challenges which she is very thankful for. Being an assistant teacher has shown Abby a new side of dance and she is extremely excited to begin her new journey as a teacher.

  • Abigail Alsop

    Abigail Alsop

    - Junior Ballet Coach

    Since the age of four, I have been dancing with Infinite Dance Studios, exploring various styles such as ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop within the studio. By taking the opportunities that Infinite had provided I was able to achieve many of my goals and become educated in the world of dance, completing my Advanced I Ballet Exam and Level 8 Tap Exam. Dance played a pivotal role in shaping my identity, thus I decided to make a full-time commitment to dance. At Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance, I will be embarking on my full-time journey and chasing the various goals and dreams that I have set.

    While being an assistant teacher at Infinite for 3 years, I have come to understand that teaching isn’t just about the steps or technique, it’s about connecting with your students and growing together, as a team. My mission as a dance teacher is to create a supportive environment within the classroom, where each student has the chance to use their creativity while feeling encouraged and valued.

    I am bubbling with excitement to enter this new chapter of my life and can’t wait to help each student on their dancing journey. Let’s make every step count!

  • Harper Headshot

    Harper Young

    - Tap Coach

    Harper began her journey of dance in 2005 and trained competitively in tap, jazz, ballet and contemporary from 2014. Harper has completed all RAD ballet exams up to Advanced 1 and all Tapatak Oz Tap exams as well as being placed on the Tapatak Oz honour roll. More recently, Harper completed her Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) & Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance. She has been part of many professional performances such as the International Dance Project in Malaysia in 2022 and My Room Cancer Charity Ball at Crown Palladium in 2022 and 2023. Harper has been teaching and assisting at Mildura Ballet and Dance Guild for 4 years, and is excited to see where this new journey at Infinite will lead!

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    Terri Spronken

    - Costume Manager & Administration

    Terri has been involved with Infinite Dance Studios for the past 10 years as a mother, backstage helper, and more recently as Costume Manager and Administration assistant. Terri studied Bachelor of Arts Journalism at Deakin University and worked as a Pharmacy Account Manager for Revlon Australia before she became a wife and mother.

    Her two daughters have been dancing since the age of 4 and Terri enjoys watching them develop as dancers and learn from the great teaching staff that Infinite Dance Studios provides. Terri enjoys travelling with her family and in 2015 they spent 3 months visiting Europe, England and the United States.

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