Bec Grulke

Owner / Director

I began my dance training at an early age where I studied various styles of dance.

Due to the constant moving of my family, I had gained the skill of being able to interpret the different techniques of various teachers.

Through many years of schooling , I excelled in the area of drama which had furthered my experience with emoting in the performance of dance.

I completed a 2 year full time dance course, during this I was introduced to contemporary dance and different ways of connecting through the body.

During my full time training, I was asked to perform as a soloist in PROJECTion Dance Company’s tour to New Zealand.

In December 2010, I graduated from my 2 year course and was offered a contract with PROJECTion Dance.

Being in the dance world is challenging but extremely rewarding. Seeing students perform pieces of my choreography on or off stage inspires me to keep challenging not only my students but also myself.

To me there is no better feeling then to see a student who finally gets that one skill or one piece of choreography, after struggling at first and working so hard to achieve it.

Ruth Grulke

Admin Manager / Teacher

I began dancing in England at 3yrs old and competed in various competitions and completed exams in tap, acro and jazz.

After arriving in Australia I continued my dancing with Patti Bawden, who was the choreographer for channel 7. I was lucky enough to be in her junior group that performed on live TV kids show once a week. The highlights being chosen to perform in 2 stage productions with some of the top stars of the day. Unfortunately I had to leave Patti Bawden and I joined Calisthenics with my sisters.

At 14 yrs I was selected to represent SA in the national comp in Ballarat where our team won the aggregate in the novice section.

Dance has been a big part of my life, except for my army years and having kids. For a while I did Line Dancing and even taught a beginners class. I have taken Adult Jazz and tap classes whilst watching Bec grow as a beautiful dancer.

Alyssa Kupa

Teacher

I started dancing when I was 5 years old but later took a break to play sports. I started getting back into dance in 2014 when I started cheerleading at HDS, I then began competing as part of the troupes not long after.

I have completed my VCE and have my Certificate II & III in dance. In 2017 I was a finalist for the Red Carpet Youth Awards in the Performing Arts and Youth Ambassador sections for my dance teaching work.

This year I am studying to complete my Certificate III in sport and recreation.

I work extremely well with kids and have been teaching a range of styles over the last 5 years and I am looking forward to what 2022 will bring.

Holly Kupa

Teacher

I have successfully completed and earned my certificate II and III in dance specialising in street and jazz dance techniques.

I have been apart of the choreography team at Albury Gang Show for the past 6, going on 7 years.

I was the 2019 recipient of the region’s Georgy Award for Best Junior Lead Performance (Female) for my role as William Barfée in the Wodonga Senior Secondary College production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and has been nominated for this years awards for Best Junior Supporting Performance (female) for her role as Zinnia Wormwood in their production of “Matilda”.

I started dancing again in 2016 and have competed with HDS for the past few years in ballroom and theatrical.

Caitlin Jonker

Teacher

I started ballet at age 6, training full time in Albury/Wodonga from 2010 until 2013, then moved to Melbourne and trained at the Ballet Theatre Australia from 2014 to mid 2015.

Afterwards moved to train with the Jane Moore Academy of Ballet until 2016, before moving to the Queensland Ballet Senior Program in 2017 and 2018, and progressing to Pre-Professional in 2019.

I have performed exerts from Ben Stevenson’s Nutcracker, as well as working with the Royal Ballet choreographer Liam Scarlett.

I have obtained Certificates I,II, III, IV, and Diploma in Dance Education (Elite Performance), and I plan to complete my Diploma in Dance Teaching within the next few years.

Bronwyn Robertson

Ballroom Principle

I started ballet at the age of 4 and had always danced. Throughout my childhood and teenage years I have also learnt jazz, tap and many other theatrical styles.

I started ballroom at the age of 11 and have danced competitively at a national level. Living in Albury meant I would travel to Melbourne for lessons and also to compete all over Australia.

I was the youngest contestant to dance on the ABC series 'That's Dancin' with her brother. I was 13 at the time.

I have a passion for working with children and also enjoys the adult social classes where we are not so restricted to syllabus.

I have worked hard to achieve my Accredited Dance Sport Competition Latin Adjudicators Certificate, and continue to study New Vogue and started to bring knowledge to all my students.

Yvette Hawkins

Teacher

Dancing has been a huge part of my life for the past 20+ years.

My favourite styles are Ballet, Tap and Jazz. I love that it brings people together and lifelong friendships can be made.

Outside of dancing, I am a librarian at the Wodonga Library.

Teaching at HDS for me has been a blast and I cannot wait to see what great things all the students will do.

Isabella Butterworth

Teacher

I started dancing with HDS at the age of three in Culcairn. I won the HDS Minor Scholarship in 2013 and then the HDS Major Scholarship in 2015 at the age of ten.

I have been in competition troupes from 2014-2019. I have also competed in dance competitions as a soloist and duoist since 2014.

I have been technically trained since the age of five in the classical styles. I have been involved in the extension programs at Transit Dance in Melbourne and I am currently training full time to become a professional dancer.