Principal of APAC
Subjects taught at APAC – Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary
and APAC Companies

Katherine is an experienced performer, teacher and choreographer. She achieved a distinction in her RAD Teachers Certificate, was a full-time ARAD student studying at the National Ballet School, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Drama and Sociology, as well as being a Registered Teacher (trbSA).

Katherine has taught at Mighty Good (Dance Director), The Australian College of Entertainment (Principal), NIDA, McDonald College, and many other schools across Australia.

Katherine has taught thousands of students, some of which have successfully gained entrance to, and graduated from, the Australian Ballet School, NIDA, WAAPA, VCA and Brent Street Studios. Her students have also appeared in TV shows such as Home and Away, Packed to the Rafters and Neighbours.

As a performer, Katherine’s experience reaches across the disciplines of dance, acting and singing. Her performance credits include Tap Works at NIDA, Universal Studios Japan, the lead singer on both the Tahitian Princess and the Pacific Sun cruise ships, the lead singer of Chunky Custard, as well as many Warner Bros shows. She also has extensive stage experience in musicals, plays and children’s entertainment.

In choreography, her skills extend from TV shows to pop groups, and from musicals such as A Chorus Line, Les Miserables and Sweet Charity, to children’s pantomimes such as Cinderella, Little Red and the Three Bopping Pigs and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

She has often served as an audition panelist as well as adjudicating extensive competitions and eisteddfods Australia-wide.

Deputy Principal of APAC
Subjects taught at APAC – Music Theatre, Singing, Acting, Jazz
and Boys Masterclass

Phillip is an actor/singer/dancer with 25 years professional experience under his belt. His music theatre credits include Grease – The Arena Spectacular, and Grease – The Mega Musical. He has performed as a singer in Norwegian Star’s Starcast and toured Australia with Sir Tim Rice, INXS, David Essex and Anthony Warlow, whilst being both a singer and choreographer in Tim Rice’s Musical Spectacular. In 2005, Phillip moved behind the scenes and became one of the main show directors for Universal Studios Japan, this included the shows Sesame Street, Hello Kitty, 2008 Halloween Parade, 2008 Santa’s Toy Party and Magical Starlight Parade. On his return to Australia, Phillip set up the company Outstanding Entertainment, creating material for McDonalds, Ice Age, Lazy Town and Carnival Cruises/Grayboy Entertainment.

Subjects taught at APAC – CSTD Examination Tap

Amanda started her study of Dance in High School, achieving second in NSW for HSC Dance. She trained at Kay Horsey’s Coastal Dance Theatre for 14 years and completed the Performing Arts Course at Brent Street Studios in 2001. As well as teaching at APAC, Amanda has taught at a variety of different schools including Brent Street and McDonald College. Amanda performed as Joule for three years in Germany’s Starlight Express, and whilst in Germany, she was also was a featured dancer and skater in Musik At Event. Amanda has performed in corporate Tap events for Lee McDonald, been a featured female tapper for Chris Horsey’s Tap Works, danced with The Australian Ballet Company in Spartacus at the Sydney Opera House and danced in Summer Surprises in Dubai. Her performing credits also include Santa´s Kingdom at Fox Studios, Warner Bros Movieworld and an appearance on Home and Away. Amanda will also appeared in the film Mao’s Last Dancer.

NATHAN SHEENS

Subjects taught at APAC – Tap Nathan is trained in all facets of the entertainment industry. He began his career in 1992 at Australia’s Wonderland before working at Conrad Jupiters Casino. He is an original cast member of Tap Dogs, touring throughout the world including London’s West End and New York City, he then became Dance Director and took over the lead role for the North American Tour. Nathan played the lead role in Dein Perry’s Steel City; he was an original cast member of the Australian musical Shout; and played Eddie in Mamma Mia at Sydney’s Star City. He assisted Dein Perry in choreographing the tap section of the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony and opened his own entertainment company, Sheen Co Entertainment, to produce and direct his own concepts and ideas for such venues as the Tivoli Theatre in Brisbane and the Parramatta Football Stadium. In 2007 Nathan was co-director of a new tap dance company in Sydney called Tap Works and recently co-created, directed and choreographed BPM beatsperminute, which had two sell out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and finished an Australian Regional Tour. Most recently, Nathan has been working with the cast of Billy Elliot in Sydney and Melbourne.

Subjects taught at APAC – Singing

VERITY JACOBSEN

Subjects taught at APAC – Ballet and Contemporary

Verity started her dance training at Robyn Kirkland School of Ballet in Sydney and in 2007 graduated with a National Diploma in Dance Performance from the New Zealand School of Dance. She has performed in Daniel Belton’s Stichbirds and 2nd Movement for The Body Festival; she was invited to Singapore to work with Dance Horizon on Enter #1773, and whilst in Singapore, she choreographed Second Samba on Dance Horizon which was performed at their Beyond Horizon II show. In the 2009 Short and Sweet Dance Festival, Verity performed in Kevin Privett’s Saving Face and Jeni Sutton’s Wait. She was awarded Most Outstanding Female Dancer for the Festival. Recently she has worked with Vicki Van Hout on an Aboriginal based contemporary work for Dirty Feet’s Tipping Point and also with Padma Menon on an Indian based contemporary work Mother: A Tribute. Verity has since been choreographing Fallen From Grace, which has just been accepted into 2010’s Short and Sweet Dance Festival.

DEANNE HALL

Subjects taught at APAC – Singing

Deanne has trained as a dancer and vocalist at Conroy Dance Centre and Brent Street Studios. Her stage experience includes performances as part of the Paul Mac Experience Tour; Masterpiece for Event’ful Special Events; at Australia’s Wonderland; in Warner Bros and Cartoon Network shows for Millennium Entertainment; in Japan’s Dance Encore productions; on the P&O Fairstar; at Carols by Candlelight for Network 7; and in the Friends Concert for Starz Entertainment. Her television credits include Paul Mac Live on Rove Live, 1000ft High and Just the Thing on Pepsi Chart, and as a regular vocalist on Good News Week for Channel 10; What U Want on Channel V; and as part of a Five Piece Girl Band on the Logie Awards for Channel 9.

ROSIE SCHWARTZ

Subjects taught at APAC – Ballet and Tiny’s Dance

Rosie obtained her CBTS Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies at the Royal Academy of Dance. She is a registered teacher and Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance. She earned a distinction in Advanced 2, whilst studying dance with Ecole Ballet and Dance Theatre, Robyn Kirkland Ballet School and Lucia Beninati School of Dance. Rosie also has a Diploma of Athlete Support Services, as well as a Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness from Meadowbank TAFE.

Subjects taught at APAC – Singing

Initially trained as a dancer and then later as a singer and actor, Scott’s professional career and credits are as diverse as they are long.

Career highlights include sharing the stage with Tina Arena, Dame Edna Everage, Ronda Burchmore, Glenn Shorrock, Kelley Abbey, and renowned choreographer William A Forsythe.

His theatre credits include Evita at the State Theatre, Sydney, the National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat understudying the role of Judah, Firefly at the Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns playing multiple roles as well as Dance Captain and Resident Director, and Sweet Charity at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, understudying the lead role of Oscar.

His versatility as a performer has seen him appear in numerous Theatre Restaurants, Club Venues, Conventions and Corporate Events throughout Australia.

Other credits include seasons at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, Leofoo Village in Taipei, Taiwan, and as an original cast member at Australia’s Wonderland.

Scott has travelled extensively as Lead Male Vocalist onboard various cruise ships such as the Fairstar, Fair Princess and Pacific Sky for P&O Australia; Costa Romantica for Costa Cruises; and aboard the Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess for Princess Cruises.

Scott has also made the transition to Musical Director and Director for Grayboy Entertainment, frequently rehearsing and directing new lead vocalists for their numerous ships around the world.

Scott is also a Singer Teacher and Vocal Coach at Ed5 International’s full time Diploma Performing Arts Course.

Subjects taught at APAC – Tap and Jazz