Principal

Kristy Mansfield (L.G.T.D.A) ~ Tap & Jazz

Kristy’s career in tap dancing began at the age of four with the legendary Mr. Les Griffith. Along with members of Tap Dogs, she was among the first to learn his Australian tap syllabus (L.G.T.D.A.) and sit for examinations. Great pride is taken in passing this knowledge onto the young performers of today.

Kristy’s first major achievement was at the age of nine after being selected to compete in The Fred Astaire Performing Arts Challenge in Miami, Florida and subsequently gaining the highest points scored amongst her age group. Following Mr. Griffith’s passing Kristy completed her tap exams with Donna Michalitsis (now co-owner of L.G.T.D.A.) and eisteddfod & concert training with Pullar’s Dancing Academy.

Her success is demonstrated through winning an average of thirty tap and song & dance championships and scholarships per year, a feat that is unrivalled to this day. During this period Kristy was also awarded the rare honour of a perfect score of 100/100 for one eisteddfod performance.

Kristy also studied Classical Ballet, Jazz, Character and Modern/Contemporary dance with Robyn Turner and Marie Walton-Mahon from the age of seven. At the age of eight Kristy began singing and speech & drama with Nola Wallace and then completed her singing training with Graeme Hands. This training assisted Kristy to gain the opportunity to perform in many stage musicals and The Opening

Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games (2000) where she was a Lead Dancer. Kristy has also been involved with corporate and promotional functions through employment with Fredrick’s Promotions, Great Big Events & Promo Technics in Sydney and is now a qualified adjudicator of all styles of dance.

Kristy has always had a keen interest in choreography and since the age of 16 she has choreographed for many functions and several stage productions. One of them being for 42nd Street in 1995 where she was awarded a City Of Newcastle Drama Award (CONDA) for best choreography. Kristy has also taught for a number of Primary Schools in the Newcastle and Hunter Region where she runs a dance programme suitable for all levels. These performances have received fantastic reviews due to her emphasis on innovative, original and stylish routines.

Sandra Parkes ~ Ballet

Sandra began tap dancing at the age of three with Mr Les Griffith and Ballet at the age of five with Tessa Maunder. Sandra completed all her Tap Exams with excellent results and was also very successful in Eisteddfod solos. At the age of twelve it was apparent that Sandra had a natural gift for Ballet and it was then that she decided to hang up her Tap shoes to specialise in Classical Ballet, much to Mr Griffith’s disappointment.

Sandra completed her R.A.D. Ballet Exams with honours and was very successful in Eisteddfods winning many Championships and Scholarships.

Sandra’s next achievement in the Ballet world was teaching for Marie Walton Mahon’s Dance Academy where she became Deputy Principal. Sandra held this position for fifteen years and in that time taught all levels of Ballet, Eisteddfod solos & groups, prepared students for annual examinations and trained those preparing for a career in the dancing industry.

Many of the students she mentored are now dancing professionally here and overseas in companies such as The Australian Ballet.
Sandra’s aim is to help students be the best they possibly can and to be proud of them selves at whatever level they allow themselves to reach.

Fiona Jeffries (L.G.T.D.A) ~ Tap 

Fiona began Tap & Jazz at the age of three with Mrs. Lesley Tuxford studying the internationally acclaimed tap syllabus L.G.T.D.A. At the age of 7 she continued her training with Mr. Les Griffith and after his passing she completed her tap exams with Donna Michalitsis and Pullar’s Dancing Academy. Fiona had great success in eisteddfods’ through out NSW, ACT & QLD winning many championships & scholarships.

After performing in Star Struck for two years Fiona was successful in securing a position in the “Tap Ensemble” which featured in The Sydney School Spectacular, the Australia Day Celebrations for Prince Charles & special performances at Darling Harbour.
Fiona’s first stage appearance in Musical Theatre was in Metropolitan Player’s successful season of Grease where she was a member of the dance ensemble. She also performed in Billy and Singin’ In The Rain at The Griffith Duncan Theatre.

Fiona started teaching at the age of fourteen with Pullar’s Dancing Academy and since then has taught at numerous studios.

After Fiona finished her HSC she completed a degree at the University of Newcastle in Bachelor of Communications Media Arts. Following her University education Fiona moved to Sydney to work for Channel Ten for 3 years and then moved back to Newcastle to work for NBN.

Fiona received her teaching certificates and is now a registered teacher with L.G.T.D.A. and has now been teaching at HVT for 8 years.

 Lucy Shepherd ~ Drama and Ballet

Lucy grew up in Maitland and was a student at Daphne Parker’s East Maitland Academy of Dance from 1991 – 2002. During her time at the East Maitland Academy of Dance she studied Classical Ballet (R.A.D.), Jazz, Modern and Contemporary. Over those years she also assisted with classical ballet and jazz classes and also taught contemporary classes.

After returning from Rotary Exchange in Switzerland after high school in 2003, Lucy moved to Sydney.  She studied Theatre / Performance / Arts Administration at Macquarie University and graduated with a Bachelor of Creative Arts in 2006.

During this time she was involved in many theatre productions as an actor, dancer, director, choreographer & writer. One of the most rewarding experiences during this time was writing, directing and choreographing her own 30 min play for the university’s short play season. Lucy also embarked on further training, and performed with ATYP (Australian Theatre for Young People) & PACT (Centre for Emerging Artists).

After university Lucy completed an internship with Shakespeare Globe Centre Australia offering administrative support as well as acting in their production of Romeo and Juliet at the Bondi Pavilion. She then worked for 2 years full-time at NIDA’s Open Program in administration and began assistant tutoring in 2008 before becoming a tutor in 2009.

2009 was a busy year for Lucy as she continued to work for NIDA part-time teaching their Youth and Holiday program. She completed a performance Honours thesis at the University of New South Wales and also directed a short play for the 2009 Short + Sweet play festival.

Since then she has continued to tutor for NIDA and has been working part-time for the Australia Council for the Arts. She has also been involved in various independent theatre shows in Sydney. Most recently assistant directing “I Only Came to Use the Phone” by at the Darlinghurst Theatre and now taking on the role of producer to tour the show to La Boite Theatre Brisbane in mid 2012. She also directed another short play for the Short + Sweet festival in January 2012.

Lucy has ample experience in working with children and young adults and is very excited to be working for HVT.

Jacqueline Mitchell ~ Jazz, Contemporary & Ballet

Jacqueline began her dance studies with Tessa Maunder OAM in 1996. She trained under the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabi and received high distinctions in every Examination up to Advanced 2.

Jacqueline was accepted into the National College of Dance in 2008 where she studied fulltime and received a Certificate 4 and Diploma in Dance Performance.

Jacqueline’s performance credits are; The Australian Ballet Company’s productions of ‘La Sylphide’ and Graeme Murphy’s ‘Swan Lake’, The Australian Fashion Week and ABC’s Television Program, ‘Dance Academy’.

Jacqueline had the pleasure to work and perform with eclectic pop band ‘VEEN’ which she choreographed the music video and live stage shows for. The shows are currently headlining in venues across Australia.

In 2010 Jacqueline was offered a 9-month contract with Royal Caribbean International where she performed Jazz, Contemporary, Swing and Ballroom styles aboard Legend of The Seas.

After returning home in March 2011 Jacqueline graduated from the RAD’s Certificate In Classical Ballet Teaching Studies. She is now a freelance choreographer in Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Hip Hop.

Nicola Nicolaou ~ Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop & Contemporary

Niki bagan dancing at the age of four with the Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy. She was taught Eisteddfod solo’s by Sandra Parkes (who is also on board with us) winning many local competitions. At twelve Niki became a member of the Australian Ballet Associate Program spending weekends in Sydney and Melbourne taking workshops. Niki has traianed in Classical ballet (gaining distinctions in all her R.A.D. exams), Jazz, Musical Comedy, Hip Hop, Khorabushka Character and Contemporary.

Niki developed an early passion for choreography, entering her own work into Eisteddfods by the time she was 14. Niki completed her dance HSC as an accelerated course in Year 10. She achieved a mark of 94 and had her performance piece make it to “Call Back”. Niki has also trained in New York at “Broadway Dance” and “Steps on Broadway”.

Niki accepted a teaching position at Newcastle Dance Academy in 2007 and for the next three years she taught group eisteddfod routines, and choreographed solo’s in both Contemporary and Jazz for a variety of age groups.

Niki believes that dance is a healthy form of emotional release and that it should create happiness and confidence in an individual. This is what she endeavours to achieve with her students.

Natalya Andrews- Hay ~ Singing 

Natalya has been singing and dancing from an early age and has always loved performing. She has been involved in over 40 + shows. Some of which include the Australian Premiere of ‘Christmas Eve and other Stories’, ‘A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum’, the Australian premiere of ‘Personals’, the Sydney premiere of ‘Jack the Ripper’, ‘Lucky Stiff’, ‘Godspell’, ‘The Boy From Oz’ and ‘Grease’ at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle.

Natalya recently completed a Bachelor of Music at the Conservatorium in Newcastle and also completed a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University Sydney. She has also completed up to Grade 5 in her piano exams and Grade 7 in her singing exams.

Candice Parkes ~ Ballet

Candice began dancing at the age of three with the Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy. During the following 12 years Candice studied classical ballet (R.A.D.), character, contemporary/modern, jazz/lyrical & musical comedy. The exposure to numerous talented teachers has armed her with the skills and knowledge to support and train students in all aspects of dance.

Candice has completed up to and including her Advanced 1 vocational exam with a distinction and was successful in all her prior exams. She has regularly competed in eisteddfods and other competitions in both solo and group events with great results.

As a result Candice is able to provide students with valuable lessons in a supportive environment where they can strive to achieve their goals and enjoy their dancing.

Olivia Cant ~ Tap, Jazz & Ballet

Olivia has been a student of HVT since the age of three and competed at her first Eisteddfod shortly after that. During the following thirteen years Olivia has participated in a variety of styles including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Modern, Contemporary & Character. She has competed in Tap, Song & Dance, Singing and Jazz solos ever since.

At the age of 8 Olivia commenced singing private lessons to assist with her song and dance routines. This training has enabled her to achieve wonderful success in many championships.

Under the guidance of Kristy Olivia has completed her L.G.T.D.A. Tap exams up to and including Intermediate. She has also completed her Intermediate R.A.D. exam and is currently studying Advanced Foundation.

Olivia is currently studying Tap, Jazz & Ballet and loves assisting with teaching junior dancers at HVT.

Danielle Marston ~ Tap, Ballet & Jazz

Danielle’s dance experience began when she joined HVT at the age of four. Since then, Danielle has received training in Ballet, Character, Jazz, Modern & Contemporary however she has excelled in her favourite style, Tap.

She has had fantastic results in many Eisteddfods throughout New South Wales. This success includes an average of ten Championships, Scholarships and special awards each year.

Danielle has performed well in her L.G.T.D.A. Tap examinations and has completed up to and including Advanced. Her results include marks of 90+ and Honours with Distinction.

Danielle has also successfully completed Intermediate in R.A.D. Ballet and is currently studying Advanced Foundation.