Staff

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. 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 studied Classical Ballet, Jazz, Character and Modern/Contemporary dance with Marie Walton-Mahon (Director of the National College of Dance, Australia) 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. 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, 42nd Street where she was awarded a City Of Newcastle Drama Award (CONDA) for best choreography. Kristy now devotes her efforts to her own school, HVT Studio of Performing Arts, in the Hunter Region of Australia. HVT has offered a variety of performing arts for the beginner to advanced student since its establishment in 1998. HVT senior dancers were chosen to perform in the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games & the Welcoming Ceremony of the 2001 Masters Games. Students from HVT have performed in many musicals and have also been accepted into The Australian Ballet School International Training program, NIDA, The Royal Ballet (UK), The Victorian College of Arts, Brent St & Carnival Crusies. Kristy has been an associate member of the Australian Dance Adjudicators organisation for the past 18 years. She has adjudicated many Eisteddfods during those years and enjoys being involved in the development of young dancers today. Kristy has also recently been accepted as a tap examiner which demonstrates her vast knowledge & experience in the field.