Staff
Marilyn Culpitt – Principal
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Marilyn Culpitt at the RAD Studios, Battersea, London |
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Marilyn has over 50 years experience in the dance industry in all genres. Trained in Melbourne with Paul Hammond (ex Borovansky Dance Company), Margaret Scott (nee Paull) and Calvin Von Reinhold at the VCE, Marilyn has apeared in pantomime, has choreographed and produced her own shows and also many school productions, fashion parades and community events. After teaching for many years in both Melbourne and Brisbane, Marilyn took time out to marry and raise a family, although dance was never far from her thoughts. In 2000, with her four children aged eight to eighteen she embarked on a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in dance and a Bachelor of Education at QUT while at the same time launching the Ascot School of Dance. During her time at university Marilyn studied a vast array of subjects which included practical classes in many dance genres, the history of dance, safe dance practice, choreography, the list continues, all an enormous benefit to her continuing dediction to the art of teaching dance. After graduating, Marilyn taught in various Secondary Schools and Colleges in Brisbane. Chairperson for the CSTD Social Committee for several years she has been able to extend her commitment to the dance industry in a voluntary capacity. A firm believer in personal development, Marilyn is very conscious of her responsibility to remain abreast of all things dance related and to that end regularly attends courses offered by both the RAD and the CSTD. Marilyn is a firm believer that the discipline of dance stands students in good stead for their future physical, social and emotional development. |
Lisa Logue
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Lisa Logue comes to Ascot School of Dance with an extraordinary dance background – Royal Academy of Dance, London - classical ballet Grade Five 100%, Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced 1 CSTD - Jazz 1 and 2 both Honours Plus, Jazz 3 Honours, Jazz 4 Honours, Jazz 5 Honours Plus CSTD Jazz Award - Honours CSTD Tap - Senior Gold Honours, Senior Gold Bar Honours, Senior Gold Star Honours Plus CSTD Tap Teacher’s Certificate Lisa has won a number of prestigious awards and has an impressive performance background. An asset to our dance school. |
Jane McPhie
Jane has a strong background and enormous experience in all dance genres. Her professional career commenced at the tender age of 14 when asked to perform at a local cabaret theatre “Groucho’s Theatre Restaurant”. Jane performed for three years with the cabaret while completing her high school education and was then offered a prestigious scholarship to a dance studio in New York to train with industry leaders. On completion of her time in New York, Jane auditioned successfully for the “Royal Caribbean Cruise Line” where she completed four contracts as both performer and dance captain. On her return to Australia she was invited to perform in “GENESIS” at Jupiter’s Casino as dance captain. After a successful run on the Gold Coast, Jane then travelled with the show overseas as choreographer where she restaged the original performance and choreographed a second show.
Apart from teaching, Jane is also heavily involved with corporate entertainment industry in Brisbane. We welcome her return to Ascot School of Dance.
Jemma Hirst
Jemma has been dancing since she was four years old studying many genres including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Cheerleading, Cabaret and Acro. She has cheerleaded for many different events including Sydney Swans, the Bledisloe Cup, NSW Blues and was accepted as a Brisbane Broncos Cheerleader upon her move to Brisbane. Jemma has competed in Eistedfodds and competitions for many years, and made it to Australian National Dance Championships twice with consistent success.
After teaching in Sydney for almost seven years, Jemma moved to London where she taught at Karen Hardy Studios (owned and run by one of the past winners and current choreographer of the UK Version of "Dancing with the Stars"), one of the most exclusive and reputable dance schools in London.
We welcome Jemma to Ascot School of Dance where her focus on fun and energetic classes continues.
