Our Team
SHARON SAUNDERS
annaleise gaffney
SHARON SAUNDERS
Sharon Saunders started her school almost 30 years ago to share her expertise with Bendigo children.
Her mission was to provide quality dance education in a caring and friendly non-competition environment.
Sharon is an Affiliate member of The Australian Teachers of Dancing Limited and Licence holder of Ready Set Dance & Ready Set Ballet in
Sharon Saunders started her school almost 30 years ago to share her expertise with Bendigo children.
Her mission was to provide quality dance education in a caring and friendly non-competition environment.
Sharon is an Affiliate member of The Australian Teachers of Dancing Limited and Licence holder of Ready Set Dance & Ready Set Ballet in Bendigo. In 2019 she was recognised by her peers as the recipient of Golden Twirl Award at the Ready Set Dance Conference in Sydney.
Sharon loves all aspects of dance; it is her life! She is honoured to share her passion of dance with others – this is evident through the countless number of students who have danced until adulthood at SSD and worked as teachers). Lifelong friendships are constantly formed by Parents and students at SSD.
Sharon continues to run SSD with great passion and enjoyment. She also keeps a close eye on all dancers often relief teaching different classes and is always working behind the scenes to ensure our SSD runs smoothly and efficiently!
HANNAH MCBAIN
annaleise gaffney
SHARON SAUNDERS
Hannah has been a dedicated student at Sharon Saunders Dancers since she was 2 years old. She was born into our SSD Family as her sister Ashlea was a student for many years too, meaning her parents have been at SSD for well over 20 years!
Hannah has been a student of SSD for 18 years & is currently studying Hairdressing. Hannah studied the
Hannah has been a dedicated student at Sharon Saunders Dancers since she was 2 years old. She was born into our SSD Family as her sister Ashlea was a student for many years too, meaning her parents have been at SSD for well over 20 years!
Hannah has been a student of SSD for 18 years & is currently studying Hairdressing. Hannah studied the Australian Theatrical Dance & Australian Teachers of Dancing Syllabus in Classical Ballet and Jazz Ballet genres. She was a student assistant teacher and worked closely with Sharon for 12 months prior to teaching for the past 2 years. Hannah has built a great rapport with students and parents and adores our school! She is an adored teacher in our Ready Set Dance & Ready Set Ballet classes. Hannah was a finalist in the READY SET BALLET Teacher of the year 2019.
annaleise gaffney
annaleise gaffney
annaleise gaffney
Annaleise began her dance journey at age 3, training in all styles at her local dance school (Beverley Margaret School of Dance) in Rockingham, WA. When Annaleise was 15 she decided that her interests lied heavily in ballet and went on to complete her Advanced 1 Borovansky exam and received Honours and a scholarship for the following year
Annaleise began her dance journey at age 3, training in all styles at her local dance school (Beverley Margaret School of Dance) in Rockingham, WA. When Annaleise was 15 she decided that her interests lied heavily in ballet and went on to complete her Advanced 1 Borovansky exam and received Honours and a scholarship for the following year. Around the same time contemporary dance was introduced into her training. Finding something new she enjoyed and found incredibly interesting Annaleise then continued her journey in contemporary dance and it became her main focus. Completing most ATOD exams by 2016, she graduated high school and then started at Transit Dance at age 18 in Melbourne, VIC. Currently, Annaleise has just completed her second year of full-time contemporary (Diploma of Dance Elite Performance) under the guidance of Transit Dance faculty.
Whilst pursuing dance as a full-time career, Annaleise's other interests include teaching, choreography, photography and videography. Annaleise loves teaching and sharing her knowledge amongst her students, she considers then family.
JOHANNA CHAPMAN
JOHANNA CHAPMAN
JOHANNA CHAPMAN
Jo has been training in dance her whole life in Adelaide, and has recently moved to Bendigo from Darwin.
After completing her two most recent major Cecchetti exams as a student-teacher, she has spent the past 5 years teaching classes of all ages and genres, including Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and more. Jo is in her final year of studying a Ba
Jo has been training in dance her whole life in Adelaide, and has recently moved to Bendigo from Darwin.
After completing her two most recent major Cecchetti exams as a student-teacher, she has spent the past 5 years teaching classes of all ages and genres, including Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and more. Jo is in her final year of studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education.
In 2020 she will teach Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Ready Set Dance & Ready Set Ballet.
julia wellard
JOHANNA CHAPMAN
JOHANNA CHAPMAN
Julia began dancing at the age of 5 and has been following her passion for dance ever since at Ann Maree Dancers & Start Studio. Dancing is her most favourite thing in the world and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm with her students, as well as helping them grow into beautiful dancers. This is Julia’s second year teaching at Sharon Saunders
Julia began dancing at the age of 5 and has been following her passion for dance ever since at Ann Maree Dancers & Start Studio. Dancing is her most favourite thing in the world and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm with her students, as well as helping them grow into beautiful dancers. This is Julia’s second year teaching at Sharon Saunders Dancers, and cannot wait to see what this year brings after loving every second of teaching last year. Julia loves every style of dance there is from modern contemporary to Broadway jazz; however, her favourite style of all time is tap! Julia holds a Tap Dancing Diploma with the Australian Academy of Theatrical & Ballet Dancing syllabus. She recently performed in Bendigo Theatre Company's 'Wicked' and is excited to pass on her Musical Theatre Skills to her students.
Julia’s vision for her teaching is to not teach dance as sport, but instead as art. Julia believes dance is a beautiful form of physical art rather than sport and wishes to educate her students of how dance should be paired with passion and emotions. Julia has been teaching at SSD for 3 years and will be teaching Hip Hop, Tap, Ready Set Dance & Ready Set Ballet in 2020.
EMMA BROWN
JOHANNA CHAPMAN
EMMA BROWN
Emma is a classically trained singer and dancer, having studied Cecchetti Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz with Julie Heydon and Bendigo Dance Academy for 16years, and singing with Marjory Somerville for 8years. Emma has performed in many local Community Theatre Productions and has also won countless awards in Eisteddfods over many years. Em
Emma is a classically trained singer and dancer, having studied Cecchetti Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz with Julie Heydon and Bendigo Dance Academy for 16years, and singing with Marjory Somerville for 8years. Emma has performed in many local Community Theatre Productions and has also won countless awards in Eisteddfods over many years. Emma works full-time as a hairdresser and makeup artist in Bendigo. Emma has been our ballet and contemporary teacher for many years and will be a backup for us in 2020 as our relief teacher in all genres.
Our Values
NURTURE
Each students individuality requires attention and here at Sharon Saunders Dancers we provide personalised training to each passionate soul that comes through our doors. We assist in the development of confidence as the year, and even term, powers on. Confidence matures in our safe environment, with age appropriate routines that also generate a high level skill set in and outside the studio walls. Our experienced faculty mentor each and every student, and encourage a growth mindset when it comes to their learning. Eradicating their fears by welcoming them with open arms and nurturing their personal ambitions.
DELIGHT
Dance is a magical medium to live life through and is a blissful escape from the stresses that life can bring. Our family friendly studio creates an atmosphere that stimulates creativity for all who participate; provoking the most engaging and pleasurable experience possible. With carefully planned lessons and events that provide discipline and empowerment, all families at SSD feel respected, supported and delighted.
DISCOVER
Our experienced faculty are ongoing learners and continue to participate in team training and professional development, as well as receiving regular updates on the latest information in regards to safe dance practices and more. We invest heavily in this training and information to expand on our plethora of knowledge so that it may be passed on to young impressionable minds. Our exam students are taught progressively through the AUSTRALIAN TEACHERS OF DANCING System of training, and our preschoolers are taught through the READY SET DANCE syllabus which has been approved by leading Early Childhood experts. Our Band app engages each dancer within their class work as it affords the students a sense of ownership and responsibility for their training/learning. Our strong community and quality dance education is an immense support for the discovery of independence and new friendships. We never stop learning! .