Our Principal
Alanna Partridge
Alanna has been involved in the dance industry for over 30 years and in 2008 opened her own dance school Dance Desires. Alanna’s passion for the disciplines of dance, vision for excellence, and enthusiasm for her students and the dance profession are evident in her teaching. Her patient and nurturing teaching style resonates through her students creating a friendly and close knit environment throughout the dance school.
Alanna Achievements include:
Registered R.A.D Teacher
S.F.D Mainstream & Dance Fusion Examiner
S.F.D Teaching Certificates in Ballet, Tap, & Jazz
Choreographer of the Dance Fusion Syllabus
Choreographer of the SFD Jazz Syllabus
S.F.D Master Class and Convention Instructor
Advanced Diploma Majoring in Classical Ballet (C.W.D.C)
Diploma in Classical Ballet & Contemporary Studies
Our Team
Kathryn Noble - M.S.F.D
Kathryn started dancing at the age of 13 developing a passion for all styles of dance.
She has completed RAD classical major examinations up to ADV 2 and SFD through to Jazz level 10 , Kathryn also holds the SFD Jazz teaching certificate and has now gone on to start her training to become an examiner and convention teacher for the SFD jazz and classical syllabus.
After completing her exams Kathryn then went on to complete two years of fulltime training at industry dance under Robert Sturrock where she trained in many styles of dance and performance including, Jazz, tap, contemporary, ballet, commercial Jazz, hip hop, ballroom , lyrical , singing and acting.
Since then she has worked within the industry dancing for people such as Jessica Mauboy, Rhonda Burchmore, Natalie Conway and more. Kathryn has a strong passion for teaching and working with children with many years experience and wishes to pass on the wealth of knowledge and passion for dance she has gained to her students.
Stefanie Grogan
Stefanie started her dance training at the age of 3 at the Dianne McLellan Dancing Academy in Bundaberg, Queensland, where she received her RAD Advanced 2 and CSTD Tap teaching Certificate. After graduating high school she moved to Sydney in 2013 to study a Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) at Brent Street. In her first year of fulltime Stefanie was a lead dancer in LOcREaDO Dance Company’s ‘12 Lives’, performed in Expressions Dance Company ‘R&J’ and Sydney Dance Company with Kaldor Public Art Projects ‘13 Rooms’.
She then continued her fulltime training in Sydney at Ev & Bow and seconded with Australian Dance Theatre.
It was in 2015 that Stefanie decided to move to Melbourne as she was hand picked to be a founding member of Transit Dance Company, performing and touring a world premier show that included works by Amy Hollingsworth, Paul Malek and Daniel Jaber.
In 2018, she danced in Seavera’s music video ‘Make Me Uncomfortable’. Also in 2018 she joined Lion Heart Dance Company (LHDC) and SCIMM Dance Company. Debuting in LHDC ‘Envision’ 2018 and ‘Clash’ 2019 and SCIMM ‘Senseless State’ and ‘Aetherium’.
Miss Stef has been teaching at Dance Desire’s since 2016 and recently choreographed the updated SFD Jazz syllabus for levels 7-10. Stefanie loves choreographing and sharing her knowledge and passion for dance through energetic and fun classes.
Tony Keeble (Bachelor of Dance)
Tony Keeble graduated with a Bachelor of Dance from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), University of Melbourne. With a strong background in Jazz (Southern Federation of Dance), Contemporary (VCA), Classical Ballet (Royal Academy of Dance), and Acrobatics (Acrobatics Arts), his skills extend to both choreography and teaching.
As a Professional Dancer, Tony has performed on various projects and productions with companies such as Opera Australia, Ausdance Victoria, FX Entertainment, Dance City Productions, Vertical Shadows Dance Company, and has also been featured in Dance Train Magazine. As a Choreographer, Tony has worked on numerous musicals such as ‘Hairspray’, ‘Footloose’, ‘Bring It On’, 'Anything Goes’,' and ‘Seussical’ for secondary schools in addition to conducting regular workshops and programs for Wakakirri as a leading Performing Arts facilitator around Australia.
Also an upcoming Actor, Tony has starred in Television Commercials for Catch, Crown Casino, Victoria Bitter & Mazda and appeared in TV Shows for ‘Offspring’ and ‘Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries’.
Tony is currently undertaking a Master of Teaching (Secondary) at Victoria University.
Avril Robertson
Avril was born into a musical family. Her training started with piano and eventually evolved into a passion for dance, singing and all things performance related. She is extensively trained in Broadway and Commercial Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre. Avril completed her professional training at Dance Factory, The Victorian College of the Arts and Harbour Dance Centre (Vancouver).
Since completing her studies her performance credits include regional and international (New Zealand) tours of children’s theatre shows, as well as performances for the House of Burlesque in Melbourne and many cabarets, festivals and musical theatre productions.
Previous credits from her time in Vancouver, Canada include Reinvention of Disco (2014-15 seasons), Onyxx Dance Co. and Cabaret Torlage - the longest running cabaret show in Vancouver. Her time in Vancouver also gave her the opportunity to work in television, festivals, and corporate events.
A passionate and dedicated teacher, Avril loves to share her experience with other dancers and create a fun and inviting atmosphere in the studio.
Hannah Baden Clay
Hannah is a dance artist, choreographer and teacher from Brisbane, passionate about sharing her artform with others and helping them to achieve their goals and ambitions. Hannah has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree majoring in Dance Performance with distinction from the Queensland University of Technology where she studied ballet and contemporary full-time. After training in the styles of Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz from a young age Hannah completed her RAD Advanced 2 with distinction and since followed her passions for teaching attaining her RAD Teachers Certification. Throughout her studies Hannah has performed alongside a variety of contemporary companies including Circa & The Farm and was successfully accepted and competed in the Brisbane International Contemporary Dance Prix.
Throughout her five years of teaching, Hannah has gained extensive experience with children between the ages of 3-18 years. She has experience teaching all RAD grades, contemporary, jazz and private classical and contemporary coaching. Hannah takes pride in her innovative choreography and creative teaching techniques, whilst sharing her love for dance with her students. She prioritises fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all and is really looking forward to joining the team at Dance Desires.
Eleanor Mulcahy
Eleanor began dancing when she was 3 years old and quickly devoped a passion for movement and dance styles. She has trained at Dance Desires for 11 years and has participated in, and been successful, in both state and national competitions.
Eleanor has completed grades 1-10 in jazz, 1-8 in tap and primary to grade 8 in ballet. She has recorded two SFD syllabus videos and has been teaching for Dance Desires since 2015. She was also selected to be involved in Dance Prescription in 2016 where she built on her technique training. Recently Eleanor completed VCE dance and as a result of a high mark she was chosen to audition for Top Class - she was successful and is super excited to be taking part in Top Acts 2018.
Eleanor loves dancing and teaching and would like to further this passion by undertaking full time studies in dance, choreography, performance and teaching.
A fun and loving teacher, Eleanor works hard to inspire others to reach their goals and gives every student a opportunity to shine.
Ebony Bullard
Ebony developed a passion for dance from a very young age. Born and raised in Melbourne, she commenced with Dance Desires in 2010 During this time she has enjoyed all styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, acrobatics and musical theatre, tap being her strength. Under the instruction of Miss Alanna, Ebony has completed RAD ballet exams levels 3-8, SFD Jazz Exams Level 1-8 and SFD Tap exams 3-10.
From a young age Ebony has competed in various competitions in all genres of dance both as a soloist and valued member of Performance Group and Company troupes. She has participated in multiple workshops and master classes and was thrilled to compete in the Dance Desires Company Troupe that competed in Sydney 3 years in a row for the Dance Life Unite National Finals. In 2015 Ebony placed 3rd in the SFD Jnr Tap Championship and then in 2016, 2017 and 2018 placed 1st in the SFD Snr Tap Championship.
In 2017 Ebony completed her VCE Dance Studies Units 3/4, through Dance Desires. In 2019 Ebony experienced her first year of full time dance through the Space F.I.I.T program and from there was offered a place in Lion Heart Dance Company.
Ebony began teaching tap classes in 2016 at age 15 and has enjoyed every minute of it. She loves working with students from young to old ages. Ebony loves to share her love of dance with her dance students.
Ebony is currently studying Primary School Teaching at Deakin University.
Tara McKenzie
Tara has been dancing with Dance Desires for 12 years, and has had many wonderful opportunities throughout that time. Tara has been assistant teaching since 2015 and during online classes in 2020 she completed her teacher training.
Tara has completed all RAD ballet exams from primary to grade 8 and SFD jazz exams from grade 1 to 10 as well as being part of 3 SFD syllabus filming videos. She has also been a part of state and national troupes which have competed in many competitions including DanceLife Unite Nations in Sydney in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Tara loves working with students of younger ages as well as the more mature ages. She enjoys sharing her love of dance with her classes and aims to show them how fun dancing can be.
Peta Fenton Mathews
Peta started her dancing journey with Dance Desires at the age of three under the tutorage of Miss Alanna. She started competition dancing shortly after and competed in solos, duos, troupe and company dances.
In 2016 and 2017 she travelled to Sydney with Dance Desires to compete in the Dance Life Unite Nationals. Peta has successfully completed SDF jazz and tap exams and RAD ballet to grade 8 level. She recently completed VCE dance and represented her school in competitive aerobics, winning the National championship with her team.
Peta currently teaches acro and loves to pass on her passion for dance and her skills to others.