Mrs Michaela Contarino (Sabburg) - Director
Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Acrobatics, Performance Team, Progressing Ballet Technique, Pilates, Comdance Exams
Michaela started dance at the age of 3 at her local dance school in Gatton, Queensland. She has since been teaching dance for over 13 years and has successfully sat all CSTD examinations in Classical Ballet, Tap & Jazz achieving the highest mark of Honours Plus numerous times. Michaela also holds her Teaching Certs through CSTD (Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing) and is a Certified Acrobatic Arts Teacher. Michaela is also qualified in the Progressing Ballet Technique curriculum and holds her Cert IV in Matwork and Reformer Pilates. Michaela also holds a current Blue Card (Working with Children Check) and First Aid Certification.
Accredited Units
PILMAT401 Program and instruct group Matwork
PILREF401 Program and instruct group Reformer
PILBEG401 Orient new clients in group Pilates
PILBIO401 Apply biomechanics to Pilates instruction
PILINJ401 Instruct Pilates to clients with injuries or painful conditions
PILPRE401 Instruct Pilates for pre and post-natal clients
Michaela is always expanding her teaching knowledge with workshops and courses led by industry professionals.
Michaela is highly trained in all aspects of dance and has gained experience over the years which include dancing in Hong Kong Disneyland, California Disneyland, Hollywood and has taken many workshops from professional dancers & choreographers throughout Queensland and overseas.
Michaela competed in solo & group competitions & eisteddfods from the age of 5 and is excited to pass on her skills, knowledge & love of dance to her students. MMStudios-Dance is a huge asset to Stanthorpe, as it is locally owned dance studio on the Granite Belt with classes held Monday-Saturday. MMStudios-Dance will offer students of all ages the opportunity to experience the love of dance and create lifelong friendships.
Miss Rissa Hughes - Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Progressing Ballet Technique, Comdance Exams
Miss Rissa started dancing at age 5, completing all RAD ballet exams up to and including Advanced 1. Rissa has completed Comdance Tap & Jazz exams and holds her Teaching Certificate through Comdance. She is a qualified Zumba instructor and holds a Certificate 3 in Fitness. Rissa is a certified teacher of the Progressing Ballet Technique curriculum and holds a Blue card, a current Childcare First Aid and CPR certificate and a Mental Health First Aid certificate. Rissa is also a 'Keep Kids Safe in Dance' certified teacher, and is currently working towards her Cert 4 in Dance Teaching and Management. Ri a
Miss Rissa started student teaching in 2004 under Dale Coles in Toowoomba and worked as a dance teacher in the Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley regions for over 12 years. She has taught in the styles of RAD & Comdance Ballet, Comdance Tap & Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Acrobatics and has prepared many students for exams and eisteddfod competitions with fantastic results. Rissa has a passion for delivering high quality dance education to students in rural areas and was the principal of a small dance studio in Clifton for 3 years. She has competed in Eisteddfod competitions across QLD, performed in Disneyland Hong Kong & Disneyland California as well as other various overseas locations and have completed many international and Australian workshops & classes as part of her professional development over the course of her career.
The dance community in Stanthorpe holds a special place in Miss Rissa’s heart - she spent 9 years travelling from Murphys Creek/Gatton to Stanthorpe once a week to teach at the Uniting Church Hall. Rissa travelled with Miss Carly and they worked alongside each other in the years leading up to the transition to MMStudios in 2016. For Rissa, it has been an absolute joy to watch the studio grow and thrive under Miss Carly’s talented and dedicated direction and she is looking forward to working with her once again in 2022.
Mrs Lara Berry - Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Acrobatics, Comdance Exams
Miss Lara began dance classes at the age of 3 at her local dance school in Sydney, NSW. Her first introduction to Musical Theatre was around 6 years of age (The King & I). Lara continued her training through annual Dance Examinations in Classical Ballet, Tap and Jazz. She completed a Teaching Diploma through the Syllabus Ballet Australasia Limited and competed in many Eisteddfods and performed in annual concerts. Lara continued as Principal/owner of her own dance school for 12 years before selling the dance school due to her first born starting school and her husband taking on another business. Lara continued being involved in Dance through Fundraising events e.g Dancing With The Coffs Coast Stars, Choreographer for production Jesus Christ Super Star, employment within other studios assisting with Exam syllabus, eisteddfod routines and performing in musicals like Cabaret, Oklahoma etc. Lara adjudicated the Schools Days Eisteddfod in Coffs Harbour which included HSC performances. Lara helped to implement the NSW BOS Dance Syllabus to Bishop Druitt College. LaraI also has a Teachers Aid Certificate where she has worked with children in an Education System. I have now since moved to Stanthorpe with my husband David and we are both enjoying living on the Granite Belt and are proud to call Stanthorpe our new Home.
EDUCATION /QUALIFCATIONS
Current First Aide Qualification
Dance Teaching Diploma
Blue Card check certification
Dance Teacher Bishop Druitt College- Implemented Board Of Studies Dance Curriculum for Years 9 & 10 NSW.
Principal /Owner of Dance School (12 years)
Teacher Aide
DANCE TRAINING
Classical (RAD)
Classical (BBO) Jazz (RAD) Jazz (BBO)
Classes with
Tap (BBO)
Judith Monteith School of Dance
Nola Doherty School of Ballet
Kathy Orford Dancers Mosman Syd
Dynamite Dance Studios
Bodenweiser Dance Centre
Sydney Dance Company
Joan McBay School of Dance
Julie Ross Dance School
Miss Susie Cobon - Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Acrobatics, Aerial Arts, Performance Teams, Progressing Ballet Technique, Comdance Exams
Miss Susie started dancing at the age of 5 with her love of dance continuously growing. She started assistant teaching at 12 years old and taking on her own classes at 17. Whilst growing as a performer and teacher, Susie has participated in many Eisteddfods across the district in solo and group performances. She has also travelled to the USA performing in the Disneyland Main Street Parade and Stage performances in both 2015 and 2019. During these trips she participated in many workshops and performances across LA. In 2020 Susie successfully completed her Modern Jazz Teaching Certificate after sitting her Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, and Grade 9 Modern Jazz Exams in which achieving high marks. Susie has also achieved the high mark of Honours in both her Sub Elementary and Elementary Major Classical Ballet Exams.
In 2021 Susie moved to the Gold Coast to study dance Full Time at Dynamite Studios. In this year she also completed her CUA40120 Cert 4 in Dance. Throughout the year she performed in multiple Full Time Eisteddfods across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, worked as a performer for the Unfold Agency in jobs such as the Fearaphobia Scream Park over the Halloween period, performed in a charity event at the Star Casino, and performed in Dynamite’s “I AM” Graduation on completion of her certification. Throughout this year Susie has acquired many new skills and ideas that she was so excited to bring back to her home studio.
Throughout Susie’s year at Dynamite, she participated in their Circus Stream program in which she developed a love for Aerial – Lyra and Silks performing. In 2022 she expanded on this and became a Certified Aerial Arts Teacher. Susie is so excited to bring this to the studio and allow the students to learn something new and exciting.
Susie holds a current Blue Card (Working with Children Check) and First Aid Certificate. She is also qualified in the Progressing Ballet Technique curriculum and Acrobatics Art Program.
Accredited Units
CUACHR403 Develop Choreography Skills
CUAPRF407 Develop Expertise in Musical Theatre Techniques
CUADAN303 Develop Dance Partnering Techniques
CUADAN408 Develop Expertise in Ballet Technique
CUAWHS402 Participate in Gym and Weight Training for Performances
CUADAN409 Develop Expertise in Contemporary Dance Techniques
CUAWHS401 Apply Movement and Behavioural Principles to Physical Conditioning
CUAMUP301 Prepare Personal Appearances for Performances
CUADAN407-CUAPRF404-CUAPRF405 Cluster Unit
CUAPRF304 Develop Audition Technique
CUADAN303 Develop Expertise in Jazz Dance Technique
CUAPPR404 Develop Self as Artist
Miss Megan Berlese - Tap, Comdance Exams
Miss Megan started dancing at the age of 7, and since then has acquired a love for dance. Megan has performed at annual concerts, as well Eisteddfods around the region. Megan has successfully completed all Comdance Tap Exams and has now gained her full qualification through her Comdance Tap Teachers Certificate. Miss Megan is also very popular with her Adult tap class. Megan travelled with MMStudios-Dance to America in December 2019, performing at Universal Studios, Disneyland, Disneyland Parade and Citadel Shopping Centre. Megan also holds a current Blue Card (Working with Children Check) and First Aid Certification.
Miss Emily Gordon - Jazz, Contemporary, Cabaret, Musical Theatre, Fitness
There she trained competitively in Jazz, Ballet, Cabaret and Musical Theatre and participated in both solo and group eisteddfods. At her studio she successfully completed her CSTD Grade 5 - Grade 8 Jazz Examinations.
Emily then pursued her love of fitness and teaching by earning a Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education Studies at The University of Queensland. Wanting to then further her passion for dance she trained full time for 2yrs under the pre-professional dance program “Global Dance Pro Goldcoast”. During this time she gained her NHFA Certificate III & IV in Fitness and CUA40113 Cert IV in Dance. As a professional dancer she booked multiple Goldcoast & Brisbane shows and gigs under leading agencies including Chase Creations Agency, Class Act Creative Agency and Mission Entertainment Company Agency. In 2020 she also secured an overseas contract as a Bollywood Performer in Mumbai, India.
Emily is currently signed with Gold Talent Agency and continues her love of teaching by working as a dance teacher and a Disability Teacher Aide.
Miss Chenel Doorley - Hip Hop, Jazz
Miss Chenel started dance classes at the age of 3. She then pursued her love for dance and started hip hop classes at the age of 7. Chenel has performed in multiple end of year concerts, and has assisted in choreography for both Intermediate and Senior Hip Hop age groups since 2018. Chenel received the highest possible marks for her Comdance Hip Hop Exam in 2023, and is currently studying her Cert IV in Dance.
Miss Chenel studied dance as a school subject in since grade 9, learning safe dance practises. Chenel has studied 'Dance in Practice', which holds the equivalent to a Cert 2 in dance, and received the overall award for this subject. She has performed in America at the Disney Parade, and at Millennium workshops. Chenel also participated in workshops at Dynamite Studios on the Gold Coast, and Queensland Ballet workshops.
Chenel was awarded most promising Hip Hop dancer at the Border District Eisteddfod in 2021. She has also performed in Creative Generation 2022, including speciality and small group Hip Hop which was broadcasted on Channel 10.
Chenel also holds a current Blue Card (Working with Children Check) and First Aid Certification.
TEACHING STAFF 2024
