OUR TEAM

A.R.A.D. Registered Dance & Fitness Professional Royal Academy of Dance and Fitness Australia

Internationally experienced artist, teacher, choreographer and trainer committed to providing quality, creative dance and fitness to all levels. Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance. Qualified And Master Trainer in Fitness as well as highly skilled in teaching other styles such as Ballroom, Latin and South American Dancing.

Carissa began dancing at the age of 3, dancing callisthenics and jazz. At the age of 8 she discovered ballet and her love for this grew over many years of training with Elayne Cherry and then with Sheila Laing.

Following her dream, Carissa moved to Melbourne to undertake full time training at the National Theatre Ballet School . With the guidance of Beverly Fry, Carissa achieved her Diploma of Dance in 2003, Solo Seal in 2004 and received the Kathleen Gorham Most Outstanding Dancer in 2004.

Upon completing her diploma Carissa received a scholarship to travel to the USA and danced in the Ajkun Ballet Theatre, Performing in New York Season. After this, Carissa was selected by the Albany Berkshire Ballet, New York as a soloist and danced with the company for three years in their Christmas season.

Upon returning to her home, Adelaide, Carissa broadened her experience performing and leading dances as the dance captain in the MS Society’s My Fair Lady. Rehearsing with them in their next production of Carousel, Carissa fractured her foot and the time away from performing enabled her to look into different fields, in which she found a wonderful new passion and love, teaching.

Carissa then undertook training with the Royal Academy of Dance for her teaching Certificate and under the wonderful guidance of Elayne Cherry, gained her registered teaching status in 2008.Continuing her love of teaching Carissa then gained experience teaching Ballroom and Latin at various studios and also began choregraphing school musicals choreographed Adelaide High School Musical, Back to the 80’s and Leader of the Pack.

Her love of fitness resulted in qualifications to become a Registered Fitness Professional. In 2009, Carissa completed her Certificate 3 and 4 of Fitness and is now enjoying imparting her knowledge of Dance and Fitness onto all ages.

In 2009 Carissa opened her own personal training business – Carisma Dance & Fitness and in October 2010 was very excited to take on the opportunity of becoming the new owner and director of  Elayne Cherry Dance Centre, 251 Waymouth Street. In 2010 she amalgamated these businesses to now have her own dance and fitness complex- Carisma Dance & Fitness Studio.

In 2011 Carissa created Tiny Twirls and Mini Moves Kindergarten program and since this time is now regularily working in many schools and early learning centres- teaching dance movement and multiple different styles workshop.

In 2020 Carissa gained qualification in Progressing Ballet Technique and Silver Swans and is now offering classes within both these genres. Engaging with the community and working with all levels and ages is a passion of hers and she cannot wait to continue to inspire the next generation.

Over the past 10 years Carissa has mentored many teachers through the CBTS program with the RAD and enjoys working with teachers and dancers on their dance dreams and options. Designing and developing the studios new home at Frederick Street, Clarence Park – Carissa has enjoyed ensuring every possible facility is of the best quality and looks forward to inspiring dancers to continue their love of movement through out life.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Progressing Ballet Technique- 2021
• Silver Swans Registered Teacher- 2020
• Master Trainer- Certificate 3 and 4 Fitness A.I.F. – 2009
• Fitball Qualified Trainer – 2009
• Registered Teaching Status Royal Academy of Dance, London – 2008
• Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies RAD – 2008
• Teaching Qualification – Ballroom, Latin, South American – 2007
• Soloist, Albany Berkshire Ballet – New York, USA, 2004 – 2006
• Awarded Solo Seal, RAD – 2004
• Awarded Kathleen Gorham Most Outstanding Dancer – 2004
• Diploma of Dance, Majoring in Classical Ballet – 2003

MEMBERSHIPS

• Australian Fitness Network
• Fitness Australia
• Royal Academy of Dance
• Ausdance
• International Association for Dance Medicine and Science

Queenie is a qualified teacher of the RAD. Gaining her qualification with the studio and the CBTS program. She is an eager and enthusiastic member of the Carisma team. Her passion for teaching has inspired her to not only learn further through the RAD on their teacher training program but undertake her Bachelor of Education at University as well. Completing through to her Advanced Two with Carisma, Queenie is enjoying not only learning about dance herself but passing on all her knowledge to the younger generation.

Steph began dancing at five years old, training in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Ballet syllabus. Beginning at primary level, she went on to complete her final RAD Advanced 2 Ballet examination in 2017. Alongside ballet, she undertook classes for Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, Hip-Hop and Acro.

During her training, she partook in the South Australian RAD Awards, being chosen as a finalist in 2009. Additionally, she was selected in 2015 to perform for the RAD Australia 80th Anniversary Gala. As a teenager she broadened her performance skills, competing a variety of solos, duos, trios and troupes at dance competitions.

After 13 years of training, Steph began to teach dance, passing her knowledge on to the next generation. As well as teaching classes, her love for stage performance lead to choreographing and coaching students for solos, duos and troupes at competitions. In 2022, she studied and gained her Acrobatic Arts Qualification, wanting to encourage the safe execution of acrobatic skills appearing in the dance world.

Upon finishing school, she completed a Bachelor of Communication Design with Merit (2021), at the University of South Australia. Her passion for customer/user experience appears through her positive teaching attitude, working to encourage and extend students to reach their individual goals. When teaching, Steph’s knowledge sees her not only focussing on the importance of strength to support flexibility and injury prevention, but helping students connect the reasoning behind corrections and technique.

Georgie is a seasoned teacher and choreographer specialising in theatre, jazz and tap. She is a regular choreographer in the secondary education community of Adelaide schools and has worked on dozens of shows. Her previous choreography credits include popular shows such as ’Mamma Mia’, ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘Frozen JR’, ‘Rock of Ages’, ‘Chicago’, ‘Annie’, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and ‘The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe’ to name some in recent years.

She is also the choreographer and creative director of the bU Fashion Show, Adelaide’s biggest fashion parade. Georgie works as an event coordinator by day in addition to all her dance commitments, and also enjoys performing from time to time at events like the Adelaide Fringe, Christmas Carols and local gigs.

Jasmine started her dance journey at the age of five. Starting in primary, Jasmine has completed exams with the Royal Academy of Dance through to Advanced One. Other than exams, Jasmine loves being on stage and performing to an audience. Not only does Jasmine love Ballet, but she also loves partaking in styles such as Jazz and Tap. Jasmine’s love for dance has progressed into a love for teaching as well. She loves being able to create a fun environment for her students to be able grow as dancers but also as confident individuals.

Outside of the studio, Jasmine has strong passion for working with animals. She has completed a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behaviour at Flinders University and is currently working fulltime as a veterinary nurse.

Hayley began dancing at young age studying all styles of dance including Jazz, Tap and Ballet. She loves teaching the young dancers the magic of ballet and always makes the classes enjoyable and educational at the same time. Her experience teaching this age group shines through in every lesson.

Johanna (Jo) is a dedicated member of the Carisma family, having been trained in ballet since the age of 2. She has attained her RAD advanced 2. In younger years Johanna also learnt Ballroom, Latin and New Vogue and also competed in DanceSport, as well as being in the theatrical and A grade Hip Hop team at College. She is in her last year of her Bachelor’s Degree (majoring in Japanese and Spanish) soon to begin Masters of Teaching, on her journey to become a high school teacher. With an innate passion for teaching she also plans to complete her CBTS training, after she graduates University.

Halle comes from the Clare Valley region and began dancing at the age of 6. She completed SACE Dance from 2020-2022 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College and her Certificate III in Fitness at Queensford college (2022). Halle has experience in instructing jazz, contemporary and hip-hop classes, with a passion for choreographing. She offers technical jazz classes which emphasise strength and flexibility. Halle provides engaging classes in which focus on the development of dancers and skill breakdown.

Kimberley achieved her Bachelor of Education in 2014 and has enjoyed teaching within schools since. Her hobby of dance has proven to be a lifelong passion and she completed the RAD CBTS Dance Teachers program under Ms Carissa’s mentorship.