staff

Katie Hinds – Director

"Growing up my mum owned a dance school, so I could basically dance before I could walk." Says Katie.

Dancing has taken Katie overseas to the Czech Republic to compete in the Prague Dance Grand Prix in the year 2000, amongst the very first Australians to ever be invited.

Italy in 2002 to perform in the Italy Dance Grand Prix.

America in 2008 and 2014 to Perform and choreograph in Disneyland, California Adventure Land, Universal Studios and Hollywod Blvd.

America again in 2009 to study extensively with L.A’s top choreographers, such as Tabitha and Napoleon, from “So you think you can Dance”, one of her favouries. Also being asked to perform at the choreographers ball on Sunset Boulevard's The Key Club, in a show choreographed by Andre Fuentes, choreographer to Britany Spears and many other famous names. Whilst over there taking 3 open classes a day for 2 weeks at iconic dance studios such as The Edge, Millennuim Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studios.

In 2006 she achieved her teachers certificates through the IDTA and in 2008 achieved her examiners certificate and has written her own modern and contemporary syllabus under the banner of ADTA.

Katie has been teaching dance at Jump Street since the age of 14 and in 2007 became the owner of the school she was brought up in.

Through this time Katie has won several awards for dance as well as choreography.

Katie has also studied intensive acting. In 2004 graduated from ACTT youth course for actors. Since then she has been in numerous independent short films and feature film, stage work, and TV including ‘Home and Away,’ Hyundai commercials and Foxtel Auroura chanel ‘The Sprite,’ as the lead actress. She has also acted in music video clips for Eden's March and Something with numbers. She has also done over 10 Pantomimes with leading roles.

Katie has regularly performed at sporting matches such as NRL games for the Sharks and Dragons as well as Grand Final games opening numbers and half time shows. She has also been involved in behind the scences for sporting events entertainment for NRL, WBBL, AML.

Katie also has a lot of experience behind the camera on sets of films and corporate work, as Assistant Director, 2^nd Assistant Director and in continuity.

Modelling on the catwalk for Vita 5 hair show as well as photo shoots for Natures Treasures jewellery.

Katie has completed her acro teachers training course through The Acrobatic Dance Association.

She has also completed the Office of Children's Guardian's child safe course.

Miss Katie's passion for dance and acting has always been there, and now loves passing that passion, as well has knowledage, technique and experience, onto her students and watching them develop and grow year after year. 

 Annie Lisle - Teacher

Beginning dance at the age of 3, Annie has always had a passion for the arts and telling stories through dance.

Annie has undertaken her RAD ballet examinations with 100% Distinctions, and completed her ADTA Teachers Certificate in both modern and tap - receiving above Honours in all her exams.

Dancing in numerous local performances and receiving awards for various eisteddfod competitions, Annie has also has experience dancing in larger venues such as Sydney Entertainment Centre for Rockeisteddfod, and the priviledge of dancing in QLD at the Gold Coast Theme Parks. In 2014 she went to the USA to perform in Disneyland, Universal Studios and Hollywood Blvd. Annie has also has the pleasure of performing at numerous sporting grand finals for the half-time shows.

Annie has experience in acting through numerous musicals, eisteddfods and Pantomime shows, as well as acting on sets in front of the camera.

Over the years, Annie's love for dancing has continued to grow and she is eager to continue to help shape the next generation of dancers.

Courtney Ellis - Teacher

"My mother and sister are dancers so naturally I am one too. I have grown up watching the two most important role model in my life express their emotion and passion through dance, and now I love to do the same."

Courtney has been dancing with Jump Street since the age of 3, it has taken her to many places like Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Gold Coast theme parks. Whilst in America Courtney attended leading workshops such as The Edge. 

Courtney has completed her ADTA teachers certificate in tap and modern/contemporary. While she loves all styles tap and Hip Hop she considers her strengths.

At the age of 10 Courtney discovered she has the knack for accents. With this new profound talent, she was accepted for a role to voice a Yorkshire accent as the little girl at Cooks Cottage in Melbourne. Since this time Courtney's experience and love for acting has grown, whether it be in front of the camera, on stage, with green screen, on locations, and much more. She has starring in two independent films with one airing on Foxtel Aurora channel 'The Sprite.' Though Courtney's true passion is happily being the comic relief! 

Courtney also has Ceretificate in Hairdressing and Diploma in Beauty therapy which has given her the profession as hair and make-up artist on the set of short films and commercials. 

Her passion for the arts will always be with her and it will continue to grow. It is something she can share with the world, and hopefully give everyone a laugh or two along the way. 

Caitlin Schumacher - Teacher

Caitlin has been dancing since the age of 3. Throughout Caitlin's time dancing she has completed her ADTA exams, starting at Grade 1 through to her teachers certificate in Modern/Contemporary, and is currently doing her teachers tap exam.

Caitlin has also completed her RAD exams up to Intermediate Foundation with excelling marks.

Caitlin has also experienced dancing in QLD at the Gold Coast Theme Parks several times, and in 2014 she travelled to USA to perform in Disneyland, Universal Studios and Hollywood Blvd. While there she also took open jazz, musical theatre and contemporary classes and workshops. 

Caitlin regularly performs at venues around the Coast and has received many awards throughout her dance time both in and out of school. 

She has also experienced acting in numerous Pantomime shows, as well as lots of experience acting in front of the camera. 

In 2018 Caitlin completed her Acro teaching course through the Acrobatic Dance Association to further her knowledge and skills as a teacher.

Caitlin's love for dance has always been there since she was able to take her first dance class, and now enjoys passing her love onto the next generation of upcoming dancers.

Briana Smith - Teacher

Briana has been dancing since she was 5 years old and hasnt stopped since.

Through Briana's time dancing she has completed many modern dance exams with high marks for all, and is currently undertaking final dance exams. 

Briana has experienced dancing at Dreamworld last year and has participated in many performances around the Central Coast and in Sydney including Regattas, Erina Fair, markets, NRL Sharks, NRL Dragons, NRL Grand Finals and half time shows, Mariners GF, 5 lands walk Opening Ceremony.

Briana has also competed in eisteddfods with Jump Street with amazing awards and placings to show for it.

In 2023 Briana proudly received Jump Street's Performer of the year award. Shortly after this she started taking on teaching roles within the school. 

Briana is very passionate about dance and loves to see that passion spark in the younger generations.

Laine Casey - Teacher

Laine Casey developed her strong passion for dance at just three years old when she attended her very first dance class.

Since then, Laine has competed very successfully in eisteddfods, performed at multiple NRL games and grand finals, performed twice at Dreamworld, WBBL as well as many other sporting and local events regularly. 

In 2024 Laine was awarded Jump Street's Student of the Year.

Laine also grew up as a competitive gymnast, which helped inspire her to teach acro at Jump Street. She went on to receive her acro teaching certificate through The Acrobatic Dance Association, and is currently sitting her final exams for modern/contemporary, tap and RAD ballet, in order to share her love for dance with future generations and inspire them to love dance as much as she does.