The GDS Crew
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Our GDS instructors are dance educators who believe that all students thrive when they are having fun. Our team loves to support their students and help them to succeed on their dance journey, regardless of how big or small it might be.
Michelle Hood
Michelle’s dance journey started at the age of 6. Lured by the culture, creativity, and music, dance was to facilitate discipline in all areas of her life. Alumni of the Australian Ballet School, she has performed in key roles, including Giselle and Swan Lake, at the Canberra Theatre. Graduating from the Australian Ballet School she danced with the St. Gallen Ballet company in Switzerland for 3 years. After returning to Australia, Michelle’s love for dance culminated in teaching ballroom dancing in both Melbourne and Brisbane.
As a mother of four beautiful and talented children, Michelle realised her dream of sharing her passion for dance. In 2005, Creative Dance Industries was born! It was born from an idea of sharing and imparting life skills, values, and culture through dance with students from Kindergarten through to Year 12. Michelle believes that dance is an integral part of students’ lives, liberating them to express themselves to music and in turn better understand the cultural diversities in the world around them. Michelle teaches to show others how they can experience incredible expression, freedom, culture and joy through dance.
Beth Gerbino
Beth’s worked with Creative Dance Industries since August 2010 and has worked with students of all ages in all styles of dance! A graduate of Sydney’s Brent St School of Performing Arts, Beth is full of culture, passion and talent from her time as an international performer and teacher of the creative arts.
In Shanghai, China, Beth worked for the international dance company, Jazz du Funk, as a choreographer/dancer and instructor. She taught children and adult classes in Jazz, Broadway Jazz, Cabaret, Tap, and Ballet. She performed throughout China for events including China’s Next Top Model, Esquire Man of the Year Awards, the Beyonce after party, and for companies including Porsche, Lancome, Ferrari, and Dior. Whilst in Shanghai, Beth acted in various films such as Children of Silk Road, and countless TV commercials. She also performed a number of theatre performances, including the headlining play Impromptu at Shanghai’s first Fringe Festival.
Since returning from China, she has worked as a dance teacher and children’s
entertainer and performed in Blue Fish Theatricals production of Spamalot and choreographed Jekyll and Hyde and Guys and Dolls. Beth has also worked as an entertainer and dancer on the Gold Coast at Warner Bros Movie World and Dreamworld.
Kora Rentsch
I’m Miss Kora, current dance teacher with Gabba dance studios!
I’ve been dancing since I was a wee little girl, loving the stage, make up and hairspray! I’ve always loved jazz, hip hop and Contemporary the most!
I have completed level 12 dance exams in both jazz and hip hop, and walked away with Honours with Distinction for hip hop!
In 2020 I completed my Cert 4 in Dance teaching and Management through ATOD, which is one of my proudest accomplishments.
I have a passion for seeing my students grow in their skill and confidence throughout the year. I love to see them push their creative limits.
I look forwards to many more memories with the Gabba dance family
Monica Dimmock
Monica has danced for over 35years. Has studied ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, Lyrical, singing, theatre and hip hop. Under the syllabus of RAD, CSTD and commdance at Kim Bowkett dance studios in the 90's.
She has performed with some of the industry best and across some of Brisbane's well known events. The Indy Grand Prix, Warana festival, multiple Christmas Spectaculars at southbank and many more.
She now loves to teach Hip hop in local schools in our after school programs. And across 2023 has taught adult classes at Gabba dance in the styles of Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Cabaret and Hip hop.
The thing I love most about dance is that it is like a life force, it speaks like words can't and people find themselves in the movement. It brings life and joy and it's so beneficial to cognitive function and health. What a gift dance is! The dance community is so special at Gabba. I'm so glad I can still be part of it after all these years.
Tahlia Cooper
Tahlia is a talented and versatile dancer and teacher who has been a treasured member of GDS since 2023.
She studied dance with passion throughout her school years and went on to continue her dance studies at Raw Dance academy full time completing her Certificate IV in Dance.
She is loved by all of her students from Kinder Kids, school aged students and adults.
She loves creating choreography with special attention to intricate detail and musicality.
Isabelle Jeffery
Since the age of 2, I have been twirling through the realms of ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, acro, cabaret, and tap. A seasoned eisteddfod competitor, proudly have done up to my Level 5 Australian Conservatoire of Ballet Exam. Outside the dance floor, I share my expertise as a gymnastics teacher with intermediate qualifications. My journey includes enchanting roles in productions such as Angelina Ballerina at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
Yet, my deepest passion lies in working with kids. Whether it's pirouettes or a back handspring, my goal is to leave every child in my class with a beaming smile, making the art of dance an unforgettable and joyful experience.
Roj Kabalan
Roj started breakdancing when he was 16 years old and has competed in competitions and battles around the world.
He has been teaching for about 10 focusing on fitness, strength and stretching. Roj came to Australia in May 2022 and joined the GDS team inspiring young students to learn the strength and art of breakdancing whilst having fun learning new skills and tricks. He looks forward to teaching more students this year at GDS and continuing to grow.
Amalina Batrisyia
Amalina loves to explore dance as a freestyle dancer and share her passion for detail and precision with all.
Having moved to Australian from Singapore, and spent time in various crews in both places, she brings fresh ideas and styles to her classes.
Being a singer helps her to find harmonies, poly rhythms and detail in music so that her choreography and guided freestyle will be fun but educational each lesson.
Sayaka Browne
Born in Japan, Sayaka originally worked as a pharmacist before moving to Australia and starting her family and new life with a focus on great health.
That journey led to her love of yoga and it's huge range of health benefits when practiced regularly.
Sayaka completely her Yoga teacher training in Brisbane and loves to share her knowledge, skills and passion with her students especially focusing on Vinyasa power yoga.