About DanceLife

The dance and entertainment industry is growing at a rapid rate and it’s the perfect time for an online Australian dance community. The idea for DanceLife started in November 2007 when Founder and Managing Director, Clint Salter wanted to start teaching dance again and was looking online for a list of dance studios in his area. After weeks of searching he realised that there had to be an easier way. DanceLife started as a directory of dance studios, eisteddfods, workshops, photographers, concert venues, agents, health clubs, and other businesses that dancers and performers are always looking for. The idea evolved over time and the plan now is for DanceLife to have the most comprehensive dance related directory, making it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for quickly and giving everyone more time to enjoy life.

Born and raised in Sydney’s Western Suburbs, Clint’s relationship with the world of entertainment began at an early age. At the age of nine Clint joined his school’s dance group and finally he knew this is where he belonged. As his love for dancing at school grew Clint’s mother enrolled him into dance classes with Kristine Haines Academy of Dance at Narellan, the rest is history.

Throughout the years Clint participated in B.A.L. exams in Jazz, Tap and Ballet gaining honours in each. At age fourteen he became a student teacher, teaching alongside Macarthur’s number one dance teacher, Kristine Haines. Dancing was always Clint’s passion but the feeling he got from teaching a group of students how to dance was a feeling much more satisfying than performing on stage.

In 2000 Clint enrolled at Glenda Yee School of Dance where he was taught in the styles of Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Tap by industry professionals including William A Forsythe. During this time Clint also participated in open classes at Sydney Dance Company.

2002 was a big year for Clint as he was completing his year ten certificate but missed teaching dance. Clint and his dance friend from Kristine Haines decided to open a small dance studio at a local hall where they could teach dance to children who just loved to dance without the competitiveness, Born With It Studios was born. The studio started with forty students and in 2007 which was Clint’s last year with the studio had reached one hundred and fifty students. In 2007 Clint said goodbye to Born With It Studios due to full time work commitments.

Kelley has been a leading performer and choreographer in TV, Film and Musical Theatre for the last 30 years.

Kelley won the Green Room, Mo and Variety Heart awards for her performance as the lead in “Sweet Charity”. She also won the Mo award for playing the lead in “Fame the Musical” which she also choreographed. She won the Green Room award for her choreography in “Fame” and later restaged this show in Asia and South Africa. She played “Rizzo” in an arena production of “Grease” and later choreographed the most recent arena stadium tour of “Grease the Arena Spectacular”. Other musicals Kelley has choreographed include “Follies” at the Opera House, “Footloose” and most recently “Hugh Jackman’s Boy From Oz in the Arena” which she won a Helpmann Award along with Kenny Ortega.

A seasoned performer in all areas of dance, a writer and a personal trainer sums up Kane Bonke, DanceLife’s ‘Body Stylist’. Since his early teens Kane has been an active member of the entertainment industry here in Australia and overseas. He has performed in Australia, Asia, London and Europe in a number of musicals including “Hot Shoe Shuffle”, “Fame”, “Footloose”, “Crazy For You” and “Oh What a Night”. Kane was also honoured to be a dancing black and white penguin in the Oscar winning feature film “Happy Feet” which went on to have international success. Performing at Wembley Stadium in London in front of sold out stadiums for UK artist Will Young was a highlight in Kane’s Career. Kane has worked with a number of amazing artists including Jade McRae, Ricki Lee, Marcia Hines, Deni Hines, Olivia Newton John, Cyndi Lauper and Vanessa Amorosi.

With a career spanning 25 years in the entertainment industry as a consultant, performer, choreographer, model and agent, PJ has long been established as one of the most sought after entertainment industry personalities in Australia. PJ has a reputation for excellence and is a key industry figure, with expertise across the whole of the entertainment industry. His early professional career as a performer saw him engaged in leading musicals, including “Joseph & His Technicolor Dream Coat” and “West Side Story”. PJ has toured extensively internationally appearing in royal performances, international television specials, television advertisements, music videos and corporate functions. His work as a model in fashion parades and magazine editorials, in addition to his other industry experience, shows the breadth and variety of his experience and the versatility of his artistic talent. Throughout his career, PJ has worked with event teams, advertising agencies, fashion stylists and choreographers at the forefront of their respective fields. His artistic flair and attention to detail ensure that each project he is involved in / contributes to is a resounding success.

Kate is an inspirational personal development specialist for dancers and industry leaders. As an International Facilitator/counsellor of the Demartini Method® – “The Ultimate Human Transformation Methodology and revolutionary form of psychology” she is an expert at facilitating dancers and teachers to breakthrough to new and profound levels of inspiration, creativity and performance.

Kate’s clients include aspiring and professional dancers, school owners, teachers and individuals and facilitates on various issues including; overcoming limiting states of mind, creating your vision, purpose and goals, building self-worth, the art of communication and developing empowered dancers. Kate’s invaluable contribution and experience in the dance industry spans 24 years.

At 16, Kate embarked on a journey to understand the ‘whole systems’ of the mind, body and spirit connection due to what she believed was a void in her upbringing in the industry. By age 18 she was a qualified body work practitioner of massage reiki, reflexology and began teaching performance dynamics and meditation to the fulltime students at the Marie Walton Mahon Academy of Dance.

Leah Howard is one of the best known faces of dance in Australia. She has studied every style of dance since she was a child, after being adopted by the Howard family who own and run Brent Street dance studios. She travels extensively giving workshops and adjudicating and is recognised as ‘Rose’ from the street, one of the hottest choreographers currently on the scene.

Her choreography and dance skills have been seen in videos for Kate Dearaugo, Paulini, The Rogue Traders and most recently The Vines.

She is one of the most sought after choreographers for advertising, most particularly her Bonds TVC’s have generated a lot of publicity and the ads have had thousands of hits on Youtube.com, you may have also seen her presenting the “BONDS MASH” competition.

BBus (Marketing), GradDipCouns, MAppSocSc (Counselling) – currently completing

Warren is a counsellor who has worked with clients in the areas of depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, grief and loss, mental health, sexuality, alcohol and drug addiction and relationships. Warren currently works with families and children and assists them to build stronger relationships and foster healthy development and attachments.

Warren has completed studies in Performance Psychology and has a very keen interest in this area. He is a dancer, has a passion for the performing arts and is extremely eager to increase the awareness of the necessary application of performance psychology to maintain the optimum psychological and emotional wellbeing and health of performers.

Juliette is the choreographer to stars currently one of the main choreographers of “So You Think You Can Dance” Australia and has performed alongside Elton John, Liza Minelli, Rod Stewart, Vanessa Williams, Freedom Williams. She was trained in New York by leading dance companies Alvin Ailey School of Dance, Steps and Broadway Dance Centre.

Juliette is the creator and founder and director of JFOXX Entertainment and Urban Dance Centre.

Juliette has choreographed for artists such as Guy Sebastian, Shakaya, Chingy, Fox Fire lV and Deni Hines. Juliette has performed with Australian artists John English, Danni Minogue, Vanessa Amorosi and Kylie Minogue.

From an early age Jason has been inspired by the sounds around him, pushing and pulling his mind and body in so many directions. Eventually the overwhelming need to express himself through the physical form took hold. Studying and performing with Southern Ballet Theater, New World School of the Arts, Miami City Ballet, and The Demetrius Klein Dance Ensemble, helped to build an incredible classical and modern dance education. Jason’s transition to the professional world provided him the opportunity to perform, assist, and eventually choreograph with a wide variety of influential people, truly shaping his artistry and approach to movement.

Jason has worked for worldwide companies such as: Sol Kerzner’s Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas; Cirque de Soleil of Montreal; Radio City Music Hall Productions, New York, The Walt Disney World Company, Orlando and Tokyo; The Grammy Awards and numerous Superbowl halftime shows, with artists such as Madonna, Eminem, Elton John, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige, Moby and The Blue Man Group.

With thirteen years of professional dancing experience under her belt, Kate’s experience is wide and varied. You may recognise Kate,she was placed 3rd in the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Australia. Kate’s experience also extends to London, where she performed with the likes of Jamelia, Charlotte Church, Will Young and Atomic Kitten. Back home, she has performed in musical theatre including “Fame” (her first big show), “Footloose” and “Oh What a Night”, as well as corporate gigs, film clips and film work. Kate has performed on television many times, including the Logies, Video Hits and at the Domain’s Carols by Candlelight, to name just a few. She is no stranger to entertaining massive crowds either, having performed to 80,000 people at the opening of the State of Origin 4 years ago in Sydney for “Saturday Night Fever”, and to a TV audience of 13 million on the UK’s The X Factor. Her favourite style is Jazz (which she names as her greatest strength) and Commercial. Kate has also performed with Gary Sweet, Marcia Hines, John Paul Young, Jade Macrae…is there anyone she hasn’t busted a move next to?!

Christine is one of Australia’s most recognised tap dancers having specialized in the teaching of tap dance for the past 20 years. Based in Sydney she has been on staff at many of the country’s most prestigious performance institutions including Brent St, ED5 ( now ED5 International) and NIDA - working with both junior students and tertiary level performers looking to a career in the industry.

Over the years she has developed a well recognized and unique style of tap that has seen her in demand all over Australia as a choreographer and guest teacher, as well as teaching tap workshops for a number of Tertiary Performing Arts Colleges in the UK. Christine has not only been engaged to teach students but has also been called upon to give seminars to teachers on how to teach tap and to assist professionals sharpen their tapping skills when preparing for on stage rolls.

On the corporate scene she directs and choreographs events with Rhythm Works Oz – a group of female tappers who combine percussion with tap dancing - their most recent gig being for USA client Isuzu! They were also invited to perform at the inaugural Tapworks Show in Sydney under the direction of Chris Horsey, Nathan Sheens and Rob Kelly at the Parade Theatres, NIDA, 2007 which featured the cream of Australia’s tapping talent!

Joel brings over 15 years of professional entertainment industry experience to DanceLife. His training took place in Sydney and in L.A. at the Edge Performing Arts Centre. Joel’s choreography and performance credits span the commercial dance gamut - television, music video, award shows, commercials, fashion parades and concert tours.

Joel has entertained heads of state and royalty, and performed alongside a diverse array of artists including Christine Anu, INXS, Rhonda Burchmore, Chris Isaak, Human Nature, Jane Scali, DJ Nino Brown, Jimmy Barnes, Paulini, Peter Cousens, Shauna Jensen, Nathan Foley, Screaming Jets, Danielle Gaha, Marcia Hines, Margaret Urlich and Michael Cormick.

Further credits include Austereo’s Rumba tour, Video Hits 1000th Anniversary, The Today Show, multiple NBL and NRL Grand Finals, Channel V, Sydney 2000 Olympics launch, Sunrise, The Footy Show, Walt Disney’s World On Ice, Sydney Millennium NYE Live, Midday Show, Carols In The Domain, Harlem Globe Trotters tour, Foxtel 10th Birthday Bash, and corporate events for BMW, American Express, Myer, Commonwealth Games and 20th Century Fox.

Jaime Jesus has been the lead Instructor for Latin Dance Australia since 2003. His amicable personality and ability to explain the most intricate of details has earned him a reputation as Australia’s best male Instructor and one of the best instructors in the world.

As a performer Jaime has turned himself into one of the most sought after dancer’s worldwide. His original style and trade mark choreographies have taken audiences by storm and landed him international offers to perform in every major international congress around the world. His success has also seen him take both professional and students teams from Latin Dance Australia to perform on the international circuit.

Jaime became a regular in the judging world after winning 7 out of 8 salsa Competitions winning him 3 Australian Championships and placing 3rd in the WORLD at the 10th Anniversary of the Mayan WORLD SALSA COMPETITION, contested by some of the best salsa dancers from all over Australia.

Paul began his training at age three in Mackay, North Queensland. He started working in the commercial industry at thirteen, professional credits including Inneurve at Jupiters Casino, and roles of ensemble member and Dance Captain for the Pirates of Penzance and many shows for Robert Sturrock.

In 2001, Paul joined Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) under the directorship of Gary Stewart, during which time he was involved in numerous creative developments, national and international tours. He choreographed two works for the company’s annual Ignition Season. Since leaving ADT he has returned on occasion as guest performer.

In 2004 Paul joined London’s DV8 Physical Theatre for the development of Just For Show and the Asian and European tours. In 2006 he performed as a guest in Exodo with Venezuelan dance company Danzahoy, at the Joyce Theatre, New York.

Paul has danced in the Honour Bound project (Sydney Opera House/ Malthouse Theatre) and performed in Tanja Liedtke’s Twelfth Floor. He also worked with Tanja on the initial development of her new work construct, and performed in the premiere season of the work at the Southbank Centre, London.

So far this year he has performed construct for the Sydney Festival, participated in a Performance Space Residency, worked with Meryl Tankard and Narelle Benjamin, and participated in the development of a new work The Red Room for David Hughes Dance Edinburgh, Scotland.