JODY LUPLAU

Born and bred in Perth Western Australia, Jody started dancing when a neighbour saw her prancing around the front porch and told her mother to get her to dance classes.

She was 4 years old when she attended her first class.

Having learnt from Norma Atkinson and finding that her talent lie in tap dancing she spent a week with Les Griffiths in Newcastle, NSW, where she learnt from a master at tap and from then became well known for her fast feet. Jody passed all grades of jazz and tap with honours and distinctions and even though it wasn't her favourite genre, she did very well in her ballet examinations. She was the inaugural winner of the Queen Elizabeth trophy in performance.

At the tender young age of 13, Norma sent her to help teach at another branch of her studio and after 1 year sent her out on her own to take charge of another small branch. She took that over the following year and Jody Marshall Dance Company commenced. It didn't take long for the dance studio to grow and before long her first year had a student count of 85.

Examinations were the main stream of dancing followed by competition eisteddfods which soon showed this young school as one to impress. Jody won teacher of the festival for 12 years. many a talented dancer moved into their next phase of taking on a career in dance on stage. From West Australian Ballet, to Australian Ballet Company, to Moulin Rouge, to the Lido Club, to Cruise Ships, to Television, to Tap Dogs, to Broadway and to Movies.

7 years ago Jody was asked to open a school under her name in Singapore. These dancers are to enjoying their examinations and competitions. Jody has also been a guest teacher in Hong Kong studio for over 10 years and enjoys going back annually to choreograph for students.

In Perth, the end of the year productions are at 42. Celebrating 42 years was a massive highlight to Jody. With hundreds of young and mature dancers enjoying the stage, the discipline, the fun, the music whilst building and maintaining great friendships.

We are at the stage now that the ex students are bringing their young dancers and reliving those wonderful years at JMDC. Jody would spend every hour, every minute with her adored students. They and the studio are her life. She cannot wait to see what the future holds.

Phone:0418 908 417

Email:jmdcperth@gmail.com

JODIE BICKLE

Dynamic, creative choreographer Jodie Bickle began her passion for dance at age 2. Technically trained in all areas of dance by some of Perth's renowned teachers and choreographers, Jodie has had over 30 years experience performing in numerous local productions and around the world as a showgirl, acrobat, street, hip hop, contemporary and jazz dancer.

Her love for teaching began at age 15 with Jody Marshall where she studied and achieved the CSTD teaching qualification. Jodie then moved to London as an acrobat and cabaret performer and with hip hop / street dance crew 'Identity'.

After two years of dance and travel, Jodie returned home, where she is now a sought after guest teacher/choreographer/dancer for many schools/events in Perth. Teaching for JMDC is an absolute pleasure by allowing her to share her knowledge and experience with enthusiastic students. Her goals are to continuously push the boundaries and bring new and exciting ideas of dance to every class.

Returning to Perth in 2005, Jodie was one of the first local choreographers to bring the new hip hop style of dance to Western Australian dancers. She has choreographed and danced for a number of special events such as International singer-songwriter Marvin Preist and Australian musician Georgi Kay. Also recently directed the dance performance for Hyperluxe at the 2016 Perth Fashion Festival. Jodie is currently the jazz dance teacher at WAAPA (Musical Theatre Department), choreographs and performs for GproShaw Events on local and interstate productions and for Fringe Festival's Jazz singer Catherine Summers.

Jodie adores teaching her students at Jody Marshall Dance Company where her experience with local and world wide choreographers has helped inspire and broaden her knowledge of dance. She continues to push boundaries, bringing new and exciting ideas to every class. Moving and creating for the next generation. Watch this space!

JAYNE SMEULDERS

Born in Dampier, Western Australia, Jayne began her training at Jody Marshall Dance Company and continued on to study at the Graduate College of Dance.

In 1993 Jayne received a scholarship to finish her studies in Germany at Hamburg Staatsope GmbG Ballettschule.

Before joining West Australian Ballet in 1999, Jayne performed for four years with Nederlands Dans Theater II. She accompanied NDT on tours to most major theaters all over the world. During the past 16 years with West Australian Ballet Jayne has danced many lead roles and worked with choreographers such as Ted Bransen, Natalie Weir, Adrian Burnett, Chrissie Parrott, Simon Dow, Matjash Mrozewski, Askhat Galiamov, Petr Zuska, Kim McCarthy, Ashley Page, Stephen Page, Gary Stewart and Ivan Cavallari.

Since returning to Perth, Jayne has choreographed a number of ballets to much acclaim including Sway for Ballet Under the Stars 2001 and multiple pieces for Ballet at the Quarry including When Strangers Meet, Black Attitude and Tango Etudes. In 2011, Jayne choreographed her first full-length show for West Australian Ballet Cinderella.

Jayne also spends many hours a week working with students, choreographing and coaching, sharing her love of music and dance at the dance school she grew up at, Jody Marshall Dance Company.

SHERIDAN LUPLAU

Sheridan began dancing since she could walk at Jody Marshall Dance Company. Technically trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Acrobats. She represented JMDC at competitions, examinations, conventions across Perth and performed in the USA in 2008 and 2011 with the School. Sheridan joined the Graduate College of Dance in 2008 where she trained for a year in Classical, Contemporary and Music.

Sheridan moved to Sydney when she was 17 to further her dance at Brent Street Studios where she received a Certificate 4 in Performing Arts. She studied Jazz, Tap, Hip hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Acrobats, Singing, Classical & Drama. She moved home to add to her teaching experience and to find her ability and talent in choreography, which the students at JMDC are now enjoying.

In 2015, Sheridan went to NYC to attend the Pulse Dance Tour where she took many classes of every genre per day learning from worldwide choreographers. She learnt how hard you have to work and what it takes to be a professional dancer in this industry.

She is currently working in entertainment with GproShaw events in commercial shows around Perth. She also performed for singer Catherine Summers in this years and last years Fringe Festival. Sheridan has been assisting classes for over 5 years and has now built her expertise in the Lyrical and Jazz technique classes here at JMDC. Sheridan is delighted to be a part of the family and be teaching alongside her mother. She loves to help nurture, advise and see the dancers improve and encourage them to be confident in what they do.

NICOLE ROLAND

Nicole trained at the Norma Atkinson Dance Academy under the CSTD and RAD techniques, in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acrobatics and Highland Dancing.

Nicole holds diplomas in Classical Ballet and Theatrical.

In addition to her teaching experience she co-wrote the curriculum for the dance syllabus for the State of California High School Performing Arts Program in the USA. She also assisted her late mother, Norma Atkinson in choreographing the CSTD Progressive Grades and the Premier Danseur.

She has performed in many professional shows both in Australia and overseas, including Walt Disney's production of Disney on Parade and The Hanna Barbera word tour of The Fabulous Flintstones on Parade in the lead roll of Pebbles.

"Miss Nicki" is pleased to be a part of the JMDC family and to teach next to her life long friend Miss Jody... We are all there to encourage and nurture the students love of dance.

JODY BULL

Commencing dancing at the age of 4 Jody has trained in many styles of dance including jazz, tap, acrobatics and both C.S.T.D and RAD ballet at Lets Dance Entertainment and Dance Arts.

Jody has been fortunate enough to learn from many of Perth's best dance teachers including Lisa Webb, Marko Panzic, Norma Atkinson, Nicole Roland, Kerry DeCorsey, Fiona Scott, Nanna Marshall and currently Miss Jody Marshall. She has completed numerous C.S.T.D and RAD exams and competed in solo and troupe performances in many competitions. Jody has also had experience in musical theatre having singing lessons and performing in several musicals at the Limelight Theatre.

Continuing her love of dance Jody began teaching all styles of dance, including examination and competition routines as a teenager at Lets Dance Entertainment until it's close in 2013 at which time she began teaching ballet, tap, jazz and acrobats at Jody Marshall Dance Company.

Jody enjoys performing on stage and has adjudicated local competitions but says her true love is teaching children how to dance, nothing compares to helping children grow and progress as dancers and she says her job is made easy at JMDC as she is working alongside so many other talented, supportive and passionate choreographers and teachers.

MELLISA GREAVES

Melissa started dancing at age four and moved to the Jody Marshall Dance Company in 1993 at the age of 12.

Her accomplishments are the completion of all theatrical grades, the Dorothy Gladstone awards, student teachers course, gold cross, theatrical shield and Martin Rubenstein award. At Eda Dance she completed all grades up to and including Solo Seal in the Borovansky Syllabus and up to elementary in the Ceccetti Syllabus.

She completed schooling at St Brigid's College, Lesmurdie, participating in various choirs and bands playing clarinet and percussion and she choreographed various productions throughout high school as well as winning various awards including Musician of the Year in 1997.

Melissa has appeared in various corporate events, nightclubs and floor shows around Perth, including Western Reds and Glory.

She has been teaching since age 16 for Eda dance, Spiers, Centre of Rhythm, St Brigids College and is now solely at the Jody Marshall Dance Company, where she has become a valued member of staff and holds the Student Diploma CSTD for Jazz Tap and Classical. She has also taught in Hong Kong on occasions.

SAMANTHA WEBB

Samantha was born into a family run dance studio and so commenced dance classes at the age of 18 months old.

She has been fortunate enough to learn from some of the best and well respected teachers in WA at both Jody Marshall Dance Company and Lets Dance Entertainment.

She has been trained in CSTD Jazz, CSTD and Glenn Wood Tap, CSTD and RAD Classical Ballet, Acrobatics, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hiphop and Singing, completing her examinations up to and including Teaching Certificates. She has also successfully competed in local, state and national level competitions and has trained students and troupes to National Champion level. Samantha had the honour of being on the leadership team of the Variety Youth Choir on the panel, musical direction and as Choreographer which enabled her to choreograph and perform in floorshows for countless major corporate events and televised performances. This opportunity also took her to Sydney to perform with the first season of "Australian Idol" for the Variety International Convention. She has also been employed by the Education Department to conduct dance and performing arts workshops across rural WA which took her to places such as Newman, Perenjori and Eneabba to name a few.

At the age of 19, Samantha was also fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to take over the directorship of her family run dance studio, passing on her passion and love for dance to her students. During this time she took many groups over East to participate in international workshops and classes to broaden their horizons, had many students successfully audition for further training programs nationally and internationally and was also very successful in CSTD and RAD examinations and in local, state and international competitions in solo, duo and troupe divisions. Upon the schools closure in 2013, Samantha was very fortunate to be offered many teaching and adjudication opportunities across WA. She is now a sought after freelance teacher, teaching across 4 performing arts schools in Perth in the styles of Tap, Jazz, Acrobats, Ballet and Lyrical. She loves having the opportunity and versatility to teach from 2 year olds to advanced professional level in different learning environments (examinations, competitions, general open class and receration classes).

JAMIE PAPANICOLAOU

Jamie has been teaching Musical Theatre and Dance for ten years, having enjoyed his own long and varied stage career. He has performed on the West End and Internationally in a number of musicals. He has a degree in Musical Theatre which he earned at Arts Educational Schools in the U.K, where he was born. Since moving to Perth in 2018, Jamie has enjoyed teaching his craft at a number of studios all around Perth. Alongside teaching, he is still performing and can be found singing at various gigs around Perth, and performing as a role play actor for The Experience Lab.

PORTIA SECKER

Born in Perth, Western Australia, Portia Secker began her dance training at Jody Marshall Dance Company at age 2. Portia was accepted into the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts at age 16 and graduated with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Dance: Classical Ballet) in 2019.

Since graduating WAAPA, Portia has signed a contract with Le Moulin Rouge in Paris which unfortunately has been put on hold due to the COVID pandemic. In the meantimePortia has performed at many events in Perth including concerts, fundraisers, theatre shows and video shoots. Some of her most treasured times on stage have been performing as a guest artist in the West Australian Ballet's 'Alice (in Wonderland)' (2019) and dancing on the Crown Stage for Michael Boyd's 'Cabaret De Paris' (2020).Most recently she performed with Carmelo Entertainment at Crown Casino in 'Grey Goose: Can Can' and 'New Year's Eve Spectacular 2021'.

Under theguidance of Diana DeVos, Portia received her RAD Solo Seal Award in 2018. Prior to this she had completed all her major RAD ballet examinations from Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2, and her CSTD ballet examinations from Sub Elementary to Advanced. Portia also completed all her CSTD Tap and Jazz Examinations and was awarded the Dorothy Gladstone Theatrical Award in 2014.

VICTORIA MAUGHAN

Born in the United Kingdom, Victoria was accepted into the specialist ballet program at John Curtin College of Arts.

During her time at John Curtin, Victoria performed with STEPS Youth Dance Company in Noir Revolvoir.

In 2005 she continued her ballet training at Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), completing an advanced diploma in dance.

Victoria also received the Dame Peggy van Praagh award and the Finlay award. Victoria joined West Australian Ballet in 2008 as a Young Artist and was promoted to a full artist in September 2008. In 2013 she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts. Her career highlights include performing the role of one of the step-sisters in Jayne Smeulders' Cinderella, the lead role in Natalie Weir's Lacrimosa and the lead in Ivan Cavallari's Fishy.

What inspired you to start dancing?

"My nanna first encouraged me to dance when I was four years old because I would always perform to her in her lounge room. She is and always will be my No. #1 fan."

CAMERON ETHERINGTON

Cameron started dance at Jody Marshall Dance Company at 4 years old and continues to train in hopes of becoming a professional performer.

Cameron took her training to the next level in 2018 when she started her two year Advanced Diploma course at APAN Academy, studying commercial dance, musical theatre and acting. Since then, she has been featured in musicals such as Legally Blonde, The Wizard of Oz and High School Musical.

While Cameron is growing as a performer, she has discovered her new found passion for teaching and has been practicing with the guidance of Jody Marshall (Luplau) and the many other creatives at the studio.

She now continues to train and expand her knowledge by learning off new choreographers and even starting to work on her own choreo. Her hopes for the future are to continue her path in musical theatre to a professional level all around the world.