Teaching Faculty

Married to Brian, with 2 daughters, Alana and Caitlin, Jane began dancing at three, and was taught by Susan Taylor and Terry Simpson, in Adelaide. Her training as a teacher was through Box Hill Institute in Melbourne, where she gained her Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management. Jane has taught in various dance schools in Melbourne including the Victorian Ballet School and completed a placement at the Victorian College of the Arts. On her return home to Adelaide she taught classical ballet to students between 3 and 19 years of age at Terry Simpson Studios and The Academy in Mitcham. She has also taught Year 8-10 dance and lectured in SACE Dance (Years 11 -12) at Scotch College for four years. In 2003 Jane completed a Certificate in Body Conditioning and Remedial Exercise, granting her the ability to teach as a trained Pilates instructor. Most recently Jane has completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Dance Teaching through the Queensland University of Technology (2007). In 2008 she was formally recognised by Australian Dance Vision for her 14 years experience in teaching Classical Ballet and was made an Associate Assessor, travelling interstate to assess students from other ballet schools.

Kelly Larcombe
Deputy Principal
Dance Sing Play, Dance Magic, Jazz / Funk, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop

Bachelor of Creative Industries (Dance)/ Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

Having loved dancing all her life, Kelly was a late starter in the dance world, starting her first Jazz dance class at age 12. Being a fast learner, Kelly quickly moved through levels of Jazz and found great interest in a Variety of styles of dance including Irish, Ballet, Contemporary and Musical Theatre (Jazz and Tap). With the desire to share the world of dance with others, Kelly trained hard and was accepted into Queensland University of Technology and completed her Bachelor of Creative Industries (Dance)/ Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in 2004. Kelly taught classical ballet to students between the ages of 3 and 8 at Dance Central, Toowoomba and has taught a variety of styles of dance including Hip Hop, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Popular Dance and Social Dance at Harristown State High School and Beaudesert State High School. With the belief that you can never learn enough, Kelly has continued her dance education learning Ballroom Dance and still enjoys attending adult Ballet classes. Kelly now enjoys the flexibility of being able to raise her two daughters, Caitlin and Evelyn, with husband, Grant, and the ability to continue to share her love of dance.

Angela McDonald Booth
Dance Magic Co-ordinator
Dance Magic, Classical Ballet

Diploma in Performing Arts – Dance

Since the age of three, Angela trained in Adelaide at James College, including a two year full-time vocational dance course before she moved to WA to study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) where she obtained her Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance). She remained in Perth to dance and teach professionally for 8 years where she performed and toured with numerous dance and dance theatre companies and independent artists, and finally established her own small company, Amber Dance Collective, which enabled her to choreograph and perform her own works. 
Upon her return to Adelaide, she resumed teaching and choreographing with a number of ballet & secondary schools and other organisations and was appointed State Choreographer of The Australian Girls Choir in 2001. She was soon offered the position of State Manager of the AGC where she was able to hone her skills in Arts Management as well as continuing teaching and choreographing for girls aged 5 - 18. Soon after the birth of her first child, Elliot, Angela decided to return to a more freelance lifestyle and sought out further teaching appointments, entering into an exploration of the practical world of dance once again.  Angela is in her second year at Jane Grech Dance Centre, and now has two children, Elliot and Gabriel. Motherhood has brought a whole range of new experiences and insights into relating to her students and she is looking forward to further developing these skills and imparting the love of dance and movement to others.

Emma Staltari
Totally M.A.D!

Emma Staltari has been dancing from the age of six. Starting out learning at a Southern Fleurieu jazz ballet school. She became an apprentice teacher at the establishment  at 16 years of age and began teaching her own classes. During her last years of schooling, Emma became involved in an arts based government program called Active8. She became the state representative for the program and travelled interstate as a inspirational speaker for teachers & students involved in the program. “This is where I gained my communication & leadership skills I use in my teaching today”  Emma began producing & choreographing dance & drama productions for schools & other organisations in 2001. Specialising in the Rock Eisteddfod, Junior Rock Eisteddfod, Wakakirri Story Dance & School Productions and gained extensive experience in storytelling through dance. In 2004 she opened her own studio on the Fleurieu, teaching freestyle funk, contemporary and jazz styles to all ages. After three amazing years, Emma has relocated to Adelaide, to experience more styles & areas in the performing arts. She has also started a family with her husband Gino, welcoming a baby girl in July of 2009, Alexia. “Dancing is a way of life; It enables people to express themselves through music & movement. The best part about dance for me is working with children and creating new learning experiences for them. Dance has brought a smile to my face for 18 years and I will continue to make it my main drive, I hopefully can share with others my experiences and what I have learnt. I am dancing my dream” – Emma Staltari

Kelsea Simpson
Dance Magic, Classical Ballet, Jazz / Funk, Tap

Kelsea began her journey into dance at the age of three, and has since trained in various styles including Jazz, Tap, Classical ballet, Hip Hop and Contemporary. She trained in a number of dance schools and competed in School Aerobics where she travelled to Geelong, Brisbane and Sydney to take part in the National Aerobics and Dance competitions. Kelsea was accepted into the Performing Arts Faculty at Charles Campbell Secondary School and undertook her secondary study here. Since completing Year 12 Dance Studies in 2008, Kelsea has been involved in many choreographic and technique workshops where she has given beginners an idea of dance technique and shared with them her love of dance. Kelsea is currently completing a Bachelor of Human Movement / Bachelor of Education. She hopes to partake in further study in the field of dance and continue to develop her knowledge in teaching and sharing the passion she attained through dance to younger students.

Jacki Eads
Dance Magic, Classical Ballet

Jacki began her love of dance and music through eurhythmics classes from age three, before being enrolled in ballet at Dancecraft Studios. Over the course of the last seventeen years she has gone on to experience a wide variety of styles including jazz, contemporary, tap, character, funk, hip-hop and musical theatre. Jacki began teaching through Dancecraft Studios at age 14 and has since gone on to teach kids from three years old through to mature age adult classes. Ballet has always been her main passion and in 2005 she achieved her Advanced 2 Royal Academy of Dance qualifications.  In 2006 Jacki began teaching for Footsteps Dance where she was introduced to Ballroom dancing and taught in various schools throughout South Australia. She has run classes of up to a hundred children, choreographed for school performances and graduations, run discos and assisted with year 12 formals. Jacki was also trained and became involved in the Active After Schools Communities program, where she taught in after-school care and vacation care programs, she has participated in many dance and choreographic competitions and was the dance captain for shows with the Young Artists of the State Opera. Jacki has just begun her studies in Physiotherapy, but continues to dance, taking part in adult classes regularly and relishes the rewards gained from passing on this love of dance through her teaching.

Heather Charnock
Relief Teacher

Bachelor of Education (Arts / Social Sciences)

Heather started dancing at the age of three and has studied Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap , Character and Ballroom Dance, although ballet remains her first love! After a break from ballet to concentrate on tertiary studies, where she gained a Bachelor of Education (Arts / Social Sciences) Heather returned to dancing. During this time ‘off’ Heather married and had two children. Heather has since taught dance in both Education Department Schools and specialised dance schools in Adelaide and is currently pursuing further formalised studies in Ballet teaching and Pilates.

Claire McNally
Training Assistant Teacher