Meet The Team
Melissa Sullivan
Founding Director
Year and age I started dancing, and the year and age I began with Galaxy
Started at 6 years, opened Galaxy 2004!
Favourite thing about being a dance teacher?
Seeing children bloom from beginners into a more confident and skilled version of themselves, as dancers and in life. Seeing the pride when they achieve something new is always priceless.
Favourite style of dance to DO and favourite to TEACH?
No surprises here - TAP on both fronts!
The most wonderful dance memory I have is...
Seeing my 2 children and my students (who were now my teachers) perform in Disneyland & Universal Students in LA was SO special.An amazing moment I will NEVER forget.
What I would like to say directly to anyone thinking about joining Galaxy....
If you want SOLID dance tuition taught in a nurturing and supportive environment - Galaxy is for you! The beautiful connections and community we have created here is a lovely one to develop your passion for dance. We believe wholeheartedly that to create a beautiful dancer - to the level of dance expertise that they want for themselves, whether it be for fun or for competition - we get the best results not from the teachers demanding excellence.... but from the students demanding it from themselves.
Education and Course Qualifications
Bachelor of Social Science (Recreation & Tourism) at Newcastle University
Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Instructor Certification (dance for children with special needs)
Certified Teacher for Glenn Wood Tap Syllabus
Certified Teacher for Barre Attack
Certified Teacher for Progressive Ballet Technique
Certified Teacher for Acrobatic Dance Association
Shannon Walsh
Senior Teacher & Curriculum
Co-ordinator
Year and age I started dancing, and the year and age I began with Galaxy
Started dancing in 2004 aged 3. Started at Galaxy in 2012 aged 11
Favourite thing about being a dance teacher?
Watching all the kids grow and see them love dancing and teach them skills and educate them with important knowledge!
Favourite style of dance to DO and favourite to TEACH?
Favourite style to dance: Contemporary Favourite style to teach: Contemporary, modern and Jazz
The most wonderful dance memory I have is...
Coming and being a part of Galaxy and feeling welcomed by everyone! Also travelling to New York to dance and attend dance workshops was pretty special.
What I would like to say directly to anyone thinking about joining Galaxy....
If you are unsure of where to go but want the a loving nurturing and super fun studio that really looks out for kids wellbeing and happiness Galaxy is definitely for you!!
Education and Course Qualifications
Cert III in Assistant Dance Teaching
Cert III in Hair & Makeup
Completed HSC at HSPA 2019 majoring in Dance, & receiving Callbacks for Core Composition & Major Study
Acrobatic Dance Association Certified Teacher
Certified Acrobatics Association Teacher
Certified Dance Cirque (Circus for Dancers) Program Instructor
Certified Little Monkeys Preschool Program Instructor
Certified Tumbletown Preschool Program Instructor
Certified FlexAbility Program Instructor
Melissa Travis
Senior Teacher & Galaxy Talent Unlimited Co-ordinator
Year and age I started dancing, and the year and age I began with Galaxy
I started dancing when I was 4 in 2022, and then came to Galaxy when it first opened in 2003, haven’t ever looked back!
Favourite thing about being a dance teacher?
Being able share my love and passion of dance to students, and having a positive impact on their lives - building their confidence, skills and relationships.
Favourite style of dance to DO and favourite to TEACH?
My favourite style to do is theatre jazz, and my favourite to teach is hiphop and jazz!
The most wonderful dance memory I have is...
Dancing at Disneyland and Universal Studios in LA, aswell as making lifelong friends!
What I would like to say directly to anyone thinking about joining Galaxy...
YOU WON’T REGRET IT! I have been with the dance studio for 20 years and it’s truly like a second family. Galaxy is a great studio with amazing teachers who will provide a GREAT dance tuition that your children will love. We have so many different option for classes, those who may want a competitive style or a recreational style!
Education and Course Qualifications
- Certificate 4 in Community Services
- Certificate 4 in Youth Work (5 units)
- Certificate 4 in Disability (5 units)
- Certificate 3 in Aged Care
- Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Instructor Certification
- Certificate in Epilepsy
Sharni
Cooper
Senior Teacher
Year and age I started dancing, and the year and age I began with Galaxy
I was around 7 but came to galaxy when I was 12 (2006) and began assistant teaching the following year
Favourite thing about being a dance teacher?
Everything! Love seeing the students grow and improve their technique and ability. The excitement they have on there faces when they come to classes bring me so much happiness.
Favourite style of dance to DO and favourite to TEACH?
My favourite style is Jazz in particular cabaret which is very similar to what I love teaching. Technique and Jazz are definitely what I love teaching - I love teaching students the building blocks to become a great dancer. It’s so important to understand your body and how to control movements.
The most wonderful dance memory I have is...
Dancing and travelling to America to dance at Disneyland and Universal Studios is definitely one of the biggest highlights for me. Also the friends I have gained from dancing - my closest friends I have met at Galaxy and have some amazing memories growing up with them.
What I would like to say directly to anyone thinking about joining Galaxy....
Go for it you won’t look back! Galaxy is such a family environment where you can just come and have fun with no pressure. You can work towards the goals you set - tuition can be geared from being the best competitive dancer you can be to having the best fun as a recreational dancer. You don’t have to be the best dancer as long as you have a fun attitude you’ll be set!
Education and Course Qualifications
Bachelor of teaching (PDHPE)
Certificate III & IV in fitness
Studio Pilates Mat Certified Teacher
Barre Attack Certified Teacher
Acrobatic Dance Association Certified Teacher
Certified Acrobatics Association Teacher
Certified Dance Cirque (Circus for Dancers) Program Instructor
Certified Little Monkeys Preschool Program Instructor
Jaymee-Leigh Wood
Senior Teacher & Preschool Program
Specialist
Year and age I started dancing, and the year and age I began with Galaxy
Started dancing in 2001 aged 3, started at Galaxy in 2006 aged 9.
Favourite thing about being a dance teacher?
Watching the children shine and have a smile on their face whilst doing so.
Favourite style of dance to DO and favourite to TEACH?
To do: Commerical Jazz & Theatre Jazz
To Teach: Commerical Jazz/hiphop. (& of course my Little Stars!)
The most wonderful dance memory I have is...
Meeting so many of my lifetime friends. Travelling to the US to dance at Disneyland and Universal studios has to be a highlight though!
What I would like to say directly to anyone thinking about joining Galaxy....
If you/your child wants lifetime friends, then Galaxy is the place to go. With the supportive atmosphere and the quality tuition you’ll receive without any pressure the decision would be unanimous. Personally I’ve never looked back.
Education and Course Qualifications
Diploma in Early Childhood
Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care
Certified Acrobatics Association Teacher
Certified Dance Cirque (Circus for Dancers) Program Instructor
Certified Little Monkeys Preschool Program Instructor
Certified Tumbletown Preschool Program Instructor
Certified FlexAbility Program Instructor
Ella
Paton
Senior Teacher
Year and age I started dancing, and the year and age I began with Galaxy
Started dancing age 3, started at Galaxy age 8
Favourite thing about being a dance teacher?
Being able to share my love and passion for dance with others
Favourite style of dance to DO and favourite to TEACH?
Favourite style to dance would be either modern or hip hop and fav style to teach is modern
The most wonderful dance memory I have is...
Dancing at Disneyland!!
What I would like to say directly to anyone thinking about joining Galaxy....
At Galaxy we aren’t just a dance studio - we are a family who all share a love of dance!
Education and Course Qualifications
Currently studying Exercise & Sport Science at The University of Newcastle (Ourimbah Campus)
Cert III Retail
Excellence in drama-HSC
Certified Acrobatics Association Teacher
Certified Dance Cirque (Circus for Dancers) Program Instructor
Certified Little Monkeys Preschool Program Instructor
Certified Tumbletown Preschool Program Instructor
Certified FlexAbility Program Instructor