As a small not-for-profit, we are always engaged with extremely passionate staff and board members. It is a privilege to work alongside like-minded people at all levels of their career. They are invaluable to our success and it is their vision and motivation that brings life to everything we do.
Staff
Deborah has a lifelong passion for bringing the health and wellbeing benefits of dance to everyone. With a strong background in dance and teaching, she also brings extensive experience from the corporate world. Deborah’s diverse career includes leading regional and corporate teams at Parks Victoria, advocating for the health benefits of nature. Her enthusiasm for long-term vision led her to consulting, where she worked with sectors such as fisheries, local government, agriculture, private industry, community, and the environment on workforce planning, diversity and inclusion projects, and stakeholder engagement. She brings passion, strategic thinking, and an empowering attitude to Ausdance VIC.
An accomplished teacher, working performer and creative practitioner, Eilannin holds a Masters Degree in Musical Theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (London) and has trained with Brent Street Studios (Diploma of Musical Theatre), NIDA Open (The Musical Performer Studio), Hunter Institute (Diploma of Dance) and the Australian Institute of Music (Diploma of Music – Music Theatre).
When not performing Eilannin has worked as a live Theatrical Event Producer producing events throughout Australia, New Zealand and Canada. She is also the Founder of Theatre Blacks where she was Course Director for five years heading training and assessment in both Musical Theatre and Dance up to Advanced Diploma level. As an experienced training designer and teacher, Eilannin is passionate about increasing access to the arts and performance training to all those with the willingness to learn.
Elise has had the opportunity to continue to thrive within the industry as a professional musical theatre artist, live musician, dance educator and choreographer for over 20 years. Her professional credits include Guys and Dolls, Jersey Boys, Pippin, An Officer & a Gentleman, A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to The Forum, Saturday Night Fever, Company and Menopause The Musical. She also performed as a cast singer and lead vocalist for Princess and Celebrity Cruise lines, eventually relocating to Europe to work with a local band.
For the past 3 years, Elise has given back to the Industry through dance education pathways, programs and festivals, furthering the advancement of dance as a lifelong skill and continuing the legacy that inspired her journey.
Marketing Manager
Jordan is a seasoned performer with over 15 years of experience on the stage, screen, writing and producing.
He is Co-Creator and Company Director of the award-winning show The Tap Pack, having been involved in touring The Tap Pack extensively across the USA, Australia, Germany, China, Edinburgh, and London’s West End, as well as performing at numerous events and on major cruise lines worldwide.
Beyond the stage, Jordan is a dedicated dance educator, mentor and teacher, working with some of Australia’s most esteemed institutions. He has also played key roles event planning; producing and organising workshops, auditions, corporate events, concerts, and cruise ship productions.
Stephanie is a versatile performing artist, creative, and educator with a passion for exploring and experiencing art and cultures from around the world. She has trained extensively in various dance and music styles for over 20 years, and competed as a state-level gymnast.
As a choreographer and movement director, Stephanie most recently worked on the original Australian musical Double Homicide at The Manchester, Manchester and Haberdashery Factory Outlet, a comedic exploration of fast fashion. Her other musical theatre credits include, choreographing Mama’s Boys, Little Shop of Horrors and Urinetown and featured on-stage in Mamma Mia, Singin’ in the Rain and Chess. She is also a collaborating artist and Associate Producer with independent theatre company, Citizen Theatre.
Beyond the stage, Stephanie works as a corporate entertainer, voice coach and dance teacher, dedicating herself to inspiring creativity and passion in others.
Board members
Gracieuse also known as KWABO (Welcome) Grace, is a powerhouse — Creative Director, Community Leader, Choreographer, French Entertainment Lawyer and Senior Privacy Advisor.
With French, Beninese, and Togolese roots, Gracieuse places community, representation, and education at the centre of her artistry, reflecting a rich heritage and the influence of trailblazing women in her family. Using the arts to amplify BIPOC culture and voices through her social enterprise KWABO Events and KWABO Festival, Gracieuse advocates for social inclusion, gender and racial equity, and youth and women’s empowerment. Committed to positive change since 2006, she has been a community leader within events like the African Music and Cultural Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, and recently co-choreographed Afrocentric as part of the NGV Triennial Extra 2024.
As the permanent choreographer of the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, she is a revered choreographer in Melbourne, performing for international and local artists such as Ebo Taylor, Femi Kuti, Fally Ipupa, Ausecuma Beats, Ajak Kwai, Alariiya, Niasha etc.
Alisdair Macindoe is an Australian dancer, sound designer, coder and choreographer. His experience in these fields has taken his work to many countries world-wide, earning critical acclaim in the media and receiving local and international awards including five Melbourne Greenroom awards, an Australian Helpmann, and a New York Bessie. Notable collaborations include his work as a dancer for Lucy Guerin, Chunky Move, Antony Hamilton, Stephanie Lake and DanceNorth, and his work as a sound designer for Chunky Move, Antony Hamilton, STOMPIN and DanceNorth. His choreographic work includes commissions for DanceNorth, Lucy Guerin Inc, Next Wave, Performance Space, and STOMPIN. Alisdair’s unique multidisciplinary interests extend into the digital realm, and in 2018 he presented a major commission/exhibition NONCOMPETE at the Substation exploring electronics, creative coding and physical computing. As a multidisciplinary artist, whose work spans performance and technology, the intersection of humans and technology in both dance and music is one of his recurring interests.
A CPA qualified senior tax manager, Kate Outridge is passionate about presenting complex financial and performance data in terms her stakeholders understand. Drawing on over 14 years’ industry experience, Kate is currently the Finance Manager for a not-for-profit health organisation. She also manages her own tax and accounting business, which focuses on supporting small to medium enterprises in all stages of the business cycle. Having held a Treasurer role on a board for a not-for-profit arts organisation, her experience includes providing financial information for the grant acquittals process with local Council, Creative Victoria, and the Australian Arts Council.
Rhys Holden is one of Australia's most dynamic arts leaders, general managers and producers. He has worked across large-scale commercial productions as a Producer and General Manager, and as Company Manager and Artistic Administrator for a number of Australia's most respected subsidised arts companies.
Rhys has led strategic organisational change; commercial outcomes; managed venues and venue upgrades; managed festivals; produced productions from commission to international tours with Sydney Theatre Company, Michael Cassel Group, and with numerous national co-producing partners. Rhys has worked on a variety of new work commissions, education programs, community development and regional touring programs. Rhys is passionate about creating high-performing organisational cultures and artist and audience development.
Sonia is a registered architect, a director at Andever, a tenacious thinker and problem solver. Her collaborative approach and strong communication skills bring a fresh perspective to any milieu. Sonia is a first-generation immigrant whose cultural roots are in South Asia. She was born and raised in the Middle-East and subsequently lived in South-east Asia prior to migrating to Melbourne in 2006.
Alongside her business, Sonia is a Board Member (Treasurer & Vice-Chair) with ArchiTeam Co-operative, a sessional tutor at the Melbourne School of Design (UniMelb), a passionate advocate for diversity and a mentor to many young graduates. She is also a parent of two, partner, photographer, prolific reader and podcast tragic.
Merryn Tierney brings extensive experience in dance education and management to the Ausdance Board. Currently serving as Tertiary Coordinator at Patrick School of the Arts, Merryn oversees student engagement, training programs, and compliance with educational standards. Her leadership ensures seamless communication between students, educators, and partnering Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).
Throughout her career, Merryn has played a pivotal role in curriculum development and the enhancement of dance programs at esteemed institutions, including PSA Dance Programs, NICA, and The Edge Performers School. Her qualifications in workplace training, assessment, and dance teaching reflect her dedication to fostering excellence in performing arts education.
Merryn’s expertise in mentoring teaching staff, coordinating training strategies, and building industry connections underscores her commitment to advancing the dance sector. Her appointment to the Ausdance Board highlights her passion for promoting high-quality, inclusive dance education and supporting the professional development of dance practitioners across Australia.
Elle is a trained dancer, dance teacher and lawyer. As a dancer, Elle has represented Australia internationally at competitions and performances in New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore. She has also worked as a dance teacher for over ten years concurrently with her legal positions.
Elle has worked as a lawyer in private practice and also as in-house counsel in both the health and entertainment sectors. She has particular expertise in drafting and negotiating contract documentation, and developing and implementing organisational policies and procedures.
Currently Elle co-manages the Stonnington School of Dance and enjoys passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of dancers.
Carmen Pace has extensive experience in Leadership and Operations. She has worked with NFP, NGOs, Government and Corporations with commitment and a passion to add value. Carmen is an engaging leader with proven success in managing change and leading complex projects in areas of HR, Finance, Governance, Audit and Risk. Ms Pace has previously held a number of Board positions. Carmen has an interest in the Arts and Culture and is active member in her local community. She is based in Melbourne where she enjoys the city’s diverse culture, food, festivals, and coffee scene.
Jayden Hicks is a multidisciplinary artist, creator, educator, mentor and current Artistic Director of Transit Dance. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Jayden is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists and fostering creativity within the community, his career spans performance, choreography, and artistic leadership.
Jayden’s performing arts journey includes notable credits with esteemed companies such as Opera Australia, Vertical Shadows, Melbourne Ballet Company, and Collaboration the Project. His standout role in Yours Truly earned him nominations for a Green Room Award and a Victorian Dance Award as Best Male Dancer in 2013.
In 2016, Jayden became Artistic Director of Origins Dance Company, where he passionately developed young talent and produced acclaimed works including an international collaboration with The National Youth Dance Company of Scotland. During this time, Jayden produced the Australian Dance Award-nominated Transit Regional Creative Project, Dance Architect, and UNDRGRND Melbourne.
Since joining Transit Dance in 2015, Jayden distinguished himself as a principal artist through acclaimed productions such as BOYZ, Small Parameters, ID, and Fuze. His appointment as Associate Director in 2022 marked a pivotal step in shaping the company’s artistic vision. In 2024, Jayden became Artistic Director, a position that has allowed him to expand his passion for mentoring emerging artists across diverse disciplines while fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence in the performing arts.
Jayden’s collaborative endeavors include serving as Rehearsal Director for Cass Mortimer Eipper and Alice Topp during Project Animo’s premiere season, And Now We Move On, in 2021. In 2023, he served as Creative Associate for The Australian Ballet's 60th Anniversary Season, Identity, working alongside Alice Topp. That same year, his choreographic work Opus enjoyed a successful tour across regional Victoria.