Principal- Miss Leanne Smithers

Miss Leanne is the school Principal and is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, having completed the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies in 2013. Miss Leanne has also completed a Junior Tap Teaching certificate with the Australian Tap Dancing Association as well as a Certificate IV in Performing Arts (Dance) with Mango Dance Studio, North Sydney in 2010.

Miss Leanne has successfully completed RAD ballet grades 1- Advanced 2 and ATDA Tap Grades 1-12 as well as ISTD Modern and Tap exams.

Miss Leanne grew up in Regional NSW before moving to Sydney and then the Central Coast. She began dance teaching in 2011 and has taught for a number of dance schools on the Central Coast and region, choreographing routines for soloist and groups to be performed at eisteddfods, concerts and performances.

At Centre Stage, Miss Leanne teaches all genres of dance, including Classical Ballet, Character, Pointe, Contemporary and Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Conditioning, Jazz and Tap. Miss Leanne has worked professionally as a dancer, performing at private and corporate events in Sydney and a local music video as well as been part of several musical productions with Orange Theatre Company and Gosford Musical Society from 2000-2014. 

Miss Leanne has been the Secretary of Central Dance Company (Aus) since 2012 and toured with the Company to Japan in 2013, performing excerpts from Paquita and a Contemporary piece ‘In the Mangroves’. She has since been involved with rehearsals and all annual productions of Central Dance Company, receiving invaluable experience working alongside Company Artistic Director Patti Gleeson and Directors Margaret Zaia and Ramona Ratas.

Leanne completed Level 1 of Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) in 2020 and is also trained in First Aid and CPR.

Miss Obelia has been a professional dancer and dance teacher for many years, teaching ballet and tap, but specialising in classical ballet.

Having 42 years of teaching experience taking students of all ages through RAD exams, Miss Obelia has dedicated most of her teaching career to vigorously prepare students for a range of performances, exams, and competitions, largely with exceptional results and strong teacher-student connection.

Miss Obelia has a performance history of dancing overseas and around Australia's club scene in various contemporary and cabaret shows and on television, which truly shines through her inspirational teaching rapport.

Miss Liz is an enthusiastic, accomplished, passionate teacher and adjudicator of all dance genres. Growing up on the Central Coast, Miss Liz studied RAD Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary and Musical Theatre under Melanie and Amy Campbell. As a teenager she joined Gosford Musical Society, where she first met Miss Lacey and Miss Leanne. Miss Liz subsequently performed as a dancer and dance captain in various shows, as well as assisting with choreography in later years.

In 2009, Miss Liz completed her Diploma in Dance Performance at Danceworld 301 studios, with whom she toured to Queensland. She has appeared in television shows such as Winners and Loser, Killing Time (with David Wenham), Spit it out, Words of Peace and several commercials, corporate events, private functions and fundraisers.

In 2017 Miss Liz Trained to become a Dance Adjudicator, working at multiple local Eisteddfod’s in all capacities. She has worked with Central Dance Company (Aus) as a rehearsal assistant for 2 seasons of Swan Lake and also stage managed for the Company. She has since stage managed various productions and concerts.

In 2019, Liz worked as assistant casting director and Creative Consultant with Karina Russell on the short film “Green and Blue” and in the same year hosted successful improvisation and Audition technique workshops for over 100 students. Under the guidance of Kerrie Smith, Patti Gleeson and Leanne Smithers, Liz has spent the last 3 years preparing students for RAD exams from Primary to Intermediate Level. She has also prepared solo and group routines for concerts and competitions in all genres, ability and age levels.

Miss Liz has always admired the technical standard and encouraging and supportive environment at Centre stage School of Dance and is very excited to work with the wonderful faculty and students in 2024. Her goals are to help all her students fall in love with dance and guide them to be safe, smart, fabulous and respectful young dancers and people.

Miss Lacey has studied all styles of dance and has over 25 years of experience teaching dance. Miss Lacey is qualified with the Les Griffith Tap Dancing Academy, gaining Honours Plus in her final teaching exam.

Miss Lacey has trained with the Royal Academy of Dance in syllabus levels 1-5 inclusive and has studied sports science and physical education while completing her degree.

Miss Lacey is the former school principal and will be readying students for Tap exams in 2024,

Miss Lacey is an experienced performer and choreographer helping all students in the school to develop their stage craft and performance skills. Miss Lacey is trained in First Aid and CPR.

Miss Misty has trained within the school since 3 years of age. Miss Misty has taken part in solo and troupe eisteddfods for many years and has also undertaken RAD ballet and LGTDA tap exams.

Miss Misty is a strong dance technician and has performed as a senior dancer with Central Dance Company for the past 5 years. Miss Misty started teaching in 2019 and as well as teaching some our tap this year, will also teach Cheer later in 2024. Miss Misty is a national champion winner in Cheer and has completed her Junior Teaching Certificate for Les Griffith Tap Dance Academy (LGTDA)..

 Miss Grace has trained within the school since age 4 and has participated in dance exams, group eisteddfods, community performances, our end of year concerts and worked as a wonderful student teacher.

Miss Grace has taught Tap and Musical Theatre over the past few years for Centre Stage, and we look forward to having her involved in the studio again this year.

Miss Grace has a passion for dance and loves working with young children. She is trained in First Aid.

All 3 of these lovely young ladies have trained with Centre Stage since they were young. They are passionate about dance technique, performance and assisting younger students and have continued to develop as student teachers over the past 2 years as they have gained knowledge and experience helping our teachers in our Preschool, Kindy and Junior Classes.