Tahra started Physical Culture at the age of 5 and then moved onto Ballroom Dance lessons at the age of 11. She continued her training and competed for approximately 10 years in Ballroom, Latin and New Vogue.
Whilst studying a BA Arts, Tahra began classes in commercial jazz and hip hop, which led to various performances at corporate and local events. At 21, she then auditioned for and joined Warner Village Theme Parks as a Suit Character and Dancer. Whilst working, she began teaching for various dance schools and high schools in QLD. This is when her passion for teaching began and soon became her focus and full-time work.
In 2015, Tahra purchased Street Jam, an established studio of 18 years and so began the journey of Rize Dance Company. Tahra’s aim is to inspire & encourage and be the example to her student’s, that with hard work and the right attitude you can achieve anything.
She continued her training and competed for approximately 10 years in Ballroom, Latin and New Vogue. Whilst studying a BA Arts, Tahra began classes in commercial jazz and hip hop, which led to various performances at corporate and local events. At 21, she then auditioned for and joined Warner Village Theme Parks as a Suit Character and Dancer
Whilst working, she began teaching for various dance schools and high schools in QLD. This is when her passion for teaching began and soon became her focus and full-time work.
In 2015, Tahra purchased Street Jam, an established studio of 18 years and so began the journey of Rize Dance Company. Tahra’s aim is to inspire & encourage and be the example to her student’s, that with hard work and the right attitude you can achieve anything.
Jasmin began her training at the age of 5 at D’n D Performing Arts School and continued onto full-time training at En Pointe Dance Studio on the Sunshine Coast from the age of 12.
At 16 years of age, Jasmin began her pre-professional ballet training at Professional Ballet Coaching under the guidance of Suzanne Way. Turning down an offer with the English National Ballet School, Jasmin took up an offer with the Dutch National Ballet Academy where she moved to Holland to commence training in their pre-professional program at 17 years. After moving back to Australia, Jasmin completed her CBTS, becoming a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance while teaching Classical Ballet, Lyrical and Tap.
Jasmin has performed in many amateur productions including lead roles in ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Jasmin has been highly placed in many competitions, including Sydney’s McDonald Challenge where she was a semi-finalist twice, New Zealand’s Alana Haines competition as a semi-finalist, and the Genee International Ballet Competition.
Jasmin’s training has included Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Slow Modern, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap and Singing. Jasmin aims to bring her passion of dance and musical theatre into the classroom.
Karen is a member of the Panel of Examiners of the Royal Academy of Dance, London, examining students throughout Australia and internationally. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Karen is a fully registered R.A.D. Teacher and also has a Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. She has mentored students completing the Ballet Education Degree at the London R.A.D. Headquarters. Most recently she became a Tutor and licensee for the Silver Swans.
Karen was privileged to study under teachers such as Kathleen Gorham OBE, Valerie Bayley and Joy Ransley, completing her R.A.D. Teaching Certificate in 1988. After a career performing in various styles of dance, Karen was then principal of her own dance schools and then after having her own family, became a freelance teacher both in Australia and London U.K., teaching at The Ballet School, Notting Hill, West London School of Dance and Anna Pavlova’s Ivy House.
Karen brings extensive knowledge and a passion for classical ballet, from both overseas and locally to pass on to our students.
Scarlett has trained in several styles of dance growing up on the Gold Coast, specialising in classical ballet and contemporary. While training on the Gold Coast at Ransley Ballet and Dance, Scarlett was accepted to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix in 2014, where she was later accepted to work with The Joffrey Concert Group in New York at the age of sixteen.
On return to Australia, Scarlett commenced training at Danielle’s Studio of Dance and was awarded the Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal Award in 2016. In 2017 she was accepted into Sydney Dance Company’s Pre- Professional Year, where she developed her skills as a contemporary dancer and choreographer. After recently travelling throughout Europe taking part in workshops to acquire the necessary skills as a professional dance teacher. Scarlett is dedicated to offer premium dance training for young artists here on the Gold Coast.
Born here on the Gold Coast, Lauren started dancing at the age of 2 under the direction of Peta McKenney at Paradise Performers Academy.
After completing year 12, Lauren moved to Sydney in 2005 and studied 1 year intensive training at ED5International. Graduating with a Certificate V in Performing Arts and using the skills and industry insights she had gained in all her training Lauren landed a job with the international production company, Millennium Entertainment International. For the best part of the next 8 years, Lauren continued to work for MEI as company member and production assistant for their many touring productions throughout Asia and the Middle East.
Highlights included performing for the Princess of Thailand in Bangkok on Cartoon Networks Cartoonival and also being flown to Abu Dhabi to perform at the birthday party of the son of the Sheikh as part of the cast of Barney’s Musical Castle.
Infused with a love of travel and a burning desire to see more of the world, Lauren joined the prestigious Princess Cruise Lines “Pacific Princess” as Singer/Dancer for its Inaugural World Cruise in 2008.
Having grown as a performer, Lauren moved into the role of Choreographer for Millennium Entertainment International and Smile Live Productions. She choreographed her first arena spectacular in 2010 with Barney’s Space Adventure and in 2012 was lucky enough to be invited to Norway to choreograph a world-first production of City Of Friends – Mystery in Friends’ Forest.
After 8 years of some amazing travelling adventures and lots of wonderful memories, Lauren is now back settled on the Gold Coast with her family, husband and 2 gorgeous girls Poppy and Grace. Her focus is now on creating well-rounded, grounded and confident performers who are passionate about being the best possible versions of themselves. Passing on her many years of industry experience and dedication to dance Lauren loves being part of the team at Rize.
As a former student and after completing 2 years of full time dance training, Madison will be joining us through out the year. She will play an integral part of working with our performance groups, assisting the students with the latest trends in choreography.
Talina began her dancing on the Gold Coast at the age of 5. She has trained her whole life in all styles at Paradise Performers Academy under owners Peta Norton, Chelsee Grioli & most recently as The Studio Entertainment under Sarah & Jesse Rasmussen. She found a love for helping kids achieve their goals and started assisting classes at the age of 13. By the age of 15, she was teaching her own classes. She has taught all ages and all styles to groups, solos, duos & trios. She has created award winning routines and has such joy watching her students perform on stage.
During this time, Talina completed a fulltime dance course where she obtained her cert III & IV in Fitness and cert IV in dance. Talina has worked professionally at Movie World in both Fright Nights and White Christmas. She was lucky enough to be a featured dancer in Amy Sharks music video ‘Adore’ and in 2016, danced at the SeaFM World Famous Rooftop Party. Talina has also done many professional corporate gigs with both Velvet Rope Entertainment & Killer Creative Entertainment.
She thrives dancing and also feels a great joy teaching dance and sharing her knowledge to younger students. She loves seeing them grow and feels so lucky to have her passion, be her career.
Since the age of five, Imogen had a persistent passion for dance that drove her to begin training at Kay Flynn Dancing Academy and later Street Jam Dance (now Rize Dance Company).
She realised early on in her dance career that her love for dance extended not only to performing but sharing her knowledge with students.
After completing two years of full time training at Conroy Performing Arts Centre,
Imogen has worked as a promotional and corporate event dancer for various Entertainment Agencies and you can find her performing at Dreamworld Australia as a resident dancer/entertainer.
She has taught at numerous schools and studios around the Gold Coast and Brisbane and is passionate about delivering quality, fun and safe dance education that gives each student the opportunity to grow and shine.
Amanda is the Managing Director of Chase Creations and has been a professional dancer and choreographer for over 20 years.
Amanda began dancing at the tender age of 5, training in all styles of dance.
Her professional career as seen her travel the world performing in numerous corporate events, large stage shows, cruise ships, backing music artist, and most recent at end off her preforming career sharing the stage with Jessica Mauboy at the handover ceremony for 2018 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Amanda has choreographed for events, large and small, catering to the vision and specific
requests from each individual client. As the Gold Coast’s NRL Titans cheerleader coach, Amanda is familiar with large scale visuals and has an understanding of the particular choreography that is required to appeal to a vast audience. With this in mind, Amanda’s extensive dance career and industry knowledge allows her to create and execute choreography that is requested for any event.
Client credits include, Audi, Riviera Boats Australia, Flight Centre, Event Cinemas, The Australian Hancock Swimming Trails 2018, McDonalds, Channel 7 Dance Boss Launch and BAT Product Launch PNG – Fiji – Solomon Island and Sydney just name a few.
Poppy grew up in the UK where she started training as a competitive gymnast. Her gymnastics led her to find her love for dance at the age of 12 where she trained in all styles at Studio 24 Dance. Since then Poppy has grown a strong passion for Commercial dance.
In 2021 Poppy started her journey as a choreographer at The Society Academy with her Commercial Dance class. Since then has been lucky enough to travel all over Perth hosting commercial dance workshops. She was even one of the Dream Creative choreographers for Perth 2021.
Over the past year she has has performed in numerous professional musicals, such as: We Will Rock You – a QUEEN musical – swing dancer (2020), The Boy From Oz – dancer (2021) and Pricilla Queen Of The Dessert – swing dancer (2021) & Dance Captain and Swing dancer (2022). One of Poppy’s greatest opportunities was being selected as a dancer in the AFL Grand Final – Optus Stadium Perth 2021 as the pre show and halftime entertainment.