ABOUT US

It is important to us at Shae’K’It Studios that all members of our team share our vision, our purpose and the philosophy that encompasses everything we do both in and outside of our classes.
This is a vision that is shared and demonstrated by the directors, teachers and staff members at our studio and it is the driving force behind every interaction with our students and their families.
OUR CULTURE
Shae’K’It Studios is a family friendly place where kids, teens and adults of all ages shapes and sizes learn to dance, perform as their best version of themselves, are encouraged to be who they are and to reach for the stars. This is a studio where creativity, individuality and self-expression is encouraged and has a community of teachers, students and families who are passionate about performing arts.
OUR GOAL
Our goal is to create a positive and happy experience for all of our students. We strive to nurture and develop our students, celebrate their achievements and inspire a love and appreciation of all styles of dance and the arts.

Our Core Values

Joy

We aspire to create joy in our dance world through connection and a process of self discovery. We believe that by facilitating positivity, we can be a catalyst for joy.

Creativity

We aim to ignite a bonfire of excitement for our students to find their creative path through performance and dance.

Inclusion

We strive for inclusiveness in every aspect of our studio. We are knowledgeable and sensitive to issues of equity and inclusion and are responsive to the needs of diverse learners.

Excellence

We aim to excel and offer empowerment through integrity and hard work.

 

OUR MOTTO

Aspire – We support you as you aim big with your hopes, dreams and goals.
Achieve – We will provide as many available resources and training to accomplish your dancing goals
Inspire – Train, work hard ,have fun and inspire others to reach for the stars.

 

OUR TEACHERS

Shae Lamanna

I started dancing when I was 16, almost 17, which in the dance world is actually really late. I had never heard of dance classes in town but had always danced around the house, supermarket and anywhere I felt I could. My passion for dance just continued to grow and in 2010 we established Shae’k’it Studios. I started Shae’k’it Studios to provide a space where students can develop their dance technique and creative potential in a relaxed and supportive environment. The main objective of our studio is to introduce the joy of dance to students and provide then with new skills in performance movement. In 2011, I completed my Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, a nationally recognised & accredited qualification and in 2015 I successfully completed my Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Management. 2015 was a busy year for me as I also completed my Acrobatic Coaching certificate in order to understand what it takes to deliver the best quality acrobatics training possible.

Yvonne Mann

Yvonne’s love for dance started at a young age where she learnt dance in Melbourne under the tutelage of Dorothy Gladstone, learning classical ballet with the Royal Academy of Dance. Yvonne’s dream was always to open her own dance school and this has come true with Hightone celebrating 43 years in 2018. Yvonne learnt all styles of dance and competed in exams and competitions through out her dance career. Receiving high honours in her exams and winning competitions along her way, Yvonne went on to study jazz and tap under the tutelage of Antonio Rodriguez, a reknowned American teacher who taught the likes of Liza Minnelli and Peter Allen. She competed in various competitions throughout Australia, Yvonne has won Ballet Scholarships, Tap Scholarships, and Jazz Awards. Completing diplomas with both the Australian Academy of Theatrical and Ballet Dancing and the Australian Theatrical Dance Inc. Yvonne holds teaching diplomas in Tap, Theatrical, Classical and Jazz. As well as being an Examiner with Australian Theatrical Dance Inc, Yvonne also belongs to the ATOD society which offers exams in all styles including Hip Hop. Hightone is the only school in Geelong to offer Hip Hop exams to their students. In 2015 Yvonne completed her qualification in Acrobatics Teaching. This allows Yvonne to teach Acrobatics safely & correctly to all aged children. Exams are available for those who wish to complete exams in Acrobatics in a fun, safe and friendly environment.

Bonnie Shepherd

Bonnie has been dancing for 19 years studying Classical Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro and more. While continuing to do her exams in several genres with A.T.D.inc and consistently gaining honours and first-class honours, she has competed in various state wide competitions as well as within the Society, achieving much success. School musical productions and many public events have also seen Bonnie’s passionate participation, as well as assisting with the choreography for many primary school showcases and genu happy stars. Believing training and opportunities are an integral part of a student’s growth, Bonnie has participated in many workshops across the state in multiple genres and techniques, summer intensives with the Melbourne ballet company and successfully auditioning for a minor role in Expressions Dance Company’s show ‘Carmen Sweet’. Along with dancing Bonnie is a mathematic tutor at a local primary school and currently studying a Bachelors of Education.

Tess Wood

I started dancing when I was 2 or 3 years old, I began gymnastics when I was 5 years old which has grown my passion in dance and acrobatics.
I completed my year 11 and 12 VCE dance throughout my high schooling years and since then I’ve also completed Ready Set Dance and Ready Set Ballet training whilst dancing and teaching at Shae’k’It Studios. At the beginning of 2022, I completed Flexibility training. In the future I’m very eager to complete acrobatics training to further my experience.

Sophia Mercuri