Backstreet dance, Cairns

Our Groovy Team

THE BUZZING, BUBBLY, BACKSTREET CREW

There is a strict criteria for being a part of the Backstreet Team. All Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Student Teachers and employees have to be positive, committed and most of all passionate about what they do. This ensures everyone has a great time and gains confidence.

All Teachers have Blue Cards, are trained in First Aid (regularly) and have suitable experience/qualifications to teach/assist (eg.  Cert III in Dance or Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management or equivalent inhouse training).

We also have an intensive Teacher Training Program for new and current Teachers in our Dance Studio so that the whole team are in alignment with the philosophy of Backstreet. This is important to the success of everyone involved at Backstreet.

Teachers regularly travel to Sydney and Melbourne (2-3 times per year) and every few years some travel to Los Angeles to attend dance classes. 

The Director has visited and will continue to visit places like Boston, Las Vegas and Phoenix for specialised Dance Teacher Conferences or Dance Teacher Retreats to keep up to date with the latest choreography, safe teaching practices, effective teaching strategies and other important news that relates to the Dance Industry.

Most importantly, Backstreet operates in accordance with the Australian Dance Council’s Code of Ethics.

We also have in place, according to law, a Risk Management Plan to ensure we offer a safe place for students and parents to attend.

If you would like to read our Policies, click HERE or our VALUE click HERE our our Health & Safety page HERE

Check out who is part of the bubbly Backstreet Team below:

DEBORAH STORER

(Studio Director, Qualified Dance Teacher and Studio Manager)

Deborah has been teaching dance for 20 years, is a published author of 7 books, is a Life Coach and finds anyway to make a difference.

DEB’S QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management
  • Cert IV in Life Coaching
  • Cert III in Fitness & Cert IV in Fitness
  • Cert IV in Business & Small Business Management
  • Cert IV in Training & Assessment

She has also received a nomination for the Local Hero Award. She has contributed to the community in many ways – which you will see on the corridor of the studio. What more can you want in a Director of a Dance School?

As Deborah says: “You only get one life – live it with passion!!. Most of all, ensure you have loads of fun. Life is not meant to be serious all the time – enjoy yourself!”‘.

DEB TEACHES:

  • Dance classes from 3yo to Adults in the styles of jazz, funk and hip hop
  • Performance Troupe
  • Certificate III in Dance Qualification
  • Self-Esteem Workshops
  • Team Training and Mentoring

You’ll see her organizing:

  • Disney Dance Trips
  • Work Experience Programs
  • Discos
  • Community Performances
  • School dance program
  • plus heaps more behind the scenes.

Her passion is obvious and the connection with her students is evident. You’ll see her choreographing, organizing costumes, taking phone calls, organizing enrollments and ensuring everything is in tip top Backstreet shape.

If you don’t have the pleasure of having Deborah as your Dance Teacher, you will definitely have the opportunity to soak in the positivity she spreads through the team, on the walls at the studio and through every bit of communication.

DEB’S FAVORITE QUOTE:

“Why try to fit in; when you are born to stand out!”

ONE THING DEB LOVES ABOUT BACKSTREET:

The people – I feed off the people who enter the studio. I love my team, I love my students, I love everyone that walks through our door. People keep me motivated!

ONE THING DEB WANTS HER STUDENTS TO GET OUT OF HER CLASSES:

  1. Fun
  2. Energy
  3. Feel good about yourself

DEB’S TOP 3 ACHIEVEMENTS:

  1. Overcoming my own self-esteem issues and eating disorders as a young adult. Dance and personal development saved my life!!
  2. Owning and continually managing a dance studio I’m proud of
  3. Loving what I do – nothing beats passion!!! MUST do what you love. It’s hard work, sometimes scary, sometimes challenging but IT’S SO WORTH IT!!!
amanda o'donnell

(Qualified Dance Teacher) 

DANCE BACKGROUND: 

  • Danced since 3yo in Gympie, Innisfail, Darwin & Cairns (Eisteddfods & Concerts) 
  • First taught with Miss Deb 20 years ago at her previous studio “Moondust” 
  • Has taught dancing in studios, primary schools and high schools in Cairns, Innisfail & Darwin

     

    DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN: 

  • Hip Hop 
  • Contemporary 
  • Jazz/Funk 
  • Ballet

     

    QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Cert IV in Dance Teaching and Management 
  • Cert IV in Training and Assessment 
  • Diploma of Teaching & Learning 
  • Degree in Social Science 
  • Qualified Dance Teacher at Backstreet 
  • First Aid + CPR 
  • Blue Card

     

    TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS: 

  1. Loving every moment of being on stage with my team mates at every concert. 
  2. Backstreet USA Disney Trip 2011 
  3. Improving the confidence of students to take the stage!

      

    DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE: 

    ‘Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” – Vivian Greene 

    1 THING I LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET: 

    The family atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. 

      

    1 THING SHE WANTS HER STUDENTS TO GET OUT OF HER CLASSES: 

To have fun while challenging themselves to learn something new. 

 

 

BROOKE DAY

(Qualified Dance Teacher & Assistant Teacher)

DANCE BACKGROUND:

  • started dancing with Deb at 6yo
  • been on 3 Disney Dance Trips
  • achieved 4 Performance Troupe Programs
  • danced for 18 years…so far
  • completed dance workshops in LA with Deb
  • danced in the Cairns Festival Parade each year

DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN:

  • Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Heels

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Certificate III in Dance (CUA30113)
  • First Aid
  • Blue Card
  • Bachelor of Educational Services
  • Qualified Dance Teacher
  • Qualified Assistant Teacher

TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Performing in the Disney Parade
  • Performing around the community
  • Helping grow a new generation of dancers

DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE:

“She turned her cant’s into can’s and her dreams into plans!”

1 THING LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET:

I get the opportunity to inspire my students and give them a place to be themselves.

1 THING SHE WANTS HER STUDENTS TO GET OUT OF HER CLASSES:

Confidence, new friends and a positive mindset.

Samantha brown

Qualified Dance Teacher

DANCE BACKGROUND:

  • Started dancing at 6 years old
  • Grew up doing some Jazz and Musical Theatre, but fell in love with Hip Hop
  • Taught Musical Theatre and Hip Hop at the community centre in her hometown during high school
  • Choreographed Hip Hop performances in university
  • Took Salsa and other Latin Dance classes while living in Colombia
  • Taught Zumba in Colombia, London, Singapore and Australia
  • Choreographed school musicals in Colombia and London
  • Currently teaching Musical Theatre sessions and Hip Hop at a primary school in Cairns

DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN:

  • Hip Hop
  • Musical Theatre

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor of Arts Honours (English and Drama)
  • Bachelor of Education
  • Master of Arts (Organisational Leadership)
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Blue Card
  • Registered with Queensland College of Teachers
  • Licensed Zumba Instructor

TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Choreographing and performing in the Vogue Charity Fashion Shows in university
  • Leading whole-school Zumba sessions
  • Continuing to have fun and dance as an adult

DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE:

“What if the Hokey-Pokey really is what it’s all about?”

1 THING LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET:

It’s a fun and safe space for students of all ages to try something new and express themselves. Plus, the positivity is contagious!

1 THING SHE WANTS HER STUDENTS TO GET OUT OF HER CLASSES:

To take on new challenges with a positive mindset and have fun!

 

    AMELIE BARNARD-CAESAR

    Qualified Assistant Dance Teacher

    Trainee Receptionist

    Teacher in Training

    Dance background:

    • Been dancing since 3yo
    • Completed 3 performance troupe programs
    • Done many different forms of dance; including ballet, acrobatics, cheerleading, and gymnastics
    • Danced at backstreet for 6 years, so far
    • Carols by candlelight, cairns festival parade, cairns central & cairns show performances
    • Selected for St Monica’s College dance troupe

    Dance styles competent in:

    • Jazz; broadway, funk, commercial
    • Ballet/Contemporary; abstract, lyrical
    • Hip-hop; urban, commercial

    Top 3 dance/dance career achievements:

    1. Work experience at backstreet
    2. Selected for performance troupe 3 times; (2018, 2019 & 2020/21)
    3. Dancing within the community

    Qualifications:

    • Assistant teacher – in training
    • Senior First Aid

    Dance philosophy/favorite quote:

    • “Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.”

    One thing I love about Backstreet:

    • The accepting, positive atmosphere and the beautiful connections between the people here. Backstreet gives you the opportunity to be yourself and find your confidence, without the fear of being judged or put down by others.
    SAMANTHA TOOMEY

    Qualified Assistant Teacher

    Trainee Receptionist

    Teacher in Training

    DANCE BACKGROUND:

    • Danced at Backstreet since 4 years old (a whole decade now)
    •  Completed 3 Performance Troupe Programs (2018, 2019, 2020/21)
    •  Performed in Cairns Festival Parades
    • Private lessons in Ballet
    •  Performed Duet with Deb
    • Student teaching at Backstreet Dance since 2019
    • Invited to perform at carols by Candelight

    DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN:

    •  Jazz
    •  Hip Hop
    • Contemporary

    TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS:

    Performance Troupe

    1. Jess Innes Workshop
    2. Choreographed own small group dance in contemporary

     

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    Blue Card

    First Aid

    Qualified Assistant (in house training)

     

    DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE:

    “I am perfectly imperfect

    “Just be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

     

    1 THING I LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET:

    I love how at Backstreet everyone is unique and we can learn, respect and embrace each other it gives you a great feeling. I love being apart of the environment that Backstreet has created.

     

    MARTA RUBULIS

    Qualified Assistant Teacher 

    Receptionist

    DANCE BACKGROUND: 

    • Dancing since the age of 3
    • Performed at Cairns Central & Stockland
    • Performed at Carol by Candlelight
    • Danced in Cairns Parade every year

      DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN: 

    • Jazz (Funk, Commercial, Broadway)
    • HipHop (Urban, Commercial)
    • Contemporary

    TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS: 

    • 10 years at Backstreet…many more to come
    • 4 years of Performance Troupe (2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020/21)
    • Work experience at Backstreet

      QUALIFICATIONS 

    • First Aid
    • Blue Card
    • CPR
    • Qualified Assistant Teacher

     

    DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE: 

    • “Nothing is impossible, the word itself is I’m possible”

     

    1 THING I LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET: 

    • The positivity and love between Students and Teachers at Backstreet, everyone is accepted and welcomed into this positive environment.

     

    LEAH WALKER

    Qualified Assistant Teacher

     

    Dance Background:

    • Started dancing at 5yo
    • Selected to perform a duo at Cairns Central (2015)
    • Performance Troupe (2016)
    • Danced in the Cairns Festival Parade multiple times

     

    Dance styles competent in:

    • Jazz
    • Contemporary
    • Hip-Hop

     

    Top 3 dance achievements:

    • Choreographed and performed 2 duos
    • Work Experience at Backstreet
    • Performing in the community

     

    Qualifications:

    • Blue card
    • CPR
    • First Aid
    • Fire training certificate
    • Qualified Assistant Teacher

     

    Favourite quote

    • Life isn’t how to survive the storm, it’s about how to dance in the rain

     

    1 thing I love about backstreet:

    • I love that everyone is welcomed at Backstreet. Everyone can express themselves freely without being judged by others. No one is pressured to be a perfect dancer; mistakes are just part of the fun.

     

     

     

    ANDI HAYMAN

    Qualified Assistant Dance Teacher

    Dance background:

    • Have been dancing since 3yo
    • Completed 2 performance troupe programs
    • Done many different forms of dance; including hip hop, jazz and gymnastics
    • Danced at backstreet for 10 years
    • Cairns central & cairns show performances
    • Selected for Trinity Bay State High School CAD dance program

    Dance styles competent in:

    • Jazz; funk
    • Hip-hop; urban, commercial

    Top 3 dance career achievements:

    1. Work experience at Backstreet Dance
    1. Participating in dance comps at Cpac
    2.   Dancing around the community.

    Qualifications:

    • Assistant teacher – in training
    •  Green belt at Nexus martial arts

    Dance philosophy/favourite quote:

    • “You aren’t born to fit in, you are born to stand out”

    One thing I love about backstreet:

    I love the how Backstreet Dance promotes all shapes and sizes all personality types and everyone is encouraged to dance. The connections throughout the studio is inspiring for each others journey.

    Christine Downie

    (Bookkeeping)

    • Christine is Deb’s mum.
    • She is a big fan of Backstreet.
    • Christine plays a big part behind the scenes with admin and bookkeeping and also on Reception
    • She is a student of Deb’s Adult Jazz/Funk Beg/Int class (an example that you are never too old to dance)
    • Christine has been choreographing the Parents Dances forever – since Deb’s first studio, Moondust
    • You will always hear laughter in the Parents rehearsals
    • She puts on these Parents Dances every 6 months to a year (read the E-Newsletters to keep up to date)
    • The Parents dances are free and most suitable for very very very basic beginner level
    • If you can’t dance – Christine wants you
    • If you are a funny awkward dancer – Christine wants you!!!
      JOHN GRANT

      John is in charge of security at our Productions.

      He ensures people are not filming and taking photographs and he will be checking tickets/wristbands before they enter the venue.

      He ensures everyone is safe and having a great time.

      You may have seen him on stage in the Parents and Dads dances.
      He is a star on the stage.
      He is one cool character.

      He has been involved with Backstreet for over a decade.

      He is a family friend of Jeff and Debs and is a very kind man.

      Tracy Gardiner

      Front of House Manager at the Productions

      • Been part of the Backstreet family for 5 years.
      • Dances in Jazz (advance/intermediate) and Heels (beginner) for the last 2 years.
      • Loves meeting and greeting families on production day.
      • Loves ensuring all dancers and families have a great time on production day.
      • Can be a little bit crazy at time, but full of fun, laughs and energy!
      TYRA HOLLIS

      Trainee Assistant Teacher

      On Work Experience 

      for 1 Full Term 
      – Term 1 2024

      SHARON DAY

      Back of House Manager at the Productions

      Also Long term Parent who has been by Deb’s side & supports Backstreet in every way

      • Sharon is Miss Brooke’s mum
      • Sharon is passionate about  giving to others
      • WE love Sharon supporting the students backstage at the Productions. She ensures everyone is feeling good and ready to go out on stage.
      • Sharon has been a long term Parent of Backstreet and even Deb’s first studio, Moondust
      • Sharon is super helpful and giving and loves spreading happiness wherever she goes
      chi chi
      • Deb & Jeff’s new family member
      • He is a boy and a pure bred chihuhua
      • He is now just over 1 year old
      • You’ll see him behind Reception – ask for a pat (if Reception not busy)
      • Deb & Jeff have had chihuhuas their whole marriage (24 years). 
      • Chi Chi is super friendly because Deb & Jeff socialise him with people when he was young. So he is use to people.
      • He is super playful and super snuggly.
        THE BACKSTREET TEAM
        .