Julia Macalpine - Principal/Director
Associate Diploma ISTD (Imperial Modern/Tap) Fully Registered Teacher RAD
Julia leads a team of committed, experienced staff in a fun yet professional environment. Owning her own dance school for over 30 years, Julia has trained numerous students who have gone on to professional careers in the dance industry with the Royal Ballet London, Birmingham Ballet, Moulin Rouge Paris, Walt Disney - Japan, Phillippines, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong, "The Boy from Oz", "Spamalot", "Chicago" in Australia and Singapore, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Princess Cruises and Costa Cruises. Her choregraphy has seen the dance studio achieve multiple awards and countless wins at various competitions locally, intrastate and nationally.
Dedicated to bringing the art of dance and performance to our local community, Julia has choreographed numerous musicals for the Cairns Choral Society including "Beauty and the Beast", "Cats" and "Mr. Pinstripe Suit". In 2002 she was awarded the Senior Cultural Award for the city of Cairns at the Australia Day Awards Celebrations.
Julia's passion for dance and her desire to help young dancers will give the students that much needed edge to be successful. Julia has been teaching for many years and this coupled with her experience and her love of dance will ensure that students enjoy their training and develop as dancers.
Pauline Dawson - Assistant Teacher
Fellowship – British Ballet Organisation/ODTS (Classical Ballet/Tap)
Mrs. Dawson was trained in England by the British Ballet Organisation and has taught their syllabus for many years. Some of her students have danced in various musicals and also on cruise ships. Other students have gained places in full time schools including the Royal and Australian Ballet schools. Juji Shimuzu, a student whom she trained in Cairns, has gained a contract with a ballet company in Japan. Mrs. Dawson was also an examiner for twenty years in both England and Australia and in the year 2000, was awarded a fellowship by the British Ballet Organisation for her dedication to dance.
Shannon Treanor - Assistant Teacher
Advanced 2 - ISTD (Imperial Modern/Tap)
Shannon graduated as a student of Julia Macalpine Dance Studio in 2017, having completed her ISTD Advanced 2 Tap and Modern exams with distinctions. Shannon first began her dance studies at the age of 3. Since graduating she has written, directed and has choreographed many of the routines in our 2017, 2019 and 2021 concert productions. Shannon has a wonderful talent for choreography and stagecraft, creating many of the routines now used by the school.
Shannon is also our Open Class co-ordinator, choreographing and teaching fresh new contemporary and commercial jazz style content each week for our students.
Andrea Scannella - Assistant Teacher
Advanced - ISTD (Imperial Modern/Tap)
Andrea is a dedicated and loyal past dance student of the Julia Macalpine Dance Studio since the school’sbeginnings. After successfully completing her ISTD Advanced Tap and Modern exams, with distinctions, Andreahappily joined the teaching staff of JMDS to continue her passion with dance and further her knowledge inteaching. Over the past 30 years, Andrea continues to share her time preparing children for exams and competitions. Andrea has also been an active performer and Choreographer in Cairns Choral Society productions such as “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Viva Mexico”, “A Chorus Line” and “42nd Street ". Andrea looks forward to experiencing many wonderful moments again with the talented students of JMDS and is more thanhappy to be a valued member of the JMDS faculty.
