OUR TEAM
JESSICA SPITERI - Director of West Dance Co - Flamenco, Jazz, Acrobatics
Jessica began dancing at the age of 2 with her parents wanting her to continue the family’s spanish culture in Australia. She trained in flamenco, ballet, hip hop and contemporary for 21 years. From a young age, she found her passion for dance and dreamed of one day teaching and owning a dance school. At the age of 14, Jessica began her teaching career in flamenco and ballet with 3-4 year olds. Overtime, she began to teach a variety of age groups and found her niche in flamenco. Having been fortunate enough to travel to Spain, she studied flamenco at Amor de Dios in Madrid, has performed in numerous festivals, weddings and has performed at Casa Asturianas restaurant in Sydney. Having studied the Cecchetti Method and Alianza Flamenca from a young age and now a co-founder of West Dance Co, she looks forward to sharing her love of dance with the students at WDC.
Jessica began dancing at the age of 2 with her parents wanting her to continue the family’s spanish culture in Australia. She trained in flamenco, ballet, hip hop and contemporary for 21 years. From a young age, she found her passion for dance and dreamed of one day teaching and owning a dance school. At the age of 14, Jessica began her teaching career in flamenco and ballet with 3-4 year olds. Overtime, she began to teach a variety of age groups and found her niche in flamenco. Having been fortunate enough to travel to Spain, she studied flamenco at Amor de Dios in Madrid, has performed in numerous festivals, weddings and has performed at Casa Asturianas restaurant in Sydney. Having studied the Cecchetti Method and Alianza Flamenca from a young age and now a co-founder of West Dance Co, she looks forward to sharing her love of dance with the students at WDC.
Chyncia Salerno - Director of West Dance Co - Flamenco, Ballet, Jazz, Acrobatics, Lyrical
A.(Dip) C.B.A. - C.I.C.B
Chyncia began dancing at the age of 2 where she was desperate to be in the studio with her older sister, Elena. Throughout her training she has studied Cecchetti ballet, Alianza flamenco, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop, undergone examinations and competed in competitions in a variety of styles. Chyncia has also been a part of many Cecchetti affairs including the scholars program and medal tests. She is now an active member within the Cecchetti teaching community and deeply involved in the organisation of many Cecchetti events including, National Conference, scholars and Cecchetti choreographic competition. Throughout her career she has performed on public stages from weddings to stage performances and outdoor exhibitions. Chyncia has a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics and a Bachelor degree in Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science), discovering her passion of strength, technique and flexibility development especially in dance. In 2023, she became an Associate Diploma teacher for Cecchetti now sending students for exams.
A.(Dip) C.B.A. - C.I.C.B
Chyncia began dancing at the age of 2 where she was desperate to be in the studio with her older sister, Elena. Throughout her training she has studied Cecchetti ballet, Alianza flamenco, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop, undergone examinations and competed in competitions in a variety of styles. Chyncia has also been a part of many Cecchetti affairs including the scholars program and medal tests. She is now an active member within the Cecchetti teaching community and deeply involved in the organisation of many Cecchetti events including, National Conference, scholars and Cecchetti choreographic competition. Throughout her career she has performed on public stages from weddings to stage performances and outdoor exhibitions. Chyncia has a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics and a Bachelor degree in Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science), discovering her passion of strength, technique and flexibility development especially in dance. In 2023, she became an Associate Diploma teacher for Cecchetti now sending students for exams.
Danielle Kudla - Director of West Dance Co - Ballet, Jazz, Acrobatics
Danielle virtually grew up in a Dance Studio. Her mother Dorothy Curnow was a dancer and ballet teacher who in turn learnt from and taught for the great Australian dancer Valrene Tweedie. Danielle began teaching at the age of 15 for Nowra Dance Centre taking the Junior Jazz and teaching the Preschool class. At 16 Danielle moved back to Sydney where she studied full-time ballet with Val Jenkins and Christine Keith in many different genres including Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Character. Danielle studied the Cecchetti method along with RAD method from Monica and Joan Halliday. In 1989 she left Australia and travelled through Europe eventually marrying overseas and starting a family. In 1992 at the age of 20 years she returned to Australia and dance once again with Nowra Dance Centre where she taught Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary for the next 9 years. In 2002 Danielle began running programs in Primary Schools and Preschools to introduce Dance and Music to students. She also worked with Bangor Public School choreographing and teaching for the NSW Public Schools State Dance Festival. Now Danielle is enjoying being back doing what she loves most which is teaching dance and passing on her knowledge to young people in a variety of settings.
Danielle virtually grew up in a Dance Studio. Her mother Dorothy Curnow was a dancer and ballet teacher who in turn learnt from and taught for the great Australian dancer Valrene Tweedie. Danielle began teaching at the age of 15 for Nowra Dance Centre taking the Junior Jazz and teaching the Preschool class. At 16 Danielle moved back to Sydney where she studied full-time ballet with Val Jenkins and Christine Keith in many different genres including Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Character. Danielle studied the Cecchetti method along with RAD method from Monica and Joan Halliday. In 1989 she left Australia and travelled through Europe eventually marrying overseas and starting a family. In 1992 at the age of 20 years she returned to Australia and dance once again with Nowra Dance Centre where she taught Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary for the next 9 years. In 2002 Danielle began running programs in Primary Schools and Preschools to introduce Dance and Music to students. She also worked with Bangor Public School choreographing and teaching for the NSW Public Schools State Dance Festival. Now Danielle is enjoying being back doing what she loves most which is teaching dance and passing on her knowledge to young people in a variety of settings.
Carolina Ballone - Hip Hop
Carolina’s love for dancing was evident from a young age , her Latin roots and love for music drove this passion aggressively. Her parents started her at a dance studio at 6 years old where she would successfully train and partake in Cecchetti Ballet and Alianza Flamenco examinations . This introduction to such styles naturally developed her interest in contemporary, lyrical , jazz and hip hop. Over the years Carolina would present these various styles on many stages and events including weddings, private functions, competitions, as well as community and public performances. Her focus on hip hop developed after participating, four years consecutively, in the Bring It on Dance competition (Sydney) with Cerdon College . Throughout this crew - training her technique strengthened and she would go on to learn from The Area Sydney dance crew, who participate in Hip Hop International (HHI), Canley Dance Co and former JMA entertainment and Village Nation dancers . During her high school years Carolina also taught groups of various age groups; flamenco , contemporary and hip hop . All which later participated in the PDSSSC Dance competition successfully.
Carolina’s love for dancing was evident from a young age , her Latin roots and love for music drove this passion aggressively. Her parents started her at a dance studio at 6 years old where she would successfully train and partake in Cecchetti Ballet and Alianza Flamenco examinations . This introduction to such styles naturally developed her interest in contemporary, lyrical , jazz and hip hop. Over the years Carolina would present these various styles on many stages and events including weddings, private functions, competitions, as well as community and public performances. Her focus on hip hop developed after participating, four years consecutively, in the Bring It on Dance competition (Sydney) with Cerdon College . Throughout this crew - training her technique strengthened and she would go on to learn from The Area Sydney dance crew, who participate in Hip Hop International (HHI), Canley Dance Co and former JMA entertainment and Village Nation dancers . During her high school years Carolina also taught groups of various age groups; flamenco , contemporary and hip hop . All which later participated in the PDSSSC Dance competition successfully.