FOUNDER

Miss Zoe established Miss Zoe’s School of Dance in late 2006 and currently teaches across all 3 studios. Miss Zoe has danced for over 30 years and has experience in a variety of styles ranging from ballet to hip hop. She has been teaching for the past 25 years and has experience in all styles but specialises in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. Miss Zoe has taught dance to people of all ages and abilities as well as to intellectually and physically disabled people.

2024 saw Miss Zoe win the Creative Entrepreneur category in the Flare Awards & she was also named as a FinalIst in the Businesswoman category of the Illawarra Women in Business Awards & the Outstanding Business Person category in the Illawarra & South Coast Local Business Awards. In 2018 & 2019 Miss Zoe was selected as a Finalist in the Most Outstanding Business Person of the Year category at the Illawarra & South Coast Local Business Awards. MZSOD was also nominated as a Finalist in the business category in 2017, 2020, 2021, & 2023 and we won the Most Outstanding Dance Studio Category in 2023, 2019 and 2018. In 2020 & 2019 we were also named as a Finalist in the Australian Small Business Champion Awards. 2023 saw Miss Zoe & the dance school named as a Finalist in the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards; and in 2024 was named a Finalist in the Australian Small Business Champion Awards, the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards, the Illawarra & South Coast Local Business Awards, & the Illawarra Women in Business Awards.

Miss Zoe worked for years as a preschool teacher and hockey coach, Miss Zoe has also completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at the University of Wollongong and a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) at the University of New England.

Under Miss Zoe's guidance her students have successfully auditioned for Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts, competed in local eisteddfods and competitions, performed at a variety of fetes, festivals, and community events, and enjoyed numerous successful end of year and mid year concert days. Miss Zoe's focus is on fun, fitness, and inclusion of all ages, body types, and abilities - no pressure is put on students and everyone has an equal opportunity to perform. Miss Zoe loves what she does and feels privileged to teach you and your children.

HEAD TEACHER

Miss Lilly-Rose has been dancing since 2010 and joined Miss Zoe’s in 2018. Lilly-Rose loves all styles of dance and has experience in jazz, hip hop, ballet and contemporary. Miss Lilly has been named a Finalist in the Youth Award in the 2023 Illawarra & South Coast Local Business Awards for her positive contribution to Miss Zoe’s.

Miss Lilly-Rose began student teaching in 2019, and stepped into a teaching role in 2020. She has quickly become a confident and well-loved teacher, earning her the Teacher of the Year award in 2021! She has a natural ability with younger children, being extremely encouraging and patient when helping them. She always strives to be a positive role model for the younger students to look up to.

Miss Lilly-Rose is a head teacher at Kiama Studio & is currently studying to be a primary teacher at UOW.

HEAD TEACHER

Miss Issy has been dancing at Miss Zoe’s since 2011. She has experience in ballet, jazz, broadway jazz, contemporary, acrobatics and solo performances. Miss Issy loves all the opportunities to perform including fetes, flash mobs and concerts. She works hard in her own lessons, always striving to do her personal best.

Miss Issy has won many class awards over the years, as well as Most Improved in 2018. She began student teaching in 2019, and took on her own classes in 2020. 2023 saw Miss Issy take on a larger role in the studio, teaching many classes and private lessons; and this year will be expanding further.

Miss Celine has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She has always loved ballet, jazz and tap. Her mum still has photos from when she was a little baby ballerina!

Miss Celine assistant taught for a year for a kindy ballet class and then quickly got promoted to class teacher the next year. She also volunteered to be Kiama High School's dance group teacher for Southern Stars and Dance Festival when she was in school

Miss Celine loves being able to share her skills & to help everyone become the best dancer they can be. It is important to her to create a safe and friendly environment where everyone feels welcome and can have fun - this is exactly what Miss Zoe's is all about!

Miss Celine has been a part of MZSOD for the last couple of years and she loves the welcoming and healthy environment everyone brings, and also how friendly all the staff and students are. She is excited to start teaching next week!

TEACHER

Cooper started at Miss Zoe’s in 2018 but his passion for dancing began at an early age - he has been dancing since he was in Kindergarten. Cooper has competed in eisteddfods with a troupe at local and national levels and has danced at the Showcase Australian Dance Championships and Get the Beat National Dance Championships. He has an outgoing bubbly personality, is kind hearted, encouraging and enjoys helping others. Dancing allows Cooper to be able to express himself, and it’s in the studio that Cooper is in his ‘happy place’ and he has found his second home at Miss Zoe’s School of Dance. Cooper is excited to be continuing student teaching, and is looking forward to sharing his passion of dance with other students.

In 2024 Cooper will be heading the Mini/Lil Combo on Mondays after a fabulous year of assisting in 2023.

HEAD TEACHER

Miss Laura began dancing at Miss Zoe’s in 2012 and has experience in ballet, pointe, contemporary, hip hop, and jazz. Miss Laura is a quiet achiever – always trying her hardest in class and steadily improving. In 2022 she was awarded Wollongong Soloist of the Year!

Miss Laura began her student teaching at Wollongong in 2018, and Coledale in 2019. In 2021 she stepped into a teaching role and has grown into a confident and well-respected dancer, teacher, and choreographer.

2024 will see Miss Laura across all 3 studios in both teaching and admin.

HEAD TEACHER

Miss Milly has been a student at Miss Zoe’s since 2007. She has experience in ballet, contemporary/lyrical, jazz, hip hop, pointe and solo performances. She is always trying her hardest to improve in class and be the best dancer she can.

In 2017 Milly became part of our Costume Club and has even helped make some of the costumes you may have seen onstage! Miss Milly is a very kind and dedicated teacher, and loves to share her passion for dancing with others.

2024 sees her take on a larger role at the studio, teaching across all 3 locations in a variety of styles.

TEACHER

Miss Jazlyn began dancing at Miss Zoe’s in 2011. Miss Jazlyn has experience in Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary and gymnastics. Over the years, Miss Jazlyn has won numerous awards such as 2016 Most Improved, 2017 Scholarship and 2020 Student Of The Year. Miss Jazlyn loves any chance to perform and aspires to be the best dancer she can be. She is looking forward to helping the studio and hopes to pass on her passion for dance.

2023 saw her take on a class of her own, as well as private lessons & she continued with assisting in a number of classes. This year she will expand her teaching further to different age groups.

TEACHER

Miss Helen joined Miss Zoe’s School of Dance in 2018, and has been a dedicated member of the Senior Ballet, Pointe and Contemporary classes for the past 4 years. In 2021 Miss Helen joined the teaching team, introducing us to Irish Dance!

She started dancing at age 6 at the Wollongong Academy of Irish Dance, where she danced at State, National and World Championship levels, as well as in the professional Irish Dance Show Gaelforce. She is a qualified T.C.R.G. with over 20 years of experience in teaching Irish Dance to a wide range of ages and levels of ability, in both solo and team categories. Her students have performed at many different events from schools fetes and nursing home displays, to competitions and professional shows. She has also prepared many students for grade examinations and entrance auditions. Choreography is one of her passions and she has developed routines for many different settings and situations including concert performances for many years.

Outside of dancing, Miss Helen has an honours degree in Science/Arts, as well as a Graduate Diploma of Education. She has been a Science teacher at a local high school since 2004, and specialises in boys education.

TEACHER

Miss Nicole came to Miss Zoe's in 2017 with over 15 years of dance experience. She won Most Dedicated in Senior Ballet in 2017 and Most Dedicated in Senior Contemporary in 2018. Trained in jazz, ballet, pointe, contemporary, hip hop and musical theatre, Miss Nicole's favourite style to teach is jazz though her favourite to perform is contemporary.

Miss Nicole likes to see her students growing in ability and confidence, and also having fun! She has been teaching for many years and loves passing on her long-standing passion for dance. After teaching casually at Miss Zoe’s in 2018 she joined the team in 2019 teaching

It is a family affair with Miss Nicole’s two young children also taking classes at Miss Zoe’s – Miss Zoe is thrilled to have her on board!

TEACHER

CJ has a number of years experience in dance, with a strong background in tap, as well as training in jazz, hip hop, ballet and contemporary. Over the years they have taken part in a number of performances including competing in eisteddfods with both solo and troupe dances.

CJ joined Miss Zoe’s School of Dance in 2014, continuing with tap training. In 2017 they taught all tap classes at the studios and Miss Zoe was very excited to have them on board – their students caught her enthusiasm for tap as well as their lovely smile while performing!

TEACHER

Brendan joined Miss Zoe's School of Dance in 2012 as a student teacher for tap classes and has taught a variety of classes at Miss Zoe’s ever since. He previously trained at a number of studios for 16 years covering various styles of dance such as Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Acrobatics and found his niche in Tap. Having competed in both local and national eisteddfods since the age of 5, Brendan has a great amount of experience to offer. He was very successful at these eisteddfods having achieved a large number of 1st place awards in Wollongong and Sydney and was awarded 2nd place in the Dancer of the Year at the Showcase National Dance Championships. At the age of 12, Brendan was approached by Tap Dogs choreographer/founder Dein Perry and was invited to attend their advanced adult classes.

Brendan has also choreographed and assisted in teaching others ranging from beginners to more experienced tappers. For more than 2 years during high school, Brendan choreographed routines at The Illawarra Grammar School for the senior boys tap troupe. The routines were performed at various school events for charity. Brendan has also completed & taught various levels of the Glenn Wood Tap Syllabus.

Brendan’s students love his enthusiastic, fast-paced teaching style and everyone loves seeing him perform himself! Brendan has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Wollongong.

TEACHER

Miss Leah started dancing in 2012. She has experience in jazz, ballet and contemporary. She has won many class awards over the years as well as the Student of the Year award in 2017. Miss Leah enjoys performing at concerts, fetes and flash mobs as a soloist and part of groups.

2023 saw her grow immensely in her teaching and this year she will be head teacher for Wednesday Tiny Monkeys as well as assisting & admin duties.

ADMIN

Miss Ella has been dancing since the age of 5, and joined Miss Zoe's in 2021 with experience in Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop & Acro, as well as performing at concerts & competitions. She quickly proved to be a dedicated and talented student, and was awarded our 2021 Coledale Scholarship. Miss Ella loves to dance and share her passion and knowledge as a student teacher!

2023 saw her teaching Tumbling, assisting with classes, and admin duties. She will continue assisting on Saturdays in 2024.

TEACHER

Miss Pippa has been dancing for 6 years, with experience in contemporary, ballet and jazz. She has achieved many class awards throughout her time at Miss Zoe’s. Miss Pippa loves performing at flash mobs, fetes and concerts! She loves to dance with others and in larger groups.

She has been student teaching for a few years and her students love her! 2024 will see her heading a class of her own!

OFFICE MANAGER

Miss Rachel joined Miss Zoe’s School of Dance in 2018. She has experience in ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz and tap. In 2018 Miss Rachel was awarded the Kiama Studio 2019 Scholarship for her hard work and dedication as a dancer.

2019 saw Miss Rachel join Miss Zoe’s as an Administrator at the Kiama Studio and in 2020 she continued this role as well as teaching our Saturday classes. Unfortunately in 2022 Miss Rachel had to move from the Illawarra so can no longer teach, however she is still working hard behind the scenes to keep the dance school running smoothly!

Miss Rachel has helped at many concerts with makeup and hair. She is dedicated, passionate and eager to learn and help wherever needed.

STUDENT TEACHER

Miss Viena has been dancing since the age of 6, and started at Miss Zoe's in 2019. She says that dancing makes her feel "happy and free" and she enjoys performing with her friends. Viena is a dedicated and friendly quiet achiever, she has won class awards, and performed at concerts & markets in a group and as a soloist. Viena says that she has learnt so much as a student, and cannot wait to continue sharing her passion for dance as a student teacher.

STUDENT TEACHER

Miss Katie has been dancing at MZSOD since she was 3 years old. She has experience in Jazz, Ballet and Contemporary. Over the years she has achieved many class awards and 2 major awards, Star Potential and Soloist of the Year. Miss Katie loves any opportunity to perform at concerts, fetes, markets, events and flash mobs in groups or as a soloist. 2023 saw her start her student teaching in Lil' Ballet/Contemporary & she will continue this, along with adding Int Ballet in 2024.

Miss Piper will be joining the Miss Zoe's team as a student teacher on Wednesdays. Miss Piper has been dancing with MZSOD for 6 years & is excited to start her teaching journey under Miss Issy's guidance.

Miss Lilah will be joining the Miss Zoe's team as an admin assistant on Wednesdays. Miss Lilah has been a part of MZSOD for 6 years & is excited to be on board in Term 3!