Fun and Friendly Instructors
Our Faculty
There for You When You Need Us
“At Studio V, our teachers are driven by a desire to see every student succeed beyond expectation. While dedication and hard work must come from within, our role is to share our knowledge, guidance, and time — and to inspire each dancer to strive for their personal best. What our students choose to do with these opportunities is shaped by attitude, commitment, and belief in themselves.” 💜- Vassie Catalano
The Studio V faculty is led by Principal, Vassie Catalano, and is comprised of a dedicated team of professional creatives, performers, and instructors. Each member brings a wealth of industry experience, creativity, and inspiration into the classroom.
Driven by passion and purpose, our faculty is committed to nurturing every dancer’s growth — equipping students with the technical skills, confidence, and artistry needed to transition from
student to
artist and performer.
Our Qualified Teachers
Our teachers come from a diverse range of training backgrounds and are fully qualified, holding First Aid certification and Working With Children Checks. Each is deeply committed to the Studio V philosophy and educational objectives.
Every teacher brings a unique teaching style and valuable industry experience, while ensuring all tuition is delivered in accordance with Ausdance safety guidelines, providing a safe, supportive, and inspiring learning environment for every student.
Our Faculty
With over 25 years’ experience teaching Classical, Jazz & VCE Dance, Halina is also an SFD examiner, Co-Head of SFD Classical Style, and Head Lecturer for the SFD Teaching Certificate. She also teaches French, Biology, and Junior Science, and Dance at Ivanhoe Girls Grammar. Halina received the 2015 SFD Outstanding Achievement Award.
Amelia Tang joined Studio V in 2023 with over a decade of teaching experience in Ballet, Tap, Jazz across all age groups. A dancer for 20+ years, she is now an Examiner across all styles with the SFD.
Caitlin is a multi-award-winning performer with over 20 years of experience as an actor, choreographer, director, and producer. Holding degrees from the University of Melbourne and NIDA, she has worked with numerous international artists on stage and screen.
Amanda is experienced in Jazz, Classical, Tap, and National. She completed L10 Jazz SFD with Honours by age 14 and was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts at 15 to complete VCE. Amanda holds a Diploma of Performing Arts from DW301 and is an SFD Examiner. Amanda is an SFD Examiner for Levels 1-5.
Bridget has over 20 years of dance experience at Studio V, trained in ballet, jazz, pointe, contemporary, hip hop, commercial jazz, and fusion, now teaching Junior & Seniors. A Bachelor of Health Science, whilst completing a Master of Occupational Therapy.
Liana, with close to 20 years of experience at Studio V, has completed all SFD Levels 1-10 in Jazz, Tap and Advanced Classical, scoring top marks. A versatile teacher teaching a variety of genres, while academically completing a degree at university.
Jess started dancing at age 2 and has completed the SFD syllabi in Ballet, Jazz and Tap. Currently training full-time in Dance Teaching and Management at Kelly Aykers Studio.
Annalise, with over 15 years of dance experience at Studio V, has completed all her SFD Exams in Tap, Jazz, and Advanced Classical. Awarded the Premiers Award in 2021 for VCE Dance, she now teaches dance while studying Wildlife and Conservation Biology.
Alisha, with over 15 years of dance experience at Studio V, has completed all her SFD Exams in Tap, Jazz, and Advanced Classical. Trained in multiple dance genres therefore teaching Ballet, Jazz, Tap & Fusion, whilst currently studying Psychology (Honours).
Dancing for over 15 years, Gemma is trained in various styles and has completed SFD exams in Tap, Jazz, Ballet. Gemma holds a Level 10 Jazz, Level 10 Tap, and Elementary Ballet certification, SFD Teaching Certificate and studied VCE Dance Units 3 & 4.
Mackenzie has been dancing for over 14 years and is currently completing SFD level 10 in Tap, Jazz and Intermediate Classical, as well as training in Contemporary and Hip-hop. Additionally, she has completed all Fusion Syllabi and VCE Dance Units 1 to 4.
Maya has been dancing for over 15 years at Studio V and is currently completing SFD level 10 in Jazz and Intermediate Classical, as well as training in Contemporary and Hip-hop. Additionally, she has completed all Fusion Syllabi and VCE Dance Units 1 to 4.
Kenzie has been dancing for 16 years across all styles of dance. She is currently completing her final SFD Jazz exam (Level 10) alongside Elementary Classical. Kenzie has successfully completed Units 1 - 4 of VCE dance. She regularly performs as an elite dancer in many musicals with PAC. Kenzie is studying education at RMIT.
Sarah has been dancing for 16 years, specialising in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Production classes. She is currently completing her final SFD Jazz exam (Level 10) alongside studying Intermediate Classical. Sarah has successfully completed Units 1 - 4 of VCE dance, and is passionate to share her love of dance with her students.
Experienced and Highly Qualified Dance Instructors
Assistant Teachers Program
Studio V proudly offers an Assistant Teachers Program to students from Level 5 and above, designed to nurture the next generation of dance teachers and leaders. This fun, structured, and effective program provides students with valuable insight into the art of teaching while developing confidence, responsibility, and leadership skills.
Through the program, Assistant Teachers volunteer their time throughout the week, working alongside our qualified Dance Teachers in junior classes. This hands-on experience allows students to see first-hand how classes are planned and delivered — from lesson structure and classroom management to participation in teacher meetings and mentoring opportunities.
Beyond dance technique, the Assistant Teachers Program equips students with a wide range of transferable life skills, including leadership, initiative, responsibility, efficiency, and care and compassion for others. It is an empowering pathway for students who aspire to one day become dance educators, while also fostering personal growth that extends far beyond the studio.