ABOUT US

LAUNCH Performing Arts Centre is Gold Coast’s leading dance and performing arts institution. We teach with drive, dedication, and passion with our goal being to ignite potential, bringing out the best in each student by building confidence and strengthening self-esteem.

Located on The Gold Coast, LAUNCH Performing Arts Centre is a comprehensive dance facility for recreational students and passionate dancers who have their sights on a professional career.

Our facilities offer five fully equipped studios and an extensive range of styles for students from ages three to professional. To ensure classes are suitable for those who attend, we offer options across styles, age groups and abilities.

The teachers at LAUNCH Performing Arts Centre have experience across disciplines. Our collective approach is to share our love of dance and bring out the best in our students while being supportive and encouraging. After five years of operation, LAUNCH Performing Arts Centre students are beginning to experience success in the dance industry. We celebrate our professional graduates and love to nurture incoming talent.

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World Class Dance Lessons: Gold Coast

OUR VISION

Our vision is to create a place where students can experience the joy of becoming part of a community that is passionate about dance.

We have witnessed first hand how dance can build character, confidence and friendships. Through our service of teaching dance, we provide exceptional training and leadership to our students.

While striving to create professional-level dancers, we also value and give our full attention to our recreational students. At LAUNCH, the focus is on good self-esteem so students can become the best version of themselves.

OUR MISSION

At LAUNCH Performing Arts Centre, we empower students to become elite level dancers, however our priority is to foster a life-long love of dance.

Our faculty teach with passion, drive and dedication to bring out the best in every student. It is our aim to provide exceptional leadership to our students, building talent and delivering a positive experience with every class.

OUR VALUES

At LAUNCH, we believe in:

  • PASSION – To commit to living a life of purpose
  • RESPECT – Respect for self, respect for others, respect for our differences, respect for the institute
  • CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT- Constant and Never Ending Improvement
  • RESILIENCE – Through dedication and commitment, you will become truly aware of what you are capable of.
  • TEAMWORK – When you work as a team, you will thrive as individuals.

Our Team

The instructors at LAUNCH have a range of backgrounds and experience as professional dancers, performers and choreographers.

Michelle Hopper Doyle

Director

As a leader in the Australian dance industry, Michelle has worked extensively in the performing arts for more than 20 years. Her career has seen her work with the world’s best directors and choreographers including Baz Lurhmann, George Miller, David Atkins, Kelley Abbey, Wade Robson, The Squared Division, John O’Connell, Nathan Wright, Jason Coleman and Dein Perry. With a career spanning over two decades, Michelle secured roles in major stage productions including Singin’ in the Rain playing the role of Cyd Cherise and Grease The Arena Spectacular. She was cast in feature Films including Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby, Happy Feet 1 and 2, Goddess, The Son of Mask and has performed on screen at The TV Week Logie Awards, Helpmann Awards, X Factor, Australian Idol, MTV Music Awards, Aria Awards, The Nickelodeon Choice Awards, Rove Live, SYTYCD, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, DWTS, The 2000 Olympic Closing Ceremony and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. She has performed with leading music icons including Kylie Minogue, Jessica Mauboy, Tina Arena, Guy Sebastian, Boyzone, Vanessa Amorosi, The Rogue Traders, 30 Seconds to Mars, Cobra Starship, Macy Gray, Danni Minogie, Adam Lambert, Sheena Easton, Gloria Gaynor, Wynter Gordon, The Veronicas, and Sneaky Sound System. Under the creative direction of The Squared Division, Michelle was recently employed as a resident choreographer on Season 3 of The Masked Singer. “My purpose is to mentor pre professional students and having worked successfully within the industry for over 20 years I know what it takes and what tools you need to get there. More importantly I have created a course that enables constant one on one feedback. When you come to LAUNCH you are guaranteed to get personal attention. It is my promise to You.”

Troy Phillips

As one of Australia’s most respected choreographers and performers, Troy’s career spans more than two decades where he has specialised in musical theatre and stage performance. Hailing from Melbourne, Troy trained at the distinguished Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, Victoria’s premier school for the training of dancers and musicians

Sonja Middelbosch

Sonja is highly regarded in the Australian dance industry as the ultimate strength and conditioning technician, working with dancers to build a strong foundation that will allow them to perform at their best. She coaches some of the country’s leading dancers, who have gone on to work for or study with prestigious international companies including Basel Theatre Ballet– Switzerland, Rambert School – London, Martha Graham – New York, Australian Ballet School, Alvin Ailey – New York, Moulin Rouge – Paris, Zurich Ballet School – Zurich, London Ballet Company – London and many more.

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Karen Perring

Karen is a member of the Panel of Examiners of the Royal Academy of Dance, London, examining students throughout Australia and internationally. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Karen is a fully registered R.A.D. Teacher and has a Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. She has mentored students completing the Ballet Education Degree at the London R.A.D. Headquarters. Most recently she became a Tutor and licensee for the Silver Swans. Karen was privileged to study under teachers such as Kathleen Gorham OBE, Valerie Bayley and Joy Ransley, completing her R.A.D. Teaching Certificate in 1988. After a career performing in various styles of dance, Karen taught in her own dance schools followed by freelancing in both Australia and London U.K., teaching at The Ballet School, Notting Hill, West London School of Dance and Anna Pavlova’s Ivy House. Karen brings extensive knowledge and a passion for classical ballet to pass on to our students.

Kate Wormald

With a performance and choreographic career spanning more than 20 years covering film, TV, theatre and specialty events both in Australia and the UK, Kate is one of Australia’s most highly respected and sought after choreographers and mentors. She has had the privilege of working alongside some of the world’s best choreographers, and directors including George Miller, Baz Luhrmann, Wade Robson, Kelley Abbey, Jason Gilkison, The Squared Division, David Atkins to name a few.

Heidi Jennings

Trained in Melbourne studying full-time ballet at Danceworld 301, Heidi has been working globally as a professional dancer for the last 10 years. She has performed in various Casino shows, corporate events and on major Cruise Lines. A well sought after choreographer and dance teacher on the gold coast she wishes to inspire her students and pass on all that she has learnt from working and travelling the world.

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Ngavaine Tearea

Ngavaine is a professional and award winning hip hop dancer from New Zealand. With 7 years of intense training and competing in dance crews & companies and another 7 years working so far as a professional dancer & teacher in the industry. She trained under Parris Goebel who opened many doors to opportunities for her in the entertainment industry. Her highlights throughout her career so far is when she back up danced for Jennifer Lopez on American Idol Season 6 and also landing a 2 year contract with Cirque Du Soleil’s residential show “Micheal Jackson ONE” in Las Vegas. Her recent achievement is being chosen to dance in The Dream Dance Company’s 2019 touring show “Goddess”. Ngavaine teaches & mentors all ages through her artist development program called “The Process” which she started at the beginning of 2017 and has successfully been running it now for the 8th time. She teaches regular classes at many dance studios in Queensland and workshops all over Australia and Internationally. With all the experience she has been blessed with throughout her dance career, she is determine to share, develop and inspire the next generation to chase their DREAMS.

Caylee Francis

Completing her training on the Gold Coast, Caylee has been working professionally as a performer both in Australia and internationally for the last 9 years. She has worked for Showtime Attractions, Pen2stage Productions, Village Roadshow Theme Parks among many others. Caylee choreographed Season 1 of ‘Ashy and Friends’ live stage show and animated episodes. Caylee is a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor, holds a Cert IV in Musical Theatre and Cert IV in Performing Arts (Dance) and is currently completing a Bachelor of Primary Education. She is passionate about teaching the performing arts to all ages and guiding safe and effective development.

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Roxanne Patterson

Roxie has been dancing since she was 3 years old, studying in all facets of dance including acrobatics under the direction of Peta Norton. Her professional credits include The Boy from Oz, The Production Company, The Royal Princess and Princess Cruises. She has also travelled extensively throughout the Middle East and Asia performing in shows such as ‘Let’s Imagine’ and ‘Barney’s Musical Castle’ for Millennium Entertainment and has also worked for choreographers such as Jason Coleman and Andrew Hallsworth. Roxie has lived in Sydney for the past 10 years teaching at some of Australia’s leading performing arts studios in styles such as Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Lyrical and Acrobatics.

Karin Mochizuki

Karin Mochizuki has been dancing since age 7 and is trained in all styles of dance including Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Hiphop, Ballet, Contemporary, Acrobatics. In 2017 she completed her Certificate III in Dance. An Inaugural member of LAUNCH Performing Arts Centre since 2014, Karin has proven to be one of our most loved role models who leads by example in her determination and drive to be the very best she can be. With her goal of becoming a professional dancer, Karin has seen early success performing at the 2018 TV Week Logies Awards with Julia Morris and as a lead dancer in the 2019 feature film, Dora and The Lost City of Gold. Karin recently underwent intense training in Los Angeles so that she could return and pass on the knowledge to her students back home. She is very excited to share her passion for dance with the students at LAUNCH Performing Arts Centre.

Vanessa Krummenacher

After graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre in 2013, Vanessa has worked as a lead vocalist and performer both nationally and internationally in various productions for a range of companies. Highlights include performing as a lead vocalist on board Seabourn Luxury Cruiselines, featuring in the National Australian Tour of Rolling Thunder Vietnam, and taking the stage for various nationally recognised companies including Harvest Rain Theatre Company, La boite Theatre, Echelon Productions, Artslink Queensland as well as hosting children’s theatre shows internationally with Pen2Stage Productions. Vanessa has also performed numerous roles at Warner Bros. Movie World, including Marilyn Monroe and hosting the Hollywood Stunt Driver Show. Currently Vanessa performs on the Gold Coast and interstate with various bands and leading corporate entertainment companies, while teaching singing, and guiding students through their own performance journeys.

Rodrigo Hoyos

Colombian born Rodrigo has studied circus skills for most of his life. While living in Cali, Colombia he trained in floor acrobatics, acrobalance, trapeze, unicycle and juggling at the National School Circo Para Todos, graduating after 4 years study with a Diploma in Circus Skills. Since then, he has travelled the world as a circus performer, his professional highlights include P&O Australia, UK Ocean Village and the Number 1 show in Colombia “Delerio”. Since arriving in Australia he has taught in Sydney, Newcastle, and now the Gold Coast. He looks forward to sharing his passion and knowledge with all his students.

Bodie Fullerton

Morgan Choice

Renee Ritchie

Tash Marconi

Kym Shaw

Jesse Rasmussen

Rachel Dowse

Amanda Taylor

Riannon McLean

Administration Team

Lisa Kirk

Melissa Parkinson

Caylee Francis