Faculty
Lea Cullen Lynes
LCPA Principal
Miss Lea is a WAAPA graduate (AD PA Dance, Bachelor of Arts Musical Theatre) with over 30 years professional and academic teaching experience. Her love of dance began at Gail Meade Performing Arts Centre Perth where she studied CSTD and RAD Ballet, Character, National, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap and Song & Dance. She also studied Vaganova and Cecchetti ballet syllabi while training at WAAPA. She has performed in professional Musical Theatre and Dance productions throughout Australia and overseas.
Professional teaching positions include:
Senior Dance lecturer Musical Theatre Department WAAPA coordinating/teaching weekly classes and conducting annual dance intake auditions/callbacks in both Perth and Melbourne.
Head of Department Music Theatre (Dance & Actors Movement) University of Ballarat Arts Academy, including choreographing annual graduate industry showcase Melbourne.
Head of Music Theatre Dance at the National Theatre Melbourne, including choreographing annual graduate industry showcase Melbourne.
Dance teacher Bartuccio Dance Melbourne, Lauriston Girls School Melbourne, Johnny Young Talent School Perth, The Dance Workshop Perth.
Senior Dance & Actors Movement lecturer University of Notre Dame (Theatre Aboriginal) Broome.
Performing Arts coordinator St Mary's College Broome, full time educator Kindy - Year 12.
Excellence in Arts Dance coordinator Karratha Senior High School.
Senior Ballet & Musical Theatre teacher Charlesworth Ballet School and Youth Ballet WA.
Junior Musical Theatre programme coordinator Koorliny Arts Centre.
Miss Lea has also adjudicated many dance festivals and competitions, including Storm the Stage and Kwinana Dance festival in Perth. She has conducted musical theatre masterclasses and choreographed many professional Musical Theatre productions and dance events throughout Australia. She created and implemented special education dance/movement programmes for primary aged students in both Victoria and Western Australia.
Miss Lea’s experience as Performing Arts Principal/studio owner spans over 20 years and is a testament to her continued dedication to providing exceptional and inclusive dance/performing arts training in the Pilbara.
Rebekah Jarvis
LCPA Principal Teacher
Miss Bek is an Edith Cowan University graduate (BA Science Human Movement, Diploma Primary Education). She is an accomplished teacher in Classical Ballet, Acro, Strength & Conditioning, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Lyrical and Contemporary dance.
Her classical dance training began as a child at EDA Dance with Catherine Kalajzich, studying major ballet levels through to Solo Seal in the Borovansky Ballet Syllabus, achieving the teacher qualification: Associate Diploma in Classical Dance (Australian Institute of Classical Dance) in 2012.
A firm believer in lifelong learning and a passionate dancer, she has also studied and completed major examinations in RAD and Cecchetti ballet syllabi, Modern Dance Faculty and Jazz medals (ISTD).
She completed her Acrobatics Arts Teacher Certification in 2018. Her gymnastics career started as a child at the local PCYC and developed through the National Levels stream, competing at state and national competitions.
She accredited as a rhythmic coach with Gymnastics Australia in 1998 and has taught recreational students, state levels and the sub-junior elite development squad for rhythmic gymnastics at the High-Performance Centre in Perth.
Miss Bek brings extensive performing arts experience/knowledge to LCPA and is greatly valued as an exceptional arts educator within our school.
Sophie Cochrane
LCPA Teacher
Miss Sophie is an accomplished dancer and teacher specialising in Jazz technique, Commercial Jazz and Hip Hop. Her love of dance started from the age of 3 with her dance journey really beginning at the Conroy Dance Centre in Brisbane, Qld. Then extending her training and commencing her teaching career with Promenade Dance Studio. Sophie studied all facets of dance completing major examinations in RAD Classical ballet and CSTD Modern Jazz & Tap. She then went on to complete Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management through the ATOD.
Sophie started teaching and choreographing from the age of 12 and that is when her passion and love for teaching really began. Her professional experience includes being part of fulltime faculty at various studios across Brisbane, guest teaching/choreography for group and solo/duo/trio competition and dance camps in North Qld.
Professionally as a dancer, Sophie has performed for many well-known brands such as Coca-Cola, ABC & Westfield Shopping Centres, dancing widely throughout South East Qld, including Carols by Candlelight, Hogs Breath Café, Brisbane Broncos cheer squad and cheerleader for State of Origin Qld. She has also danced internationally including Disneyland, Universal Studios & the Staples Centre Stadium and has taken classes in Los Angeles & New York.
Sophie is a true believer in learning various styles and working towards being a multifaceted dancer. She has been lucky enough to work with many industry leaders and gain real-world experience to pass on to the students at LCPA. Sophie is thrilled to be part of the LCPA faculty and really looking forward to working with our senior students. LCPA is so lucky to have Miss Sophie sharing her extensive dance knowledge with LCPA students.
Jodie Martin
LCPA Teacher
Miss Jodie’s passion for dance began when she shone as a moonbeam onstage as a 3 year old ballerina at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth. She fell in love with the music, stage, lights and sequins. This is when her passion for dance began.
She studied various dance genres at Gail Meade School of Dance in Perth. She completed RAD and CSTD exams, performed in the City of Perth’s annual Christmas Pageant, various dance conventions and end of year concerts. Jodie studied Modern/Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Acrobatic Dance. At the same time, she studied Human Biology/kinesiology to improve her understanding of human movement relating to dance.
Miss Jodie completed her Diploma of Teacher Assistants in 2001 through Edith Cowan University specialising in Early Childhood Education.
She continued to dance when she relocated to Karratha in 2007, participating in Adult Jazz, Tap Hip Hop and Contemporary classes. From 2013-2014, Jodie was an assistant Acrobatic and Tap teacher. She also held private Adult dance classes.
Miss Jodie joined LCPA in 2020, where she participated in Adult Tap and Broadway Jazz classes which she still enjoys. She recently completed Acrobatic Arts Module 1-2 and Acro Dance Pre-school certifications becoming a certified Acro Arts teacher in 2022.
She has participated in Aerial and Back handspring workshops for training and spotting as well as a Mentorship workshop for training junior teachers.
Miss Jodie currently teaches Adult Beginner/Foundation Tap and runs the Acrobatic Arts Program at LCPA. We are so lucky to have Miss Jodie sharing her passion for Dance and Acrobatics with LCPA students.
Sarah Cruickshank
LCPA Teacher
Miss Sarah began dancing in Queensland studying BAL and RAD and upon moving to East Arnhem Land (NT) in 2013 joined Arafura Dance Association (ADA) where she was taught by and worked alongside Rachael Wallis (Miku Performing Arts) and Emily Fox (Fox Studios). Whilst at ADA, Sarah learnt traditional Yolngu dance styles of Contemporary, as well as completing major examinations in ATOD Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Highland, competing in these styles regionally. Sarah also began teaching Ballet, Jazz and Tap at ADA and surrounding Homeland schools.
Whilst at ADA, she assisted in the local Yirrkala production Yarrapay, performing alongside both local and national artists, providing the opportunity to gain experience from many commercial and company performers.
Miss Sarah attended Hervey Bay Performing Arts College (HBPAC) as a full-time student in 2018, competing both regionally and nationally, in addition to assistant teaching all abilities classes. She expanded her training in Broadway and Commercial Jazz, Street Tap, Ballet, Contemporary as well as extending into Acrobatics, Lyra and Silks at RAW Dance Company (QLD). Sarah was also granted the opportunity to dance with the Russian Imperial Ballet Company on the Fraser Coast, QLD.
She is a graduate of St Luke’s College, where she completed a Cert IV in Leadership and Management and is currently studying Emergency Health Care with the Australian Paramedical College.
Miss Sarah believes that dance supports wellbeing and provides a safe space for students of all abilities and diverse backgrounds to express themselves whilst learning a technical and disciplined art form.
She is excited to be sharing her love of dance with LCPA students, including teaching Junior kicks/turns/leaps (KTL), Junior Contemporary, Senior Lyrical and choreographing Junior Lyrical and Contemporary competition solo’s. LCPA is extremely lucky to have Miss Sarah passing on her extensive dance talent to LCPA students.
Katie Virgo
LCPA Teacher
Miss Katie began dancing at age 3yrs, training in the Commonwealth Society Teachers of Dance (CSTD) syllabus, where she completed her Teaching Diploma and advanced certificates in many genres. Katie is trained in all areas of dance including Jazz, Tapatak Oz, Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acrobatics & Zumba. She has performed/choreographed for various competitions, examinations, performances, fundraisers, local music videos and events.
She obtained her cert III & IV in Fitness under the Australian Institute of Personal Trainers (AIPT) where she has instructed many group fitness classes, bootcamps and one on one sessions.
Miss Katie took over her previous dance teacher’s studio in Kalgoorlie at the age of 16yrs, a lifelong passion and dream of hers. She then spent school holidays traveling to Perth to expand her training under her wonderful mentor, Mrs Betty Tilley. By age 21yrs, Katie had completed her CSTD teaching Diploma and her studio became the Katie Virgo Dance Academy. Throughout the years, Miss Katie has entered students into examinations with outstanding results, with many completing their Teacher Certificates in dance and working professionally around the world.
In 2007, Miss Katie was awarded the Goldfields Young Achiever of the Year at aged 17, Australian Young Achiever of the Year Semi Finalist in 2016 and Winner of the Community Dance Teacher Award with The Australian Independent Dance Teacher Awards in 2017.
In 2018, After 15 years as a studio owner, she decided to close the doors in Kalgoorlie, relocating to the City where she joined Busta Move Dance Academy (2019-2023). She introduced a Contemporary program to the studio and shared teaching roles in all genres.
She has also worked as a Kindy Relief Teacher and taught in numerous primary/secondary schools offering Dance and Fitness programs.
Miss Katie relocated to Karratha with her young family and is extremely excited to join the LCPA family and share her love and passion for dance. She is currently teaching Junior Jazz, Junior Tap, Senior Kicks/Turns/Leaps (KTL), Senior Strength/Conditioning/Fitness and solo/duo/trio competition choreography. We are so excited to have Miss Katie sharing her dance expertise with LCPA students.
LCPA Teacher
Shaylee Mills
Shaylee grew up in the Wheatbelt of WA and at age 6 began dance classes across Cunderdin, Beverley and Quairading. In 2011, she joined Toodyay Ballet School under Lani McGeady to broaden her skills in ballet, contemporary and jazz. Between 2011-2013, she undertook Cecchetti syllabus exams, placing as winner of the Grade 5, Grade 6 and Intermediate WA State Medal as well as Honourable Mention in the National Lucie Saronova Silver Medal at the National Cecchetti Conference 2012 & 2013.
In 2013 Shaylee transitioned to boarding school in Perth, attending John Curtin College of the Arts, ballet and contemporary program. Outside of school hours, she also trained at The Graduate College of Dance under Dawn Weller completing exams via their own syllabus and RAD. Through The College, Shaylee was grateful to undertake many international dance opportunities, including competing in the 2015 Alana Haines Australasian Awards and attending the New Zealand School of Dance' 2014 Winter School where she received a scholarship to return to their Winter School the following year. Shaylee's favourite ballet memory was her experience dancing with the Salzburg Ballet Company in Austria for 2 weeks for one-on-one training with their director Petere Breuer.
In 2016, Shaylee took a step back from training at The College to focus on her academic studies through John Curtin. After her graduation in 2017, she went on to study pharmacy which has led her to land a position as a pharmacist with the Pharmacy 777 Karratha group. Since leaving school, she continued adult dance classes, including performing for Broome Mardi Gras in 2022, and has been a guest teacher for Toodyay Ballet School. She is currently teaching Senior Ballet/Pointe and classical solo choreography at LCPA. Her love for ballet lies with artistry, strength and style and she looks forward to sharing this with students. LCPA is thrilled to have Miss Shaylee sharing her exceptional ballet knowledge with LCPA Classical Ballet students.
