A Day in the Life
Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance
1. What does an average day timetable look like at KELLY AYKERS FULL TIME DANCE?
Students start at 9.30am with a technical training class such as ballet or contemporary or jazz skills, then at 11am move into a class with a choreographer that usually involves specialist skills ie tap, acro, singing or acting pending on which course the are enrolled in.
Lunch for 1/2 hour 12.30-1pm
1- 2.30pm commercial jazz or hip hop
2.30-4pm commercial heels, hip hop or commercial jazz.
Theory is taught separately for each course against some dance classes throughout the week when needed, along with weekly acting and singing classes.
Generally though, all dancers train together in classes with our choreographers so that dance is a strong base for training in all our courses. This way all students get our amazing professional teacher/trainers no matter what course they are enrolled in.
4pm-4.30pm is used for student choreography, assessments and Theory teaching/catch up.
Course runs 30hrs a week Monday to Friday 9.30-4.30pm in conjunction with Victorian School terms.
2. WHAT different artistic pathways DO YOU OFFER DANCERS to choose from?
We offer 5 Fulltime courses to train in :
*CAU40120 Certificate IV in dance - 1 year leading into second year of Diploma of Dance (elite performance)
*CUA4032O Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management - 1 year, can be combined with 2nd year of a Diploma course
*CUA51520 Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) - 2 years
*CUA50220 Diploma of Musical Theatre - 2 years
4 courses in partnership with ATOD RTO #31624
*Elite Private Fulltime Dance Course - 1 year
Catered to each individual enrolled dancer, with the option to train in dance, musical theatre skills and management/choreography techniques.
*Part time Industry Course
Open to students that have completed a diploma or above degree in performance arts prior to commencing.
Minimum 12 hrs maximum 20 hrs chosen from regular training timetable weekly.
3. What do your students say about you?
“I studied at Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance, completing my Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management in 2022. I continued further training with KAFTD in 2023, studying Musical Theatre. The exceptional faculty are industry professionals who bring with them a powerhouse of knowledge, skills and experience. The training and support is remarkable and the personalised feedback during classes is invaluable. Kelly and Pete have lovingly created such a positive and welcoming environment for all students. It truly feels like home.” Sophie Burrell
“I am a current student about to finish my last year of training for my Diploma of Musical Theatre and I have nothing my immense gratitude for my time at Kelly's. From the second I entered the doors I knew this studio was where I belonged. The quality of training in an intimate environment is something I truly value, I feel my mentors know me on an individual level and can push me in a safe, supported space. The people I have met have shaped me into the person I am and I feel so incredibly supported by the faculty and my peers around me. This place is a family!
Because of this establishment, I feel I know where I am going and how I need to get there.
It is so inspiring to be surrounded by people on such different journeys while still having tailored training of a high standard. I will cherish this place forever and hold the people in it so close to my heart for the rest of my career.” Lulu Pye
“I started as a student during the inaugural year of Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance and since then it has been an exceptional journey and the best decision I ever made for my career and life within the industry. Since day dot they have taken pride to always employ teachers and choreographers who all work within the industry and to always pay them well above recommended to cement their worth and help shape and create exceptional performers, choreographers and teachers. I have now worked on staff with Kelly for 8 years and not a day goes by that I don't enjoy it. Everyone is treated as family, no one overlooked and they are constantly giving everything they can to the students whenever they can.”” Connor Micallef
4. Who are your dance teachers and what styles do they teach?
Kelly Aykers - Skills & Broadway Jazz, DTM, MT and Dance Theory, Director of all onstage and film productions
Sue Ellen - Jazz, Ballet & Body Conditioning
Petros Treklis - Contemporary & Technique Conditioning
Phill Haddad - Hip Hop
Donnie Dimase - Commercial Jazz & Heels
Gerard Pigg - Commercial Jazz , Heels & Bollywood Dance
Anna Burgess - Acting
Tash Crichton - Hip Hop
Rob Shook - Acrobatics
Sophie Weiss - Singing
Jo Magliolo - Contemporary & Lyrical
Connor Micallef - Contemporary, Acrobatics, Skills, Training and Assessing
Rachael Peters - Commercial Jazz & Fitness
Kate Gloufchis - Heels
Talitha Duncan - Tap
Kirsten Manuel - Singing & Acting
Maddie Bratby - Jazz Foundation Skills, Training and Assessing
5. Do you offer any performance opportunities throughout the year?
*VDF Ignite performance - Melbourne Showgrounds
*Mid year Raw Dance Showcase - Gasworks Theatre
*Full scale Musical Theatre show - Gasworks Theatre
*Cabaret evening - Melbourne City Venue, Storyville
*End of year Double Bill - National Theatre
Our dancers are often given opportunities to perform as work experiences dancers supporting professional dancers throughout the year through our teaching staff contacts, along with second year cohorts being able to audition for professional contracts.
We also include Dance Teaching and Management students into behind the scene work-experience days within Kelly’s professional industry work.
6. what do you look for in a dancer who might audition for your course?
As Kelly has full faith in all her trainers/choreographers to achieve the correct pre-professional standard needed for all cohorts by end of training, she mainly looks for the ability to work hard, take direction and generally show respect to all fellow students and teachers.
Of course the dance element needs to be equal to a Cert III for a Cert IV course entry in certain genres, but Kelly has also seen amazing singer/actors become more than capable dancers within in the time frame of her Musical Theatre and private Elite courses.