Backstreet dance, Cairns

Our Groovy Team

THE BUZZING, BUBBLY, BACKSTREET CREW

There is a strict criteria for being a part of the Backstreet Team. All Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Student Teachers and employees have to be positive, committed and most of all passionate about what they do. This ensures everyone has a great time and gains confidence.

All Teachers have Blue Cards, are trained in First Aid (regularly) and have suitable experience/qualifications to teach/assist (eg.  Cert III in Dance or Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management or equivalent inhouse training).

We also have an intensive Teacher Training Program for new and current Teachers in our Cairns Dance Studio so that the whole team are in alignment with the philosophy of Backstreet. This is important to the success of everyone involved at Backstreet.

Teachers regularly travel to Sydney and Melbourne (2-3 times per year) and every few years some travel to Los Angeles to attend dance classes and the Director has visited and will continue to visit Boston and Phoenix for specialised Dance Teacher Conferences or Dance Teacher Retreats to keep up to date with the latest choreography, safe teaching practices, effective teaching strategies and other important news that relates to the Dance Industry.

Most importantly, Backstreet operates in accordance with the Australian Dance Council’s Code of Ethics.

We also have in place, according to law, a Risk Management Plan to ensure we offer a safe place for students and parents to attend.

If you would like to read our Policies, click HERE or our VALUE click HERE our our Health & Safety page HERE

Check out who is part of the bubbly Backstreet Team below

DEBORAH STORER

(Studio Director, Qualified Dance Teacher and Studio Manager)

Deborah has been teaching dance for 20 years, is a published author of 7 books, is a Life Coach and finds anyway to make a difference.

DEB’S QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management
  • Cert IV in Life Coaching
  • Cert III in Fitness & Cert IV in Fitness
  • Cert IV in Business & Small Business Management
  • Cert IV in Training & Assessment

She has also received a nomination for the Local Hero Award. She has contributed to the community in many ways – which you will see on the corridor of the studio. What more can you want in a Director of a Dance School?

As Deborah says: “You only get one life – live it with passion!!. Most of all, ensure you have loads of fun. Life is not meant to be serious all the time – enjoy yourself!”‘.

DEB TEACHES:

  • Dance classes from 3yo to Adults in the styles of jazz, funk and hip hop
  • Performance Troupe
  • Certificate III in Dance Qualification
  • Self-Esteem Workshops
  • Team Training and Mentoring

You’ll see her organizing:

  • Disney Dance Trips
  • Work Experience Programs
  • Discos
  • Community Performances
  • School dance program
  • plus heaps more behind the scenes.

Her passion is obvious and the connection with her students is evident. You’ll see her choreographing, organizing costumes, taking phone calls, organizing enrollments and ensuring everything is in tip top Backstreet shape.

If you don’t have the pleasure of having Deborah as your Dance Teacher, you will definitely have the opportunity to soak in the positivity she spreads through the team, on the walls at the studio and through every bit of communication.

DEB’S FAVORITE QUOTE:

“Why try to fit in; when you are born to stand out!”

ONE THING DEB LOVES ABOUT BACKSTREET:

The people – I feed off the people who enter the studio. I love my team, I love my students, I love everyone that walks through our door. People keep me motivated!

ONE THING DEB WANTS HER STUDENTS TO GET OUT OF HER CLASSES:

  1. Fun
  2. Energy
  3. Feel good about yourself

DEB’S TOP 3 ACHIEVEMENTS:

  1. Overcoming my own self-esteem issues and eating disorders as a young adult. Dance and personal development saved my life!!
  2. Owning and continually managing a dance studio I’m proud of
  3. Loving what I do – nothing beats passion!!! MUST do what you love. It’s hard work, sometimes scary, sometimes challenging but IT’S SO WORTH IT!!!
JORDANN GRANT

(Qualified Dance Teacher)

DANCE BACKGROUND:

  • started dancing at 6yo at Moondust (Deb’s 1st dance studio)
  • been on 2 Disney Dance Trips (USA & Europe)
  • performed in ‘Backstreet on Broadway’ dance show
  • danced for 15 years
  • attended interstate dance classes
  • danced all styles
  • favourite style is Broadway Jazz
  • Choreographed “Aladdin, the Pantomime” 2019

DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN:

  • Jazz, Hip Hop & Contemporary and Heels

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Certificate III in Dance (CUA30113)
  • First aid
  • Cert III in Hospitality
  • Blue Card
  • Cert III in Tourism
  • Qualified Assistant Dance Teacher

TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS:

  1. Performed at Disneyland
  2. Performed at “Backstreet on Broadway”
  3. Teaching dance to the elderly and disability (Move Time)

DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE:

“Why try to fit in when you were born to stand out”

“No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else”

1 THING LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET:

The Positivity and the family; we are all connected and everyone is welcome 🙂

WHAT SHE WANTS HER STUDENTS TO GET OUT OF HER CLASSES:

Fun, inspiration and cool new moves.

BROOKE DAY

(Qualified Dance Teacher & Assistant Teacher)

DANCE BACKGROUND:

  • started dancing with Deb at 6yo
  • been on 3 Disney Dance Trips
  • achieved 4 Performance Troupe Programs
  • danced for 18 years…so far
  • completed dance workshops in LA with Deb
  • danced in the Cairns Festival Parade each year

DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN:

  • Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Heels

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Certificate III in Dance (CUA30113)
  • First Aid
  • Blue Card
  • Bachelor of Educational Services
  • Qualified Dance Teacher
  • Qualified Assistant Teacher

TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Performing in the Disney Parade
  • Performing around the community
  • Helping grow a new generation of dancers

DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE:

“She turned her cant’s into can’s and her dreams into plans!”

1 THING LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET:

I get the opportunity to inspire my students and give them a place to be themselves.

1 THING SHE WANTS HER STUDENTS TO GET OUT OF HER CLASSES:

Confidence, new friends and a positive mindset.

JASMINE WEBBER

(Qualified Assistant Teacher)

DANCE BACKGROUND:

  • Danced at Backstreet for 13 years.
  • Been on the 2017 Disney Dance trip to America
  • Done 4 Performance Troupes
  • Workshops with Jess Innes (industry professional)
  • Backstreet Master Classes
  • 4 Cairns Festival Parades

DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN:

  • Jazz (Broadway, Commercial, Jazz/Funk, Lyrical)
  • Hip-Hop
  • Pom-Poms
  • Heels

TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS:

  1. Dancing in the USA
  2. Being selected for performance troupe 4 times
  3. Being a Qualified assistant teacher

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Senior First Aid
  • CPR
  • Blue card

DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE:

“Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it.”

1 THING LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET:

The positive, fun and non-judgemental atmosphere between the students, staff and community.

MARTA RUBULIS

tant Teacher and General Assistant)

DANCE BACKGROUND: 

  • Dancing since the age of 3
  • Performed at Cairns Central & Stockland
  • Performed at Carol by Candlelight
  • Danced in Cairns Parade every year

  DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN: 

  • Jazz (Funk, Commercial, Broadway)
  • HipHop (Urban, Commercial)
  • Contemporary

TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS: 

  • 10 years at Backstreet…many more to come
  • 4 years of Performance Troupe (2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020/21)
  • Work experience at Backstreet

  QUALIFICATIONS 

  • First Aid
  • Blue Card
  • CPR
  • Qualified Assistant Teacher

 

DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE: 

  • “Nothing is impossible, the word itself is I’m possible”

  

1 THING I LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET: 

  • The positivity and love between Students and Teachers at Backstreet, everyone is accepted and welcomed into this positive environment.
    JEMMA MARTEL

    (Qualified Assistant Teacher & Trainee Receptionist)

    DANCE BACKGROUND:

    • Danced at Backstreet for 5 years…so far
    • Done Performance Troupe (2020/21)
    • Performed at Stockland Shopping Centre
    • Dance in the Cairns Parade each year
    • Done a Duet with Deb

    DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN:
    Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop

    TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS:

    1. Being employed as a Qualified Assistant
    2. Performance troupe
    3. Duet with Deb

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    • First Aid
    • CPR
    • Blue Card
    • Qualified Assistant

    DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE:
    “Nobody cares if you can’t dance. Great dancers are not great because of their technique,
    they are great because of their passion” – Martha Graham

    1 THING I LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET:
    The Backstreet community is a place where you can grow your passion, love of dance and
    feel free whilst not having to worry about comparing yourself.

    ALANA MACRI

    (Qualified Assistant Teacher

    DANCE BACKGROUND:

    •  Danced at Backstreet for 12 years
    •  Completed 2 Perfromance Troupe Programs
    •  Performed in Cairns Festival Parades every year
    •  Performed at Carols by Candlelight

    DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN:

    •  Jazz (Commercial, Jazz/Funk and Broadway)
    •  Hip Hop
    • Ballet/Contemporary

    TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS:

    1. Performance Troupe
    2. Jess Innes Workshop
    3. Part of Relay for Life Team

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    • Qualified Assistant Teacher
    • First Aid
    • CPR
    • Blue Card

    DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE:

    “Just be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

    1 THING I LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET:

    The positive, welcoming atmosphere

    AMELIE BARNARD-CAESAR

    Assistant Dance Teacher

    Dance background:

    • Been dancing since 3yo
    • Completed 3 performance troupe programs
    • Done many different forms of dance; including ballet, acrobatics, cheerleading, and gymnastics
    • Danced at backstreet for 6 years, so far
    • Carols by candlelight, cairns festival parade, cairns central & cairns show performances
    • Selected for St Monica’s College dance troupe

    Dance styles competent in:

    • Jazz; broadway, funk, commercial
    • Ballet/Contemporary; abstract, lyrical
    • Hip-hop; urban, commercial

    Top 3 dance/dance career achievements:

    1. Work experience at backstreet
    2. Selected for performance troupe 3 times; (2018, 2019 & 2020/21)
    3. Dancing within the community

    Qualifications:

    • Assistant teacher – in training

    Dance philosophy/favorite quote:

    • “Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.”

    One thing I love about backstreet:

    • The accepting, positive atmosphere and the beautiful connections between the people here. Backstreet gives you the opportunity to be yourself and find your confidence, without the fear of being judged or put down by others.
    Jeff (Deb's Husband)
    • Can’t dance (except randomly does a back spin and some MJ head movements)
    • Behind the Scenes Genius of the studio
    • Videos & manages tech at the Productions
    • Trains new staff on Reception
    • Built this studio with his own hands & by himself
    • Does all the maintenance for the studio
    • Puts all the systems in place for the studio for it to run smoothly
    • Built the Costume Room and Costume Washing Department
    • Is Deb’s rock and a great support to the team and students
    Chi Chi
    • Deb & Jeff’s new family member
    • He is a boy and a pure bred chihuhua
    • He is 4 months old
    • You’ll see him behind Reception – ask for a pat (if Reception not busy)
    • Deb & Jeff have had chihuhuas their whole marriage (23 years). Chi Chi is the new addition since Lu Lu passed last year.
    • Chi Chi is super friendly because Deb & Jeff socialise him with people when he was young. So he is use to people.
    • He is super playful and super snuggly.
    SAMANTHA TOOMEY

    Assistant Dance Teacher

    DANCE BACKGROUND:

    •  Danced at Backstreet since 4 years old
    •  Completed 3 Performance Troupe Programs (2018, 2019, 2020/21)
    •  Performed in Cairns Festival Parades
    • Private lessons in Ballet
    •  Performed Duet with Deb
    • Student teaching at Backstreet Dance since 2019
    • Invited to perform at carols by Candellight

     

    DANCE STYLES COMPETENT IN:

    •  Jazz
    •  Hip Hop
    • Contemporary  

     

    TOP 3 DANCE/DANCE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS:

     Performance Troupe

    1. Jess Innes Workshop
    2. Choreographed own small group dance in contemporary

     

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    (In progress)

     

    DANCE PHILOSOPHY/FAVOURITE QUOTE:

    “I am perfectly imperfect

    “Just be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

     

    1 THING I LOVE ABOUT BACKSTREET:

    I love how at Backstreet everyone is unique and we can learn, respect and embrace each other it gives you a great feeling. I love being apart of the environment that Backstreet has created.

     

    Tracy Gardiner

    Front of House Manager at the Productions

    • Been part of the Backstreet family for 5 years.
    • Dances in Jazz (advance/intermediate) and Heels (beginner) for the last 2 years.
    • Loves meeting and greeting families on production day.
    • Loves ensuring all dancers and families have a great time on production day.
    • Can be a little bit crazy at time, but full of fun, laughs and energy!
    Christine Downie

    (Bookkeeping)

    • Christine is Deb’s mum.
    • She is a big fan of Backstreet.
    • Christine plays a big part behind the scenes with admin and bookkeeping and also on Reception
    • She is a student of Deb’s Adult Jazz/Funk Beg/Int class (an example that you are never too old to dance)
    • Christine has been choreographing the Parents Dances forever – since Deb’s first studio, Moondust
    • You will always hear laughter in the Parents rehearsals
    • She puts on these Parents Dances every 6 months to a year (read the E-Newsletters to keep up to date)
    • The Parents dances are free and most suitable for very very very basic beginner level
    • If you can’t dance – Christine wants you
    • If you are a funny awkward dancer – Christine wants you!!!
      Sharon Day

      (Long term Parent who has been by Deb’s side & supports Backstreet in every way)

      • Sharon is Miss Brooke’s mum
      • WE love Sharon and she loves taking photos of all our beautiful Backstreeters at special events like Performance Troupe community performances, our Disney dance tours, etc. 
      • Sharon has been a long term Parent of Backstreet and even Deb’s first studio, Moondust
      • Sharon is mother of Miss Brooke (our long term Assistant Teacher)
      • Sharon is super helpful and giving and loves spreading happiness wherever she goes
      JOHN GRANT

      John is in charge of security at our Productions.

      He ensures people are not filming and taking photographs and he will be checking tickets/wristbands before they enter the venue.

      He ensures everyone is safe and having a great time.

      You may have seen him on stage in the Parents and Dads dances.
      He is a star on the stage.
      He is one cool character.

      He has been involved with Backstreet for over a decade.

      He is father of Miss Jordann (one of our Dance Teachers).

      He is a family friend of Jeff and Debs and is a very kind man.