Our Team

We pride ourselves on quality training. Our teachers and mentors have worked professionally in the business and have had long running careers in the performing arts.

Along with our training, we specialise in choreography for corporate events, wedding choreography, production shows and also have our own talent agency.

Experience in the craft cannot be taught if you haven’t actually lived it right?

We teach the whole craft of performance including theatre etiquette. We stay current with the latest styles and techniques and are forever evolving.

We have a friendly office staff, always available for any questions and concerns about your dance training.

The teachers and mentors at SS1 are highly skilled in their field.  Our RAD classical  ballet teachers hold high qualifications and our jazz, tap, contemporary, musical theatre and hip hop teachers are all industry professionals.

We stay current with the latest styles and techniques and are forever evolving. 


Sheridan Vollenweider – Artistic Director

Performance Coach / Jazz / Tap / Musical Theatre / Lyrical / Classical Ballet (RAD RTS) / Adagio / Private Coach

Sheridan is a highly motivated, dedicated and passionate choreographer and dance educator, with over 40 years experience in the industry.  Former world class professional dancer, she has a wealth of experience and knowledge of the performing arts.  She is a committed dance teacher and choreographer and specialises in teaching RAD Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Adagio, Musical Theatre and Performance.

In 2019, Sheridan travelled to Marseille in France to direct and choreograph a show for International production company “Bor Productions” on board the MSC Musica.

Growing up, Sheridan was an all round dancer and trained in every style. She prides her studio on giving every dancer the opportunity to be a triple threat therefore having the skill to be all round dancers when they finish their training at SS1.  Sheridan’s long running career has taken her to perform both in Australia and around the globe.

Credits Include – Leading roles in many production shows.
Diamond Beach Casino / Wrest Point Casino / Launceston Casino / Star Casino GC
Regmat Productions / Delicado Productions / Aramanis Productions / Gordon Frost Organisation
12 month Tour South Korea
Jean Ann Ryan Productions Dancer  – Sagafjord / Vistafjord / QE11
Two Ronnies in Australia / Midday Show Dancer / Hey Hey It’s Saturday
Dance Captain / Company Manager / Choreographer
Many Corporate Events


Gailene Colson-Howe (RAD RTS)

RAD Classical Ballet / Jazz / Tap

Gailene Colson-Howe has been a teacher at Sheridan’s Studio 1 since 2001.

Formerly, she was the owner and director of one of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs largest and most successful dance schools for 17 years.

Before opening her own studio in 1985 Gailene danced professionally in many shows, corporate events and fashion shows and backed singers of the 80’s such as Jackie Love, Danny La Rue and Simon Gallaher.

She also performed in many corporate events for the Swanettes and Rockettes and was contracted as a ‘dance model’ for Westfield and Myer.

Gailene is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in all genres of performing arts including classical ballet (fully registered RAD teacher for 30 years) and has mentored numerous students on the RAD teaching certificate program and Certificate IV in dance teaching and management. She has achieved tremendous results in coaching and choreographing both individuals and groups in all genres for competitions both on stage and TV. Having adjudicated dance eisteddfods and competitions,

Gailene is passionate about her career in dance and is extremely proud of all the students she has taught who are now working in ballet companies, feature films, cruise ships, musicals, overseas contracts and running their own dance schools.


Chase Vollenweider

Commercial Dance / Performance Choreographer

Currently seen in the Feature Film “Better Man” playing the role of Jason Orange.

Chase has spent the last 24 years training in the performing arts and continues to expand on his craft even now. Chase did his training here at SS1 and most recently performed for Eurovision in Malmo Sweden representing Austria. Chase is also a regular for Kylie Minogue having danced with her for the 2024 British Music Awards in London and also her show “An Audience with Kylie”. Chase can be seen on the the Baz Luhrmann feature film ELVIS (2022). Chase’s versatile dancing ability has led him to TV shows such as Dancing With The Stars (2023), Aria Awards (2023), The Voice (2022) and The Masked Singer (2020). Other dancing credits include Sam Smith (2020), Rita Ora (2021), Jessica Mauboy (2022), Guy Sebastian (2015), Tones And I (2023) and more.

Previously, Chase spent three years travelling the globe dancing onboard the luxury cruise line Celebrity Cruises. Having signed with Clear Talent Group in Los Angeles and various agents in London, Chase has trained with some of the worlds best and has a wealth of knowledge to offer.


Arna Dess (ARAD RTS)

RAD Classical Ballet

Arna is a highly experienced professional RAD teacher (ARAD RTS) with 20 years’ experience at several Gold Coast dance studios. Drawing from her professional ballet career in Europe, she is very passionate about training students in the correct classical ballet technique. 

Arna studied at Ecole Classique in Sydney under the guidance of Prudence Bowen from the age of 16. She competed in the RAD Adeline Geneé awards in London before procuring a place with the Vienna Opera Ballet School and later received a contract with the Österreiches Ballet Theatre in Vienna. Arna has performed Sleeping Beauty, Die Puppenfie, Raymonda, La Sylphide, Giselle and various contemporary works and a number of performances with the Opera. She also danced in the 1996 film, La Prima Musica, filmed in Vienna. Other European training includes Kommishe Opera in Berlin, Princess Grace Academy in Monte Carlo and the Palucca School in Dresden.

Arna began her teaching career on the Gold Coast in 1999 and established her own ballet school in Burleigh Heads in 2002. The school offered fulltime tuition for students seeking placement at prestigious international ballet schools. Many of her students were successful and went on to professional careers in Europe, the UK and the USA, as well as at the Australia Ballet School.

Over the last 9 years Arna has been a freelance teacher at many major Gold Coast dance studios teaching many styles of dance and striving to deliver a high level of tuition and guidance to the students. She also is qualified as a Level 1 Yoga teacher.


Jesse Rasmussen

Tap / Choreographer

Training on the Gold Coast, Australia under the direction of Peta Mckenney and Robert Sturrock.

Jesse’s Musical Theatres credits include playing the role of Tip in David Atkins’s Hot Shoe Shuffle in which he was later nominated for “The Most Outstanding Performance In a Musical” at the Australian Dance Awards.

Oh! What a Night, Grease The Arena spectacular, Candy Man with Wayne Scott Kermond, and touring both nationally & internationally with Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs.

Film credits include: Peter Jackson’s King Kong and George Miller’s motion capture blockbusters Happy Feet 1 and Happy Feet 2

Jesse’s Choreography credits include; Stan Walker’s “ SummerBeats” Australia and New Zealand tour, Jessica Mauboy’s Beyonce Tour, Channel 9’s “Hey Hey It’s Saturday reunion show” So You Think You Can Dance Australia seasons 3 & 4 after appearing as a top 20 finalist in season 2.

In 2013, 2015, and 2016 Jesse was the lead Choreographer on the Australian season of The X Factor working with artists like Guy Sebastion, Natalie Bassingthwaite, Red Foo, Lunch Money Lewis, Mel B, Fall Out Boy.

Jesse has also choreographed performances on Dancing With The Stars and the winners of Young Talent Time “Lil Banditz Krew”.

2013 saw Jesse co-create The Tap Pack which is successfully playing in theatres all over the world and recently includes performances on “The Morning Show”, the world-famous “TED X Convention” and “The Carols in the Domain” with special guest Adam Garcia. In 2014 The Tap Pack was nominated for two Green Room Awards and an Australian Dance Award for Best Musical

In 2016 & 2019 The Tap Pack wowed audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Sold Out shows, rave reviews, and receiving the “Spirit of the Fringe” award.

2017 saw The Tap Pack play the famous Super Theatre in Beijing followed by a 2 month Season at the Tipi Am Kanzleramt in Berlin.

In May 2018, The Tap Pack performed their debut season at the Peacock Theatre on London’s West End under the famous umbrella of Sadler’s Wells.

Jesse and The Tap Pack were very proud of the 10-week USA tour playing sold-out shows across the USA in February 2020


Sophie Scott

Singing Coach

Sophie has been a part of  Sheridan’s team for over 10 years and has always had a strong passion for the singing/ musical theatre side to the entertainment industry. Having trained in all styles of dance and musical theatre at SS1, Sophie then went on to complete a full time course in Musical Theatre with Brent Street in Sydney.

A working professional, performing on a day to day basis here on the Gold Coast, Sophie strives to help younger generations develop new skills and a love for singing. Sophie brings a fun, positive and energetic perspective to both young and mature singers and encourages everyone to convey their own individuality to the performance side of singing.


TK Patara

Hip Hop

Tk is our funky and fresh Hip Hop teacher who is currently a member of Australia’s number 1 adult Hip Hop crew – after coming 1st at HHI 2016!

TK started his career in 2010 for MC’d “Bring It On” which is where he developed a love and passion for Hip-Hop dance.

In 2011, with no formal training, TK helped form Academy Of Brothers crew. 2012, TK got the opportunity to compete at the Hip Hop International Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada as part of Team Australia. In 2013 TK was finalist on “Australia’s Got Talent” – Season Seven with Academy Of Brothers (placed 3rd) and in 2014 was a part of the “City Of Dance” – G20 Summit. In August of 2016, TK was given another opportunity to compete at the Hip Hop International Championships which were held in San Diego, again with Team Australia with his current Adult Crew “The D” who placed 13th in the World and recently competed in Brisbane at the Battleground qualifiers coming first place with “The D (2015)”.


Jayda Colson

Professional Dancer Currently working for Royal Caribbean Cruise Productions (Certificate III in Dance / RAD Advanced 1)

Jayda started her dance training with SS1 at the age of 3, training in all genres of dance.  She has spent the past 6 years working as a professional dancer and can currently be seen on board Royal Caribbean’s ‘Ovation of the Seas’.

Other performance credits include, lead dancer on Royal Carribbean Serenade of the Seas, The Lords Mayor Christmas Carols under the direction of Kate Wormald, the NRL opening with Guy Sebastian, Commonwealth Games in 2018, the Ronald McDonald Charity Gala and resident dancer at Warner Brothers Movie World.

In 2019 she completed her Certificate III in dance and joined the team in sharing her knowledge to our students. Jayda is a favourite with our intro to dance class and also our junior performance team.


Keeley Banks

Jazz / Contemporary / Hip Hop / Tap / Musical Theatre (Certificate III in Dance)

Keeley has been teaching at SS1 for the past 5 years and has an impressive flare for choreography.  Having started her dance training with us at the age of 4, Keeley is a great all round dancer and performer. She completed her Certificate III in dance in 2019 and can be seen as a featured dancer for Warner Brother’s Movie World as a seasonal performer.   She is passionate about dance and a great energy to have in our team.


Alex Doyle

Acrobatics Coach / Commercial Jazz / Tap

Alex started dancing at the age of 1 and has trained in all styles of dance, acrobatics and circus since then. Growing up in Penrith, NSW, she has moved to Queensland at the age of 18 to study a Certificate IV in Dance at FullTime, and to grow her love for teaching at Sheridan’s. Since the age of 8, she has been involved in various corporate events such as performing at the star casino in Sydney as an acrobat and dancer, Performing as a featured aerialist for the CLIA Awards night at the Star, and performing as a featured dancer, acrobat and aerialist at Club York for a Karazmatic Drag Show. Alex is so excited to see the amazing heights at which our students can soar to.


Kayu Takizawa

Student Teacher / Commercial Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, RAD Ballet, Hip Hop

Kayu started her dance training at the age of three and has studied all genres of the performing arts. Having recently completed her Advanced 1 RAD ballet exam, Kayu is well on her way to a career in dance.

Kayu has worked professionally as a performer and in 2023, was cast in the Matt Ward production of Billy Elliott the musical. Kayu was also part of the pre show entertainment for the Lords Mayors Christmas Carols.

Kayu has won many scholarships and competitions over her years competing and we are excited to have Kayu join our team and share her knowledge with our younger students.


Millie Pace

Student Teacher – Commercial Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, RAD Ballet, Hip Hop

Millie began her dance training at a young age in Melbourne and became part of the SS1 dance family at just six years old. Having trained in all styles of dance Millie, has a great passion for the arts and is fantastic with our younger students. She is a regular performer at our New Years Eve shows and has also performed for the Lords Mayors Christmas carols. Millie is currently teaching our minis and has become an invaluable member of our team. Her dedication and talent make a significant impact on our young dancers.

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