OUR FACULTY

FACULTY 

Director - Rikki Slack-Smith - Principal B.A Dip Ed DDTS RTS

Bachelor of Arts Dip Ed ( Macquarie University), Royal Academy of Dance Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies, RAD Registered Teacher 

Rikki has taught dance for 30 years and been Principal of her own studio for the last 21 years. She is a qualified secondary teacher (English, Drama, Dance) with a Bachelor of Arts/ Diploma of Education and has taught at St Johns College for  twenty- three years. Rikki holds a Diploma of Dance Teaching through the Royal Academy of Dance and has enjoyed extensive and varied experience at dance studios and schools throughout the region. Former pupils have been accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts, Australian Ballet School Interstate Program, Brent St, ED5 International, Sydney Dance Company Pre-Professional and are also dancing professionally in ballet companies, productions and cruise ships around the world. Rikki is a dynamic and inspiring dance teacher who believes in a whole person approach to the study of dance. She believes there are no limits to what children can achieve when they are given access to opportunities that promote their confidence and self belief. It is these qualities that ensures future success and happiness in all of their endeavours. Rikki is intensely proud of the nurturing culture that exists within Stepping Out and the beautiful people that have risen through its ranks. She is married to David and they have five children, Imogen, Ondine, Cale, Archer and Evie. Her family and her Stepping Out family are her world.

Georgia Barber- Administration/ Dance Teacher

Bachelor of Dance( Victorian College of the Arts), RAD Registered Teacher

Miss Georgie fell in love with dance at age four when she started classes in her hometown, Narromine. She  trained with Miss Rikki from age ten and then Tanya Hearne-Keenan and Dance Unlimited from age 13-18years. In this time she completed her RAD Classical Ballet grades to Advanced 1. Georgie was very excited to be accepted into the highly renowned Victorian College of the Arts where she gained a Bachelor of Dance. At the tender age of 21, Georgie returned to Dubbo and ran her own dance studio for eleven exciting and illuminating years. With three young sons, Georgie stepped back from Principal and enjoyed teaching and nurturing young dancers at Dubbo City Performing Arts Studio. Georgie is a highly accomplished teacher and holds her RAD Teaching Certificate as well as choreography accolades for the Victorian Youth Theatre and the RAD Gala. Stepping Out was very blessed when Georgie accepted an offer to teach with us in 2015. She is a much loved member of our faculty and can be found most mornings laying the foundation of quality dance training( with humour, heart and twirling galore) with our adored tiny dancers who love her so. Georgie is committed to empowering our dancers to explore their creativity and to dance through their days. Georgie is the proud mum of three beautiful and energetic sons, Harley, Archie and

Jimmy.

Emma Trudgett  - Dance Teacher

Bachelor of Primary Education, Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management

Emma is one of Stepping Out Dance Factory's success stories.  Trained exclusively by Rikki, Emma has risen through the ranks from student to teacher with acclaim and aplomb.  Emma always possessed an incredible ability  to bring out the best in people and her obvious rapport with children saw her study teaching and gain both a Bachelor of Primary Education and a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management.  She was a pivotal member of the 2013 team who represented Stepping Out and Australia at the International Dance Festival in Prague.  Emma has also been a key member of our three USA Tours in both a performing and teaching/ choreographer capacity.  Her teaching and dance credentials allowed her to be a part of the Active After Care Program  and she has taught dance to isolated children from 2008- 2013.  Emma was featured in Channel Nine's 2013 New Years Eve telecast as one of Australia's "Everyday Heroes"  and was the former director of her own studio Forbes. Former students of Emma’s have also been accepted into the Australia Ballet School Interstate Program, Transit Interstate Program and Sydney Dance Company Pre- Professional Program.  She is the besotted mother Of Frankie born in April, 2019. 

Brandi McGuire - Dance Teacher

Diploma of Performing Arts, Cert III in Live Productions

Brandi McGuire was born and raised in Dubbo NSW training in all styles during her fundamental years at Stepping Out Dance Factory. She has performed all over the Central West in many eisteddfods and community events, winning countless major awards in the process. In 2008, Brandi travelled to the USA and danced at Disneyland and Universal Studios as well as taking classes at The Edge. In 2014, Brandi successfully auditioned for ED5 International Performing Arts- the leading full time musical  theatre school in the country while at the Australian Dance Festival. Brandi moved to Sydney in 2015 for the two year dancing, singing and acting course and during her time performed at the Netball World Cup, Arnott’s Charity Gala Ball, Cara House Gala Ball and the Premiers Concert ‘Puttin on the Ritz’ just to name a few. Brandi graduated in 2016 with her Diploma of Performing Arts to two sold out shows at the NIDA theatres. Brandi also holds her Cert III in Live Productions, First Aid Certificate and Working with Children’s Check. Since graduating, Brandi has been teaching at one of the Blue Mountains leading dance and aerial circus schools. Brandi returned to her home town in 2019 and has proven herself an indispensable member of the team.  In 2020 Brandi will become a fully accredited Acrobatics teacher and SODF is excited to welcome her expertise and enthusiasm to kickstart this exciting addition to our curriculum.   

Emma Duffy

Emma is one of our Senior Students currently studying her HSC at Dubbo College.  Emma is not only a highly accomplished dancer but also gymnast and she brings a warmth and high level of expertise to her teaching, most notably in Stretch and Contemporary styles.  A highly awarded dancer on the Central West dance circuit, Emma’s immense potential as a Contemporary dance artist was noted on an International Level when she was one of ten finalists for the Brisbane Inaugural International Contemporary Grand Prix.  Emma looks forward to her secondment at Sydney Dance Company as part of her prize pool.  Emma is a much loved faculty member who is an adored inspiration to her young charges and regularly seen assisting in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary classes for our junior students as well as taking her own classes and private coaching. Emma has completed her Royal Academy of Dance examinations to Advanced Foundation level with excellent results. 

Claudia Bruce 

We are so fortunate that our beautiful Claudia is having a Gap year before University and will be staying in Dubbo to continue her love for dance and teaching. You will see her radiant face in the Office and also regularly assisting with all teaching classes as well as her own.  Claudia is a highly accomplished dancer who has been awarded at all competitions throughout the Central West with outstanding successes.  She will be available for private coaching and we are so excited to bask in her brilliance for another year.  Claudia has received outstanding results in her Royal Academy of Dance examinations.  

REGULAR GUEST TEACHERS 

  Tanya Keenan - RAD Registered Teacher 

Beyond excited to announce that long time friend and supporter of Stepping Out, the incredible Tanya Keenan will be continuing her long and happy association with us in 2020. Tanya brings not only a wealth of expertise and knowledge but a huge amount of heart to her teaching. Tanya has been the driving force behind the highly esteemed Dance Unlimited for twenty four years, training and nurturing students towards professional careers and setting them up for success in whatever career path they take with her holistic approach. Miss Georgie is a former student of Miss Tanya's and Miss Rikki grew up dancing with her. It therefore seems very apt that she will dance alongside us for always. We welcome her as a guest teacher in 2020 where she will choreograph our Classical Ballet group routines as well as assist with RAD Masterclasses and exam preparation. Her expertise and heart is immeasurable and Stepping Out is so grateful and appreciative for all she so generously bestows upon us. Tanya lives in Newcastle and is the Principal of Stockton’s newest and most delightful dance studio, Stockton’s Bella Ballerina’s. 

Imogen Slack-Smith - 1st year Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate

Cert III- Live Productions 

Imogen Slack-Smith made her first stage debut at the tender age of 7 weeks, cast as Princess Aurora in Dance Unlimited's production of Sleeping Beauty and has been hooked ever since.  Immy or as she  is excitedly known to a host of Stepping Out's gorgeous students, Miss Immy has grown up in the dance studio and has always considered it her second home.  Immy was a featured performer in Stepping Out's 2008 and 2012 USA Dance Tours and Dance Captain of the 2017 Tour.  She still considers leading the Main Street Parade at Disneyland as one of her major life achievements.  Imogen commenced as a teacher assistant in 2012 and as a student teacher in 2015.  Immy is blessed with a bubbly and infectious personality and is a devoted teacher of her classes.  She regularly returns to Stepping Out to lend a hand, choreograph routines, photograph and direct promotional photos/ films or stage manage our shows. Imogen has completed her first year of her Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate in Classical Ballet and is a third year student at Newcastle University where she is studying a Bachelor of Primary Education, majoring in Creative Arts. Immy has attained a Cert III in Live Productions and is currently training under the Acrobatics Dance Association for Acro accreditation. In 2020, Immy will commence on the faculty of The National College of Dance and Junior Academy and we attest this to the brilliant   foundations she enjoyed at SODF. Imogen is also the proud owner of Stepping Out Dancewear Depot and is your go to person for all your uniform needs.