The Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Katherine Holmes
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Principal of ECSD and teacher
currently teaching...
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Music Theatre
Ballet
Tap
Singing
Katherine is an RAD and ISTD trained dancer, and dance teacher. She has danced professionally in Cabaret shows in Japan, and has performed in musicals ( The national dutch tour of 'Crazy For you', 'Into the Woods', '42nd Street', 'Bye Bye Birdie'...to name a few) variety shows and televised awards shows overseas. Whilst living in Holland for 7 years, Katherine taught ballet, tap and jazz to dutch children and adults - from tiny 2 year olds to grandmothers. Katherine has been trained and successfully examined at the highest levels in all forms of dance - RAD Ballet, ISTD Modern dance and ISTD Tap dance. She has also completed high level exams in both Singing and Drama with AMEB and Trinity College London, and has completed AMEB exams in both Piano and music Theory. She also holds a bachelor degree in Music Theatre, and is currently studying her Masters of teaching in both Primary teaching and Secondary teaching in Dance, Drama and Music. Katherine created and co-managed an R&B / Disco band 'Groovecentrix' for some years, and most recently has worked as a fill-in singer for the 'Blues Brothers Tribute Show Australasia Tour', playing the role of 'Twiggy'. She also worked for Tribute Entertainment Australia in the 'Tribute to the Superstars' mega show, and has performed in several cabaret shows around Melbourne. Currently she is a backing singer for the 'Diamond Down under' Neil Diamond tribute show, and 'Elvis to the Extreme' (Marcus Jackson). She is also the mother of an 12 year old and 8 year old who both love to dance and sing!
Matthew Greenaway
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Head of Music Theatre
currently teaching...
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Music Theatre
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Mat is thrilled to be joining the Emerald City School of Dance and Theatre, leading the Musical Theatre troupe. Growing up in the hills, Mat began his theatrical journey at the age of four as a flower in 'Little Shop of Horrors' with Gemco Players Theatre. This passion for theatre has led Mat to be involved in countless productions of musicals, dramas, comedies, melodramas and pantomimes both on and off the stage. Productions include 'Josheph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat', 'Blood Brothers', 'Footloose', 'Honk', 'Shakespeare - The Musical', 'Alice in Wonderland', 'Stepping Out', 'Dimboola', 'Midsummer Night's Dream', 'The Crucible', 'On the Edge', 'Medieval Madness', 'Bouncers and Shakers' and 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Junior'. Mat brings a life of experience working in all aspects of theatre with a sprinkle of film and TV. He has spent time in many vocations such as youth outreach, community services, hospitality, small business, busker and memorably - working at 'Santa's Kingdom'.
Tarquinn O'Toole
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Teacher
currently teaching...
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Lyrical
Ballet
Tap
With over 15 years of performing arts experience, Tarquinn thrives in teaching the arts to eager and creative students. She is currently studying Professional Screenwriting at RMIT, writing/directing various independent short films and hoping to move on to musical theatre and playwriting. Tarquinn excelled in Theatre Studies and Dance during High School, acquiring top marks and awards yearly. She specialises in Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Ballet dance styles while also educating students the importance of technique and conditioning in these styles. She has also performed in such shows as 'Hook', 'Little Shop of Horrors', 'Sister Act', and dance Concerts with previous schools including 'The Nutcracker', 'Clue', and 'Wizard of Oz'. Tarquinn is excited to continue teaching at ECSD and work with students current and future!
Shane Marshall
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Teacher
currently teaching...
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Boys Breakdance
Hip Hop
Shane has taught and performed both throughout Australia and internationally. Some o f the companies and events he has worked for include 'Silvers Circus', 'Indigenous Hip Hop projects', 'Off the Street Hip Hop', 'Fun Fit', 'Monster Energy', Cultural Infusion', 'Shadow Wars', 'Australian Breakdance Championships, 'Masters Jam', 'Space Jam' and 'Freestyle Session Australia'.
​The boys and gals from Emerald City love jamming on with Shane! They are thrilled to have this extremely cool, passionate and good-hearted person leading them.
Laura Shepherd
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Teacher
currently teaching...
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Ballet
Tap
Laura started ballet lessons when she was four years old and hasn't stopped since. She has completed dance examinations in senior levels of ballet, tap and jazz in the Australian Teachers of Dancing (ATOD) syllabus. As an adult Laura has explored many more different styles of dance including different variations of belly dance. In recent years Laura has performed with the Shuvani medieval reeanactment dance troupe and Eunoia Dance Company. Laura is now the mother of two young dancers herself and is excited to enter into the world of teaching and share her love of dance with the next generation of performers.