Our Team
ADCC has a team of talented teachers with many qualifications and years of experience, who pride themselves in teaching all students to be the best they can be, while encouraging them to enjoy their dancing.
Renee Whiter
Principal
Miss Renee is the founder and Principal of ADCC (formally Sparkles Dance Studio - SDS) with over 45 years experience in dancing. She first started training in Gymnastics before learning Modern and Highland dancing at Lynn Scaif Academy of Dance and Anne Roberts School of Dancing in Townsville. After relocating to Wagga Wagga she continued her Highland dancing as well as Ballet and Jazz at Yvonne O'Connors School of Dance, she also studied Jazz at Mina's Dance Academy.
Renee started student teaching at the age of 15 in Wagga Wagga. After moving to Canberra in 1994 she continued teaching for local dance schools before opening her own Studio in 1997 at Macarthur Scout Hall. In 1989 Renee completed her SDAA Higland Teachers exam and her ATD Jazz teachers in 1998 and is a USASF internationally qualified Cheerleading coach and judge.
Renee competed sucessfuly at many eisteddfods, Theatrical Competitions and the South Pacific Championships. She was a Super League Raiderette for the Canberra Raiders, performed at the opening of the University Games, and performed with the RMC Band. Renee also Choreographed for School Productions and the Dance School Performace Galla.
Students that Renee has taught have gone on to study at Brent Street Performing Arts in Sydney and have been accepted into the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), New Zealand School of Dance and Transit. Students have also performed in the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company, Canberra Philharmonic Society, Raiderettes and Ecole Ballet and Dance Theatre.
Charlotte Whiter
SDS Dancer of the Year 2015
Miss Charlotte has 10 years of teaching experience in Dance and Cheerleading, She is currently completing her second year of the Royal Academy of Dance Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies course. She is an IASF qualified Cheerleading and tumbling coach.
Charlotte successfully auditioned and was accepted into Ev & Bow Full Time training centre in Sydney. She was accepted into the Aus dance Escalate Choreography Mentoring Program, where she worked with the Ballet Master of the Australian Ballet Paul Knobloch. She also Completed the New Zealand School of Dance Winter School in New Zealand. She has performed in Six amateur theatre productions (High School Musical, Joseph, Cats, Annie, Funny Girl and Barnum). Charlotte Has also participated in seasonal work with Regprom Marketing & Promotions she has performed in Many Christmas productions and has hosted 2 shows. Charlotte has performed at the CAT awards, Sids Kids it takes two fundraiser, The Multicultural festival with the Red Cross and the Canberra Show with Canberra Regional Cheerleading.
Charlotte Started dancing in 2002 at Sparkles Dance Studio as a 2 year old Tiny-Tot. She has trained in all styles of dance and cheerleading. She has completed major dance exams in Ballet (RAD), Jazz, Tap and National Character (BAL) Since the age of two Charlotte has been a member of the Studio's Elite Performance Group (Solos, Duo/Trios and Troupes). Charlotte has competed successfully in many local, interstate and international competitions and eisteddfods.
Rhiannon McQueen
SDS Dancer of the Year 2016
Rhiannon is a young dance artist originally from Canberra. Rhiannon began her formal contemporary dance training when she relocated to Melbourne to study at transit dance where she successfully completed her Diploma in Elite Performance. In August 2018 Rhiannon travelled to Budapest, Hungary where she spent 12 months training with the Budapest dance company in their international program.
Throughout her training, Rhiannon has had the pleasure to perform in multiple dance festivals including Amsterdam fringe festival and Melbourne fringe festival, as well as work with renowned choreographers and teachers from around the world and spend time with respected companies through internships and secondments whilst developing her artistic voice.
Clare Flood
SDS Dancer of the Year 2017
Miss Clare has been dancing and competing for thirteen years. She has training in all styles of theatrical and classical dance. Clare has competed successfully in local, interstate and international competitions.
Clare has achieved high level marks in all her Ballet, National Character (RAD) exams and Tap and Jazz (BAL) exams. She has She has training as an instructor in the Kinderballet program.
Ella Quinlan
SDS Dancer of the Year 2008
Miss Ella has been dancing and performing in Canberra for fifteen years. Her love for dance began when she was five years old training with SDS. In the early days doing ballet in Miss Renee’s garage. Not long after, Ella was training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Cheerleading, Hip Hop and Lyrical. Ella undertook BAL Jazz and Tap exams, and RAD ballet exams. Ella completed her Advanced One Ballet Exam in 2013. Ella loved her SDS family, and was proud to be a staff member throughout the transition of her beloved SDS to be named Acclaim Dance and Cheer Co (ADCC).
Ella competed locally and interstate in dance competitions with SDS. Competing in solos, duos and the dance studio’s competition troupe team. Ella has also performed in local musicals such as Hairspray (2012), Footloose (2013), Witches of Eastwick (2014), and Funny Girl (2016). Ella’s highlight in her dancing career was being accepted into Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance in Melbourne, the audition process was so much fun and provided Ella with overwhelming pride and confidence in her training. Although choosing to take another path, Ella loved the experience and took a lot away from it.
Ella is now pursuing her real passion - to teach children. Ella has a Bachelor in Early Childhood and Primary Education and is teaching dance classes at ADCC. Ella has been teaching dance classes since she was sixteen years old. She originally started as a student teacher alongside Miss Renee, who has been a major influence in driving Ella’s love for dancing, because she was, and still is so inspired by dance.
The confidence dance gives Ella is a credit to the art form, and Ella thrives on providing children with confidence to grow. Ella loves watching where dance takes children, and alongside them, Ella cherishes every moment of the journey.
Guest Teachers
Jake Kuzma
Jake is a locally grown Canberran dancer. Contemporary, floor work and urban movement are at the core of his dance style, giving him a unique flair. His passion for contemporary dance began when he joined QL2 in his early teens. After graduating from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 2011 with a Bachelor of Dance performance, he began a career in teaching, choreographing and performing. Claire Marshall’s Slowdive, Antony Hamilton Black Project 2, and Cadi McCarthy That Place in Between are the shows that were highlights of Jake’s performing career and the choreographers that contributed towards his dance practice.
Jake’s youth dance company experience is vast, working for QL2, Yellow Wheel, Flipside and Drill. From juniors up to Bangarra Dance Theatre company class, Jake has taught a wide range of dance levels. International success came from performing in Montreal CINARS festival with Antony Hamilton, being a guest teacher in China at the Dong Guan Dancesport 2018 Summer Camp and as a performer in Chengdu for the BLAH BLAH BLAH #004 festival. In the past year Jake has returned to the Canberra dance scene through teaching classes with GOLD dance company and a guest artist for The Canberra Youth Dance Festival. 2020 already has projects lined up with QL2, Canberra Youth Theatre and Ausdance ACT.
Student Teachers
