Our Teachers
Co-Principal
LISA WYATT – BA, DIP.ED, RADTC (Dist), TCRG
Lisa comes from a big dancing and performing family and is co-principal with her sister, Charmaine. Lisa trained from a young age with her cousins, Donna and Leanne Halloran, in Sydney in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Irish Dancing. She then pursued her keen interest for media and production through a degree and worked as an editor and English and Performing Arts teacher.
Her experience in dance, teaching, choreography and productions has spanned more than 35 years and includes very successful Rock Eisteddfods, Wakakiri, Musicals, and championships in all genres, promotional events, opening ceremonies and professional productions where she combined her skills and experience in media, music and the Performing Arts. As well as always fostering Dance and the Arts in school education as part of the trial pilot for Senior Secondary Studies Dance for year 12 level, Lisa has been a Royal Academy of Dance mentor for over 20 years, training and directing upcoming Ballet teachers. She also make Dance accessibility to all a priority and has instigated many programmes and bursaries to ensure all are granted the opportunities she was.
Her personal love in Dance comes through especially in her enthusiasm for small children and introducing them to the passion of the Arts that has shaped her life. She is very proud to have been a part of so many little dancers’ lives (many of whom who have gone on to big things!) She is a proud mum to Julia (marketing manager TikTok), Miss Izzy (professional dancer and Ice Queen) and James (resident guitar teacher).
Co-Principal
CHARMAINE PADDICK – RADTC (Dist), TCRG
Charmaine began her professional touring career at the age of 16 in the Michael Edgley production of Sesame Street Live. From there she has gone onto numerous shows, tours and productions including Star Cruises, the Sydney Showboat and Show Club and appeared in television, corporate, commercial and promotional events across the world. She was one of the elite group of dancers in the Baz Luhrman film Moulin rouge with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor and performed as a back up dancer for Kylie Minogue at Mardi Gras. Charmaine also worked with the Wiggles where she was a dancer, character, assistant choreographer and tour manager. She appears in many of the television series and videos and has been a major part of the Live Shows.
She has taken on the role of Dance Captain in many capacities and started her own management company which she ran successfully in Sydney for many years. She has worked as an assistant to choreographers on many events like the Goodwill Games alongside the likes of Ross Coleman and William Forsythe. Her passion for choreography has served her well with many outstanding and award winning routines. She is very proud to have been part of the Choreography team for the Ballet International Gala Christmas Spectacular which sold out at the Sydney Opera House.
Charmaine is a teacher of RAD Ballet, Cabaret, Tap, Jazz and Irish dancing. Her teaching career also started at a very young age in the family studio she trained with – the Halloran School of Dance (Sydney). From there she has taught for many schools and companies including Sydney Dance Company and is now co Principal of Kick Dance and Arts which was established 30 years ago and is one of Brisbane’s most successful Performing Arts schools. Her students have gone on to amazing success with the Queensland Ballet Company, Moulin Rouge and Nouvelle Eve in Paris, Ballet International Gala (BIG), Universal Studios and Disney Tokyo, Hong Kong and Paris, productions such as The King and I, Matilda, The Lion King, The Wizard of Oz, School of Rock and Shrek the Musical. Many students are employed professionally on Cruise ships and dance throughout the world.
Charmaine feels privileged to be able to combine her passion for Dance and the Performing Arts as her profession and to pass it on to future generations.
Co-Principal
PAUL PADDICK – (BMUS, DIP.PA – THEATRE)
Paul played many roles through primary and high school with his first being “Jesus” in the smash hit Sam the Good Samaritan in Grade 5. He went on to be part of the South Australian Youth Opera and had leads in Oklahoma, Brigadoon and Maid of the Mountains.
He completed a Bachelor of Music majoring in classical voice and secured a much sought after position at Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) where he completed a Graduate Diploma of Performing Arts in Theatre.
While in his last year at WAAPA Paul played Diesel in Victoria State Opera production of ‘West Side Story” and later in 1994 he played the role of the Robber King in the VSO production of ”Don Quixote” (all in French). He also filled in for Anthony Wiggle (the Blue Wiggle) for 5 weeks of an Australian Wiggles tour and somehow has never managed to leave!!!! Paul has played the role of Captain Feathersword for 27 years now and has entertained children in America, Canada, China, Singapore, the UK, New Zealand, South Africa and Italy in TV, films and live shows.
He has brought his great experience, skills and enthusiasm to our Performing Arts team for many years and is the husband of Miss Char and proud dad of Mr Connor and Felix.
Teacher – Musical Theatre
NATASHA VESELINOVIC (Bachelor of Music, Musical Theatre)
Miss Tash epitomises our industry connection as she not only shapes our Musical Theatre students but continues to perform and produce within the industry. She is a musical theatre performer, writer, and visual artist who studied at The Queensland Conservatorium of Music, gaining a Bachelor of Musical Theatre and she also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Theatre (Griffith University). Her theatre credits include Les Misérables, The Railway Children (Alex Parker Theatre Company, Cadogan Hall, London), The Girls From Oz (London Hippodrome, and Live at Zedel, London), Covent Garden’s West End Christmas and West End Night Off (London), Woman 2, 35mm: A Musical exhibition, The Owl, The Owl & The Pussycat, Claire, UniReach (Australian Regional Tour), State of Origin: The Musical (Princess Theatre), and Killer Queens (Brisbane Powerhouse).
As a writer, Natasha is passionate about creating new Australian work, and has co-written three cabarets -Villains (Brisbane Powerhouse & QACI), Once Upon A Time (Toulouse Lautrec, London), and The Matilda Award nominated, Lesbian Love Stories (RPAC, Brisbane Powerhouse, Metro Arts, Wynnum Fringe Festival, and Moncrieff Entertainment Centre). Natasha is co-founder of The Local Lesbians – a production company formed with her partner, Chloe Taylor, which focuses on sharing LGBTQIA+ and female stories. She has additionally been involved in many professional developments, including, Spark, One in Seven, Ladies in Black (Queensland Theatre), Antigone (Queensland Theatre), and Julie (Cre8ion).
Tash is currently coveted performed and Resident Director of The Seven Sopranos.
We love that Tash continues to write, perform and direct professionally, continuing to extend her skills and vast experience and share it with our budding Kick performers. She provides the most beautiful audio backdrop to our studios and so much inspiration for our aspiring singers and actors.
Teacher – Ballet, Repertoire, PBT
MARIA ROSELLI ARAD (Examiner and tutor for the RAD, R.A.D RTS Dip PTD (UCT), Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) teacher)
Maria began her training in New Zealand and then moved to London to take up a position at the Royal Ballet School under Dame Ninette de Valois, Sir Michael Somes, Lynn Wallis and Dame Merle Park. She was awarded the silver medal at the Adeline Genee Awards and accepted a contract with the Royal Ballet Company, Covent Garden, London, working with many esteemed choreographers. During this time, she toured Russia, Japan, Germany and Australia. She then joined the National Ballet of Canada and NAPAC and CPAPAB in South Africa with many soloist and Principal roles.
She owned and managed her own school in South Africa for many years as well as teaching at the University of Cape Town Ballet School. She is also a Royal Academy of Dance examiner and teaches eisteddfod work, repertoire, open classes and classical coaching. She came to Brisbane in 2016 and continues her love of teaching dance and imparting her wealth of experience.
Teacher
ISOBEL WYATT (Dip. Perf Arts, RAD)
As Miss Lisa’s daughter, Izzy literally grew up at Kick – training and excelling in every genre, including Advanced level in Royal Academy of Dance Classical Ballet and gaining State and National Irish Dance titles. Before she had even graduated from ED5 Professional training in Sydney, she had been offered a much sought after contract with Disney as a dancer and perfomer. She has performed with Disney in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Paris where she tapped up a storm with Mickey Mouse. She also popped over to New York to be part of the Rockettes workshop. She returned to Paris to join Le Nouvelle Eve as a showgirl where she became involved in Paris Fashion week and many other events.
She was part of the inaugural show in line with the Tokyo Olympics and also gained a contract with Hong Kong Disney. She was excited to join the Palazzo cast in Germany where she could extend her dance skills (and wear fabulous costumes!) Izzy is currently working for Hong Kong Disney. Izzy has been teaching at Kick from a young age and looks forward to bringing home all her experience and talent for the Kicksters she loves.
Teacher
AMY MINNIKIN (Dip. Perf Arts, Bachelor of Business, RAD)
Amy is an original Kick baby and has grown up dancing her whole life. She danced at Kick Dance Studio from three years of age and was trained in Royal Academy of Dance Ballet up to Advanced level, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Commercial, Musical Theatre and Lyrical under the guidance of Miss Char and Miss Lisa before moving to Sydney to complete a Diploma of Dance and Musical Theatre at ED5 International in 2014. While still at Kick, she was a much loved teacher and valued choreographer – we are so lucky she has come back!
Since graduating ED5 she has gone onto BIG things including many professional Dance contracts and specialised teaching and choreographic appointments
A highlight was winning the coveted position of Choreographer and Performer for the 2018 Commonwealth Games Mascot Program and Queens Baton Relay Programme including the International Tour encompassing performances with Samantha Jade, Jess Mauboy and Usain Bolt .
She has been resident performer with Ivvy Sydney and Mardi Gras performer with Courtney Act.
She also holds a BA in Business majoring in Marketing and soon to be her Masters in Business.
We are so excited to welcome her again to the Kick family back in Brisbane …
Teacher
ALYSSA KNIGHT
Alyssa has been dancing with us at Kick since her creative movement days at only 3 years old. Since then she has competed in countless successful eisteddfods and excelled in major ballet exams for the Royal Academy of Dance, qualifying her to teach. Alyssa loves working with children and is currently studying a bachelor of occupational therapy (Honours) with the end goal of working in paediatrics. She is excited to use her knowledge and skills as a dance teacher to help improve the lives of little ones in the future.
Teacher
ASHTON GYDE
Ashton Gyde is an artist and choreographer based in Brisbane and is so passionate about teaching the culture of Hip Hop and movement within his community. He has successfully danced all over Brisbane and the Gold Coast for multiple years and has danced as far north as Port Douglas and soon to be internationally in Vietnam. Currently training at Kinetic Creative Studio, Ashton has a wide variety of knowledge and skills to assist in upskilling your understanding of movement! Ashton’s class is all about good energy, fun vibes, a few bad jokes and in his opinion “sick moves”.
He is so blessed to be a part of the teaching staff at Kick Dance Studio and hopes to see you all in class soon!!!
Teacher
JOEL BURKE
Joel is an original Kick baby, training in Ballet, Tap and Jazz from a very young age. He then went on and trained with Qld Ballet Academy completing the Preprofessional Year in 2018.
After being awarded the Francois Klaus and Robyn White Award at Qld Ballet and being awarded the Royal Ballet Summer School Achievement Award for two consecutive years, he competed in Prix de Lausanne in 2018 and was offered scholarships from various schools but decided to return to Australia.
Joel was named the face of Energetiks when he won the nationwide competition in 2019.
2021 saw Joel feature in the film “The Red Shoes, The Next Step” alongside Juliet Doherty.
Also in 2021, he co-founded Ballet international Gala (BIG) and has since gone from strength to strength. Together with business partner Khalid Tarabay, BIG I and II have brought 16 international artists to Australia and sold more than 11.5 thousand tickets in the first year of operation. It has since toured Sydney and Melbourne with fabulous results.
Joel recently performed the Giselle pas de deux with Shugyla Adepkhan in Brisbane and in Sleeping Beauty in Melbourne dancing “Precious Stones” and as a Cavalier in Rose Adagio with Alina Cojocaru. He also performed an original piece choreographed on he and Abbey Hansen in Sydney to celebrate the ICCI’s 100th Anniversary.
Joel has a strong belief in building a better profile for dance and performers and believes hard work and determination can achieve anything. His passion for dance follows through into his passion for business and his desire to create pathways for Australian artists and also make his own chosen artform stronger and increase its demographic.
OLIVIA HANSEN (ARAD)
Olivia has been dancing at Kick Dance since the age of 4. She has competed in many group eisteddfods and also has been highly successful in solo eisteddfods. Olivia was a cast member of Ballet Theatre Queensland from 2019-2022 performing various roles in Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Graduation ball and Coppelia. Olivia received a Distinction in her final Royal Academy of Dance Exam, Advanced Two in 2022 and is now a newly qualified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).
She is excited to be teaching ballet and lyrical and loves to share her passion with young dancers who are eager to learn.
Olivia is also studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of QLD. We love that she continues to be such an integral part of our Kick family.
JESSICA FRENCH
Miss Jess has been dancing at Kick for the past 16 years. She started her love of dance when she was 2 and has trained in Royal Academy of dance Classical Ballet (to Advanced level), Lyrical, Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre. Jess has been an integral part of award winning Troupes in all the genres and her presence on stage and performance and skill have made her an amazing asset to any team.
She has also had the great opportunity of dancing alongside the Wiggles in their Brisbane Big Shows to an audience of many thousands. Jess also successfully auditioned with the ED5 dance program last year and is also choreographing with Clayfield College Arts Department. Jess is studying Psychology at UQ whist sharing her love of dance, teaching Jazz and Tap at her dance home – Kick.
CONNOR PADDICK
As the son of Miss Char and Paddy, Connor has literally grown up at Kick. He has been dancing at Kick for the past 16 years and teaching Jazz and Acro for the last three years. He has trained in Royal Academy of Dance Classical Ballet, Acro, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre. Connor has been an integral part of award winning Troupes in all the genres and is a great member of the team.
Connor has been performing with the Wiggles in videos and live shows since he was very young and continues to be a part of their line up – taking to the stage with his dad. He loved being part of the Ballet International Gala (BIG) shows with fellow Kick dancers, such as The Nutcracker (2023). Connor is passing on his experience through his teaching and sharing his caring personality with the next generation of boisterous students! We love having our second generation taking on the baton.
RORY NOBLE
Rory has grown up at Kick Dance where he has been a highlight of many Concerts and Eisteddfod winning teams. He trained in RAD Ballet (Advanced High Distinction level) as well as Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Acro. He was a State winning Irish dancer also. Rory has been part of the Ballet Theatre of Qld performing Graduation Ball and Copelia. Rory had the pleasure of dancing as part of the Wiggles cast – performing in front of many thousands in their BIG shows.
His passion for dance shines through onstage and as a teacher where is eager to pass on his skills and enthusiasm to the next generation of Kicksters.
“We have over 20 professionals eager to pass on their talent, enthusiasm and experience”