Meet The Team
Linda McKay
Linda has trained in all dance styles including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Character, Lyrical and Musical Theatre. She acquired her formal training in Classical Ballet at the Alkins School of Dance and attained her Teaching Diploma with the Royal Academy of Dance. In 1996, Linda graduated from The Australian Ballet School Teacher Training, achieving the Advanced Diploma of Dance Teaching with Distinction.
Linda has performed with The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet in a variety of character roles for The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet. In 2001 Linda opened the doors to Essentially Dance. The school’s successes include students that have been accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, The Australian Ballet School, Melbourne Youth City Ballet and The Victorian State Ballet Pre-Professional program.
Linda is passionate about recognising the individual needs of each student and therefore the studio offers a nurturing environment for both those who dance for pleasure and those who strive for excellence.
Director
Rebecca Murray
Dance Teacher
Rebecca started ballet at the age of seven in Mosgiel, NZ. By the age of 10 she was competing in competitions around NZ in a variety of dance genres. At age 18 she moved to Brisbane to commence further study at the Queensland University of Technology. Here, Rebecca studied contemporary dance as well as a range of other modern dance styles. In 2017 she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Dance Performance endorsed with Distinction. Alongside her degree, Rebecca is a fully qualified RAD and BBO teacher and in 2019 she wrote her own ballet syllabus. In 2018 she joined Victorian State Ballet where she tours and performs around Australia and NZ.
Max Davis
Dance Teacher
Max trained in all dance styles from age 8, with Niche dance. He trained at Victorian College of the Arts from years 7-12 in intense classical and contemporary technical training Max discovered a love for circus and acrobatics training at The National Institute of Circus Arts, mastering skills in acrobatic performing. Max has since appeared in multiple performances as Marvels' Australian Spiderman at events including the Australian tennis open, football games in Victoria and interstate Max now focuses on teaching the multiple styles he has learned to help further his students to their goals in all things dance.
Carla Fares
Dance Teacher
Stacey Beale
Administration
Mikayla Wisneske
Dance Teacher
Mikayla Wisneske has been dancing since the young age of 6 in her hometown of Mildura. She then moved to Melbourne at age 16 to complete a Diploma of Dance at Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance. Since graduating in 2021, Mikayla has continued to train and work with Stella Youth Dance Company and Lionheart Dance Company.
Some of her credits include, Stella Youth Dance Company - FIVE, Romaeo EP Launch and Music Video - "How To Be Honest", Lionheart Dance Company - Underlight & Enduring and Sparks Youth Dance Company - Satellite.
Mikayla loves to challenge and inspire students to be unique and individual while being in a supportive and safe environment!
Charlotte Lincoln
Dance Tecaher
Jocelyn Wee
Dance Teacher