Faculty

Kira Marie

Director / Head Teacher

Kira grew up on the Central Coast N.S.W and started dancing at the age of 3 at Crane Academy of Dance. Kira trained in all styles of dance and completed her BAL Jazz exams receiving Honours with Distinction.

Kira started teaching at 13 years of age under the supervision and guidance of Janelle Crane. Through teaching her passion for dance grew even stronger. Watching her students enjoying the same love for dance as she does made her realise that teaching dance was her future and something that she could do forever..

During Kira’s years at the Crane Academy she was entered in many Eisteddfods on the Central Coast, Newcastle and Sydney in group, duo and solo performances often achieving high results and accolades. At the age of 14 Kira and her duo partner received a Hip Hop Scholarship to dance with Christopher Jones from the movie ‘You Got Served’.

Throughout Kira’s studies she has learnt and taught many dance genres to the students of Crane Academy, including Technique, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary.

In 2017 Kira auditioned for the Choreographer’s Community opening performance routine choreographed by Natasha Crane and was selected in the top 25 senior dancers.

Dancing has always been a second home for Kira somewhere she could laugh, make friends, learn new skills and build her confidence, now she is excited to provide that second home for all of her students.

Owning a dance school has always been a lifelong dream for Kira and she is so motivated and determined to create a fun, energetic, professional studio for her students.

Rachel Mitchell

Rachel is a performer, choreographer, and passionate teacher. She trained and graduated with her Advanced diploma in dance and Certificate 4 in dance teaching and management at Lee Academy Fulltime.

Rachel has performed in shows such as epiphanies directed by Robert McDougall, lead dancer in Le Freak directed by Keith Hawley, most recent overseas contract performing in The Parisian in Macau, China as a Showgirl and Commercial dancer.

Rachel loves to create and has Choreographed and performed in Christie Lamb’s country music video Judgment day, performed, and assisted in choreography alongside Jo Cotterill and Ame Delves in The Commonwealth Bank CEO Awards, adjudicated for the Showcase eisteddfods and has Choreographed multiple concert and eisteddfod pieces all receiving high marks and places.

The people Rachel has met through dancing have inspired her in both her dancing career and life in general, she has been a teacher now for over 6 years and hopes to inspire her students in the same way.

Lara Chapman

Lara started dancing when she was 4 but fell completely in love with it at the age of 5 when she danced with Crane Academy, she has been dancing under Kira at The CMPNY for the last 6 years and in 2021 choreographed her own routines for the Sub Juniors, Teen and Intermediate Students at The CMPNY. Lara’s routines have competed in Competitions with receiving points 90 and above.

Lara has competed in Eisteddfods with groups, trios, duos and solos, she also received a scholarship to attend a hip hop workshop after receiving a first place in her hip hop duo.

Lara has completed her High School Certificate and was selected as a Prefect, in a leadership team and is currently studying Primary School Teaching at the University of Newcastle.

Lara is known for her soft and caring nature, her positive attitude and creative mind. She loves to dance and can’t wait to continue working with THE CMPNY students in 2024

Alissa Eckersley

Alissa is a highly accomplished dancer, acrobat, and contortionist with 19 years of experience in the performing arts industry. Starting her dance journey at the age of five, she has mastered all styles of dance, acrobatics, and contortion. She’s an Australia’s Got Talent semi-finalist, she has performed on stages like the Sydney Opera House, Universal Studios, kidz fashion week runaway, circus’s and even leading the Disneyland parade. As a national champion in acrobatics and contortion, she has also showcased her talent in countless corporate events. Alissa is a certified Acrobatics Arts teacher, she is dedicated to inspiring and training the next generation of performers with her expertise and passion.

Taylor Stirton

Taylor’s dance journey started at just five years old, sparking a lifelong love for performing and expressing herself through dance. By the age of 12, she had already stepped into an assistant teaching role, and at only 13 she choreographed her very first routine. In 2012, Taylor was recognised for her dedication and talent when she was awarded Junior Student of the Year at her home studio.

Taylor began competing as a soloist at age 10, having already performed in troupe eisteddfods at a younger age. She received numerous exciting performance opportunities, including the 2012 NRL Grand Final for ‘Good Charlotte’, and performing a cheerleading routine for the West Tigers in 2013. In recent years, she performed with The CMPNY at the Royal Easter Show on multiple occasions and was a flag girl for the Newcastle Knights on two occasions in 2024.

In 2018, Taylor joined The CMPNY under Kira and quickly found a second home. Being challenged to step outside her comfort zone, she has continued to develop her confidence, ability and performance quality.

Outside of dance, Taylor is a highly dedicated student, holding a Bachelor of Psychological Science and a Bachelor of Criminology, and she is currently completing her Honours in Psychological Science this year.

Taylor consistently strives for improvement, gives her all to every opportunity, and loves sharing her passion for dance with others. Taylor is excited to continue nurturing and supporting students as they grow throughout their own dance journeys.

Tia Boylan

Tia began her dance training at The Ritz Dance Company at the age of two, studying Jazz/Commercial Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics, and Ballet. Over many years of competitive eisteddfods, she achieved numerous awards, including the highest honour of Studio Champion, which she was awarded twice. During her time at The Ritz, Tia also had the opportunity to travel to the United States, performing at Disneyland and Universal Studios.

She later progressed into professional cheerleading with the Red Energy Newcastle Knights Dance Squad, where she completed four years in a professional performance environment. During this time, she was selected as one of four team members to travel to Las Vegas, where she trained with professional cheerleaders and learned choreography to bring back and share with her team.

Tia’s formal dance qualifications include RAD Ballet examinations from Grade 4 through to Intermediate level, all completed with Distinction results, as well as Glenn Wood Tap examinations from Levels 1–12, achieving Gold Award results throughout.

She began student teaching at the age of 12, developing into a junior teaching role by age 17, where she taught younger competition teams and coached solo performers. This experience allowed her to build strong foundations in choreography, technique development, and mentoring young dancers.

Throughout her career, Tia has performed at a wide range of events and venues, including Westfield Tuggerah, Erina Fair, Rouse Hill Town Centre, the Royal Easter Show, Disneyland, Universal Studios, the 2012 NRL Grand Final, Westpac Helicopter Ball, NXT Gen, and numerous eisteddfods.

She has trained under and attended workshops with many respected industry professionals, including Stephen Tannos, Jason Winters, Darren Disney, Cassie Bartho, BJ Rouke, Lauren Seymour, Neale Whittaker, Neven Connolly, and Jake Murray. Tia is passionate about continuing to grow as both a dancer and educator and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and experience within the dance industry.

Nick Cooper

Nick is a passionate dancer, creator and teacher based on the Central Coast, NSW. Nick studied fulltime commercial dance courses at Premiere Studios and Milk Studios, then continuing his training through multiple Humxn courses, under the direction of the award winning Australian Choreographer Sela Vai.

In the pursuit of more knowledge, Nick most recently took on the role of assistant to Sela Vai for the Humxn course of 2025, while currently benefiting from the mentorship of the acclaimed Australian Director Amy Campbell.

Nick takes pride in his storytelling abilities, focusing on choreographing with intention.

He places great importance on his versatility in movement, continually learning new foundational skills to strengthen his creative process, all while enhancing his teaching abilities through practical experience and knowledge.

Tianna Withyman

Tianna Withyman is a performer and teacher who has recently returned from a 12-month professional dance contract with Royal Caribbean. She trained at Brent Street in Sydney, where she earned both a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management and a Certificate IV in Dance.

Tianna was also a member of Brent Street’s Project 30 team, which provided opportunities to travel internationally and compete on America’s Got Talent. The team received the Golden Buzzer and progressed all the way to the Grand Final. Following this achievement, Tianna travelled to Dubai to perform in the NBA Semi-Finals Halftime Show.

She has trained across all styles of dance, alongside singing and acting, and has received numerous scholarships and awards throughout her dance journey. With seven years of teaching experience, Tianna is passionate about sharing her love of dance and is excited to continue dancing, learning, and growing with her students.

Georgie Price

Georgie is a bright, kind hearted and passionate choreographer born on the Central Coast. She has trained across a wide range of dance styles under the guidance of respected industry professionals such as Darren Disney, Lauren Blomdahl, Ray Fugawai and Fetu Taku.
Georgie has both performed and choreographed at numerous competitions, interstate and internationally with Hip Hop Crews KCC and MVP, including Hip Hop International, Dancers Paradise, and Danchella.

Through her business, getgroovywithGP, Georgie has created and delivered her own dance programs, driven by a genuine love for Hip Hop culture. She is committed to empowering and motivating the next generation of artists by fostering confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of self through movement.