Our passion is dance

CM dance teachers are a wonderful group of passionate people who have danced most of their lives and share a common love for dance and teaching children. We are proud to have attracted some of Brisbane’s brightest and talented dance teaching professionals, who bring their shared experience of dance training, performance, and teaching to instil in every student a love of dance and a desire to express creatively through movement and music.

 

Our teaching team must meet our standards for dance and teaching qualifications, safety awareness, and care, and by providing a rewarding environment in which to work, we are able to keep teacher changes to a minimum, ensuring your child enjoys the stability and consistency needed to grow and develop. Teachers at CM Dance are also acutely aware of the need to encourage and support younger students who may experience anxiety, and will work with you to develop your child’s confidence in this regard.

 

At the heart of what we do is a conscious intention to nurture and develop talent, while also inspiring a love and appreciation of many dance styles. Recognising every child is different, we celebrate achievements at every level, from Little Dancers to our Irish dancers competing on the world stage. At CM Dance you will find a commitment to providing a safe and positive environment where all students can feel empowered, comfortable and free to express themselves.

All CM Dance teachers are:

Professionally qualified

Our teachers are professionally trained dancers and have teaching  experience qualifications. CM Dance Director, Clare Michelsen, carefully screens all teachers for their suitability, skills, and alignment with CM Dance teaching philosophy and values.

Child safety aware

All of our teachers and staff members have undergone official checks allowing them to work with children. They are also made aware of any child custody arrangements and maintain strict confidentiality in the interests of each child’s wellbeing.

Trained in first aid

Our staff members are trained in first aid. Additionally, we enforce a nut-free policy at the studio to ensure the safety of any students or parents with allergies to nuts or nut products. Gluten, dairy, and nut free foods are encouraged when involved in fundraisers or studio events.

Respectful and dedicated

CM Dance teachers are inspired to provide the very best environment for development of your child, taking a respectful and dedicated approach to classes. Feedback is welcomed, either directly to your child’s class teacher, or to Clare Michelsen, CM Dance director.

All CM Dance teacher are:

Professionally qualified

Our teachers are professionally trained dancers and have teaching  experience qualifications. CM Dance Director, Clare Michelsen, carefully screens all teachers for their suitability, skills, and alignment with CM Dance teaching philosophy and values.

Child safety aware

All of our teachers and staff members have undergone official checks allowing them to work with children. They are also made aware of any child custody arrangements and maintain strict confidentiality in the interests of each child’s wellbeing.

Trained in first aid

Our staff members are trained in first aid. Additionally, we enforce a nut-free policy at the studio to ensure the safety of any students or parents with allergies to nuts or nut products. Gluten, dairy, and nut free foods are encouraged when involved in fundraisers or studio events.

Respectful and dedicated

CM Dance teachers are inspired to provide the very best environment for development of your child, taking a respectful and dedicated approach to classes. Feedback is welcomed, either directly to your child’s class teacher, or to Clare Michelsen, CM Dance director.

Meet the CM Dance Teachers

Our teachers are approachable, friendly, warm, and encouraging. If you are new to our school and would like to meet the teachers at CM Dance, take a few minutes to read their stories here. And if your child is interested in a career as a professional dancer or dance teacher, we encourage you to get in touch to learn more.

 

At the heart of what we do is a conscious intention to nurture and develop talent, while also inspiring a love and appreciation of many dance styles. Recognising every child is different, we celebrate achievements at every level, from Little Dancers to our Irish dancers competing on the world stage. At CM Dance you will find a commitment to providing a safe and positive environment where all students can feel empowered, comfortable and free to express themselves.

Clare Michelsen

Qualifications: Bachelor of Education, Diploma of Teaching, T.C.R.G. (Certified Irish dance teacher affiliated with An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, Ireland), FBEAQ (Fellow Business Educators Association Qld) Dance specialty: Irish
With a love of dance, especially Irish dance, and a passion for teaching, Clare is the founder and Director of CM Dance. Through her role as teacher over many years, Clare has taught hundreds of dancers, also providing invaluable pastoral care to children of all ages, from very young to students growing through the more challenging teen years. Clare’s straightforward and genuine approach is perfectly balanced with understanding and care of each student at CM Dance, with her experience and qualifications providing knowledge of children’s developmental needs. As a mother herself, Clare has a deep understanding of the important role parents and carers play in providing dance opportunities for their children. It is with this awareness that underpins Clare’s approach to ensuring CM Dance remains a safe and supportive environment in which students, their families, and teachers can work together.

Clare is a registered teacher with the Irish Dancing Commission in Ireland (CLRG). Her own solo dance experience spans 25 plus years, and includes winning multiple State Championships and achieving top 10 positions for Irish dance in Australia several times. She has performed in many professional shows throughout Queensland, including as an international artist in Jakarta. While competing as a dancer, Clare was recalled at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Cork.

Additionally, Clare’s background includes 25 years’ experience teaching in secondary catholic schools as a Business and Drama teacher. She has produced, directed and choreographed many musicals, Speech Nights, Rock n’ Roll Eisteddfod school entries and much more. Her vast knowledge of theatre and production ensures the success and high entertainment of CM Dance’s annual Showcase Concerts.

Together with the CM Dance teachers, we strive to provide our students with the very best learning environment for dance. Whether your child is a complete novice or wanting to build on their experience, we would love to join you on their dance journey.

Mana Ogawa

Qualifications: Advanced Diploma of Professional Pilates, Certificate in Dance Performance Dance specialty: Ballet
Mana trained at the New Zealand School of Dance for Classical Ballet before being accepted at Sydney Dance PPY. During her time in New Zealand she danced many roles, including as a soloist in the role of Polka Girl in Kenneth MacMillan’s 1956 work, Solitaire. She also worked as an independent artist with Sydney Dance Company on their collaboration in David Jones’ 2016 Autumn/Winter season.

After graduating, Mana danced as an independent professional dancer with choreographers such as Lisa Maris McDonell, leading to performances of full length works at the Casula Powerhouse Museum. Following an injury, Mana’s interest shifted to teaching and rehabilitation, which ultimately led to completion of a Certificate of Matwork, Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction, and Advanced Diploma qualification with the Pilates International Training Centre. Mana has an in-depth understanding of musculature and biomechanics, allowing her to identify the needs of each dancer.

We love Mana’s positive attitude, emphasis on technique, and passion for sharing her knowledge with others. Those new to CM Dance may recognise Mana as the character ‘Lily’, from Dance Academy (series 2 and 3), a popular television program in which Mana appeared.

I am very excited to teach at CM Dance and work with Clare and her team as the dance school offers different genres of dance with dedication to quality while still making it fun for everyone.

Madison Wieland

Qualifications: RAD Ballet, Tap and Jazz.
Having grown up in a dancing family where her mother was a professional dancer and her sister and mother own a dance school together in Gladstone, Mady has always danced. Her qualifications include completing an Advanced Diploma in Classical and Contemporary Dance at the Queensland National Ballet and achieving a Gold Star CSTD Tap and Grade 7 CSTD Jazz. She is currently studying Exercise and Nutrition Science at UQ. Mady is keen to impart her passion for dance to young people.

I believe that dance is one of the best things to do as it is the most honest way to convey emotions and to express yourself. My goals at CM Dance are to improve the dance technique of all my students, to adhere and teach safe dance practices and to continue to help student’s passion for dance.

Scotty Coslett

Qualifications: Classical ballet, classic jazz, commercial jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, broadway, acrobatic dance
Scotty Cosslett is a highly experienced teacher, choreographer & performer with over 15 years of industry experience. He is a a bright individual with a creative flare & loves instructing & engaging with kids, teenagers, adults, groups or individuals no matter what level of experience they have! Scotty has specialised in classical ballet, classic jazz, commercial jazz, hip hop, strut/heels, contemporary, lyrical, broadway, acrobatic dance, technique, and flexibility teaching at many of the top and most highly regarded dance schools across Australia. Some career highlights include dancing with International Movie Stars like Zac Efron and Nikki Blonsky, as well as National Pop sensations Ricki-Lee and Jessica Mauboy. His professional experience includes the International Dance Academy, Los Angeles, The EDGE Performing Arts Centre, Los Angeles, Millennium, Los Angeles, a professional international contract at Porto Sokhna Resort in Egypt. Nationally he has performed with the Australian Opera Company and the Youth Ballet of Western Australia. Scotty is continuously seeking current and inspiring choreography and techniques from all around the world and he strives to incorporate these current trends from the global dance scene into his own routines here in Australia. Scotty is very excited to be onboard at CM Dance in 2021 and looks forward to sharing his knowledge, passion and experience with you all!!

 

I am thrilled to be teaching dance with the CM Dance team as I love and support the ideals and philosophies that CM Dance embodies: making dancing fun and joyful, while maintaining excellent technique.

Get in touch

Many parents will ask Why should I choose CM Dance? We like to answer that question with total upfront honesty. CM Dance is a dance studio that does things differently, putting the overall development of your child front and centre of the way we teach.

 

Whole dancer focus – Every child is encouraged. Delivering pastoral care by focusing on the individual as a whole, we aim to bring out their best.

Quality of teachers – Our teachers  are dancers at heart,  , both as students and professionals. Together, they share a common passion for dance and teaching children.

Family friendly – Families are the heart of our business and we strive to make all welcome in the CM Dance family.

Affordable tuition – Classes are priced to make dancing affordable for families, including those with more than one child and/or taking multiple classes.

Beginner to professional level – All levels of ability and aspiration are encouraged and supported, including students who wish to pursue dance professionally.