Teachers – Simply Dance

Courtney Dayton-Banks (Director & Owner)

Hi my name is Courtney and I’ve been dancing since I was 8 years old. I specialise in Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Ballet and Hip Hop.

I have 20 years experience teaching. I have taught around Melbourne with a variety of ages, choreographed for rock eisteddfods, theatre productions and have back up danced for rising stars. I have studied at the National Theatre and the Vic College of the Arts. I am a State Dance Association qualified teacher, a Royal Academy of Dance member and have had children complete exams and competition very successfully. I have a Cert IV in dance teaching and management, am a registered Southern Federation of Dance (SFD) teacher and Australian Teachers of Dance (ATOD) teacher. Courtney loves to share her knowledge and passion for dance, she has taken her adjudicating to a more official level and completed the Transit Dance adjudication course.

I believe children need positive reinforcement for their self esteem to thrive.

Matilda

My name is Matilda and I’ll be teaching at Simply Dance!

I began ballet classes at a young age. I completed all R.A.D examinations ballet up to Grade 8 ballet with distinctions as well as completing R.A.D intermediate foundation and R.A.D intermediate exams. I am passionate about contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop and I have also completed V.C.E dance with an A+ score for both practical and theory sections. Throughout VCE I discovered my love for choreography and have since choreographed and taught many dances, ranging in styles and ages. I absolutely love creating and am completely obsessed with the process of teaching choreography.

I studied Musical Theatre at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance after year 12. I gained some amazing insight into the industry performed at White Night Melbourne and Victorian Dance Festival. I worked with some amazing people and was taught by well-known choreographers.

I hope my musical theatre classes will transport you into the musicals themselves as I teach some small routines from some of my favourite stories. I look forward to having a boogie with you all!