OUR STAFF

Jenine & Laura opened WPA over 30 years ago, bringing with them the experience they learnt while dancing, singing, and acting professionally in the entertainment industry. 

Musicals include Sugar Babies, Anything Goes, La Cage Aux Folles, Nine, Seven Little Australians, Me and My Girl. Laura has worked with Peter Allen, David Atkins, Gary McDonald and many more. From there they have formed a Performing Arts School that is highly regarded in the Western Area.

For the past 15 years, they have been the managers of the Pantherette cheer squad and the Kitty Kats (the junior cheer squad) for Penrith Panthers.

Children have grown up at Westside and gone on to full-time dance and drama courses – they are now themselves work in the entertainment industry. Students in the past have had the lead role in Annie the Musical, have appeared in commercials, on cruise ships, TV shows such as The X Factor and Australia’s Got Talent.

 Jenine & Laura are very proud of Westside’s achievements and hope to continue offering great tuition and advice to the students currently training.

ALANA ROHEN
Dance Teacher

I want my students be able to express themselves and take risks as performers, so they can achieve things and move in a way they never have before.

BERNADETTE WILKINSON
Dance Teacher

DANCE - Is a way to express yourself. When you perform on stage, it's like an explosion of all your emotions coming out. Just the best feeling.

CHELSEA NEUBRONNER
Dance Teacher

I love being a member of a community that encourages a passion for dance, and all the laughter that is shared when I’m in the studio with my students.

TAYAH GULYAS
Drama Teacher

Drama is a great way for kids to build confidence, to make friends and to expand their imagination and problem solving skills. For me, drama, was a way to learn about myself and others as you delve deeper into characters and scenes – learning how you think, and discovering new ways of looking at situations through group discussions. Quick paced exercises, such as improvisation, help outside of class by speeding up reaction time and getting kids to think on their feet – creating plausible solutions to problems that arise during their performance. Overall drama is a fun way for kids to try new things and explore, as there are no wrong answers in drama.

MICHELLE
Ballet Teacher (RAD RTS)

I love dance for everything it teaches us and the skills that help you to be successful in whatever you choose to do in life. Dance teaches us ‘GRIT’ commitment and determination to see things through, you may not always be able to do things the first time, discipline, hard work and repetition can help you get there. It teaches us organisation, co-ordination and awareness of self, our bodies and how to use them and our surroundings. It is more than technical, it allows for creative, emotional and personal expression and so much more. When the technique and the expression are both present in a performance there is a connectedness with the audience.

VERONICA GEORGE
Musical Theatre / Jazz Expert & Teacher

The wonderful thing about WPA is the history. Some of the current students had parents attend themselves decades before. This has created such a wonderful family environment and a beautiful appreciation of the many skills and lessons that can be learnt in the dance studio. Not to mention the nostalgia at concert time. These attributes are the very reason I enrolled my own children. The history, knowledge and the experience.

CHLOE STACEY
Ballet Teacher

I’m excited to see all the students grow and reach the goals and milestones that we work hard on.

LESLEY BUADROMO
Troupe, Lyrical and Hiphop Teacher

Dance is such a beautiful and powerful thing. Being able to express your feelings and emotions through movement to tell a story is so special. It has always been such an outlet for myself growing up and that is exactly why I love teaching all the beautiful students at Westside, to give them the same experience. I have been a part of the Westside family since 2006 as a student and now as a teacher, and I will forever be grateful for the environment within the studio that allowed me to explore and grow my passion for dance.

SHAYLA RAWARD
Preschool Teacher

I love dance as it lends its self as a form of communication in a beautiful way. Whilst teaching the younger children about dance they are able to explore a new form of communication through music and finding their own rhythm. I love helping the pre schoolers find their love for dance and growing that love as the children grow.