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OUR LEGACY TEAM
Who We Are
JORDYN EVANS
Creative Director/Principal
(Head of Choreography & Teaching)
Jordyn is a Sydney based Performer and Teacher who began her dance training in Sydney under the guidance of three prominent teachers Lorraine Payten, Joanne Stevens and Lisa-Maree Barnes, who were valuable mentors in her journey. Jordyn completed all of her Classical Ballet, Tap and Jazz BBO Solo Seal exams at the tender age of 16, and has been trained in Acrobatics by Tracie-Marie Seipel, among other acrobatic experts. She also has extensive training in Lyrical & Contemporary. When Jordyn was 8, she began to train in Artistic Gymnastics at Bounce Gymnastics, where she eventually went on to become the Level 5 Women’s State Champion, competing all over NSW. She has also studied Silks & Singing.
Throughout her dancing career, Jordyn has worked in multiple shows across Sydney, including the David Camm Spectacular, Mo Awards, Elvis & Friends, Jukebox Saturday Night, performances on Cruise Ships, and more. Her passion for entertainment and the industry took her all the way to New York Fashion Week in 2018, where she worked backstage with the models and designers in styling and production, giving her valuable experience at a high-professional level on shows including Kate Spade, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and more. She has travelled to the USA to perform at Disneyworld and Universal Studios, and taken classes with the staff and performers.
She has completed a Diploma of Business and Bachelor Degree of Psychology, which comes in very handy when leading the team at Legacy Dance Academy.
Jordyn then moved on to teaching at multiple studios across Sydney and Melbourne, passing on her knowledge of all genres to students of all ages with her passion for up-to-date choreography and student development. She is well sought after due to her extensive versatility, attention to detail and flair for creativity. Jordyn brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and a love of dance that flows through to all she teaches and her team.
JOANNE STEVENS
Founder/Patron/Senior Teacher
(All genres, Private Tuition)
Miss Joanne was trained by Lorraine Payten in both the Royal Academy of Dance, and the British Ballet Organisation, studying Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Highland and National Character. She studied Full Time Classical Ballet training at Sydney City Ballet with Tanya Pearson and John Byrne.
Joanne danced professionally overseas for 2 years throughout Asia in various shows, mainly cabaret and showgirl style. Upon returning from Asia, Miss Joanne set up Seven Hills RSL Dance and Western Dance Academy.
Joanne has trained many successful students, who are currently dancing professionally around the world in ballet companies, cruise ships, cabaret shows, and more. Joanne has had over 30 years experience in teaching dance to children and takes a lot of pride in her work.
Joanne is a Senior Examiner with the British Ballet Organisation and travels around Australia and New Zealand examining students completing their exams.
She is also a very experienced adjudicator at competitions.
We are very lucky to have Miss Joanne as part of our team and she continues to train world-class dancers, and as one of our founders, keep the spirit of Legacy Dance Academy alive. She is always an advocate for the students and has helped many of our students move into their professional dancing careers, full time schools, and helps our current LDA students with show gigs around Australia to inspire them and give them a chance to work in the industry.
LISA-MAREE BARNES
Founder/Senior Teacher
(All genres, Private Tuition)
Born into a ‘family of dance’, Lisa-Maree is a registered Teacher & Examiner. She has a career spanning over 35 years and has her own studio, as well as guest teaching for others. Lisa’s training includes a wide repertoire of genres, including Classical Ballet, Tap, Cabaret, Contemporary, Highland, Gymnastics & National Character. She also has vocal and speech training. After studying Classical Ballet full-time under the guidance of Tanya Pearson & John Byrne with the Sydney City Ballet School & Company, Lisa’s passion for dance led her to follow a professional career travelling the world with various Cabaret & Musical Theatre productions, often leading the cast as Dance Captain/ Company Manager.
She has been fortunate enough to have many years’ experience working as both a dancer and choreographer with various Industry Professionals,
both here in Australia and overseas.
Lisa-Maree is very proud to have ex-students enjoying successful careers in the Australian, NZ & Q’ld Ballet Companies, on Cruise ships, London’s West End, The Moulin Rouge, The Crazy Horse, Vienna State Opera, Manheim Ballet Company, Split Ballet, Macau & Las Vegas, to name a few. She has a creative artistic flair and a keen eye for detail and particularly enjoys supporting and encouraging young dancers in a positive way to help them develop to their full potential.As one of our previous founders, we are very lucky to still have Lisa around for her valuable guidance and passion for the students and teaching of dance.
JULIE BLACKSHAW
Senior Teacher
(All genres, Pre-schoolers to Teens, Private Tuition, Seamstress)
Miss Julie started her dance training at the age of 3 in Seven Hills under the guidance of Legacy Dance Academy founders Joanne Stevens and Lisa-Maree Barnes. Within that time she also studied 3 years of full time performing arts while completing her HSC online. Miss Julie has danced professionally in many tribute shows around NSW as well as well as promotional work every weekend during her late teens and early 20’s.
Julie successfully completed all of her exam work all the way up to Solo Seal level for Ballet, Jazz and Tap with the BBO and also holds a Certificate IV Teaching Diploma for Classical Ballet with the British Ballet Organisation.
Growing up, Miss Julie was extremely dedicated to the competition scene competing at many eisteddfods throughout her dancing years and loves to encourage and nurture all students who wish to dance competitively or recreationally. In the last year Miss Julie has had great success with her tap choreography scoring almost perfect scores from many adjudicators at competitions around NSW.
Outside of the dance studio Miss Julie creates amazingly stunning custom dance costumes for soloists and groups. Julie’s creative costuming has won many awards within the competition scene. Custom Costume Creations has been in operation since 2019 and has had costume orders sent worldwide and to various parts of Australia. Miss Julie also holds a Certificate IV in Fashion Design and Industry Practices.
RUBY BOWDEN
Senior Teacher
(All genres, Pre-schoolers, Junior/Pre-Teens, Private Tuition)
Ruby began dancing at age 3 at what is presently Legacy Dance Academy, training in various styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, and acrobatics. With her years of training, Ruby has had the opportunity to perform in various shows, including Jukebox Saturday Nights, Elvis and Friends, Winter Festivals, and more.
At age 17, while training in part-time dance, Ruby acquired a Level 4 and 5 teaching qualification Diploma from the British Ballet Organisation.
Additionally, at age 19, Ruby began studying dance full-time at Dargie Entertainment, where she furthered her skills in Latin, Commercial, and Cabaret dance styles. She was awarded with a Classical Ballet solo in her grad show and has now recently signed a contract as part of the Dargie Entertainment Agency, a very prestigious achievement.
As a result of these achievements, Miss Ruby has proved herself as a nurturing, caring, and passionate teacher over her 5 years of empowering her students.
With a flare for unique choreography and eye for refinement and technique, we are very grateful to have her as part of our Legacy Team.
HANNAH-RAE CORCORAN
Senior Teacher
(All genres, Pre-schoolers, Junior/Pre-Teens, Private Tuition)
Hannah began her dance journey at the age of 2, starting out at Dance Avenue Penrith before transitioning over to what is now Legacy Dance Academy when she was 4. Hannah has had lifelong experience in all genres, including but not limited to ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics, silks & hip hop.
Hannah has completed her BBO Solo Seal exams in Jazz and Tap, and is currently finishing off her Solo Seal Ballet as well. In 2023, Hannah began studying dance part-time at Legacy Dance Academy, which she will continue to do throughout 2024.
In 2019, Hannah taught ballet, jazz and tap to those between the age of 2 to 6 years. She re-began teaching in 2023, where she taught ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and started taking on private tuition for our junior students. Hannah has had years of private tuition training, giving her valuable experience in refining her technique and learning a multitude of choreography, all whilst working towards performance qualities and stage presence, something she strives to pass down to the students that she teaches.
In March 2023, Hannah also performed at the Lugarno Lions Autumn Festival as part of our professional team. Hannah loves to create & inspire through her teaching as well as keeping it interesting and creative for the children.
DANIEL TENN
Senior Teacher
(All genres, Pre-schoolers to Junior students)
Daniel began dancing at age 9 at what is presently Legacy Dance Academy, training in various styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics and silks, however specialising in Classical Ballet. With his years of training, Daniel has had the opportunity to perform in various shows, including Jukebox Saturday Nights, Elvis and Friends, Winter Festivals, and more.
Following, in 2019, Daniel had the opportunity to be a student at the prestigious Australian Ballet School.
He has also been awarded scholarships to travel to New Zealand with the British Ballet Organisation to partake in classes and perform in their Dance Days program.
For 3 years now, Daniel has had valuable experience in teaching students at our studio, LDA, and we are very impressed with their progress.
As a result of his background in dance, Mr Daniel has demonstrated as a kind, constructive and determined young teacher, we are very grateful to have him as part of our Legacy team.
EMILY FLOOD
Assistant Teacher
(Preschoolers to Pre Juniors)
Emily began dancing at age 4 at what is presently Legacy Dance Academy, training in various styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics and silks. With her years of training, Emily has had the opportunity to perform in various shows, including Jukebox Saturday Nights and Lugarno Lions Autumn & Spring Festival.
He has also been awarded scholarships to travel to New Zealand with the British Ballet Organisation to partake in classes and perform in their Dance Days program.
In 2023, Emily began teaching our wonderful preschoolers in Little Footsteps & TumbleTown Acrobatics. She also assisted Miss Ruby on the Saturday Pre Junior classes, and we were very impressed with her efforts and dedication to creating a safe environment for our students to flourish.
As a result of her background in dance, Miss Emily has proved herself as a kind, constructive and enthusiastic young teacher, we are very grateful to have her as part of our Legacy team.
CHLOE ATTARD
Assistant Teacher
(All genres, Pre-schoolers and Juniors)
Chloe began dancing at age 2 at what is presently Legacy Dance Academy, training in various styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, silks and acrobatics. With her years of training, Chloe has become an elite dancer as part of the LDA team and has a particular flare for acrobatics.
Chloe is still currently completing all of her Vocational Graded Examinations in Ballet and Tap, and has an eye for technique and performance qualities.
Chloe competes in Eisteddfods all over Australia, and represents Legacy beautifully, often taking out prestigious awards in her age group.
In 2023, Chloe was also selected to participate in the "Captivate" high school program, an elite program featuring NSW's top young performers, led by Marko Panzic.
As the oldest child in her family of 5, Chloe is incredible at communicating, connecting, and teaching our preschoolers and junior students, and passionate about furthering their development and finding their passion for dance so early on in their journey.
We are very grateful to have Chloe as part of our team as she passes down her passion, dedication, and love for dance to our younger students.
KIAH STANDLEY
Assistant Teacher
(All genres, Pre Juniors and Juniors)
Kiah began dancing at age 4 at what is presently Legacy Dance Academy, training in various styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, silks and acrobatics. With her years of training, Kiah has become an elite dancer as part of the LDA team and has a particular eye for technique and performance qualities.
Kiah is still currently completing all of her Vocational Graded Examinations in Ballet and Tap, with the BBO and Glenn Wood.
Miss Kiah began teaching at LDA in 2023, being an assistant in our Pre Junior and Junior students on a Thursday, and has proved her self a dedicated, passionate, and kind teacher, always creating a nurturing and educational environment for her students.
We are very grateful to have Kiah as part of our team, as she passes down her passion and love for dance to our younger students.
