Cancer Council : Our Teachers

Shelayna Boorer | Canivale Dance Co

Shelayna was the child who couldn’t sit still, and discovering dance at six gave that energy somewhere to go. Full-time training in Sydney and on the Gold Coast led to performances up and down the coast, work with Disney and Pixar, and a 13-month contract with Warner Bros. in Abu Dhabi. Performing is where she feels at home.

Through Stars, Shelayna is keen to connect with others, share ideas and inspire change. She loves learning from the people around her and is bringing that same curiosity and energy to her role on the Coffs Coast stage.

Rebekka Robertson | Pacific Dancentre

With more than 10 years of Ballroom and Latin experience, Rebekka loves a challenge, a little sparkle and any excuse to dance. After several years in shopping centre management, she’s beginning a new chapter studying psychology at Southern Cross University. Outside the studio, she enjoys reality TV, family time and spoiling the family’s two Rottweilers.

Returning after her first Stars experience, Rebekka is excited to turn something she loves into something meaningful. Her grandmother’s cancer diagnosis has deeply affected her family, making this a personal opportunity to support Cancer Council and other families facing cancer.

Rahni Grant | Woolgoolga Performing Arts Studio

Rahni grew up dancing competitively in Melbourne before moving to Coffs Harbour in 2024 and beginning her teaching journey at Woolgoolga Performing Arts Studio. Away from dance, she runs exterior cleaning business Total Clean Coffs Coast alongside her husband, Hugo, balancing business life with her love of the studio.

Returning to Stars for a second year, Rahni is grateful for another opportunity to use something she loves to support Cancer Council. Sharing her time and dance experience for such an important cause makes being part of the event especially meaningful.

Maddy Bucknell | Madmol Studios

Dancing since the age of four, Maddy has found just as much joy in teaching as performing. Alongside Molly Horseman, she co-founded MadMol Studios to create a welcoming space where people of all ages and abilities can build confidence, express themselves and enjoy dance. Years of ankle injuries and major surgery have tested her patience, but strengthened her determination to keep pursuing what she loves.

For Maddy, Stars is a chance to challenge herself, meet new people and use her passion for a meaningful cause. Returning to performing makes this opportunity especially rewarding. She’s excited to bring the community together, raise funds for Cancer Council and hopefully inspire others to keep chasing their dreams.

Chloe Szabo | Julie Ross Dance Studio

Chloe began dancing at three at Julie Ross Dance Studio before heading to the Gold Coast for two years of full-time training at Launch Performing Arts Centre. Now teaching at her home studio while pursuing professional performance opportunities, she loves seeing students’ faces light up as they learn, grow and find their confidence.

Returning for her third Stars experience was an easy yes. Chloe feels honoured to use her passion to support people affected by cancer and raise funds for vital research. She’s looking forward to another memorable journey with her Star and hitting the stage again in 2027.

Carol Myers | Pacific Dancentre

A familiar face on the Stars of Coffs Coast stage, Carol has supported the event at every edition since its launch in 2011. Dancing since she was six, she began in Melbourne before competing in Queensland and eventually making Coffs Harbour home. An accredited coach and licensed adjudicator in Modern Ballroom, New Vogue and Latin American, she also teaches everything from Salsa to Rock ’n’ Roll. Pacific Dancentre has welcomed dancers of all ages since 1984.

Having lost her father to melanoma at just 52, her mum to lung cancer, and other loved ones and dance clients to cancer, the cause is deeply personal. Stars is Carol’s way of giving back and helping work towards a cancer-free future.

Chloe Nickell | Woolgoolga Performing Arts Studio

Chloe has danced since she was four, from competitive ballroom to performing with the NSW dance ensemble at Schools Spectacular. A paediatric speech pathologist, she recently moved from Brisbane to Coffs Harbour with her husband and two young children. She’s rediscovered her love of dance through adult classes at Woolgoolga Performing Arts Studio. Outside the studio, she enjoys reading, travelling and coastal life with her family.

Her inspiration for joining Stars is her mum, who has supported every step of her dancing journey. Now Chloe is excited to return that support and make special memories together while supporting Cancer Council.

Meredith Ripley

Meredith has spent more than four decades sharing her love of dance as a teacher, mentor and educator. Her career has included entertaining audiences as Humphrey B Bear, hosting Space Ace and bringing energy to community events as a professional MC. She’s also inspired young dancers in schools and private studios, with her all-boys troupe performing at the Sydney Opera House and receiving recognition in State Parliament.

Returning for her third Stars of Coffs Coast, Meredith recently shared her expertise as a judge at Stars of Hastings. This time, she’ll swap the judging table for the dance floor as she helps her Star prepare for their moment in the spotlight. She’s excited to be back on the Coffs Coast stage, supporting families affected by cancer and raising funds for vital care and research.

Rebekah Chippington | Temple of Tease

Rebekah brings a love of movement, storytelling and theatrical flair to the dance floor. A classically trained ballet dancer and embodiment coach, she helps people build confidence, reconnect with their bodies and find their own style of expression. Through Temple of Tease in Bellingen, her classes, workshops and productions bring together dance, mindful movement and performance in a welcoming, creative space.

Returning to Stars of Coffs Coast, Rebekah is excited to share her experience and help her Star feel confident in the spotlight. With community connection at the heart of her work, she values the opportunity to bring people together through dance while supporting Cancer Council and families affected by cancer.

Jacqui Jarratt | Coffs Coast PoleFit

Jacqui’s Stars journey began cheering on her husband, before stepping into the spotlight as a Star herself. Now, she shares that experience through Coffs Coast PoleFit, which celebrates 10 years under their ownership in 2027. With a background in health and movement, she loves the strength, creativity and storytelling of pole, particularly Pole Theatre, which the studio proudly brings to the Stars stage.

Marking her studio’s fifth year of involvement, Jacqui values the way Stars brings people together to support one another. She’s excited to help another Star discover the joy of performing while contributing to fundraising that supports cancer research and offers connection, support and hope to people affected by cancer.

Sofia Perovic-Gamez | Valley Performing Arts Centre

Sofia discovered dance at eight and has explored everything from ballet and tap to hip hop, contemporary and acro. Having trained at four studios and competed in dance, speech and drama eisteddfods, she shares her love of performing through teaching jazz and acro at Valley Performing Arts Centre in Macksville. Her interest in health and anatomy sees her studying a Diploma of Remedial Massage while working as a massage therapist at Chiro Nambucca.

A previous Cancer Council dancing event left an impression on Sofia. She’s excited to work with a Star, combining creativity and her love of teaching to create something entertaining while raising funds for Cancer Council.

Molly Horseman | Madmol Studios

Molly Horseman | MadMol Studios

Dancing since she was three, Molly brings experience across hip hop, contemporary and musical theatre, along with a love of helping others find their feet. She’s coached university dance teams, taught studio routines and even led the occasional hens party. Away from teaching, her border collie Atlas is always happy to join the dance party.

Having grown up in Coffs Harbour, Molly is excited to give back to her community through dance. Cancer has touched the lives of many close family members and friends, making her involvement in Stars especially meaningful. She’s grateful for the opportunity to share her skills, support Cancer Council and help her Star feel confident on stage.

Phil Myers | Pacific Dancentre

Phil has been part of every single Stars of Coffs Coast since it began in 2011, sharing his time, talent and love of dance year after year. Beginning ballroom dancing around 50, he moved from competition into the social side of dance. Music is another lifelong passion, with Phil playing in bands since Year 9 alongside a career spanning engineering, computing and sales.

Having lost his brother, parents-in-law and best mate and band partner of 40 years to cancer, the cause is deeply personal. He’s also lost friends from his working life and dancing community. For Phil, returning to Stars is a way to honour those connections, give back and help make a difference for others.