Carol Myers
Cancer Council’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’ is an event Carol has supported from its inauguration.. many moons ago. A cure for cancer is one of her top priorities in life as she has lost three members of her family due to cancer.
1984 saw Carol establishing Pacific Dancentre, a Registered Training Facility with Dancesport Australia located at the Coffs Harbour Showgrounds, essentially to teach the art of Ballroom Dancing to the Coffs Harbour region.
Carol, Principal of Pacific Dancentre is an accredited coach and Licenced Adjudicator in the three styles of Modern Latin and New Vogue as well as teaching English Old Time. Carol is also a member of ADS (Australian Dancing Society), ANDA (Australian National Dance Association) and Dancesport Australia. Many Pacific Dancentre couples and individuals have seen great successes in the competitive arena of Dancesport across Australia.
Within dancing there are three pathways, competitive, medallist and social where most dancers are introduced to the sport. People as young as four and the young at heart at 90 years can enjoy this wonderful sport.
Photograph by Time Warp Travel Photography
Carol Myers
Cancer Council’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’ is an event Carol has supported from its inauguration.. many moons ago. A cure for cancer is one of her top priorities in life as she has lost three members of her family due to cancer.
1984 saw Carol establishing Pacific Dancentre, a Registered Training Facility with Dancesport Australia located at the Coffs Harbour Showgrounds, essentially to teach the art of Ballroom Dancing to the Coffs Harbour region.
Carol, Principal of Pacific Dancentre is an accredited coach and Licenced Adjudicator in the three styles of Modern Latin and New Vogue as well as teaching English Old Time. Carol is also a member of ADS (Australian Dancing Society), ANDA (Australian National Dance Association) and Dancesport Australia. Many Pacific Dancentre couples and individuals have seen great successes in the competitive arena of Dancesport across Australia.
Within dancing there are three pathways, competitive, medallist and social where most dancers are introduced to the sport. People as young as four and the young at heart at 90 years can enjoy this wonderful sport.
Photograph by Time Warp Travel Photography
Gemma Sarvari
At only 20 years of age, Gemma Sarvari has been lucky to have had more national and international experience than many adults. Gemma commenced her love of dancing at two and a half years of age.
Moving from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, Gemma opened her own Dance Studio called First Step Dance Academy Mid North Coast. This is a huge achievement for one so young.
Grateful to be able to share her knowledge, Gemma believes in teaching dance for the pure fun and enjoyment to young students from pre-school age to high school in a fun, family friendly and safe environment. This builds self-esteem, confidence and the ability to work within a team.
Gemma stated, “Cancer is such a common illness within society. It has not personally affected me or any of my family, however, I am honoured to support the Dance for Cancer Stars initiative.
To recognize those who have battled and are currently fighting cancer . . . that is enough for me to get up there, show appreciation and respect all affected by this illness.”
Photograph by Time Warp Travel Photography
Jacqui Jarratt
Bio to come
Photograph by Time Warp Travel Photography
Hannah Johnson
Hannah makes her debut as a dance teacher for Stars of Coffs Coast this year.
She is the dance teacher at Bishop Druitt College and teaches student from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Hannah said her teaching day varies from jumping around like a kangaroo with the younger students to a deep analysis of dance works for the Higher School Certificate students.
She has a Degree in Creative Industries majoring in Dance and Drama from the Queensland University of Technology and Education.
Hannah grew up at Safety Beach before completing Years 11 and 12 at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts.
A creative person, Hannah started as a rhythmic gymnast before switching to dance at aged 12 years.
A creative person, Hannah is currently renovating house and enjoys natural dyeing with plants.
Fun Fact: Hannah met her husband at a salsa dancing night in Bellingen.
Teo Ross
Teo Ross believes now is his time to give back to the community and so he joins Stars of Coffs Coast as a dance teacher for the first time in 2023.
Aged 19, Teo is already a ‘veteran’ of the local dance scene. He began dancing at aged two years at Woolgoolga Performing Arts Studio, where his mother Rebecca Ross was the business owner until 2020.
Teo learnt many styles of dance including tap, jazz, ballet and musical theatre. Then four years ago he started his journey as a dance teacher.
Teo said he enjoys going back to basics whether it be with children or adults and encourages them to move their bodies.
He loves seeing the smiles on his students’ faces when they get a movement or dance correct, calling that feeling ‘very special’.
Apart from dancing and teaching, Teo is also keen choreographer. He said his style is a little different to many other choreographers in that, while he may enter a situation with a vision, he leaves the choreography element until he feels the vibe of the performers.
Teo said now that he has completed his schooling he has time to mentor for Stars of Coffs Coast and contribute to a worthwhile cause.
Nadira Perera
Since being introduced to Bollywood dancing in 2013 by the Bollywood Sisters at Bellingen’s Camp Creative, Nadira Perera has been involved with many Bollywood performances at various festivals and community events. Nadira’s busy life includes teaching non-profit dance classes to Bellingen locals and is keen to teach the community Bollywood Dancing.
Touring India in 2021 with the Bollywood Sisters, Nadira has learned many different dance skills and styles. Over the years she has also learned to dance Salsa, Modern Jazz, African, Hip Hop and Samba. She believes dance is healing, brings joy and happiness to the body, mind and spirit.
For over 10 years, Nadira, a passionate professional beauty therapist, proudly owns and runs Bellingen’s La Beaute du Monde Beauty Salon.
Having been born in Sri Lanka, Nadira emigrated to France after completing her studies where she lived for 20 years. Learning the French language, she obtained French qualifications as a Beauty Therapist which the Australian Government endorsed since emigrating to Australia. Nadira also successfully completed a Diploma of Beauty Therapy here in Australia.
Nadira is keen to support Cancer Council’s life-saving research, prevention, and supporting services. “I want to help people who have been affected by cancer and honour those who have left this world due to cancer, including my dearest family, friends, and clients,” Nadira stated.
