Rachel Piper
Rachel’s love of dancing began at the age of 4 when she begged her mum to take her to ballet. After many years of hard training and dedication, as well as completing her Associate Diploma in Dance Teaching, Rachel has now been working as a dance teacher for over 20 years. Along with ballet, Rachel also trained in jazz, tap and contemporary styles and has worked with the NRL as a Canberra Raiders cheerleader.
Rachel is currently working as a full-time dance teacher at Stepz South Coast Dance Academy teaching dance lessons in a variety of styles. When she is not at dancing, she is busy being mum to her 4 beautiful daughters.
Rachel is looking forward to her 4th year participating in Eurobodalla’s Dancing with the Stars and once again join the amazing fundraising efforts of the Cancer Council.
Dakota Edsea
Dakota is 24 years old and has two young boys, Noah and Eli. Dakota has been dancing since she was around 8 years old. Dakota has done all different styles of dance like Ballet, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, jazz and tap. She used to compete in high school and still enjoys dancing twice a week now. Dakota is passionate about Cancer Council NSW and raising much needed funds for Cancer research as her youngest son Eli was Diagnosed with Leukemia in June last year, he had a Bone Marrow Transplant in December and is currently doing amazing. She is very excited and honoured to be a part of this year's Stars of Eurobodalla.
Kassi Lozzi
Kassi will use any excuse to bust a move. With a background in Hip Hop, Latin, Ballroom and African dance, Kassi found a combination of these in Zumba. She was a local Zumba instructor for three years, holding classes for adults and children. Kassi currently works as a Primary School teacher and enjoys choreographing dances for the students and teachers.
This year, Kassi is dedicating her time to Stars of Eurobodalla in memory of the loved ones she has lost and as a tribute to her friends who are currently battling cancer. The money raised from the Stars of Eurobodalla is so important for our local community and Kassi has witnessed the benefits of the local support services put in place.
Emily Hoper
Emily began dancing at a very young age. Loving every minute in ballet, Jazz, hiphop, lyrical and physie classes. Emily joined Element Cheer and Dance in 2021 and went straight into a competition/ performance troupe. In 2022 Emily became an assistant teacher at Element, getting junior students excited about dance and competing! When she's not dancing Emily is studying for the Cert 2 in animal care. She is thrilled to be a part of Stars of the Eurobodalla and to join the amazing line-up of dancers partnering this year's stars to raise much needed funds for the Cancer Council.
Jill Wehner - Choreographer and Owner of Element Cheer and Dance
Jill Wehner has been dancing since the age of 3. Studying in Canberra with the Canberra Dance Theatre and Helen Poulos Academy, she moved to Batemans Bay in her late teens and worked at Body Dynamics Dance Studio, taking ownership of the school when she was only 19. After moving to Byron Bay in 2001, she danced professionally for 5 years as well as teaching for the prestigious Paradise Performers Academy under the guidance of Peta McKenny. She started the very successful Vision Dance Studio from 2004 – 2011, winning numerous national dance and cheerleading titles. Jill also travelled to Hawaii to train with World Cheer Champions Hawaii Pacific University under the guidance of Garrin Gosnell. She is a qualified Cheerleading Coach with USASF/ISASF, ICU, AASCF, Gymnastics Australia & NCSSE to level 5 and advanced silver and also is a national and international cheer and dance judge working at events throughout the year.
Many of her past students have gone on to have professional careers, working with artists such as Justin Bieber, Pink, Beyonce, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, FloRida, Pitbull, Rikki-Lee and top 10 on SYTYCD Australia. In her 30th year of teaching all styles of dance Jill will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Stars of Eurobodalla.
Claire Lassau - Owner of Stepz dance Academy
Claire began her dance teaching career at the age of 13 at her childhood dance studio in Bowral. From the very beginning, She has continued to grow her skills, qualifications and love of dance which has allowed her to teach dance full-time for over 20 years.
Her Qualifications include: Diploma of business management; AASCF level 1-2 tumbling and stunting coach; Certificate IV in community recreation; Qualified Acrobatic association instructor. Claire is continuing her studying and plans to complete her licentiate teacher's examination to become an examiner. Career highlights include taking a group of students on a USA dance tour in 2014 and celebrating STEPZ 20th birthday in 2019.
As the studio owner at STEPZ, and senior class teacher Claire is dedicated to ensuring students have the best possible dance education. She loves all aspects of her job and looks forward to the challenges and adventures of the future. Seeing the development and growth within students is something very important to her. Claire has been involved with Stars or the Eurobodalla for many years and is excited to be involved again in 2023.
Rebecca Stanley - Co-Owner of Owner of Dance at Choose to Move
Rebecca’s passion in life is to dance and work with others to find their groove. She began her dance journey at the age of 4 years at Panache Dance Studio, a small community dance school nestled in the Adelaide Hills. Over the years she has completed her major examinations in the Cecchetti Ballet method, and trained in various styles including pointe, jazz, contemporary, tap, and musical theatre. Rebecca has danced professionally with the Adelaide-based Jungle Jooce Band and performed in and choreographed for a a number of corporate and Musical Theatre shows.
Rebecca is currently teaching dance at Choose To Move in Moruya and works at the University of Wollongong researching ways to support children and communities to get active and healthy. Whilst she is busy working and being a mum to her two young children, she can’t wait to get back on the dance floor with another Eurobodalla Star and contribute to raising funds for the Cancer Council. Rebecca is dedicating this year’s performance to her friend’s fiancé, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Jenelle Pike
Jenelle Pike (Jen) has loved movement, music and dance from a young age. Starting her journey in Jazz ballet from the age of 9, Jen continued dancing past her high school years, taking regular classes at Sydney Dance Company. With a love for Latin music and a curiosity for salsa, Jen gravitated towards the Latin dance scene and swiftly became addicted, spending most nights of the week at Latin Motion and Latin Dance Australia before joining El’s Paso’s Latin American Dance troupe where she enjoyed performing at weddings and corporate events.
Since moving to the coast, Jen’s passion for dance continues at Element Cheer and dance where she takes classes in jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary and pointe, in addition to being a trained and qualified Pilates and barre instructor. Jen is looking forward to participating in this years Stars of the Eurobodalla and using her love of dance to raise funds and help those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
Briony Penrose
Briony is a Professional Ballroom Dancer and choreographer and been involved in the Australian dance industry for over 30 years. She won numerous Australian championship titles, reaching the pinnacle of her career when she was Australia’s representative at the World Professional Ballroom Championships in the Ukraine in 2010, placing in the top 20 in the world. Briony has a Bachelor of Dance and multiple teaching qualifications. She was Guest Artist on cruise ships based out of the UK, has performed with the Wiggles, was a Senior Entertainer at Dreamworld performing in many stage shows, was on the ABC Strictly Dancing tv show and is a DanceSport Australia accredited coach. She is passionate about quality dance education and loves sharing her passion for dance with others.
Erika Hazelton - Choreographer and Co-Owner of Owner of Dance at Choose to Move
Originally from US, Erika Hazelton (alongside her partner Rebecca Sellick) runs Dance @ Choose to Move in Moruya NSW.
Erika began dancing at the age of four at The Dance Centre in Newport Beach, California where she studied a range of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop & pointe. She has performed & competed on a national level in the US and completed her exams in Cecchetti ballet dance method. In high school, Erika was on the Varsity Dance Team & continued dancing throughout university - attending classes in Los Angeles, Boston & London as well as assistant teaching in Vancouver B.C.
Now based in Moruya NSW, Miss Erika has been able to share her dance experience with the local community - choreographing & performing for Cancer Council's Stars of Eurobodalla for the past two years. While she is busy studying full-time to become a midwife & being a mum to her three young children - she is very excited that she gets to choreograph & be a part of Eurobodalla Dancing with the Stars 2023!
Jessica Brown
Jess Brown’s motto: ‘Zumba is for everyone’! Jess is a licensed ZIN Zumba instructor and comes from a background in hip hop and working with vulnerable people in the community. Jessica has contributed and led events across the Eurobodalla, wider rural NSW and Canberra, to support raising funds for improved mental and physical health.
Jessica is an active dance teacher in the local community, running classes at Bay Pavilions', Onelife and Malabar Yoga and Fitness weekly and runs workshops and special events through South Coast Zumba. Jessica is excited to be back for her second year for Stars of Eurobodalla.
Montana Slack
Montana is completing her final year at high school and has been dancing from a young age. She has trained in all genres and competed at state and National levels in Cheer, Pom, hip hop, contemporary and jazz. Her passion is cheerleading and has been with Element Cheer and dance for the past 4 years. Montana has been coaching for the last 2 years and loves being part of an energetic, close team as well as watching her junior students grow, develop and fall in love with cheer like she did when she started. Montana is excited at the opportunity to participate in the Stars of the Eurobodalla as cancer affects everyone no matter how old, young or active you are, it affects families, friends, teammates and communities.
Jayne Edwards
Jayne has a passion for dance and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in whatever makes them feel happy. Jayne has practiced and taught the styles of Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop and Contemporary throughout her childhood and performed at various regional and state competitions and events. After having her 3 children, she has reconnected with her passion for dance at Choose to Move dance studio and feels very privileged to represent an inclusive, fun and welcoming studio while raising well deserved funds for the Cancer Council and dancing the night away.
Allana Haines
Allana moved back to Moruya in early 2023 after living in Canberra for 15 years. During her time in Canberra, Allana entered the world of Allstar Cheerleading and Dance. She has competed at both State and National levels in Cheer and Poms and in 2018 her Level 3 Open team were crowned National Champs! Allana now dances at Element Cheer and Dance and is loving being back on the dance floor alongside her 3-year-old daughter who has started her first year of dance. Allana is honoured to be a part of Star of Eurobodalla 2023 and is looking forward to dancing with her star to raise much needed funds for the Cancer Council.
