Ashley Sargeson
Ashley is the Head Associate Teacher of Bonny Hills Physical Culture who has been competing for 35 years and has 21 years teaching experience. Bonny Hills Physical Culture teachers volunteer their time as they believe in keeping dance affordable for all families and love to give back to the community.
Ashley says that physie empowers woman and girls of all ages to be the best they can in a nurturing and supportive environment and that is what she loves most about teaching.
Fun fact... Ashley is also the proud owner of Touchwood Flowers who are celebrating their 20th year in business and are a long-term supporter of STARS of Hastings.
We are looking forward to what Ashley and her STAR will bring to the stage and would like to extend a warm welcome to Ashley and all of the wonderful dance partners joining us this year.
Jorjia-Rose Styles
Jorjia-Rose has been dancing since she was 3 years old and is one of the wonderful teachers at Coastal Dance Performing Arts, she enjoys jazz & lyrical but Jorjia-Rose's favourite dance style is Acro.
"I've lost many family members to cancer including my dad so the opportunity to raise money and awareness for this disease means a lot. It's very cool that someone who's never danced before will get to experience the utter joy of learning and performing on stage and I can't wait to share this experience with a STAR of the Hastings."
We are excited to be introducing another fabulous new partner to our STARS stage and welcome Jorjia-Rose to our dance family.
Sati Shakti
Sati has been bellydancing for 14 years and as a teacher likes to bring together a sisterhood of women who love to move their hips, dress up and enjoy a laugh.
Through her choreography, Sati honours the different stages of womanhood and celebrates women of all walks of life, ages and abilities.
Sati is easy going, optimistic and inspired by the likes of Tina Turner, Peggy Lee, Tracey Chapman and of course Shakira.
You can find Sati performing at festivals in and around the Hastings region and this year on our STARS stage.
Ella Cassidy
Ella is one of the fabulous teachers at Burlesqfit Academy.
Another dancer taking the lead this year who is no stranger to our STARS stage... Ella has previously supported the always fabulous Sarah Dietrich Lovelock but is helping us mix up the genres for our Class of 2025.
"I have been a supporter of the event for a few years and love everything it has to offer. When I was 12 my dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 thyroid cancer. He fought a long hard battle and has been cancer free for almost 12 years. It was a very rough time in our lives and I am beyond grateful for everything Cancer Council NSW did for dad but also my brother and I; they gave us activities and books to read while we were at the hospital for dad's treatment and it's something I will never forget. This is my little way to give back."
Jodie Sallustio
Jodie is high energy, high vibes and highly skilled in the art of dance. Jodie loves working at World Gym Port Macquarie and Lake Cathie Dance Fitness and gets a buzz out of helping people get fit and active through music and dance.
"Losing relatives and friends to the dreaded c definitely drives me to help raise funds and awareness. Being involved with Stars of Hastings is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in both the fundraiser and the fun showcase of the incredible dancers and stars we have living locally.”
Tahnee Paige
Tahnee is no stranger to our STARS stage... She was part of last years epic Alice in Wonderland routine and joins us this year as a Dance Partner.
While alot of our dance partners have performed from a young age Tahnee began dancing as an adult specialising in the art of poledancing, the genre that instills the most fear in our potential stars but continues to deliver on our STARS stage thanks to the highly professional and dedicated team at SoulFire.
Tahnee has visited every Disneyland, enjoys 70s & 80s music but also loves all types of rock and that diversity certainly has us intrigued.
Tahnee enjoys helping people find their strength and style in dance and we cannot wait to see what Tahnee and her STAR bring to the stage this year.
Carlee Fletcher
I am a young mum of 2 boys. I have been dancing for majority of my life. I will proudly representing BFA Academy in this years Stars of the Hastings. I am also a local dance teacher at Movement Studios. I balance my family with my love of dance, always striving to help, inspire and uplift those around me .
Meg Smith
Meg started dancing at the age of two, signed her first ballet contract at 10. Became a fulltime dance student at 15 and began touring at the young age of 16.
After completing her HSC Meg was selected to become the youngest company dancer at Cabaret No5 and has gone on to star in music videos and musicals such as Frozen and Annie aswell as graduating from AMPA with a bachelor degree.
Meg has extensive training in Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Cabaret and a massive passion for using dance as therapy for early intervention.
"My mother passed away in July of 2023, 2 weeks before Stars of Hastings. She battled Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1) for 8 years. In 2024, I was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine cancer and am currently undergoing my own cancer journey. I have experienced first-hand the impact cancer has not just on the person living with it but the financial, physical and emotional aspects on the family. I was very close to my mother and I treasured every minute with her so to be able to support, help fundraise, and participate in something I have a professional career in and a passion for is an absolute honour!"
The honour is ours Meg!
Danika Clarkson
I am Danika Clarkson, I started my dance journey from a very young age growing up in the dance studio. I was always on the stage performing in productions put on by my local dance school. I am well versed in every style ranging from ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, hip hop and heel work.
There I was trained in RAD Ballet and LGTDA Tap and completed examinations in both syllabi. I have also had training in Lester Horton and Martha Graham contemporary techniques. I have been teaching at Coastal Dance Performing Arts Studio since 2023, choreographing for performance groups and solos as well as training my students with special attention to safe dance practice. I pride myself on teaching with care and compassion to harness students' full potential both in the classroom and on stage.
Since graduating in 2021 I have been working at St Columba through the performing arts program, choreographing and teaching for the co-curricular and touring streams. I have also guided many students through the RAD program at St Columba having exceptional results from their examinations.
