Luisa Perez Mujica - Dance on Newy
Born in Mexico, Luisa fell in love with dance at just three years old, learning her first steps in her mother's kitchen — and she hasn't stopped moving since 
With close to 20 years of experience dancing and teaching Salsa, particularly Casino Cubano (Salsa Cubana), Luisa brings a rich blend of tradition, musicality and evolution to every class.
As lead instructor at Dance on Newy since 2021, and a Salsa teacher in Australia since 2013, Luisa is known for her warm teaching style, clear technique and genuine passion for helping students of all levels feel confident, connected and inspired through dance.
Dedicated, patient and endlessly enthusiastic, Luisa believes Salsa is for everyone and loves helping her students discover their own rhythm, joy and expression.
A valued member of the STARS of Newcastle family, Luisa and the Dance on Newy team have helped bring our campaign to life for the past five years, sharing their talent, energy and love of dance while helping our Stars step well outside their comfort zones for a cancer-free future
Lilly McCarthy - Your First Dance Co.
Lilly McCarthy has been dancing since the age of 3, with experience across hip hop, contemporary and musical theatre. Alongside her own training and competition schedule, Lilly teaches younger students, helping them build confidence, technique and a genuine love for dance. This year marks her first involvement in the Stars of Newcastle Dance for Cancer campaign — a cause she holds close to her heart. Her grandmother bravely fought lymphoma for six years, and Lilly is determined to use her passion for dance to honour her journey and make a meaningful difference for others facing cancer. Lilly brings energy, heart and purpose to the stage.
Lewis Quinlivan - Beats Dance Studio
Lewis Quinlivan has been dancing since the age of 3, specialising in tap, jazz and lyrical. Now the Studio Manager at Beats Dance Studio, Lewis oversees daily operations while continuing to inspire the next generation of dancers in the classroom. A dedicated long-term supporter of the Cancer Council, Lewis has made raising funds and awareness a consistent part of his life — and Stars of Newcastle has become his most meaningful platform to combine his love of dance with his commitment to this cause. With cancer having affected his family extensively, Lewis returns to the Stars of Newcastle stage with real purpose and passion.
Erin Phillott / Foxxe Faux - Dance School Owner & Performer
Known professionally as Foxxe Faux, Erin Phillott brings 24 years of dance experience and 9 years as a dance school owner to the 2026 Stars of Newcastle stage. With a wide-ranging performance career spanning multiple dance styles, Foxxe is known for their professionalism, versatility and genuine passion for the performing arts — both in the studio and under the spotlight. As a business owner, Foxxe has built a community grounded in creativity, confidence and artistic excellence, nurturing dancers of all levels to find their voice through movement. Making their Stars of Newcastle debut this year, Foxxe is motivated by something close to the heart — cancer has touched the lives of people they love, and taking part in this campaign is a powerful way to use their platform to bring people together, lift spirits and raise vital funds for research, prevention and support services through the Cancer Council.
Leesa Oswald - The Tribe Collective
With over 30 years of dance experience, Leesa Oswald is one of the Hunter region's most versatile and passionate performers. Having danced and choreographed for Stars of Newcastle for 3 years, Leesa brings a wealth of stage experience to this year's campaign. Her career spans solo and group performances across Australia, and her dedication to the craft is matched only by her commitment to this cause — having lost friends to cancer, Leesa is driven to give her time and talent to make a real difference. Representing The Tribe Collective, she is a powerful force both on and off the dance floor
Alice McKechnie - EV Dance Studios
Trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) with a Bachelor of Ballet Education, Alice McKechnie brings world-class credentials to Newcastle's dance community. Holding the prestigious Licentiate (LRAD) and Associate (ARAD) qualifications, she has performed on some of the world's greatest stages — including the 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony — and now calls Newcastle home. As the founder of EV Dance Studios, named in honour of her dear friend Ellaline Vincent who passed away from leukaemia at just 16, Alice's involvement in Stars of Newcastle Dance for Cancer is deeply meaningful. This is her first year in the campaign, and she brings with her a lifetime of dedication to dance and a profound personal connection to the cause.
Hannah Pandel - Bling Performing Arts
Hannah Pandel began her dance journey at the age of 3 at Bling Performing Arts and has never looked back. With training across tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, JFH and musical theatre, Hannah has gone on to earn her LGTDA Tap Teacher Examination with Honours and High Distinction (2023), and has completed RAD Ballet Examinations through to Advanced 1. She began student teaching in 2016 and hasn't stopped since. Hannah's performance highlights are extraordinary — a featured ensemble member of Star Struck since 2015, a featured dancer in School Spectacular 2017, a performer at Universal Studios, Hollywood and Disneyland on international trips in 2011 and 2019, and a Stars of Newcastle Dance Partner in 2024. Selected by Jason Coleman to attend the Ministry of Dance in Melbourne in 2018, Hannah continues in the MOD Star Program to this day. In 2024 she also represented the University of Newcastle at the ASCAF National Championships in Queensland. A National Championship winner and sought-after choreographer for Star Struck, Stars of Newcastle and schools across the Hunter Region, Hannah's students have also achieved National titles under her choreography. Now the proud owner of Bling Performing Arts — a studio with over 30 years of history in Newcastle — Hannah steps into this next chapter with the same passion and dedication that has defined her career. Returning to the Stars of Newcastle stage in 2026, Hannah is once again giving her time and talent to raise money for the Cancer Council, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
Steve Chandler - The Tribe Collective
Steve Chandler is a two-time Stars of Newcastle champion — including last year's title — and one of the Hunter's most decorated choreographers. His career spans music videos, large-scale events including the Westpac Ball and the International Children's Games Opening Ceremony, cabaret shows, tribute acts and countless charity performances. As a proud member of The Tribe Collective, Steve brings award-winning artistry and boundless creative energy to everything he touches. Having lost his father to cancer, his involvement in the Stars of Newcastle Dance for Cancer campaign is deeply personal — and his commitment to the cause is as powerful as his work on the stage.
Rochelle Hesse - Beats Dance Studio
Rochelle Hesse is a professional dancer, acrobat and aerialist whose career is nothing short of extraordinary. A Golden Buzzer Grand Finalist with team aKrobatika on Australia's Got Talent, a 2025 NRL Newcastle Knights Cheerleader, and holder of an Advanced Diploma in Dance, Diploma in Acro & Aerial, Cert IV in Dance, Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management, and Cert III in Assistant Dance Teaching — Rochelle brings elite-level skill and showstopping presence to every performance. A returning Stars of Newcastle dance partner and choreographer with Beats Dance Studio, Rochelle is motivated by a cause that hits close to home. With family affected by cancer, she knows this event is about far more than dance.
Madi Hyslop - Beats Dance Studio
Madi has been dancing since the age of three, training extensively in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theatre. She completed her Certificate IV in Dance at Brent Street in 2015, majoring in Ballet and Contemporary.
Throughout her training, Madi has had the opportunity to work with and learn from leading industry professionals both in Australia and overseas. Her international experience includes training at The Edge and Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, as well as Broadway Dance Centre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Steps on Broadway in New York City. In 2014, she was selected to attend the prestigious Steps on Broadway Summer Program, undertaking an intensive program with world-renowned faculty. Madi has worked along side artists from Broadway products such as Something Rotten! and On the Town.
Committed to continual growth as an artist, Madi continues to expand her versatility by training with respected choreographers and industry professionals, allowing her to refine her technique, performance quality, and artistic expression.
Izzy Hazzel - Beats Dance Studio
Izzy started tapping at just three years old with Donna Michalitsis School of Dance, training under the LGTDA syllabus—renowned for producing talents like the Tap Dogs. She trained in jazz, ballet and contemporary, but tap dancing has always been where her passion lies. What she loves most about tap dancing is its intersection with musicality, percussion, movement and creativity.
A passionate performer and arts advocate, Izzy also sits on the Board of the Newcastle Fringe Festival.
Izzy was thrilled to find Beats’ adult tap class after years of searching for a dance studio that catered towards advanced adult tappers, and after a few guest teaching slots in 2025 is so excited to continue teaching Beats’ adult tappers in 2026.
