Irene Toro
Bailemos Dance Classes
Irene has been in the Sydney Salsa scene for well over 20yrs and was the owner of Bailemos Dance Classes, one of the first Salsa schools in Western Sydney.
Irene has trained with the finest dancers from Australia and around the world. She was fortunate to be a part of Sydney Salsa Congress (now known as Sydney Latin Festival) since its inception in 2003 where she worked with volunteers and instructors, taught workshops, and performed on the main stage.
In 2009 she was awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition for her contribution to the Australian Latin Dance community. Irene is trained in many forms of dance ranging from Belly dance to Ballroom and has significant experience in stage performance through her involvement in the Latin scene and musical theatre. Irene’s passion for music comes across in her teaching, and she loves watching people learn and use their personalities in their dancing.
Brock Rankmore
Vivid Performing Arts
Brock Rankmore is an upcoming performer and choreographer who attained his Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts from ED5 International in 2023.
Some of his work includes Dance Academy: The Comeback - The Movie, “Protection” Short Film by Jo Cameron, Carols in The Domain alongside Rhonda Burchmore, Sydney Showboats, Club Broadway @ the Domain, Government House Dinner, Parmigiani Fleurier Watch Launch, Australia Day Concert at the Opera House and Australia Day Opening Ceremony on NITV as part of the NSW Aboriginal Dance Company partnered with Bangarra.
In 2025, Brock was chosen as a finalist at ADF for Australia's Next Choreographer competition.
Brock has trained and performed under Loredo Malcolm as both a Dance Captain and Assistant for LOcREaDO Dance Company, even having the opportunity to tour Australia with the company.
He most recently made his professional musical theatre debut in Teatro’s “Addams Family The Musical” starring as ‘Lurch’.
Racquel Holmes
LKM Performing Arts
Racquel is a versatile performer and choreographer whose journey in the arts began at the age of three. With a passion for dance, she trained in various styles, including Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Ballet. Her foundation led to a vibrant career spanning corporate events, fashion, modelling, and dance education.
Racquel completed her Diploma of Performing Arts at Brent Street, refining her skills under esteemed choreographers and completed courses in Acrobatic Arts and Pre-Professional Dance. Her performances have graced prominent stages, including the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne's Crown Casino, and she has competed in numerous Australian competitions, winning a scholarship at the 2010 Australian Dance Festival.
She has represented brands like Peter Alexander, Sports Girl, and Adidas at major events such as Fashion Week and the Golden Slipper. As a dedicated teacher, Racquel inspires the next generation of dancers, and she has also served as a cheerleader for the St. George Illawarra Dragons, captivating fans with her energy.
Her extensive experience includes performances at high-profile events like the Women’s State of Origin and the Premier's Gala Concert, as well as travels across Australia and the U.S. to enhance her craft. With a career that beautifully blends performance, teaching, and modelling, Racquel continues to be a dynamic force in the arts, dedicated to sharing her love of dance.
Karlie Goodwin
The Heights Dance Company
Karlie has been in the industry for over 30 years, performing all over the world including dancing on cruise ships in the Caribbean and The Bahamas. Karlie has a background in event and business management, marketing, and disability support work. Karlie was lucky enough to study neurological pathways through movement in Seattle, which led her to create unique dance programs for babies up to adults. Karlie is so excited to work alongside an amazing community standout and show you all their hidden talent.
Melanie Van Zon
The Heights Dance Company
Melanie has 19 years of dance training across a wide range of styles where she has developed strong foundations in technique, performance and versatility. Throughout her competitive career, she has achieved multiple National titles, Grand Champion awards, International titles and travel bid placements.
She has completed all RAD ballet examinations up to the Intermediate level with excellent results. Although trained broadly, Melanie specialises in lyrical and jazz, where she focuses on expressive movement, musicality, and clean technique.
She is the Head Coach of Lyrical at The Heights Dance and Cheer, where she works with students on technique development, performance quality and confidence in their training. Alongside her dance experience, Melanie is currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary), further developing her skills as both a dancer and an educator.
Casey Seib
Casey’s lifelong passion for dance and performance has seen her become a versatile, highly knowledgeable artist. From a young age, Casey trained across a range of commercial, classical and contemporary styles and completed a number of formal dance examinations; most notably receiving a Distinction for her RAD Advanced 1 exam. She extended this training at Ev & Bow, where she had the privilege of working with a diverse faculty of quality artists. Here, she was given the exciting opportunity to dance at the launch of PENELOPE’s single BiConic.
Casey is not only an accomplished performer, but also a skilled educator. 2020 saw her complete a Bachelor of Dance Education at the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE), and she now currently teaches Dance and PDHPE within a secondary school in Western Sydney. During her time at ACPE, Casey also competed with the university’s award-winning cheer and dance teams; an experience which exposed her to the exciting world of cheerleading and pom. You can currently catch her performing as a cheerleader for the NRL Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs!
Casey is beyond excited to be a part of Stars of Penrith in 2026!
Jaxon Dunn
Jaxon first started dancing when he was 6 years old and attended Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School. He has studied hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and various circus skills such as Lyra, German Wheel, Globe, Juggling, Unicycle & Aerial Silks.
Jaxon attended Stars of Penrith 2024 and performed the opening act as well as featuring in his Mothers performance. After getting a taste of the big stage in 2024 he then became a teacher in 2025 and he couldnt be more excited to join the team again and be a dance teacher in 2026!
Michelle Garvey
Michelle is a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Coordinator, and Zumba Instructor at Fernwood Fitness, Marsden Park. For the past 15 years, she has proudly supported Cancer Council through various events, and last year she had the incredible honour of taking part in Stars of Penrith as one of the Stars!
This year, Michelle has taken on a new challenge, stepping into the role of teacher. The cause holds a special place in her heart as she has lost far too many family members and friends to this devastating disease, including three loved ones in just one month this last year.
If there’s a way to help, Michelle is there. So once again, She is lacing up her dancing shoes to raise money, awareness, and most of all, hope for a cancer-free future.
Lara Lockley
Fusion Movement Studio
Lara has been dancing since the age of three and has trained across a diverse range of styles including physical culture, jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, salsa, Irish, and musical theatre. During her time at Blaxland High School, she performed in numerous productions such as 42nd Street, Fame, and Back to the 80s.
Lara has choreographed several productions for the Blue Mountains Musical Society, including The Pirates of Penzance and Grease, and also featured as a dancer in their production of Sweeney Todd. A qualified Zumba instructor for over a decade, Lara is passionate about creating inclusive, energetic classes that cater to all ages and fitness levels.
With over 15 years of experience teaching dance at Fusion Movement Studio, Lara brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a lifelong love of movement to her work. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science from Western Sydney University and a Master of Education from the University of Sydney. Lara is currently a primary school teacher at Glenbrook Public School, where she continues to share her love of dance and performance with her students.
Tamara Flynn
Penrith Gaels Maher Lenihan School of Irish Dance
Tamara has lived in Penrith her whole life, attending local primary and high schools in the area and went to the Western Sydney University Kingswood campus. Tamara has been Irish dancing for 25 years. She began dancing at the age of 3 and now teaches with the Penrith Gaels Maher Lenihan School of Irish Dance. In her dancing career, she has competed in state, national and world championships, completed the Riverdance Summer School program and performed all over Sydney on St Patricks day over the years. Tamara was the NSW state champion and top five in the nation for majority of her competitive career. A few highlights of her dancing career include; Performing for Sunrise, the Kerry-Anne Kennerly show, Dancing on Playschool, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games.
"I feel so excited to be a part of this experience, especially as the cause is close to my heart, having had family members with their own Cancer Stories."
Kadjann Arulnesan
Sydney Swing Katz
The Sydney Swing Katz are recognized as Australia’s premier and most renowned dance troupe, specialising in classic vintage dance styles from the 1920s to the 1950s.
Founded in 2000, this ensemble comprises some of the most skilled, vibrant, young and passionate dancers from various regions of New South Wales. They have had the honour of performing with some of the most talented musicians, artists, and shows, including The Beach Boys, John & James Morrison, The Bloody Beetroots at The Big Day Out, Squared Devision, Dancing With The Stars, The Hot Potato Band, Lanie Lane, Belles Will Ring, Ignatius Jones, Rhonda Burchmore, Monica Trapaga, among others.
The Sydney Swing Katz regularly perform at festivals such as Chromefest (The Entrance), Parkes Elvis festival, Manly Jazz Festival, Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival, Retrofest (Port Macquarie), Crank It Up (Bateman’s Bay), Lady Luck (Katoomba), Roaring 20s Festival (Blue Mountains) and many more.
