Rebecca Virtu
Rebecca started dancing at the age of 3 and has been doing this for 26 years.
She started her dancing journey at Dance World Studios in Wollongong, which is where she has taught for the last 10 years. After completing Year 11 & 12, as well as fulltime Dance at Brent Street Studios, Rebecca went on performing in many local musicals some being- Mumma Mia, Singing In The Rain, The Producers and 42nd Street.
Rebecca has also previously been an Illawarra Hawks and St George Illawarra Dragons Cheerleader. She has now taken a step back from dancing as her and her partner have become owners of F45 Training Wollongong which is where she excels with her love for fitness and helping others.
This is Rebecca’s 4th time being involved in The Stars Of Wollongong, she states she “loves being involved in such a great event for a good cause.”
Bubblez
Andrew ‘Bubblez’ Phan (@boogiebubz) is a professional street dancer, performer, and instructor. His passion for dance began in 2009, after witnessing street dancers jamming in a park during his travels. Drawn to the energy, he quickly fell in love with hip-hop, popping, locking, and breaking. Initially a self-taught dancer through YouTube tutorials, Bubblez later honed his skills at Street Beatz Hip Hop Wollongong, where his formal training began.
Bubblez has taught at multiple dance studios, workshops, and community programs across the Illawarra. He currently teaches at Street Beatz Hip Hop and The Industry, and has worked with various groups such as Holy Spirit, St Joseph’s, Wollongong High School Performing Arts, Community Colleges Kiama & Shoalhaven, and the Vietnamese Wollongong Community. Some career highlights include competing at the Hip Hop International World Dance Championships in 2023, where his team ‘Sweet Feet’ placed 2nd in the adult division, representing Australia. That same year, he also performed with his contemporary fusion company ‘Proper Motion’ in Mexico, working with dancers from diverse backgrounds.
Though I’ve been invited to join Stars in the past, my schedule was always too full. This year, even with three kids and new opportunities, I wanted to make time for this event because it supports such a meaningful cause. I believe I can help create something magical on stage, giving participants a chance to shine while raising awareness for an important cause. It’s an honor to contribute in a way that impacts both the community and a great cause.
Jessica Lo Surdo
Jessica is a passionate dancer with over 16 years of experience, dedicating 15 of those years to training with the renowned NRG Allstars. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of working with exceptional dancers and creating lifelong friendships. A recent career highlight includes bringing home a bronze medal from the 2024 Dance World Championships in Florida, USA, alongside her talented team and best friends.
Currently, Jessica teaches dance at NRG, where she shares her love for movement and technique with her students. In addition to her dance career, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology and Climate Change at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), beginning this year.
Jessica is deeply committed to making a difference in the community. Having seen the impact of cancer on her family, including her dad and Nonna, she is passionate about supporting the Cancer Council. Through her involvement in charity events like this, she hopes to contribute to a future where cancer no longer affects families and to help others through their challenging times.
Stephanie Brunker
I’ve been dancing for two years at The Industry Performing Arts Studio. My passion spans many styles, including bass, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, musical theatre, and acro tricks. I’ve always loved to dance, and my mum noticed my passion from a young age. At three, she enrolled me in my first dance class, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Now, I not only dance in my spare time but also teach.
My advice to aspiring dancers is to embrace every opportunity with confidence. Don’t hold back—if you’re dancing for your own enjoyment, focus on pushing yourself to the fullest in each class. Not only will your skills improve, but you’ll also grow in confidence, which will benefit you both in and out of the studio.
One of my favourite performances was at The Industry Performing Arts Studio's 2022 concert opening, choreographed by Marko Panzic. We performed the piece throughout 2023, including at Dance for Cancer. I’ve always watched the older dancers at the studio preparing for Stars and admired the atmosphere. This is my second year participating, and I’m excited to be a part of it!
A quote that inspires me: "We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are." — Max Degree.
Tahlia Leonard
Tahlia’s journey with dance began at the age of three, and her passion for it has only grown stronger over the years. A proud dancer with KJ Dance since the age of four, Tahlia has explored a wide variety of dance styles, including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, musical theatre, and hip hop. Some of her most cherished memories include her first performance at a local Eisteddfod in 2016, where she won first place in her Ballet and Lyrical solos, and dancing at Dreamworld in Queensland. Tahlia’s dedication to her craft has led her to perform in numerous solos, duos, trios, troupes, and local ballet productions. Her motto, “All you need is to believe in yourself,” fuels her passion and reminds others that technique is important, but it’s the passion that truly defines a great dancer.
Beyond her life as a dancer, Tahlia is also completing a Bachelor of Social Work at Wollongong University and works part-time at Coles. She is deeply committed to using her platform as a dancer to advocate for cancer research and raise awareness for those affected by cancer. By participating in Stars of Wollongong, Tahlia hopes to contribute to fundraising efforts and bring the community together in support of this important cause. Her involvement in the event not only connects her with a cause close to her heart but also fosters unity, which she believes is essential in the fight against cancer. Tahlia’s passion for dance, combined with her dedication to social causes, makes her a strong advocate for both the arts and the community.
Amelia Valdjvia
Amelia’s love for dance began at the age of two, and it’s been a lifelong journey of creative expression ever since. She started teaching dance in 2017 as a student teacher and has worked her way up to becoming a head teacher. Some of the highlights of her career so far include building strong connections with students and their families and watching her students grow into talented dancers.
When she's not teaching dance, Amelia is working toward a creative career in art by attending TAFE. She’s passionate about contributing to meaningful causes, which is why she’s thrilled to be a part of Stars of Wollongong. Having witnessed firsthand the impact of cancer and the invaluable support provided by the Cancer Council, Amelia is eager to help raise awareness and funds for this important cause. She’s excited for the opportunity to give back and make a difference!
Rithika Yanamandram
Meet Rithika, a passionate dancer who’s been grooving since she was three years old—over 16 years of rhythm, grace, and energy! One of her career highlights was traveling around the U.S. with her dance family, an unforgettable experience that fueled her love for performance and adventure. Rithika’s favorite dance style? Anything fast and sassy, especially jazz, where she can truly let her personality shine.
When she’s not dancing, Rithika is hard at work studying Physiotherapy with a focus on pediatrics at ACU. She juggles three jobs—working as a retail assistant at Platypus, a waitress and driver at Kinn Thai, and as a dental assistant and receptionist. Despite her busy schedule, she’s thrilled to be part of Stars of Wollongong. The event is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness for cancer research, and it’s an absolute joy for Rithika to dance alongside such inspiring stars for such a meaningful cause.
Aliya Hazelton
Aliya's been busting a move since she was 2 years old, and she’s loved every second of it! ?
She spent her high school days soaking up all things dance at Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts. Along the way, she danced with the Southern Stars Performing Company for 5 years, the Illawarra South East Regional Performing Ensemble, and rocked multiple Dance Festivals.
Recently, Aliya took her passion to the next level, nailing the audition for Full-Time dance at Patrick's School of the Arts in Melbourne.
Aliya’s excited to volunteer for Stars of Wollongong because it’s a cause that’s near and dear to her heart. She’s all about spreading her love for dance and thinks Stars of Wollongong is the perfect way to share that passion with others. ?
Carissa Petrou
Carissa began dancing at Bright Stars at the age of two, later training at Beckstar, Encore, and KJ Dance for fifteen years now known as The Industry Performing Arts Studio. Carissa has taught Ready Set Dance, Ready Set Ballet, and Ready Set Acro at both KJ Dance and The Industry Dance. Her training spans hip-hop, jazz, ballet, tap, musical theatre, and more. She has performed in productions such as Peter Pan, At the Ballet, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and has showcased her talent internationally at Universal Studios, Disneyland, and in Queensland.
Currently, Carissa is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wollongong and works as a cadet at Bluescope Steel. She also holds roles at The Body Shop Shellharbour and Elite Talent and Promotions Agency. Her teaching experience has helped her develop a disciplined approach to both work and dance.
After a rewarding experience last year, Carissa is excited to participate again. Dance is her passion, and teaching allows her to share that with others. This event is particularly meaningful to her as it supports a cause close to her heart. Carissa lost her father to cancer in 2023, and he was her biggest supporter, always eager to watch her dance. This event provides an opportunity to honour his memory while raising funds for a cause that affects so many.
Issy Brightman
Issy has been dancing her heart out at Miss Zoe’s School of Dance since 2011, mastering everything from ballet and jazz to broadway jazz, contemporary, acro, hip hop, pointe, lyrical, and solo performances. She loves any opportunity to perform, whether it’s at fetes, flash mobs, or concerts! Teaching for 5 years now, Issy is thrilled to be working with her Star to create a showstopper of a performance for this special charity event.
When she’s not dancing, Issy is busy studying Paramedicine at Western Sydney University, and you can often find her at the beach, volunteering at her local surf club, or simply soaking up the sunshine outdoors. A true highlight of her career has been watching her students—big or small—achieve their goals, with their proud smiles making all the hard work worth it. Issy’s volunteering for this event because she believes in the power of community, and she’s excited to give back and contribute to such an amazing cause!
Laura Smith
Laura’s dance journey kicked off at Miss Zoe’s School of Dance in 2012, where she’s rocked everything from ballet and pointe to hip hop, acro, lyrical, jazz, and solo performances. She’s been teaching and choreographing since 2018, quickly becoming a beloved figure in the dance community. A big highlight? Being named Teacher of the Year at Miss Zoe’s in 2024—what an honor!
Between dancing and teaching, Laura’s hitting the books as an English literature and art history student, dreaming of one day becoming a museum curator. But her real reason for volunteering at this amazing fundraiser is personal—she has a dear friend who’s been battling cancer for years and can no longer dance. Laura’s dancing for them, knowing they would be right there with her if they could. She’s beyond excited to be a part of this event and can’t wait to put on an unforgettable show with her Star!
