About Us
‘Dance is the closest thing to magic’
Our Mission
GDM is a studio where creativity, individuality and self-expression is encouraged and has a community of teachers, students and families who are passionate about performing arts.
Our goal is to create a positive and happy experience for all of our students.
If you are looking for a dance school that has it all, come and join us!
MEET OUR FOUNDER
+ DIRECTOR NIKKI
With over 10 years as an experienced Dance teacher, Nikki is the heart and soul of GDM.
Nikki has extensive training as a dancer, having enjoyed being a part of Broadway Dance Centre in New York City and Dance Factory in Melbourne.
Nikki started GDM to share her passion for dance with her students and loves to help them explore what their bodies are capable of in a healthy and positive environment.
Nikki Hyland
Meet the rest of the Team!
Tayla grew up in the small town of Ararat, Victoria where she began dancing at age 10. From the very first moment she stepped into the studio, she fell completely in love with dance and having the space to move, breathe, and create art. Tayla’s favourite styles have always been Neo-Classical Ballet and Lyrical. However, Classical Ballet, Contemporary, and Jazz hold a special place in her heart.
When she’s not in the studio, Tayla is completing her PhD in Chemistry (which she loves almost as much as dancing). She decided to become a dance teacher because dance has had a profoundly positive effect on her views, values, and general development into adulthood, which was largely due to the amazing dedication of her own teachers. She learned so much from them and now loves to share the gift of dance with others in the same way they did with her. As a proud Aunty of ten, Tayla can relate to kids of all ages and loves to have fun in her classes.
Tayla Bocos
Dance Teacher
Bella Shalders
Dance Teacher
Meet Bella! You might recognise her from around the studio! Bella has been a part the GDM community since she was 5 years old and was one of Nikki’s first ever students. After taking a break from dance to focus on her studies, Bella is back and excited to return to the team, bringing the fun and positive energy to the same dance she experienced growing up.
Bella is currently studying for her Bachelor’s in Primary Education. She also enjoys being out in nature and loves reading. Bella is passionate about helping young people discover and nurture their love for dance, just as she did when she first walked into the studio all those years ago.
Growing up in Ocean Grove, Alannah found her passion for dance at a very young age. At the age of 3, Alannah’s parent’s put her into ballet as she wouldn’t stop dancing everywhere she went! Under the instruction of her teachers at Bellarine Academy of Dance, Alannah completed pre-primary all the way to Advanced 2 Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, ending each year with a successful exam result in every grade. As well as Classical dance Alannah enjoys a wide variety of styles including Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acro and neoclassical.
Having over 10 years of competition dance experience, including solos and the competitive troupe team, Alannah knows how to put on a show! Outside of dance, when there is the time, Alannah enjoys running, surfing and travelling, taking in every experience and every opportunity to live a full and exciting life. Alannah became a dance teacher to inspire and share her passion for dance with children no matter the age or ability. Alannah says no matter how old or how capable of dance you are, there’s always something to enjoy and look forward to within the art. Creating a fun and supportive environment, Alannah has grown to love being the influence of young people’s passion, doing anything possible to make them happy and comfortable in what they do.
Alannah Gorski
Dance Teacher
Lou Martin
Dance Teacher
Lou has undertaken various training in dancing, singing and acting for many years and is currently in the third year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts – studying theatre at Victorian College of the Arts. Lou’s background in the performing arts extends through their professional training in the arts and teaching experience in direction and choreography.
Having grown up in the Geelong musical theatre scene, some of Lou’s performance credits include, ‘Logainne Schwartzy’ in 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Christian College), ‘Elle Woods’ in LEGALLY BLONDE (CPAA), LES MISERABLES (Centrestage), CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (Theatre of the Damned), as well as playing Lucinda in INTO THE WOODS and ensemble in SPRING AWAKENING with Williamstown Musical Theatre Company. Above all, Lou is first and foremost a dancer, having trained in all genres of competitive jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, and of course, musical theatre since a very young age. Lou has found a gorgeous home at Geelong Dance Movement and just absolutely loves coming to work.