The SCPAC Team

We are lucky to have the most amazing team at Sunshine Coast Performing Arts College, our dance/performing arts teachers and admin staff work hard both behind and in front of the scenes, all with a shared passion to provide a nurturing and professional dance environment for our students.

Our whole team share the desire to provide a safe and supportive environment for our dance-family to evolve and grow in their chosen dance and performing arts disciplines.

Headshot Alicia

Alicia Jones

Principal / Director

SCPAC trained from the age of 6, Alicia studied all styles of Dance available to her, including Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Pointe, Acrobatics, Drama and Musical Theatre.

After falling in love with teaching at a young age, Alicia took ownership with her mother Janelle and has been managing SCPAC since 2016.

janelle

Janelle Bryant

Administration / Director

Janelle Bryant has over 30 years of experience in business administration and management.

Having owned and operated many businesses in her life, Janelle was the ideal person to take ownership and management of SCPAC in 2016, along with her daughter Alicia.

dara

Dara Cust

Headshot Jasmyn

Jasmyn Bryant

Headshot Dimity

Dimity Howard

Headshot Ebanee

Ebanee Stringfellow

Headshot Jett

Jett Atkins

Headshot Jack

Jack Steele

Headshot Kylah

Kylah Thomas-Watson

Read more about our team

Our teachers love of dance is as strong as our students, and they used to be students themselves once upon a time. We love sharing our teachers accolades and dance history.

Alicia began her journey from a young age on the Sunshine Coast, immersed in all styles of dance, participating in exams and performances both locally and interstate. She became the Dance Captain of her studio and the resident choreographer for the Pacific Lutheran College Performing Arts Program, whilst still in enrolled in school herself. Alicia participated in performances alongside Expressions Dance Company, gained additional training from interstate choreographers, worked as a Performer, Host and Suit Operator for International Company ‘Showtime Attractions’ and was short-listed to be the Little Mermaid in Hong Kong Disneyland. Alicia began training to be a Dance Teacher during her high school years, as she found her passion for Dance Education at an early age.

In 2013, Alicia completed her Diploma in Dance (Elite Performance) as well as her Comdance Modern Jazz Teachers Certificate. These were closely followed by her completion of the Comdance Modern Jazz Teachers Diploma, in 2014. In 2015 Alicia relocated to Far North Queensland and experienced an entirely different studio feel and syllabus training. Here, she became an Affiliate Teacher of the Australian Teachers of Dancing (ATOD).

In December 2015, Alicia returned to the Sunshine Coast and took over Sunshine Coast Performing Arts College (SCPAC) as the new Principal and studio owner. Alicia immediately began making changes for a positive new future, based on her training in Far North Queensland. Alicia attained her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Management, as well as her Certificate IV in Training & Assessment whilst in her first year of business. Alicia also has attained her Aerial qualifications (Fundamentals 1 + 2, Suspension Fitness and Pilates) through AntiGravity Australia.

Although quite young, Alicia’s qualifications, knowledge and experience go far beyond her years. Alicia is constantly attending workshops and seminars to expand her knowledge to stay current within the dance industry, whilst also mentoring her staff with the ‘Dance Teacher Mastery’ Program and the ‘Dance Apprentice’ program. Alicia provides Nationally Recognised Training for her senior students, including their Certificate II & III’s in Dance. Alicia has also put multiple teachers through their different teacher trainings, as she is a firm believer in Quality Education and Safe Dance Practice. Over her years, Alicia has choreographed major events, including musicals, performances for the Australia’s Best Dance Crew competition and Flash Mobs for ‘The Today Show’ and the team arrivals for the Commonwealth Games.

Focused more so on the business side of things now, Alicia is passionate about providing an environment that both students and teachers can thrive in. Fostering a space that encourages growth, self-reflection and progress is of the utmost importance. A place in which everyone feels supported and nurtured, regardless of their future career choices. This is a place that teaches more than just dance - it’s a place of important life skills, self-development and lifelong memories.

Janelle Bryant has over 30 years of experience in business ownership, administration and management.

After leaving school Janelle worked in administration for 2 years at Concord Hospital before undertaking an apprenticeship as a Compositor - Design and Layout working for her Family Printing Business on the Central Coast of NSW. After 5 years in the Printing industry, it was time for a change. Moving the family to Bundaberg Qld, Janelle and her family purchased a Caravan Park, which found them owning, managing and renovating the park for the next 3.5 years. In 1997 Janelle moved to the Sunshine Coast, with her husband Roger and two kids, pregnant with her third she focused on building their new home and raising the kids. After baby number 4 had arrived, Janelle and Roger were back into owning and managing their own businesses in the Garage Door Industry.

With two boys and two girls, Janelle was involved in dance with her girls for 15 years before purchasing Sunshine Coast Performing Arts College with her eldest daughter Alicia Bryant. The perfect team, with Alicia looking after the teaching side and Janelle the business management side.

Along with SCPAC, Janelle currently owns and manages two other businesses on the Sunshine Coast.

Dara Cust commenced her dance training at the age of 7 on the Sunshine Coast at Tina Geddes Dance worx and Fierce studios. In 2005 she extended her studies training with Queensland Ballets Extension Program (Now recognised as QB junior program) where she had her first opportunity performing professionally in a Russian Character piece in the Companies annual 'International Gala' Season at QPAC.

She continued her classical and contemporary training and taught senior Jazz at Anne Fraser School of Dance until she graduated year 12. After receiving Distinction in her final RAD advanced two exam Dara went on to a full-time ballet course, Queensland Ballet Professional Year Program (Now recognised as the 'Young artist Program'). The elite program of 12 students gave her opportunities to take company class and rehearsals alongside the company dancers, specialised tuition from industry professionals and perform in various ballets, both in Brisbane and on tour. She was awarded the Patricia MacDonald Scholarship at her graduation that year. Dara continued on as a trainee dancer in the Company and was offered further performance contracts in 2010. Also, working in their Educational Sector as a guest teacher Dara ran workshops in dance schools and primary/secondary schools in open ballet class and QB repertoire. This is where she first worked with SCPAC.

With a stark contrast to her recent years in classical, Dara continued her performing career with the world's largest Cruise ship company 'Royal Caribbean International', rehearsed in Florida and set sail to perform numerous shows on various ships around the world. In between contracts, Dara taught choreography, open classes and workshops for various schools including ‘Queensland Dance Performance College’ (Now recognised as SCPAC Transition Program). Dara then began teaching on a permanent basis on the Sunshine Coast and North Brisbane, where she has happily resided with SCPAC.

Jasmyn started dancing at the age of four here at SCPAC. In all of her years of dancing, Jasmyn has trained in every style of dance including Jazz, Commercial Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Tap, Acrobatics and the Performance Team.

Jasmyn has competed in eisteddfods around Queensland since she was 10. As well as dancing through a studio, Jasmyn has studied dance through both junior and senior school where she was given the opportunity to kickstart the eisteddfod groups at her high school and choreograph the competition routines.

The desire to dance out-grew the school gates as Jasmyn travelled with her studio to Sydney each year from 2013 to 2017 for the Australian Dance Festival where she performed with her studio team, attended workshops and sought advice and guidance from industry leaders such as Marko Panzic, Paul Malek, Cat Santos, Lauren Seymour and so many more. Jasmyn has also been a part of other performances including two televised flash mobs with her studio organized by the Sunshine Coast Council in 2016 and 2018.

Jasmyn began student teaching at the age of 11 and since then has not only completed her grade six, seven and eight CSTD Modern Jazz Exams but also attained her Module One Acrobatic Arts Teaching Certificate in 2017, her CSTD Modern Jazz Teaching Certificate in 2018, her Module Two Acrobatic Arts Teaching Certificate in 2019, her Acrobatic Arts Pre-School Teaching Qualification in 2021 and is currently in the midst of training for her CSTD Modern Jazz Teaching Diploma. Jasmyn now teaches many styles of dance to ages 2 through to 13 including two of the competition teams here at SCPAC.

Dimity started her dance training at the age of three in Mackay, where she attended Leisa Payne School of Dance and studied all genres including Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, Acting and Singing.

Dimity has attained all Royal Academy of Dance Classical Ballet graded and vocational examinations up to and including Advanced 1. She also completed her C.S.T.D Jazz examinations from Primary up to Grade 8 and her C.S.T.D Tap Pre-Primary and up to Advanced Gold Bar exams. 

From a young age Dimity started taking Drama and Singing classes, and throughout the years she has completed all of her Speech and Drama exams with Trinity College of London. In 2015 Dimity attained her Diploma of Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) while in grade 12.

Throughout her 12+ years of competing, Dimity has travelled to multiple Eisteddfods across Queensland, where she has competed in the Charters Towers, Townsville, Ayr, Rockhampton, Emerald, Bundaberg, Gladstone and Mackay Eisteddfods. She has won multiple solos, groups, championships and major awards.

Dimity’s love of teaching started at the age of Fifteen, she started out as a student teacher and moved onto taking her own classes at the age of Seventeen.

Mackay City Council has also bestowed Dimity with the prestigious award of the Jack Sturgeon bursary for Arts in 2016. In that same year she moved to Sydney to attend Macquarie University completing a Bachelor of Arts (Majoring in Dance and Performance).

Over the four years while in Sydney, Dimity taught at numerous dance schools. She also worked in the TV industry, working on the Jackie Chan film “Bleeding Steel” and numerous TV Series such as Home and Away, Skinford, Doctor Doctor, The Easy Beats and many more.

In December 2019 Dimity moved to the Sunshine Coast after graduating University. Dimity started teaching at SCPAC in 2020 teaching RAD Ballet, C.S.T.D Tap, C.S.T.D Jazz, Performance Teams, and many other classes including Jazz Technique, Vocal, Drama and Production.

Dimity has completed the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance training and been accredited with her RAD Teachers qualification.

Dimity’s qualifications include:

  • Blue card
  • First Aid Certificate including Anaphylaxis training
  • Acrobatic Arts Certificate Module 1
  • Diploma of Performing Arts (Musical Theatre)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Majoring in Dance and Performance)
  • RAD Teachers qualification.

Jack's dance journey began at the age of 11 at SCPAC, where he started with Acro and then transitioned to Hip Hop. He has consistently represented SCPAC at eisteddfods since the age of 14, showcasing his skills across various dance genres.

Jack's dedication to teaching is evident in his experience to-date. He began Student Teaching in 2021 and successfully completed his Acro Arts Module 1 in Assistant Teaching in 2022. In 2024, he focused his teaching on Junior and Intermediate Hip Hop classes, sharing his passion with younger dancers.

Jack's own dance achievements are impressive. He won the Regional title for Hip Hop Duo in 2022 and placed 2nd in the state for Hip Hop Solo in 2024. He has been mentored by renowned choreographer Winston Sky and achieved a Top 3 placement at The Australian Dance Festival in 2024. Further enhancing his dance education, Jack has also completed a Certificate 3 in Dance.

Trained at SCPAC since the age of 7, Kylah has a well-rounded background in various dance styles and performing arts. Her experience, including competitive performances and community events, combined with valuable teacher training under the guidance of Miss Alicia Jones, has equipped her to become a beloved "Little Boppers" teacher at SCPAC. Kylah is dedicated to continuous professional development and eager to expand her teaching repertoire.