Meet the Team
Meegan Strauss
Co -Â Founder and Director
Meegan started her training from the young age of 4 years old, starting with jazz, hiphop and modern. At 8 years old she began her ballet training in Wodonga, and it was during this time that Meegan discovered her love for dance and the desire to train full time at a vocational level. In the 3 years that Meegan has studied fulltime, she has completed her Victorian Certificate of Education, Certificate 2, 3 and 4 in Elite Performance while being acknowledged in many forums including as a finalist in the Red Carpet Youth Awards and numerous scholarships and accolades. In 2015 she toured to New Zealand with Projection Dance Company in the award winning production ‘Of Mice and Men’ and received an internship at Auckland Unitec in New Zealand. In 2016 Meegan was invited to audition for the world renowned Netherlands Dance Theatre in the Hague during which time she spent two months travelling Europe experiencing an eclectic mix of dance styles. Meegan is invested in dance across many levels, she has been instrumental in the development of inclusive dance classes and performances as well as demonstrating a keen interest in teaching dance and building her skills as a dance educator. In 2018 Meegan completed her Cert IV in Training and Assessment. In the past four years, Meegan has been teaching locally and been very inspired and motivated by the talent on the border. She has more recently been working closely with teams and students at local dance studios providing dance programs, preparing students for exams and performances and developing her passion for choreography. With a big passion for dance on the Border, and for providing fun, professional and quality dance training. Meegan is now set out on her own journey to build up her studio with Taylor, whilst studying her Certificate 4 In Dance Teaching and management to keep her knowledge and skills updated and continuing to learn more about her industry, She loves providing her students with great opportunities, As well as building on her passion for choreography.
Taylor Falkner
Co Founder and Director
Born in Albury, NSW, Taylor started her dance training at the young age of 3 years old. She became very versatile training and performing in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, tap and musical theatre. In this time she studied the Royal Academy Of Dance syllabus and completed her ballet exams from grade 1 through to grade 7.
Taylor was very immersed in the dance culture throughout her schooling years, competing locally at competitions, performing in Disney land in 2009, And being a part of the Riverina Dance Ensemble performing at State Dance Festival and The School Specular for many years.
At the age of 14 she took training to a higher level and completed 3 years of fulltime dance training whilst obtaining her Victorian Certificate of Education in 2013. During this time, she received an Internship to Unitec BA Screen Arts in Auckland, New Zealand where she was able to experience an Incredible mix of Contemporary dance styles.
In 2012 she began performing with Projection Dance Company, performing many award-winning productions such as, ‘Of Mice and Men’, ‘Seasons’ and ‘Paper Swans’. In 2015 Taylor toured works ‘Bitter Sweet’ and ‘Flux’ to Australia, Johannesburg South Africa and Amsterdam.
Taylors teaching career started off with just filling in for some classes back in 2013, and now in 2019 she sees it as something she is very passionate about.
Taylor now, at 25 years old finds a big love in creating fun and exciting choreography, and despite having a classically and contemporary trained background, she feels most inspired when creating in the more commercial styles, like jazz and hip-hop.
Our Fabulous Staff
Read below about the other amazing faces you will see around our studio
Kara Robinson
Teacher
Kara began her ballet training at the age of 4 in the small rural town of Lockhart, where her love for dance took root and grew into a lifelong passion. This early start, combined with a deep commitment to the arts, has driven Kara to share the beauty of dance with others, especially in
rural communities where access to the arts is often limited. Throughout Kara’s career, she has competed extensively across Australia, refining her skills to an advanced level, including the completion of Grade 8 RAD exams and training for the prestigious Solo Seal.
Karas dedication to dance education began early when she started teaching ballet at 14, even while still in high school. This experience taught her the value of perseverance, creativity, and the profound impact that dance can have on young lives. It also instilled a passion for
teaching that has only grown stronger over the years.
As a high school teacher, Kara has been privileged to teach dance from Year 7 to Higher School
Certificate level, guiding students through the technical and expressive aspects of the art. Kara has choreographed and directed numerous school productions, eisteddfods, and showcases, always striving to bring out the best in my students and create performances that resonate with audiences. My ability to adapt choreography to suit a wide range of skill levels and styles has been a key asset in my teaching career.
After taking a break to raise my children, I will return to the dance world with a renewed energy and dedication to teaching. I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers, helping them discover their love for the art, and providing them with the skills and confidence they need to succeed, both on and off the stage. I am eager to bring my experience, creativity, and passion to a new role where I can continue to make a positive impact in this regional dance community.
Catherine Gray
Teacher
Catherine started dancing at the age of five in rural Victoria. At the age of 10, She then moved to the Regional Academy of performing arts in Wodonga to continue her training and further develop her classical ballet training. It was in the same year Catherine was one of two in Australia selected to attend the Paris Opera Ballet School Summer Intensive. At the age of 13 Catherine moved to the Melbourne school of Classical Dance in Melbourne where she studied full-time classical ballet and contemporary dance. In this time she competed internationally at competitions such as Alanna Haines and also being a finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix. Catherine began teaching at 17 having a primary focus on classical ballet and contemporary and has received awards for choreography in both national and international competitions.Catherine looks forward to bringing her classical base of knowlegde and skill to the MT Dance Students.