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Our Team
Rebecca Cavenagh
OWNER + STUDIO DIRECTOR
BEdu (Birth to Twelve), ADance (Performance), ADV & Progressing Ballet Technique Certified + 123 Dance With Me Trained
Rebecca trained in Sydney across the styles of Jazz, Ballet (RAD), Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Commercial dance. Alongside her dance training, Rebecca pursued a career in education and completed a Bachelor of Education (Birth to Twelve) at the University of Notre Dame Australia in 2016. She also works as a primary school teacher, with over 10 years’ experience as a classroom teacher and dance/drama specialist in schools across Sydney. Her students have performed in state-wide school festivals and participated in large-scale productions and school musicals.
Rebecca has been part of the Stepaside Studios community since 2013, teaching across multiple styles and working closely with students of all ages and abilities. In 2019, she completed an Associate Degree of Dance (Performance) at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA). She took on the role of Owner and Director of Stepaside Studios in 2022, where she continues to lead the studio with a strong focus on education, community and quality training. With over 10 years of dance teaching experience, Rebecca is passionate about building strong technical foundations, supporting safe progression, and developing confident, capable dancers at every level.
Rebecca is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), ADV, and 123 Dance With Me. She has a particular passion for mentoring and training student teachers, and is committed to developing the next generation of dancers and educators through structured guidance, leadership opportunities and ongoing support.
Sally Dangar
TEACHER
Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts &
Owner/Director of 123 Dance With Me
Sally Dangar is a highly sought after creative director, choreographer and dance teacher with a sincere passion for delivering high quality and accessible dance education.
With the NSW Department of Education’s Arts Unit, she currently serves as Dance Director for Pulse Alive & Pulse Tours, and has been the SpecFest choreographer for the past four years. In 2024, she joined the choreography teams for Southern Stars and Schools Spectacular, with a career highlight being the flashmob she choreographed for King Charles and Queen Camilla during their Royal Visit to Australia in October 2024.
Beyond her work with The Arts Unit, Sally teaches a wide range of programs in NSW schools and studios, including Wakakirri, competitive dance teams and her own initiatives such as Dance Challenge. She is also proud to teach and train with the Dance Health Alliance, a not for profit organisation specialising in inclusive and accessible dance programs. Sally is the founder and director of 123 Dance With Me, an Australian dance program created for studios and childcare facilities to offer dance education that explores movement, coordination and creativity in a fun and engaging way.
She is currently choreographing Willoughby Theatre Company’s 2026 production of Beauty & The Beast. Her broader choreographic credits include Into The Woods (Bloom Creative Productions), Music Man Jnr, Matilda and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (Wenona School), Wicked and Kinky Boots (Packemin Productions), and work on Home & Away. Committed to nurturing and inspiring the next generation of dancers, Sally creates engaging, positive and comprehensive learning experiences that provide students with a strong technical foundation whilst cultivating their love for dance.
Natalie Pierangeli
TEACHER
BEdu (Primary)
Joining Stepaside Studios in 2018, Natalie is trained in a variety of styles and has completed Classical Ballet examinations under the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), as well as Advanced Classical examinations under Cecchetti Ballet Australia. She has performed and competed at both national and international levels, most recently representing Australia in Orlando, Florida, where she placed 5th overall.
Natalie has choreographed award-winning solo and group routines and is passionate about creating engaging, technically strong choreography for dancers of all levels. She is also a current primary school teacher, bringing strong educational knowledge and a thoughtful, nurturing approach to her classes.
Natalie has a genuine love for working with children and enjoys guiding her students as they grow from enthusiastic young dancers into confident, hardworking performers. Her dedication to both dance and education is evident in the care and support she provides to every student she teaches.
Rachelle Silsby
TEACHER
Bachelor of Dance (Performance), Certificate III in Business Administration, Reformer Pilates Certification (KX Academy) & ADV Certified
Rachelle began dancing at the age of 3 and has trained in the styles of ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, tap and hiphop. She is an independent contemporary dancer who over the last few years has had the chance to learn from and work with many established creatives in the industry, be a part of independent dance companies and performing at events such as Sydney Festival and March Dance. Rachelle has a passion for learning and studying in various fields to support her dance and teaching practices and has completed her Bachelor of Dance (Performance), Certificate III in Business Administration and Reformer Pilates Certification (KX Academy).
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She began as a student teacher at the age of 12 and for the last 6 years has taught ballet, contemporary, lyrical and jazz. She has also enjoyed growing as a teacher by being a performance troupe coach and ballet examination teacher since joining Stepaside. Rachelle is especially passionate about passing on technical and performative skills through exciting and challenging choreography.
Isabelle Bested
TEACHER + ADMINISTRATION
Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (current) & 123 Dance With Me trained
Isabelle began her dance training at the age of five in ballet and tap, and has since completed ADV examinations from Beginner through to Level 6 at Stepaside Studios. Isabelle has trained in ballet, tap, musical theatre, contemporary, lyrical, cabaret and jazz.
She performed as the Fairy Queen in Stepaside’s 2021 concert Enchanted and as the Tin Man in the 2023 concert The Wizard of Oz. Isabelle began teaching in 2018, assisting in classes with younger students and supporting Tiny Tots on stage, and this year marks her fourth year as a Stepaside teacher.
In 2025, Isabelle graduated from ED5 International with an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts. She looks forward to working with younger students at Stepaside and loves supporting dancers as they grow in confidence and skill.
Amy Carmichael
TEACHER
Bachelor of Dance (Performance) & Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts
Amy began dancing at the age of 3 and has trained extensively across a wide range of styles including jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, and musical theatre.
She holds a Bachelor of Dance from the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) and an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts from ED5International, where she further honed her skills as both a performer and educator.
Amy’s professional experience includes performing in corporate events and Showgirl gigs, and she is a proud member of the internationally recognised hip hop crew Kookies and Kream, who placed 3rd in the world at a prestigious competition in the USA in 2025.
With a passion for teaching that began at just 14, Amy is excited to continue inspiring the next generation of performers. Her classes are full of energy, encouragement, and a deep love for the art of dance.
Ella Fitzpatrick
TEACHER
Diploma of Musical Theatre and Advanced Diploma of Dance
Ella is extensively trained in all genres of dance, she pursued her passion for performing and graduated from Lee Academy in 2021 with a Diploma of Musical Theatre and Advanced Diploma of Dance.
Ella began her professional career with Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines onboard Freedom of the Seas as a dancer and acrobat. She has appeared in numerous corporate events for Motif Productions and Sugar & Spice Productions.
Ella made her professional musical theatre debut in Opera Australia's Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production of West Side Story as Jet girl Pauline. She then went on to be apart of John Frost for Crossroads Live Australian 40th Anniversary tour of CATS the Musical as Jemima and cover for White Cat/ Victoria.
Lani Sologinkin
TEACHER
Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance
Lani Sologinkin is a dedicated dancer currently completing her second year of the Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance at Brent Street Fulltime. She has been dancing since the age of three and has trained across Jazz/Commercial Jazz, Classical Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT).
Lani began her competitive dance journey in 2013, performing in solos, duos, trios, and group works at multiple competitions each year. She is a proud member of Ballet Australasia Limited, having successfully completed Beginner through to Advanced levels in Jazz and Tap, and up to Elementary level in Ballet.
With four years of teaching experience, Lani works with both recreational and performance-level dancers, from toddlers through to senior students. She is passionate about embracing each dancer’s individuality while fostering confident, disciplined and committed artists.
Lani looks forward to sharing her love of dance with the Stepaside community and inspiring students to develop both their skills and confidence through movement.