Our Teachers

Jody Rollason – Owner

Jody started her journey in dance at the age of 4, joining the local ballet school. After attending a family birthday celebration, Jody was mesmorised by a couple doing Rock n Roll dancing. Just before her 8th birthday, Jody’s mum took her to the local ballroom studio on Brisbane’s southside. After the first few weeks there, Jody hasn’t looked back.

Jody has danced all three styles in the ballroom field (Modern, Latin & New Vogue), and has danced Nationally and Internationally. Retiring from competition in 2003, Jody decided to turn her attentions to building her own studio. Finally after 13 years, Jody has been able to realise a dream, by way of opening at her own location, and offering her skills and expertise to all dancers from beginners to advanced couples.

Some of Jody’s career highlights are:

  • Juvenile, Junior and Adult State Champion – 1983 – 1990
  • South Pacific B Grade Champion – 1990
  • Sister City representative in Shanghai, China – 1995 – placed 4th
  • Australian Professional Rising Star finalist Latin – 1995 – placed 4th
  • Australian Professional Rising Star finalist New Vogue – 2002 – placed 4th
  • Queensland Professional New Vogue Champion – 2003
  • Finalist in all major Professional New Vogue events – 2003

After retiring in 2003, Jody focussed her energies into her couples. This resulted in two of her couples being highly successful. Their results are below:

  • Australian Masters II Latin Champions – 2008 & 2009
  • Australia Masters II New Vogue Champions – 2008, 2009 & 2010.

More recently, Jody has teamed up with James, a long time friend & colleague and competed for the first time in 13 years in the Professional field. Their results are starting to speak for themselves, and with their own flair, are enjoying success once again.  Their partnership results are as follows:

  • Queensland Professional New Vogue Champions – 2016. 2020, 2021
  • Runners Up in the New Zealand Open Professional New Vogue Championships – 2016
  • Australian Professional New Vogue finalist 2016 – placed 4th
  • Luna Park Ballroom Dancing Championships Professional New Vogue 2017 – placed 3rd
  • Australian Professional New Vogue finalist 2017 – placed 3rd
  • Luna Park Ballroom Dancing Championships Professional New Vogue 2018 – placed 3rd
  • Australian Professional New Vogue finalist 2018 – placed 4th

Jody & James continue to hone their dance skills and continue their education both on and off the floor through further study.

James Van Elswyk – Teacher

Although James never stepped foot onto a competition floor until the age of 20, it was a need to be able to dance at his school formal that got him into Ballroom Dancing at the age of 17. Social Class became a great way to catch up with old school friends & meeting new people while learning the art of dance. It wasn’t long before this new found passion soon became an addiction.

Joining the competitive scene after a few short years of dancing socially, James very quickly made his mark. James had quite some success winning State, National & International Titles in Ballroom, Latin & New Vogue with his dance partner Samantha Newcomb including QLD Open Champions, NSW Open Champions, South Pacific Champions, National Capital Dancesport Champions, Premier Dancesport Champions, Australian Champions, Singapore Open Rising Star Runners up, Singapore Open Finalists. More recently, James & Amanda Peden (fellow teacher) also enjoyed such success making every state & national final including being crowned QLD Open Champions in 2014 before making the decision to turn Professional in October that same year. Their best result finishing 3rd in the Professional New Vogue at the 2015 Australian Dancesport Championships.

As part of his on going development as a competitor & coach, James gained his coaching accreditation back in 2010 and has since furthered his studies recently gaining his adjudication qualification in addition to upgrading his coaching status. 2016 brought James & Jody together & after a few short weeks, they won the Queensland Open Professional New Vogue, a sign of what’s to come for them both. James has also focused on the Professional with Amateur divisions giving students of all ages the opportunity to compete even if they do not have a partner at the time, enjoying success across all 3 styles here as well.

Kaliah Webb – Financial Manager

Kaliah has been dancing for 22 years. In that time she has won several amateur national titles. Unfortunately due to injury she has recently taken a step back from competing to now turn her attention to teaching which allows her to pass on her knowledge and love for DanceSport. It is true that you have not witnesses a real workout until you’ve watched a dancer practice. Dancers are athletes and Kaliah truly lives for this sport. She would not be where she is today without hard work, sweat and more than a few tears. Kaliah has a passion for dancing and she is so very grateful for the friendships that she has made and the experiences she has had because of this sport. Currently Kaliah is also studying to be a qualified scrutineer for our Dancesport competitions all over Australia.

Kaliah is the Financial Controller for Rhythm & Dance Attitude, bringing on board her extensive knowledge of all things facts, figures & statistics. You will meet her as you arrive for our Tuesday night beginners Learn to Dance, and also is teaching at the RDA Kids Club on a Thursday.  Kaliah’s compassion and commitment to the studio sees her as a worthwhile and valued member of the team.

Abbey Mackie – Hip Hop, Contemporary & Jazz Teacher

Abbey holds a Certificate III in Dance through her studies at RAW Dance Company. She has performed for many years in the Creative Generations (State Schools Onstage) productions and has been one of their feature dancers.

Abbey comes to us as a passionate dancer, who loves to share her vision of dance with others.

She has finished her Cert IV in dance in 2022, and full time study with the Global Dance Pro Team, and we can’t wait to see her persue her dreams in the dance industry.

Julian Manderson – Latin Specialist

Julian Manderson has just returned home from the UK after spending 20 years training extensively with the best Latin American coaches in the world and competing in the best competitions in the world, against the best!

He has also taught and lectured all over the world, passing on his wealth of knowledge obtained over the past 20 years.

Some highlights of his career are below:

  • United Kingdom Professional Rising Star Champion
  • German Professional Rising Star Champion
  • British Professional Rising Star Vice Champion
  • Quarter Finalist in United Kingdom, International and British Professional Latin
  • 2 times Australian Professional Champion
  • New Zealand Professional Latin Champion