Our Teachers

Jody Rollason – Director, Owner, Coach

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
  • Australian Professional New Vogue finalist 2021 – placed 2nd
  • Multiple National Events across Australia 2022 and winners of these events including the Southern Cross Championships, Outside Change, Queensland Open Championships.
  • Australian Professional New Vogue finalist 2022 – placed 3rd
  • Australian Professional New Vogue finalist 2023 – placed 4th
  • Australasian Champions 2024 Professional New Vogue

Jody has been shifting her energies to developing her students in the Professional with Amateur Ballroom Category and can now add the title of British Champion at the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival in the UK 2023, and New Zealand Open to the World Championship winners 2024 to her list of achievements.

James Van Elswyk – Ballroom Dance 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 – Chief Financial Officer

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.

Stephanie Rollason – Hip Hop, Ballroom Teacher

Stephanie has been a long time student of both Hip Hop and Ballroom both within and outside of the RDA family. She has performed for many years in the Creative Generations (State Schools Onstage) productions and has also studied Musical Theatre.

Stephanie has taken over from our previous teacher and is a compassionate young woman whom children and adults alike find easy to relate to. She is supportive of all children and has a knack with our special needs dancers.

Rohan Prince – Ballroom Teacher

Rohan has been a professional coach for about 15 years and owned/operated Dancensations dance studio in Townsville.

Rohan has competed in professional standard, Latin, new vogue and 10-dance and was Australia’s professional representative to the Singapore International Championship 2012.
Rohan has learnt from some of Australia’s best coaches and enjoys passing on knowledge to his students and guiding them in the process of skill development.

Although his passion is the standard style, Rohan is a capable dancer and coach in all 3 styles.

Australian Professional finalist, National Capital professional finalist in 3 styles.

Simon Salm – 10 Dance Specialist & Advisor

Simon has a long and distinguished career both on and off the floor. He ability to entertain an audience, engage and encourage dance is second to none.

His commitment to the industry is demonstrated by his long term involvement in the Ballroom Dance scene, and moreover is passionate about encouraging all to learn, grow and develop through Dance.

Simon and Jody have been colleagues and friends for over 30 years, and is a trusted advisor to RDA, and a huge support to the dance community within our studio.

Simon is valuable asset and we are beyond proud to have him as an integral part of the team.