TEACHING STAFF
Laura Iaconis
OWNER AND DIRECTOR OF DANCE REVOLUTION
As the owner and director of Dance Revolution, Laura Iaconis has trained dancers of all ages and abilities, as well as choreographed works in a wide range of dance styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, commercial jazz, hip hop, acrobatics and Latin American. On top of all of this, Laura also choreographs floor routines for Women’s Artist Gymnastics from National Levels 7-10, and also for international gymnasts.
Her own dance education began at the age of 3. Studying within all genres of dance, Laura completed the DFTA syllabus, receiving Honours with Distinction multiple times. Furthering her training and kickstarting her career, she then went on to obtain the DFTA Teaching Qualification.
Laura’s performance credits include an extensive range of events such as various AFL events, fashion parades, music videos and TV shows like the Last Man Standing and The Leftovers. Additionally, Laura was also featured in the movie Ghost Rider and has represented notable companies like James Boag’s and Coca Cola in several TV commercials.
In 2003, Laura developed Dance Revolution. Nowadays, she devotes her heart and soul to her dance school, intending to help future generations of dancers reach their absolute potential. It’s this passion that has influenced the institution to revolve into what it has become today: professional tuition through a supportive and nurtured environment. Irregardless of the industry work she has been lucky enough to receive, Laura is most proud of the dance studio she is grateful to call her own.
Jemma Craig
With 2 decades of dance experience and 8 years of choreographing and educating, Jemma Craig is a dynamic and versatile performer, a sought-after educator and upcoming choreographer.
Since graduating with a Certificate II in Dance and Certificate IV in Dance Management and Teaching, Jemma has performed at the Australian Open (Solution Entertainment), Crown Casino (Ministry Entertainment) and recently back-up danced for RuPaul’s Hannah Conda (Mr Boylesque Egson Ham).
On film she has been featured in ‘The Anniversary’ (Vertical Shadows Dance Company) as part of the Palm Springs Film Festival and Lion Heart Dance Company’s ‘Collection.’ She has also performed as part of Breeze Entertainment, Superhoodz and Amp’d Up Entertainment.
In 2018, she was lucky enough to represent Australia at the IASF World Championships for hip hop, placing fourth internationally. Subsequently, Jemma made her theatre debut as ‘the Flowergirl’ in Bass Fam Creative’s immersive ‘Mansion – The Experience’ as well as toured with Boss Dance Company for their show ‘Bound’ and performed as part of ‘Reborn.’
More recently, Jemma was artistic director for Australia’s first influencer-based dance company Flash Mob Society (Triple8Funk) whom she performed as support act for Parris Goebel’s ‘The Royal Family.’ Additionally, she has performed for Melbourne United as part of the Dreamteam Dancers and is a core company dancer for Lion Heart Dance Company whom she dance-captained their 2022 work ‘Anew’ and was lead dancer for their touring work ‘Don’t Go.’
Fortunate enough to become choreographer for the first Melbourne Rebels Dance and Cheer Team, Jemma has gone on to have her work been featured in music videos (Mythic Music), retail campaigns (Flo Active), corporate gigs (Trucked Up Entertainment, Soul Brazil – dance captain and lead dancer) as well as company repertoire (Boss Dance Company’s ‘Reborn’, The Boss Generation’s ‘Famous’ and ‘Fantazy,’ Lion Heart Dance Company’s ‘Anew’ and ‘Collection’).
Currently she is expanding her choreographic and leadership skills through her coordinator role for Lion Heart Youth Company where she is choreographing and directing their first show ‘Happily Ever After.’
Jemma is excited to continue expanding her craft and expertise to continue escalating her performing, choreographing and teaching careers.
Chloè Sismanis
Chloè Sismanis started her Full time training at a young age with Kelly Aykers Full Time dance whilst performing/ training with Scimm platforms, Boss dance company generation and Stella youth dance company (assistant).
She then moved on as a full scholarship recipient at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance, Full Time 2022/23. +
Whilst training her credits Include; 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony (Birmingham UK), Bass Fam Creative - MANSION + WITCH Stage shows, Adelaide + Sydney 2023,
2022/23 International Assistant to headline choreographer, Josie Lee UK tour 2022/23, Deal or no Deal - TVC.
Worked in Corporate events Including AFL grand finale ROBBIE WILLIAMS, DELTA GOODREM.
VRC Soireé - Rob Mills. Music video - Sarah Beck “Nothing Wrong With That”, also numerous gigs and performances.
Some of her credits include, Nickelodeon Slime festival, VAMFF fashion festival, Sidney Myer Music Bowl Carol’s By Candlelight, David Jones Christmas spectacular, Vic gov schooling TVC.
Samuel Dominic
Melbourne-based Samuel Dominic is a dance coach and choreographer, with extensive knowledge of both the classical and commercial dance world.
Sam’s passion for contemporary, lyrical and technical coaching has led him to travel nationally and internationally to work with dancers of all ages, sharing his unique choreography and highly sought after approach to refining the artistic and physical aspects of dance.
One of his latest achievements was coaching two of the Australian competitors on their contemporary repertoire, and accompanying them to the 2020 Prix De Lausanne in Montreux, Switzerland. He is an experienced and accomplished choreographer, with his solo and group works winning awards at multiple prestigious competitions.
When he isn’t teaching or choreographing, Sam shares his love of dance as an adjudicator both in Australia and New Zealand.
Before embarking on his coaching career, Sam completed a secondment with Expressions Dance Company (now ADC) in Brisbane at just 16, and accepted his first contract for Royal Caribbean at 18 years old where he performed in “Saturday Night Fever” the musical and was an Aerial performer in “In the Air”. Samuel also worked as a Production Dancer for Norwegian Cruise Line. Sam’s film credits include “Thor Ragnorok” and “Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead men tell no tales”
Sam brings an unparalleled energy and enthusiasm to every class, as well as a rare versatility and innate ability to communicate and understand his students.
Skylar
Skylar originates from Queensland, Australia where she started working with Queensland Youth Ballet and Ballet Theatre of Queensland. Australian tours include ‘Fast Love: George Michael Tribute Concert’, ‘Simply The Best: Tina Turner Tribute’ and numerous children's live stage shows for Nickelodeon and ABC. In Melbourne performed with SCIMM Dance Company, burlesque trio ‘La Rouge’, ‘Mansion: Immersive Dance Theatre’, presented her own dance show ‘Dear Lover’ with Lion Heart Dance Company. Skylar can also be seen starring in Madmen’s production of ‘That Sugar Film’ alongside many Australian music videos such as Greta Ray, Ball Park Music, Little May, Brendan Maclean, Gang Of Youths and others.
Contracts abroad include commercial dance work for various pop artists around China and Macau, Bollywood films, music videos and events in India, held a scholarship for Arteles artist residency in Finland and an internship with the Forsythe Contemporary Company in Italy. After living in New York, Skylar looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm for dance with you in class.
Melissa tarquinio
When Melissa isn’t educating the youth, this little red head is a well-known face in the Melbourne Hip Hop dance scene. Melissa is assistant choreographer for Melbourne’s all ages dance company The Legacy & Co. Having trained in various Hip Hop and Commercial styles both in Australia & overseas, and having worked with various Australian and International choreographers, Melissa has been fortunate enough to showcase her artistry in many areas of the dance industry. Her credits include: Performer in Donnie Dimase’s commercial dance theatre production, ‘Cheap Luxuries and Expired Dreams’, Choreographer and lead dancer in The Legacy & Co.’s 2019 dance production ‘Follow’ and 2018 dance production, ‘Her Name is Alice’, performing at Malthouse Theatre as a lead dancer in the hip hop production ‘Seeing Red’, and dancing in various other stage productions over the years.
Melissa has danced in various music dance videos (‘FRIDAY’, ‘Dancing to the same song’ ‘Bring me back’), dance support act for Jay Sean, performed at a range of corporate gigs and events including GROUNDED: Battle of the Arts, UNDRGRND, Victorian Dance Festival, Australian Dance Festival, Northland Fashion Fusion presented by ASI and on the TV show, Everybody Dance Now. She is a member of international award-winning dance crew Raw & Rugged and has competed on the world stage at Hip Hop International in Arizona representing Australia in the Preliminary and Semi Finals.
Melissa continues to try to perfect her craft and instil her passion for dance, mentoring and inspiring others. Melissa looks forward to joining the Dance Revolution team.
Effie Papoulias
Born in Melbourne, Effie began dancing at the age of 6 under the watchful eye of one of Australias most well-known and respected senior Cecchetti examiners Sandra Allan O.A.M.
An honours student, Effie was awarded many accolades, including a scholarship by Dame Peggy Van Praagh D.B.E. in 1983 to study for a year in the prestigious scholars’ award program. This gave her an opportunity to be taught by ballet greats such as Colin Peasley O.A.M, Lucette Aldous A.C., Alan Alder, Patricia Cox, Lynn Golding, and many more not just from Australia but also visiting International guests.
Moving to Sydney, Effie studied the Cecchetti Diploma syllabus with the late Miss Valrene Tweedie O.A.M. in Woollahra. Gaining Associate status in 89, Effie taught in Sydney and later moved to Europe, teaching students in the city of Patras Greece.
2019 marks Effie’s 30th year in teaching. Her passion to share her knowledge and expertise of classical dance has encouraged many of her students to pursue careers in the dance industry and successfully audition for ABS, NZBS, WAPA, VCASS and overseas. Effie is currently state organiser for Cecchetti Ballet Victoria.
CRYSTELLE ANTIPPA
Crystelle has been immersed in dance since childhood, training extensively across various dance schools in Melbourne in a variety of genres. Crystelle completed her full-time training at Spectrum Global Arts, majoring in Dance and Musical Theatre and graduated in 2024 after three years of intensive study.
Alongside her performance training, Crystelle discovered her passion for teaching and has achieved her certification in Cecchetti Ballet.
Crystelle's teaching journey began in 2022, during which she worked with several esteemed dance schools across Melbourne. Her early teaching experiences included assisting in choreographing school musicals during her senior years of high school, further solidifying her desire to nurture and inspire young dancers.
Throughout her career, Crystelle has had the privilege of training under many renowned industry professionals. Their guidance has shaped her into a well-rounded and passionate educator.
Crystelle is deeply committed to the health and longevity of dancers’ careers. With a keen interest in the anatomy and physiology of dancers, she is pursuing studies in Exercise and Sports Science, aiming to specialise as a dance physiotherapist. Her dedication to understanding the unique needs of young dancers and preventing injuries underscores her holistic approach to dance education.
Diana Tijan
Diana has been with Dance Revolution since the beginning. As a student of Laura’s at a former dance school, she came across to DR in its first year of opening to continue her training and work as an assistant teacher. After studying dance through secondary school, including VCE Dance, she continued her studies in Jazz with Dance Factory Teachers Academy and Southern Federation of Dance and achieved her Cert. IV in Dance Teaching and Management (Australian Dance Vision) in 2010. Specialising in Jazz and Ballet, her passion is good quality dance education. A former gymnast; she also has vast knowledge in acrobatics. As a wife and mother to young children, she loves teaching our junior school dance students and understands the needs of this age group. She hopes she can inspire them to reach their full potential in all aspects of dance.
Monique
Monique is a highly versatile dancer and choreographer with an extensive performance career spanning commercial, live entertainment, and festival stages. Her credits include performances for Robbie Williams, Katy Perry, Pseudo Echo, Maddy Krstevski, Beyond the Valley Festival, and the South East Melbourne Phoenix Flames (NBL).
She has showcased her talents internationally, performing at Choreographers Carnival in Los Angeles and featuring in television commercials such as Deal or No Deal. Her dynamic stage presence and adaptability across dance styles have made her a sought-after performer in the industry.
Beyond performance, Monique is actively shaping the next generation of dancers. She has over five years of teaching experience in various dance styles and has contributed to choreography for Love Angels Australia and Tenacity Entertainment. While she continues to pursue both her dance career and choreographic endeavors. Passionate about teaching and mentorship, Monique is dedicated to educating the next generation of dancers to become strong, well-rounded performers—both physically and mentally—while preserving their unique artistry. She strives to create an environment where dancers not only refine their technical skills but also build confidence, resilience, and a deep connection to their craft.