Knowing I can create an environment for students to develop, connect and create is incredibly important to me.
I really believe that our team are of the highest standard. They are dedicated, passionate and always willing to assist. It is integral that our studio not only facilitates growth but also is a safe space for students to become aspiring performers.
I welcome you to join our community and look forward to sharing with you, the love and joy at ACPA.
With over 20 years of experience as a performer and choreographer, Pep Rigano brings a wealth of industry expertise to his dual role as General Manager and Head of Hip Hop at ACPA. He created and managed the girl group – G-Nat!on who became Grand Finalists on the Voice Australia. Pep also authors the Hip Hop syllabus for Australian Teachers of Dancers and holds a Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management.
Pep’s journey began at age nine, training in Hip Hop, Jazz, and Commercial Dance. Throughout his career he has proudly represented Australia at major competitions—including FISAF, School Aerobics, Battlegrounds Australia, and Hip Hop International. At 18, he earned a scholarship to Los Angeles, where he spent a decade honing his craft under the guidance of some of the world’s leading choreographers and educators.
Driven by a passion for nurturing the next generation, Pep combines his professional performance background with strategic leadership to shape ACPA’s creative vision and empower students to reach their full potential.
Abby Rutter is a passionate and dedicated dance instructor at ACPA teaching a variety of classes.
Abby’s love for dance began at the age of 10 when she first started her training at ACPA. Her commitment to the art led her to complete a Certificate IV at the ACPA Academy.
Seeking further growth and development, Abby moved to Sydney, where she completed a two-year performance degree at Ed5 International, a renowned performing arts institution. In addition to her dance qualifications, Abby is also a certified Pilates Instructor. This unique combination of skills allows her to incorporate elements of strength, flexibility, and body awareness into her dance teachings.
Abby’s teaching philosophy centers around nurturing the passion for dance in her students. She believes the best part of her job is encouraging new students and watching their love for dance grow. With Abby’s expertise and infectious enthusiasm, her students are guided and motivated to reach their full potential.
Joshua Taylor, a passionate dancer and dedicated instructor, is a vital part of the ACPA team.
His journey in dance began at the age of 5, training in various dance styles and fostering a particular love for Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theatre.
Joshua’s commitment to his craft led him to earn his Certificate IV in Dance from the prestigious ACPA Academy. Hungry for more, he relocated to Sydney to further his studies at Ed5 International, one of Australia’s leading performing arts institutions.
Even before his graduation from Ed5, Joshua’s exceptional talent was recognized. He was offered a lucrative contract with the iconic production, West Side Story. This opportunity saw him touring extensively across Australia, New Zealand, and Germany for over a year, enriching his experience and honing his skills on the global stage.
Upon his return, Joshua joined ACPA as an instructor, bringing a wealth of professional experience to his role. His passion for dance and his eagerness to inspire the next generation make him a significant asset to our academy. Joshua’s journey serves as a testament to what can be achieved with dedication, hard work, and a love for the art of dance.
Megan is our dedicated Events Coordinator, bringing two decades of expertise as a small-business owner to life at ACPA. After running her own business for many years, she took a rewarding detour as a stay-at-home mum-and found her way to the arts when her daughter began dancing with us in 2017.
Since joining the ACPA community, Megan has discovered a real passion for orchestrating everything from school-holiday workshops and birthday parties to seamless back-of-house support during productions. She’s also operates our costume logistics-managing thousands of outfits each year to ensure every student looks and feels their best on stage.
Megan’s behind-the-scenes magic keeps our studio buzzing with excitement and professionalism. We’re so grateful to have her as part of the ACPA family!
Andi joined the team at ACPA in 2020. She comes from a customer service background having worked in banking and fashion retail for over 20 years.
Andi’s involvement with ACPA began over 10 years ago as a dance mum when her daughter Abby first joined the company in her journey as a professional dancer. Andi’s love and support for the business has led her into the position she holds today.
She is passionate about customer service and ensuring every member and family feels welcome and enjoy their time at ACPA.
Lara has been dancing since the age of 4 and has trained in styles such as Hip Hop, Jazz, Commercial, Contemporary & Tap.
Lara has competed and performed in a variety of different competitions since a young age. She has been involved with a range of performances that include musicals, school performances, showcases and fundraising events. Although being on stage is one of her favourite things, she finds nothing more rewarding than watching her students shine on stage.
Lara’s passion for teaching led her into a Bachelor of Primary Education, allowing her to turn her passion into a career. She enjoys nothing more than sharing her love and knowledge of dance with her students here at ACPA. Lara loves being involved in such a hardworking, supportive and fun environment. Her goal is to be a supportive, loving and creative teacher for all students as they are constantly inspiring her to be the best teacher she can be.
Tiana is a dynamic and dedicated dance professional, who has been honing her skills at ACPA since she was seven.
Her training encompasses a wide array of dance styles including Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap, and Musical Theatre, making her a versatile performer and instructor.
With a particular passion for Hip Hop, Tiana is an emerging teacher in the field, bringing an infectious enthusiasm that inspires her students. She cherishes the opportunity to guide young dancers on their journey, fostering their talent and nurturing their love for dance.
Tiana’s commitment extends beyond teaching; she is eager to shape the next generation of Hip Hop dancers, instilling in them the same fervor and dedication that she embodies. Her ultimate aspiration is to perform alongside the world’s most renowned artists on international stages. With her unwavering passion, determination, and talent, there’s no doubt that Tiana is well on her way to achieving this dream.
Hamish is a dynamic and passionate dancer who has been dancing since the age of three.
He began his dance journey in the all-boys class at the ACPA and has since trained in a variety of styles, including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre.
Recently crowned the National Champion at the Get the Beat competition in the Open Hip Hop Division, Hamish’s talent and dedication are evident. He thrives on sharing his love for dance, a passion he first discovered in the boys’ classes at ACPA, and now enjoys passing on to the next generation as a young and aspiring teacher.
Hamish’s ambition extends beyond teaching. He dreams of performing on the world stage and has taken steps towards this goal by joining the ACPA Academy in year 10 to further advance his skills. In addition to his commitment to dance, Hamish also has a strong affinity for local theatre. He often takes on leadership roles such as dance captain in musicals and choreographs innovative pieces for the stage.
With his dedication, talent, and passion, Hamish is not just a promising dancer and teacher, but also a driving force in shaping the future of dance.
Natasha is a vibrant and accomplished dancer with a passion for spreading the joy of dance to aspiring students.
Her dance journey began at the tender age of 3, and since then, she has immersed herself in various dance styles, including ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, acro, tap, hip hop, and jazz. With a Cert 3 in Dance and a multitude of achievements under her belt, Natasha is a well-rounded dancer and instructor.
Throughout her dance career, Natasha has excelled in her training, earning accolades such as the Leadership Award at the ACPA Mid Year Showcase in 2024. She has also completed Borovansky Ballet Exams and Jazz exams with ATOD, showcasing her dedication and commitment to her craft.
What sets Natasha apart is her genuine enthusiasm for teaching, as she finds immense fulfillment in helping her students realize their dreams and achieve their goals. She firmly believes that dance goes beyond the technical aspects and sees it as a transformative experience that empowers individuals both on and off the dance floor.
Jessica’s dance journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From captivating performances at local competitions to earning the highest scores in national dance events, she has made her mark on the dance community.
The opportunity to learn from industry professionals at dance camps has further fueled her passion for dance, allowing her to continuously elevate her skills and explore new movement pathways. Dance is not just a hobby for Jessica—it’s a way of life.
Her ultimate aspiration is to become a professional dancer and inspire others as a dance teacher. Witnessing her students achieve their goals and overcome challenges is what brings her the greatest joy and fulfillment.
Jessica is excited to develop the students at ACPA and can’t wait be a part of their journey.
With over 15 years of professional experience, Anna has cultivated a rich and diverse career as a dance artist.
She has performed with prestigious dance companies across Ukraine, South Korea, Greece, and Germany, and gained invaluable international experience working on cruise ships, collaborating with a variety of inspiring choreographers.
Anna holds a Master’s degree in Choreography from Ukraine, where she also completed her ballet training under the Vaganova syllabus.
Before relocating to Australia, Anna successfully managed her own ballet studio in Ukraine, nurturing young talent and sharing her love of dance. Her multifaceted background combines technical excellence, creative insight, and a global perspective, making her a dynamic contributor to the world of dance.
We are delighted to introduce Shayla Matthews as a vibrant addition to the ACPA Studio Faculty. Shayla brings a wealth of dance expertise and performance experience, making her a perfect fit to educate students about the industry.
Shayla’s dance journey began with training in various styles at DWL Event Dance in Victor Harbor. Shayla has competed in many national dance competitions, achieving high as both a soloist and a group competition member. She continued to refine her skills at GWB Studios and through programs such as the Australian Dance Theatre in Adelaide, SA (2021-2022). Additionally, Shayla has performed at esteemed companies and shows such as The Dream Creative in Sydney and Singapore and Locreado Dance Company in Adelaide (2019-2022), as well as at events such as the opening routines for Adelaide Crows and Adelaide Strikers.
In 2023, Shayla moved to the Sunshine Coast to dance and study full-time at DanceForce, where she gained elite-level training in preparation for the professional dance industry.
Her achievements also include contributions to TV and film, with upcoming credits in Disney’s “Zombies 4,” where she worked as a dancer under the guidance of renowned directors and choreographers.
Since 2019, Shayla has demonstrated her skills in choreography, with her unique and creative routines winning solos and groups at regional and state levels, inspiring many upcoming dancers.
We are excited for Shayla Matthews to bring her passion, experience, and knowledge to ACPA studios. Her blend of technical excellence, artistic expression, and professional experience will undoubtedly inspire and empower our students.
Natalia is a dedicated and passionate member of our team, who finds immense joy in sharing her knowledge and inspiring her students.
Natalia is in her final year a part of the ACPA Academy, our performing arts high school that specialises in training upcoming stars and helping them follow their dreams to be a professional performer.
Natalia’s enthusiasm is contagious, and she takes pride in watching her students grow, learn, and achieve new heights. Being part of a national champion team in hip hop and receiving the Standout Dancer Award has only fuelled Natalia’s drive and passion for dance even further. She is thrilled to be part of the talented and determined young dancers at ACPA and looks forward to witnessing their growth and success.
Erin holds a Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management as well as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Stepping into the role of Assessment Coordinator at ACPA, she brings with her over 30 years of dance experience, having performed professionally and competed at national and international levels in a variety of dance styles.
Alongside her work in the performing arts, Erin is also a qualified physiotherapist, adding a unique perspective on movement, performance, and wellbeing. Her keen interest in dance physiotherapy has taken her across Australia and the USA to train and complete mentorships with some of the world’s most respected Dance Medicine specialists.
Through this, Erin has had the privilege of working with dancers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the School of American Ballet and Broadway productions. This knowledge and experience enrich her teaching practice, allowing her to support dancers with a strong focus on safe technique, injury prevention and sustainable careers in the performing arts.
WE OFFER A WIDE VARIETY OF DANCE, VOCAL AND DRAMA CLASSES IN ADELAIDE FOR ALL AGES, ABILITIES AND STYLES.
From kids dance classes to adult fitness sessions, we have it all!
The Australian Company of Performing Arts is an Adelaide based studio offering students a complete education in all facets of the performing arts – DANCE, VOCAL, DRAMA and PERFORMANCE.
So whether you are looking to pursue a career in the performing arts or just attend lessons for fun, ACPA offers a great variety of classes and styles to suit your needs. We welcome you to join our ACPA family, and would love to have you with us.