meet our team

Miss Candice

Owner & Artistic Director

Over 20 years Teaching Experience
Cert IV in Performing Arts (Vocals & Dance)
Acrobatic Arts Teacher Accreditation
Dance Cirque Teacher Certification

Candice Arnold is the founder & director of Footloose and is a local mum of three who has lived in the Hornsby Shire her entire life. Starting as a Dancer at the age of 3 Candice commenced her Teaching Career when she was just 15 years old.

After completing High School, Candice continued her dance training graduating from ED5 International in 2009 with a Certificate IV in Performing Arts. After briefly pursuing a career in the dance industry, including performing overseas, Candice soon found that Teaching dance was her true calling and in August 2010 Footloose Performance Studios was born.

With an extensive background in both Dance and the Performing Arts, Candice’s mission is to inspire confidence and happiness in her students by providing an inclusive environment where every dancer is celebrated. It brings her so much joy to share her love and enthusiasm of the Performing Arts with not just the Students, but the whole Footloose Performance Studios Family.

Our Superstar Teachers

Aria Elkington

Diploma in Dance
Teacher Training in Acrobatics
Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Acro, Company

Aria has trained for over 16 years, primarily under the direction of Original Tap Dog, Darren Disney. In 2018, she graduated from Dargie full-time with a Diploma in Dance and an offer for a contract at Disneyland Paris working as a Face Character and Parade Performer. She worked overseas for a year, before returning to Australia and began focusing on Teaching. Aria has had experience teaching from ages 3-17 in a variety of styles such as Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Ballet.

Jane Stead

Bachelor of Dance
Cert IV in Dance Performance
RAD Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Company

Jane's background is within dance, choreography & singing. She is a graduate of the Bachelor of Dance degree & prior to her degree, she trained at Raw Dance Company obtaining a Cert IV in Dance Performance.

Since the age of 5 she has trained as a dancer in a variety of styles including Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Ballet and Hip hop. She has performed in flash mobs for private corporate functions at Dreamworld and at Christmas business events. She was guest a performer in Creative Generation which was filmed and televised and an extra dancer in a music video, “Let it go” feat Seup by Morpheus Justin. Jane also enjoys songwriting and released her EP album, ‘Breathe in’ August 2023.

Her journey teaching began assisting at several dance studios. Teaching and sharing the love of dance to the younger generation is a passion for Jane and drives her to new ideas within her artistic creativity. She believes dance allows kids to challenge themselves physically and mentally while having fun in the process. She has worked with Baulkham hill high school students as the Dance choreographer for the musical, ‘Footloose’. Through her journey as a teacher she has worked at numerous studios and is thrilled to be part of the Footloose Team.

She truely leads by the words of Martha Graham,
“Dance is the hidden language of the soul."

Kai Bowers

Cert IV in Performing Arts
Professional International Program – Majoring in Contemporary & Commercial
Acrobatics Arts Teacher Accreditation
Jazz, Company

Kai is a Sydney based dancer and choreographer. From a young age Kai has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Tap, Acrobatics, Drama and Singing competing and performing with their dance schools competition teams. Kai attended Pymble Ladies’ College where they continued their studies in dance completing their HSC dance and receiving multiple callback nominations, as well as being a member of their competition teams and performing in many of their musical theatre productions.

Following High School Kai completed Full Time training at Urban Dance Centre where they received their Certificate IV in Performing Arts before moving to New York to complete a Professional International Training Program at Broadway Dance Center. Their triple threat education extends over 20 years in schools and programs within Sydney, LA and New York.

Kaitlyn Tavoletti

RAD Ballet, Studio Reception

Kaitlyn has been dancing competitively since the age of 6 and has trained in all styles including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Acrobatics, Lyrical and Contemporary as well as Lyra and Silks. Kaitlyn has been teaching since 2016.

Kaitlyn first joined our Footloose Team in 2022 and is delighted to be back this year helping out around the Studio and working Mondays on reception while she completes her university studies.

Kayla Blaikie

Diploma in Performing Arts
Cert III in Assistant Dance Teaching
Hip Hop, Jazz, Lil Groovers

Kayla Blaikie is a Sydney born and based Dancer. Kayla completed Fulltime Dance in 2022 and 2023 at Dargie Entertainment Fulltime. Shortly after gaining a Cert lll in Assistant Dance Teaching at the Australian College Of Dance in 2019/2021.

Since 2019 Kayla has trained at DUTI Studios in Newtown with an impressive faculty of teachers and Mentors that have incredible credits and experience to learn from and be amongst, she has trained and is still training in a range of styles with her main focus being in the styles of Reggaeton Fusion, Commercial Heels, Hip Hop, Dancehall, Commercial Jazz, and JFH.

Kayla has always had a creative nature and absolutely loves sharing that with the next generation of dancers, she is very excited to teach at Footloose Studios and share her love and inspirations for dance with our students. She is looking forward to learn from the talented people amongst her and share her experiences in return.

Makaila Thorne

Cert IV & Diploma in Dance
Acrobatic Arts Teacher Accreditation
Lil Groovers, Jazz, Acro

Makaila found an absolute love & passion for dance at the early age of 2 on the Central Coast, NSW. She grew up with a strong focus on RAD Ballet technique finding the love for all styles including Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz and Tap.

Makaila furthered her training at Ettingshausen’s Pro where she graduated with a Cert IV & Diploma in Dance. After training with the most motivating mentors, she become more & more inspired to show future generations the gift of Dance.

She cannot wait to teach all of her beautiful students again this year building a positive and fun environnment sparking an abundance of confidence and love for dance.

Nikki Long

Bachelor of Musical Theatre
Cert IV in Dance
Musical Theatre, Singing

Nikki is a Sydney based performer and teacher. She recently relocated from Adelaide and has completed her Certificate IV in Dance where she trained in jazz, tap, musical theatre, ballet, commercial, contemporary and partnering.

In 2022 she graduated from the Elder Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music Theatre, where she performed in shows such as Urinetown, Les Misérables and Legally Blonde. Nikki teaches musical theatre, private singing and jazz. In 2023 she competed a contract with Echelon Productions for Children’s Book Week in their show “Way Too Cool”.

Nikki is so excited to be part of the Footloose team!

Taylah Lowe

Lil Groovers Assistant

Taylah started dancing when she was 8 as part of the Primary School Dance Troupe. At the age of 10 Taylah joined the Footloose Performance Studios family training in Jazz, Acro, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Contemporary.

Her love for Teaching arose when she was given the opportunity to become a Student Teacher through the DanceStep Student Teaching program which she completed through to Level 5. Since finishing school Taylah has recently started a new position as an educator at a local preschool.

As a Teacher at Footloose Taylah hopes to be able to share her love for dance with all students, and inspire them to never give up on their dreams.

Our Superstar Customer Experience Team!

Candice Arnold – Director / Studio Owner
Karen Jones – Administration Manager

Karen is a former Registered Nurse with extensive experience in work, health and safety. Karen moved from hospital nursing into school nursing when she took up a position at Barker College in 1990. In 2017 she retired as the Barker College Health Centre Manager to support Candice, her daughter, in her passion to grow her dance studio. Although a Nurse by trade, Karen has always had a love for drama, dance, theatre and musicals. As Candice’s mum, she became a dance parent very early on and was involved in co-ordinating many Primary School Musical Productions, as well as directing many productions for Berowra Musical Society. While her children are now grown up, Karen loves supporting Candice with managing the Studio while teaching some of the Musical Theatre classes and being part of the creative process behind the end of year performances.

Jodie Minchero

Administration Assistant

Jodie is a local mum of 3 and has joined Footloose in an administrative role to provide some behind the scenes support.
She has worked within a number of industries such as hospitality, education, IT, and healthcare and has over 30 years administration experience.

Jodie says –“Having 2 of my own kids dance with Footloose I was always impressed by the professional and supportive environment for all the dancers, I am really excited to now be part of the Footloose Team”.

Testimonials

Our little Miss 3 has absolutely loved her first term with Miss Candice. I cringed the 1st week watching her run around wild not listening, then loved each week peeping in at the end seeing the growth and love of being part of her dance class. Thank you.

Kirsty S.

We are so happy to be a part of the footloose family. Candice and the dance teachers have truly helped my daughter with her dance development and her confidence. Thanks again to you all and for your hard work and commitment.

Fiona B.

Contact Us

ADDRESS

93 Hunter Street, Hornsby NSW 2077

Monday: 9:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Thursday: 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Friday: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Sunday: Closed

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About

Footloose Performance Studios is committed to providing a dance studio that offers both quality dance training and a positive and memorable dance experience.

Opening Hours