Testimonial from Parent: Mel Read

Dear Miss Jo & the Lee Academy Team,
In 2004, our daughter Angela started dancing at Lee Academy. She started at the beginning of second term & her first class was Babies Jazz with Miss Alyssa. It was always exciting to see Angie & her friend Jessica, show us the new steps they learnt in class that day. We could see in their little faces the joy & enthusiasm that learning to dance had bought them & the wanting to go back every week.

When I first saw Angie on stage in her gorgeous little yellow costume & saw how much thought & effort went into the routines 'age appropriate' costumes, I knew we had found a place that truly cares about their students. It didn't matter what their age was, you could see how committed Lee Academy were & still are, in making dancing fun for everyone who participated & everyone who watched.

The following year Angie started Ballet as well as staying with her much loved Jazz. Over the years she also learnt Ballet, Tap, Acro (acrobats) Musical Theatre, Cheerleading & Hip Hop.
In 2005, at the annual end of year concert, I saw the Adults Jazz Class do their routine & thought 'Wow, that looks like so much fun, I'm going to join next year'. So in 2006, I started the Adults Jazz class. I had never danced like this in all my life, & I was terrified. But even as a beginner, I felt supported to give it my best shot & more importantly, TO HAVE FUN & I did. I even did the end of year concert as well.

In 2009, my then, 7 month old daughter, Delta, was introduced to Gym Fun. We were not to know, that even though she could not walk or talk yet, she displayed the very same 'joy' as everyone else did from the infectious surroundings that the Lee Academy Studio & its staff radiates. Once Delta did start walking at age 1, she always made a 'bee line' for the facilities 14metre Trampoline & would stare at me with the 'I would like a turn please Mum' eyes, & so there started Delta's love for trampolining & tumbling. Now at almost 18 months of age, Delta joined DanceFun, & is enjoying that as well, as she has made lots of new friends, but also because she gets to still have a turn on her beloved Trampoline.
This year, Angie has begun her 'Solo' training & all her family, friends & teachers are very excited for her first up & coming Solo performance. Also this year, Angie has been given the special privilege to attend Lee Academy's second Performance Tour to Disneyland USA in 2011 & is currently training with her troupe for this amazing opportunity.
As a mother of two very active girls, I am grateful to have a facility like Lee Academy & its staff here on the Central Coast; otherwise our dancers would have to go Sydney for this quality of training. I also want to teach my children that fitness should be a natural part of life for their health now & in the future. Lee Academy's commitment & dedication today has far surpassed any of my expectations I had on the first day Angie attended class. The one thing that stands out the most for me as a Mum of 'young girls' is just how seriously Lee Academy's Staff & their senior dancers take their roles as 'Role Models'. It is a very positive environment for all young people to be nurtured into caring adults. I know Angela & Delta are in the best place, to meet like-minded people who love to dance & I also know they have made life-long friendships as well.

Sincerely Mel Read (Mum to Angie & Delta)

PATRON of Lee Academy : Mr. Joshua Horner Australian Ballet Company 1999 - 2004: Show credits include:
"Billy Elliot" (New York & Sydney) "Dirty Dancing" "Tivoli" "Movin' Out" (UK).

Very rarely do you get a state of the art Dance and Acrobatic studio with such a variety of local and skilled guest teachers from all around the world. Lee Academy is the most positive and talent producing school that the Central Coast has to offer. To see kids develop and achieve their own personal goals in a fun, nurturing and friendly environment makes me honoured to be the Patron of Lee Academy.” Mr. Joshua Horner.

Katie McCarthy Show credits include: “SHOUT”, “What the World Needs Now”, “Three Winters Green”, “Hair”, “Bye Bye Birdie” “South Pacific” - BA & Masters in Media Practice:Sydney University
Brent Street Full Time Performing Arts Course graduate 2000.

"Lee Academy is the performing jewel of the Central Coast. It is the only studio that offers tuition in all areas needed for the entertainment industry. If you are interested in a career as a performer, Lee Academy can get you there."

Keith Hawley MFA (QUT)   Senior Manager-Dance-Entertainment Venetian Casino Macau-Resort-Hotel Managing Director Field Yield International Ltd.

"Lee Academy is one of the most exciting dance schools in Australia. The focus, dedication, comprehensive discipline, knowledge, respect and love of the arts is second to none. It is a pleasure to be associated with such a fantastic school".

Past student: James Burke: now dancing professionally

“I started dancing at Lee Academy in 2000 taking gymnastics then junior jazz lessons. These classes got me my basic skills I needed to move forward and join my school friends in the more advanced and selective classes.

I loved spending time with my friends and staying active so I decided to take more classes and get more serious about dancing. It was after this decision that I started to learn the most important lessons in not only dancing, but life as well. I learnt first and foremost, discipline. To turn up to every class, every rehearsal, every competition, a skill that has been so helpful in so many ways not only with dancing. I learnt to work in a team, to be patient, to be passionate, to try 110% and of course I learnt the principles of dance technique and performance quality.

What I most enjoyed about Lee Academy were my friendships. I loved the costumes, the routines, the competitions, but I think most of all I wanted to go to dancing because of the people I got to be with. They become your second family, so close they trust that when you pick them up and throw them in the air, you'll be ready to catch... that when you aeroplane them around the stage, you wont let go! (Em Starkey and James Burke, Go Away hahaha)

From Lee Academy I have learnt discipline, teamwork, technique, performance skills drive and determination, and I will cherish the friendships I had forever.”

James Burke, September 12, 2009.

A little about James:
James graduated from McDonald College in 2008, and did really well in his HSC. He booked 'Wicked' at Universal Studios Japan, but had already booked a contract at Disney, so went to Tokyo last February to perform in "One mans dream II- the magic lives on". Once completing a successful contract with Disney, James is now on Royal Caribbean International's 'legend of the seas' until August. Congratulations James!

Testimonial from Parent: Kym Smith

"When my 3 year old daughter Ellie uttered the words...."mummy I want to dance", I knew straight away it was going to be at Lee Academy.  I had watched my nieces represent Lee Academy at eisteddfods and Lee Academy stood way out above the others.  Not just in results, but in age appropriate costumes and routines, which to me was the most important consideration. 

From her first day she was encouraged, nurtured and cared for and introduced to dancing as a "fun" thing to do.  Now in her 7th year of dance she has taken on many dance styles and enjoys competing in eisteddfods in both troupes and solos.

After watching his sister for a few years, my then 8yr old son decided to give the "Boys Only" class a go.  This class made up of boys only and lead by a male teacher gave him confidence and built the desire in him to perform.  From the boys only class, Zac has progressed to all styles of dance, including ballet, tap, musical theatre.  With the support, encouragement and unrelenting passion of his teachers he now also performs at eisteddfods with groups and solo's as Ellie does. 

Two years ago another daughter, Zali, then 3, joined in baby Jazz class, and last year my son Jayden, 7, not having any desire to perform on stage, started doing acrobatic classes. 

In 2010 once again all my children will continue with Lee Academy.  Catering for the serious performer with an absolute passion for dance who wants a career in this industry such as my son Zac, to my other son who is terribly shy, never wants to be on stage but loves acrobatics, tumbling and hand balance classes - Lee Academy has something for everyone.  Ellie & Zali as all Lee Academy dancers are given individual attention and encouragement. 

All Lee Academy pupils are made to feel valuable and worthwhile members of a team regardless of ability and experience.  You do not need to already have any experience to become part of Lee Academy.  All levels of experience and ability are welcomed and catered for.

I believe that it is truly exceptional that a Performing Arts school can have such a wonderful "family" feel to it.  Parents are welcomed and encouraged to wait in the foyer for classes to finish.  There is a welcoming and comfortable but still exciting "buzz" to the studio, no matter what time of day or night you are there.

Well done to Director Jo Cotterill who has had the passion, perserverance and forsight to create such an amazing place for our children to learn, grow and appreciate this art. "

Kym Smith: Mum to Zac, Ellie, Jayden & Zali of Jilliby. 1st February 2009.  

Testimonial from Parent: Rachel Schryver

"A little over 11 years ago when I received a flyer in my mailbox for Lee Academy Dance Techniques (now Lee Academy Dance and Performing Arts) little did I know what that the ensuing phone call to enrol my then 2 year old daughter would lead to.

First and foremost my daughter Abbee and my son Jed and even myself have between us received almost 20 years of the best dance training available on the Central Coast. Lee Academy offers a great variety of performing arts classes and I would be safe to say that in our time at L.A. we have between us tried every style from ballet to acrobatics and every level from beginner to advanced. So it is with a wealth of experience that I can say Lee Academy provides a performing arts education of the highest standard whilst catering to the abilities, knowledge and interests of individual students.

Lee Academy also provides students with many opportunities to take part in extra training and performance activities. Some of the events my children have been a part of have included workshops run by LA and by outstanding industry professionals, guest teachers such as Joshua Horner and Keith Hawley, performing at Westfield Tuggerah and Wyong Leagues Club Christmas Toy Raffles, performing at various eisteddfods’ and dance competitions (both in troupes and as soloists) and travelling to Queensland to participate in the Showcase National Dance Championships. By far the greatest experience was when Abbee travelled with LA to America last year to perform at Disneyland and Universal Studios and take part in workshops at The Edge. I assure you that when I made that phone call 11 years ago there was no way I thought that within a decade that little girl would dance on stage at Disneyland!

I believe that the greatest asset Lee Academy possesses is its wonderful staff. Having known Studio Director Jo Cotterill for many years I can not begin to express how proud I am of Jo and what she has achieved. Her dedication and perseverance in achieving her dreams is nothing short of amazing and I honestly doubt there is anything Jo could not achieve if she put her mind to it. Over the years I have also had the honour of watching talented students become dedicated and talented teachers, each of them now passing on their knowledge and passion for performing arts to another generation. The LA staff are honestly amazing teachers however on top of this they are amazing people… kind, friendly, full of energy, fun to be around and always positive. Personally not only do I feel blessed that these people are providing my children with such a positive influence and performing arts education I also feel incredibly fortunate to call them my friends.

Through the many years we have been part of Lee Academy we have also been very blessed with wonderful friends we would have never met otherwise. No stereotypical “Razzle Dazzle” mums at Lee Academy just genuine friendly people who want their kids to have fun doing something they love.
I firmly believe that many of the positive attributes I see in my children as they grow up are there because they have had the incredible influence of Lee Academy in their lives. Not just the education provided but the support, encouragement and love of the teachers and staff as well as the positive energy that oozes from Lee Academy as a whole."
Rachel Schryver - Mum to Abbee & Jed of Wadalba : 30th June, 2009

Testimonial from Parent: Michelle Macpherson

“It was the best phone call i made 8 years ago when I rang Lee Academy. I spoke to Studio Director Jo Cotteril and told her my daughter Emma who was 5 years at the time wanted to dance.
Now 7 years later Emma is doing around 6 different styles of dance.
The classes at LA are structured to be fun & exciting for babies to adults and for advanced dancers. LA is always offering extra training with workshops from Professional teachers, which are great for the students and challenging.

The dancers also have the opportunity to go on excursions such as the musical Billy Elliot which former LA dancer Josh Horner performed in, and the dancers get so inspired and also think it is so cool to see someone they know on stage.

LA also has an awesome acrobatics studio, with a trapeze, silks, ropes, beams and a 14m trampoline. Acrobatics Teacher Dianne Banks is such a great asset to LA, with her many years of experience, knowledge and dedication, the children have such a great time they never want to leave the studio.
Performances at Westfield Tuggerah, Wyong Leauges Club Xmas raffle and auditions for TV shows and photo shoots and Laycock Theatre for solo performances, are just some of the extra opportunities the dancers experience.

 LA dancers have been to the USA to perform at Disneyland and Universal studios and to do extra training at The Edge. For my daughter Emma that experience has inspired her and she is more determined than ever to pursue a career in dance.

This is where Jo and her amazing teachers support the dancers in every way possible and more times than I can say they give up thier own time to help the dancers follow thier dreams. The teachers are not only there for the students but for the families. The teachers are such an inspiration, and my daughter is very fortunate with what she has already achieved whilst dancing at LA and is looking forward to many more years.”
Michelle Macpherson - Mum to Emma of Mardi : 17th July, 2009

Laura Golcman - Graduate: show credits include: "Mystic Rhythms" Tokyo DisneySea : "Broadway Ballroom" & "Once upon a dream" Princess Cruises, "In the Air" Royal Carribean Crusielines.

"Lee Academy is an amazing place to learn all the skills you need to become succesful in the performing arts industry. Because of the guidance I received from the staff at Lee Academy & the skills I learnt, I now have a wonderful career doing what I love."

Michael Stone: Graduate

"Thanks to Lee Academy & the excellent training it provides, I have attained my very first International performing arts gig = a full year performing at Universal Studios Singapore!"