+ Kym Degenhart - Owner/Director, Principal Teacher. Kix Arts Productions Artistic Manager. CHILD SAFE OFFICIER.

• Bachelor Arts (Japanese)
• Bachelor Journalism
• Grad Dip Ed(Secondary)- Dance
• Cert IV in Training & Assessment
• Adv Cert Acrobatic Dance Association
• IASF Cheer Coach Credentials
• First Aid/CPR/WWCC

Kym has been teaching dance since 1998 and has had a 10 year international professional dance career, most notably as a Cancan dancer at the Moulin Rouge in Paris & Principal/Dance Captain for Dance Encore Productions in Tokyo. She has a Bachelor of Journalism, Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education specialising in Dance (receiving the Australian Council for Educational Leaders Undergraduate Prize) and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. She is an A.T.O.D (Australian Teachers of Dancing) affiliate teacher and holds Australasian Dance Association (formerly FATD) Tap and Modern Teachers certificates, and a certificate in Event Management. In 2019, Kym was awarded Business Person of the Year at The Local Business Awards, Canberra. In 2018, Kym was awarded Canberra’s Young Business Women of the Year.

Kym published her first book in 2019, Frou Frou to Fruition in which she shares her experiences as a professional dancer, dance teacher and studio owner to help those who love to dance find success in the industry. It hit #1 on the Amazon Best Seller list in 3 categories: Women & Business; Performing Arts; & Dance.

Kym has lived and danced professionally in Hong Kong, Japan and Sydney, and toured to Rome, USA and Edinburgh. Furthermore, Kym has extensive commercial and modelling experience, including shows for Coca-Cola, Xbox, Ainori (Fuji TV), Secret City (Fox), FTV Model Awards (FashionTV), Il treno dei desideri (Rai 1, Italy), Fashion Hall-of-Fame designer, Richard De Chazal, and with Penelope Cruz on France’s Hit Machine. In 2010, Kym moved from her teaching position in Hong Kong to Canberra to be Principal at a local dance studio and the Arts Education tutor for Dance at the University of Canberra. She was the Head of Dance at Calwell High School (2012-2015) & at the time, ran Canberra's largest High School Dance program. In 2016, she began teaching at Namadgi School to Kindy -Year 10 until resigning from school teaching in 2023. Kym has been an Ausdance ACT board member since 2014 and Vice-President (2017-2021) and President (2021-2022).

Aside from performing, Kym has written for the Australian Dance Teacher magazine and featured as a guest speaker in the VIP Teacher’s Room at the 2017 & 2019 *Australian Dance Festival *(Sydney), for CONNECT Boys Dance (Sydney), for Bold Festival (National Library of Australia) and on Clint Salter’s Transform my Studio podcast. She was a key note speaker for Jane Grech’s, Exchange conference in Oct 2019 speaking about delivering Epic Events & Function Flair. A chapter about Kym’s experiences writing Frou Frou to Fruition was published in Natasa Denman’s book, *Shut Up and Write Your First Book. *

In 2018 she attended the Industry Dance Awards and Dancers Against Cancer benefit show in Los Angeles as a special guest of Kids Artistic Revue (KAR) and commenced working as a judge/adjudicator in 2019.

While Kym enjoys teaching all styles of dance to the young and old, she has a particular passion for sharing her expertise in tap and cabaret. She also specialises in teaching boys to dance and has had great success running Boys Dance programs in Queensland and the A.C.T. Many of Kym's former students have continued on to dance professionally in Australia and overseas.

+ Why do you love working at Bom Funk?

I’m a big believer in the power of Dance. It teaches skills far beyond the steps and can be incorporated into all facets of life, encompassing highly valued skills to create a collaborative and adaptable workforce. I believe that dance can help support our future generations develop healthy mental and physical habits.

Owning Bom Funk Dance Studio gives me the opportunity to provide inspiration and quality training to all ages while nurturing a lifelong passion for the Arts. Every day I see the positive impact that dance can have on a student’s life and I wish to provide this experience to as many students as I can.

+ Kym Mullins - Business Manager. Child Safe Officer.

• Bachelor of Economics
• Masters in Commerce
• First Aid/CPR/WWCC

Kym holds a Masters in Commerce and a Bachelor of Economics from ANU. She has been a member of Bom Funk faculty since 2016 after attending an overseas tour with the Studio to Hong Kong.

As the only non-dancer in the faculty, Kym has quickly learnt the language of dance and has seen first hand the change and benefits dance provides to children of all ages.

+ Why do you love working at Bom Funk?

I like the small family feel and the ability to make a change, no matter how small, in someone's day.

+ Shekiralea Healy - INSTRUCTOR & Programs Coordinator.

• Diploma in Dance
• Cert IV in Training & Assessment
• Cert IV in Event Management
• Acrobatic Arts & Aerial Arts
• Adv Cert Acrobatic Dance Association
• IASF Cheer Coach Credentials
• PBT
• First Aid/CPR/WWCC

Shekiralea has studied ballet since the age of two. Her part-time training took place at Lisa Clark Dance Centre in Canberra where she participated in eisteddfords, receiving first place for the Betsey Sawyers awards (inter found) and taking on auditions. She then was accepted into the fulltime ballet program at Melbourne City Ballet, taking on corps and principle roles in the Melbourne city youth ballets seasons of Giselle and the wonderful wizard of oz, performing alongside the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, participating and performing in the Joffrey ballet schools summer intensive in NYC, as well as training as an emerging artist at National Theater ballet school - where she performed Act 2 Swan lake and assisting choreographing for a contemporary production. She began assistant teaching at the age of 16 and later received her Diploma in Dance. She completed RAD examinations up to Advanced 2 as well as studying Ceccetti and Vaganova syllabus.

Since returning to Canberra in 2020, she has attained a Cert IV in Training and Assessment, Cert IV in Event Management, Cheerleading coaching credentials in Tumbling & Stunting, Acrobatics Arts & Aerial Arts (Hoops Theory) Qualifications, PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique - Level 1) qualification and became a qualified Zumba instructor. Shekiralea also was recognised for her successful submission for the World Ballet Competition (making it into the finals, but unfortunately was unable to attend due to COVID restrictions). In October 2021, she decided to share her passion & story, about her experiences as a Ballerina, and wrote a book; "Ballet: Behind the Beauty" which has since become an Amazon Best Seller. Shekiralea has been a finalist in the Local Business awards for the Youth award in the years; 2020, 2021, & 2022. She was also a finalist in the 2023 ADEA Dance Studio Teacher of the year. Shekiralea had dance photos published in a Paris Magazine and was invited to perform as a guest artist for Joffrey Ballet School, NYC.

Her biggest passion has been teaching - guiding and assisting students to grow into the dancer they aspire to be. Shekiralea has loved her time here at Bom Funk so far, and looks forward to many more exciting times ahead!

+ Why do you love working at Bom Funk?

I love how organised everything is and that I'm able to share my passion with like-minded people. The energy is so encouraging, and there's so much room for opportunities for further learning.

+ Tahlia Jones - Instructor

• Adv cert Acrobatic Dance Association
• IASF Cheer Coack Credentials
• First Aid/CPR/WWCC

Tahlia has a passion for dance with extensive experience including ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, and hip-hop, popping and freestyle dancing. Along with dance, she has also worked with children in coaching, peer support, and work experience roles. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Engineering (honours).

Tahlia has been dancing since the age of 4 years beginning ballet followed by other styles such as tap, jazz, modern and contemporary. She was selected to be part of the Candy man stage performance at the Canberra Theatre with Dancer Scott Wayne Kermond age of 7 and undertook many Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet exams. In 2017, she moved on to explore more genres of dance and specialised in hip-hop, urban and popping. She was also a member Project Beats’ varsity crew Project 2, that competed in Hip Hop International (HHI) for state and interstate 3 years in a row, world supremacy battlegrounds (WSB) for state, interstate and international in September 2019. Tahlia has competed in many state and interstate freestyle battles 1v1; entering in popping freestyle, hip hop freestyle, and open style freestyle. She made it to top 2 and placing runners up in Born to Battle competition in 2018 and competed in Destructive Step in 2018 and entered 3 interstate battles, under 18s, ladies night, and hip hop.

+ Why do you love working at Bom Funk?

I am looking forward to meeting all the students and staff at Bom Funk. Create some amazing friendships with my co-works. I am excited to be able to inspire my students.

+ Lillian Ellison - Instructor & Admin Team member

• Adv cert Acrobatic Dance Association
• First Aid/CPR/WWCC

Lillian has been a dancer with Bom Funk for a number of years learning a variety of styles and participating in Bom Funk's Performance Squad Troupes. Lillian is currently studying Diplomas in Photography and Make Up at CIT while also working in retail and running her own Photography business.

Lillian joined Bom Funk originally as an assistant teacher, mostly for the Dance Kingdom Program, but has enjoyed taking on more teaching roles as her experience and confidence grew. Lillian also really enjoys taking photos for Bom Funk events and if you can't find her on stage or backstage, she could be in the audience taking action photos!

+ Why do you love working at Bom Funk?

It will be a very different experience for me transitioning from student to teacher and I’m looking forward to learning the job and the skills that come with it.

+ Brooke Sargent - Instructor

• First Aid/CPR/WWCC

Brooke is passionate about dance as it has consistently been there for her throughout her entire life. She is a current member of Tap Kix. The studio is Brooke’s 'happy place' and she has always dreamed of being a dance teacher. Brooke is so excited to be able to share her passion and skills gained from 18 years as a dancer, and teach at a studio that is so welcoming, vibrant and inclusive. In 2023, Brooke assisted tap classes under the mentorship of Michelle Skerry, and choreographed for Tap Kix Caddettes which went on to win several awards. Brooke is very excited to officially join the Bom Funk Faculty for 2024, and teach the next generation of wonderful dancers.

+ Why do you love working at Bom Funk?

I am so excited to officially be part of the Bom Funk Faculty after spending time assisting and covering classes. I cant wait to spend a year with some passionate Tappers and help them continue to grow and develop their craft.

+ Chloe Edwards - Instructor

• RSD Training
• First Aid/CPR/WWCC

Chloe began dancing at the age of 5 and has trained in a wide range of styles including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary/Lyrical, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. She has completed RAD exams from primary to Grade 8 receiving distinctions in all levels. She has also competed at Eisteddfods from the age of 8 as a member of highly successful troupes. Chloe has been teaching since 2022 and has enjoyed working with younger students and is a qualified ‘Ready-Set-Dance’ teacher. More recently, Chloe has been a member of the Talented Dance Program at Erindale College, which provided her with the opportunity to expand on her teaching skills, including choreography and she also performed as part of the school troupe in events including the Youth Dance Festival.

Chloe is excited to be joining the Bom Funk team and can't wait to meet and work with the team and students in 2024.

+ Why do you love working at Bom Funk?

I'm looking forward to meeting the teaching staff and building relationships that will contribute to a positive, fun and exciting culture.

+ Grace Forbes - Instructor

• Cert III in Early Childhood Education
• First Aid/CPR/WWCC

Grace has been a long time Bom Funk student and past teacher who has been a member of Tap Kix for almost a decade! By day, she works in schools as a child-care educator and most recently transitioning to a High School LSA.

+ Why do you love working at Bom Funk?

I love the family atmosphere at Bom Funk plus I love working along-side Amy in Triple Threat getting to act, sing and dance!

+ Karley Mullins - Instructor & Admin Team member

• Adv cert Acrobatic Dance Association
• First Aid/CPR/WWCC

Karley has been a Bom Funk dancer for a number of years competing in Troupes and Crews. Karley is studying an Arts/Science degree at ANU. She enjoys assisting the Boys Hip Hop class and occasional Dance Kingdom classes when needed.

+ Why do you love working at Bom Funk?

I love the community.

+ Gemma Batten-Drake - Junior Instructor/Assistant Coach

• IASF Cheer Coach Credentials
• Adv cert Acrobatic Dance Association
• First Aid/CPR

Gemma has been a part of Bom Funk for many years and joined her first squad team in 2017. In 2019, she toured with the studio to Paris and London to perform and attend workshops and shows. Gemma has her Level 1 Cheer coaching accreditation and is excited to be the Assistant Coach for High Flyers in 2024. She can't wait until she's 18 so that she can get her Acrobatic Arts quaulifications. Gemma was a DanceStep student leader at Bom Funk for 3 years. She won Junior Student of the Year in 2018 and Bom Funk's Community Spirit Values award in 2023. Gemma has competed at numerous dance competitions placing 1st at National Championships.

Gemma is excited to share her love for dance and cheer, inspiring others to embrace the same joy and dedication that has driven her forward on her journey so far.

+ Why do you love working at Bom Funk?

I'm looking forward to basically everythin - classes, comps and our trips to sydney, as well as being an assistant teacher this year!

+ Hanna Cochrane - Junior Instructor/Assistant

• Cert III in Assistant Dance Teaching
• First Aid/CPR

Hanna's dedication to dance shines brightly through her achievements and commitment. She started dancing in 2013 and in 2023, completed her Certificate III in Assistant Dance Teaching. She has received accolades such as Junior Student of the Year in 2016 and 2019, and Senior Performer of the Year in 2022, and Bom Funk’s Crew Commitment Award in 2023. Hanna has completed a number of her ATOD exams and in 2023 received 100% in the Jazz Gold Star exam and 99% for her Gold Medal Tap. Hanna has competed at numerous dance competitions for solos, duos and troupes, placing 1st at FYD & Hollywood Bound National Championships.

+ Why do you love working at Bom Funk?

I am looking forward to new experiences and extending my knowledge on dance teaching.