About Academy of Dance Excellence

---

Queensland native Layla Burgess began her ballet training at the age of four and quickly distinguished herself as a rising talent, earning numerous accolades including Most Promising Dancer at the Murwillumbah Repertoire and first place at the Brisbane Senior Repertoire. In 2016, she was among the top 25 finalists at the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix in New York City, which led to a contract with the renowned American Ballet Theatre Studio Company.

During her tenure with ABT, Layla had the privilege of performing alongside world-renowned dancers such as Misty Copeland and Gillian Murphy. She also collaborated with celebrated choreographers including Liam Scarlett and Marcelo Gomes, who specially chose her to perform a new pas de deux, highlighting her versatility and exceptional skill.

Layla is a qualified teacher of the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet (ACB), trained in the Vaganova method, and has attended the prestigious JKO ABT Ballet Teacher Training program. She also holds Certificates III and IV in Personal Training and is a fully qualified Pilates instructor, allowing her to bring a holistic approach to dancer health and fitness.

For the past seven years, Layla has dedicated herself to teaching the next generation of dancers on the Gold Coast, sharing her expertise and passion to inspire future artists both on and off the stage.

Giselle Poncet is an accomplished professional dancer and teacher with over 14 years of teaching experience and a distinguished international performance career. Originally trained on the Gold Coast, Giselle was awarded a scholarship at age 16 to attend the prestigious School of the Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier in Germany.

After graduating, she danced with several of Europe’s leading ballet companies, including the Vienna State Opera Ballet, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Slovak National Ballet, and held soloist positions at Regensburg Ballet, Coburg Ballet, Magdeburg Ballet, Ballet Linz, and Lüneburg Ballet. Her extensive repertoire includes classics such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty, as well as numerous contemporary works—many of which were created specifically for her.

Giselle is also a qualified teacher of the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet (ACB), trained in the Vaganova method, which informs her disciplined yet artistic approach to classical ballet instruction. Since returning to Australia in 2018, she has dedicated herself to teaching and mentoring the next generation of dancers across the Gold Coast. At ADE, Giselle is celebrated for her professionalism, inspiring presence, and ability to nurture both technical excellence and expressive artistry in every student.

Bronte Hull, originally from Queensland, Australia, began dancing at age four and trained at the prestigious Australian Ballet School. She launched her professional career with a soloist role in Don Quixote for the Australian Dancers Company before accepting a contract with the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB).

Bronte’s exceptional talent saw her perform lead roles, including the title role in Christopher Hampson’s Cinderella and many classical favourites such as the Cygnets in Swan Lake, the Yellow Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Swanhilda in Coppelia, and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. She toured internationally across America, Hong Kong, Europe, and the UK, performing works by renowned choreographers including Johan Kobborg, Liam Scarlett, Benjamin Millepied, and Ethan Stiefel.

A career highlight for Bronte was performing Giselle alongside mentor Gillian Murphy and collaborating closely with the RNZB education department, delivering masterclasses and workshops nationwide. She also guest taught at the New Zealand School of Dance and other prestigious institutions.

Koa Bertossa is a passionate and versatile dancer who undertook professional training at the prestigious Tanzakademie Zürich in Switzerland. Before moving overseas, she was accepted into the Youth America Grand Prix and received numerous accolades while training on the Gold Coast, highlighting her exceptional talent and dedication from a young age.

With a strong background in classical ballet and contemporary dance, Koa brings international experience and a unique artistic perspective to her teaching. She is committed to helping students develop refined technique, expressive movement, and a genuine love for dance in a supportive, inspiring environment.

Amy Love is a qualified Physiotherapist (Hons), experienced dance teacher, certified Clinical Pilates instructor, and former professional dancer and personal trainer. With a unique blend of medical expertise and dance experience, Amy offers a comprehensive, movement-focused approach to supporting young dancers both in and out of the studio.

Amy was accepted into and trained at the prestigious School of Contemporary Dancers in Canada, where she developed a deep understanding of movement, performance, and injury prevention. Her background as a dancer allows her to connect with students on both a technical and physical level, helping them build strength, flexibility, and resilience.

Amy currently works with ADE dancers on strength, mobility, and injury rehabilitation, ensuring they train safely and perform at their best. Her sessions are tailored, educational, and grounded in current physiotherapy principles.

Kelsey Walton is a passionate contemporary dance teacher and coach known for her dynamic teaching style and commitment to nurturing individual dancer potential. With extensive experience in contemporary techniques and choreography, Kelsey inspires students to explore creative movement, express their unique artistry, and develop strong technical skills.

Her coaching approach balances discipline with encouragement, helping dancers build confidence and performance presence both in class and on stage. Kelsey’s dedication to personalized guidance supports students at all levels to achieve their goals, from competition preparation to developing their own dance voice.

At ADE, Kelsey leads contemporary classes and works closely with performance teams, fostering an inclusive environment where every dancer can thrive and grow.

Holly is a passionate Acro teacher at ADE, bringing energy and precision to every class. Currently in her third year of studying Physiotherapy at Griffith University Gold Coast, she combines her knowledge of body mechanics and movement science to help students improve their strength, flexibility, and technique safely. Holly’s dedication to dance and health makes her a valuable part of our team, supporting dancers both in the studio and beyond.