Tutors

Peta Markham-Ward - Owner/DirectorPeta Inspire 

With 30 years teaching, adjudicating and performing experience under her belt Peta Markham-Ward’s passion is to create a greater awareness of the Performing Arts and the importance of fitness to our youth – particularly in the Western Suburbs of Sydney where she grew up and still resides– giving students opportunities  to achieve personal and industry success.

 

Peta is the passionate owner and director of INSPIRE Dance & Fitness but her former roles as CAPTIVATE Commercial Dance Ensemble Coordinator, Dance Program Coordinator for Parramatta Catholic Education and  Dance / PDHPE teacher in secondary schools along with several private studio roles has lead her to where she is today.

 

Peta has trained in a variety of styles under the auspice of many great dancers, teachers and choreographers. Her main inspiration in dance was Robyn E Dixon & Ben Webster at the Johnny Young Talent School and The Australian College of Entertainment. She has taught some successful and established artists over the years and many of her past students currently run their own successful dance studios and other arts / entertainment businesses.

 

Her professional dance career started in high school with securing a contract on the P&O Fairstar in the school holidays as part of their entertainment team and since then has worked with the likes of Tina Arena, Jane Scali, Dennis Walter, the late Bobby Limb and Ricky May, Paul Mercurio along with many other artists on tour around Australia and throughout Sydney. Since retiring from performing Peta has taught dance at many established dance studios and schools along with teaching fitness, conditioning, Zumba®, ZumbAtomic® and HOT HULA® fitness  at various health clubs, gyms, schools and community halls. She also creates and choreographs for many events – including small and large sporting events, corporate & charity dinners and community events.

 

Peta’s main goal is to teach student’s (young and old) not just skills of dance and fitness but skills for life; including respect, team work, determination, confidence, importance of goal setting, how to dream big, commitment and how to succeed.

 


 

Aaron - Inspire Dance Instructor

Aaron’s love of performing arts was heightened as he completed his HSC at Northmead Creative & Performing Arts High studying both Dance & Drama. He then continued his fulltime studies and scholarship program with Urban Dance Centre in 2007-2008.

 

Since graduating from FT studies Aaron has choreographed & danced professionally in numerous commercial and kids shows as well as performing at numerous cultural events with his Indian community. Performances have included “Grease the Musical” amateur musical society, Wild Aussies & Bob the Builder kids shows, East meets West – London & Sydney, dancer in film “Unindian”, So You Think You Can Dance Season 1 and commercials abroad.

 

Currently Aaron owns his own successful dance studio in the Hills district and is a sort after teacher at several private dance studios and educational schools. Aaron’s knowledge and passion for the arts shines through with his joyous teaching style.

 


  

Zita - Inspire Fitness Instructor  Zumba

Zita has always been a late bloomer. She discovered she loved dancing and not bad at it

in 2003, she was 36 years young. She was encouraged by a friend to take up Latin dancing and loved it! From then on, Zita took up ballroom, swing, tango and other

styles. Then she stopped dancing for two years and started to get health issues.

 

After the recreational dancing years, Zita decided to hit the fitness scene in 2009. She was 42 had high cholesterol and was putting on extra weight so decided to join an outdoor fitness group to get her health issues dealt with and told herself to ?stick with it?. Once she started there was no stopping her even in the cold winter months. Zita did well, beyond her expectations! She then discovered the Zumba fitness craze and loved it because she was dancing again to beautiful Latin music and dancing to world rhythms! 

 

Now at 51 years young, Zita is healthier, has a spring in her step, is lean and eating right. 50 is the new 30. Now she teaches boxing, bootcamps, Zumba Fitness and Zumba kids. She loves her job as a fitness instructor, the reward in seeing other people?s journey into a healthier lifestyle is gold. She discovered for herself that you are never too old to find your passion...go for it and enjoy the journey.

 


 

Rachael - Inspire Dance & Fitness Instructor

Rachael has been with INSPIRE Dance & Fitness for a year now and is a dedicated and passionate instructor. All of her students respond well to her classes and always walk out with a smile on their faces knowing that they have achieved something because of her great teaching methods.

 

She is a qualified Zumba® Fitness & Zumbatomic® Instructor with a Cert 3 in Fitness & Senior First Aid.  She is also a ZIN who is registered with Zumba.com.

 

Rachael has been a dancer since the age of 5, where she studied all styles of dance. 

After completing a Ba. Leisure Studies & Grad Dip in Leisure Mgnt, Rachael opened up

her own dance school, which is currently in its 13th year of operation

 

Rachael states ?I am a motivated person who is very organised with a bright & bubbly personality.  I work hard & do my best to achieve whatever is given to me with the best result. I take pleasure in teaching & instructing as I enjoy the class?s energy & motivation.  I'm extremely passionate about Zumba® & currently instruct 21 classes per week.?

 


 

Ilona - Inspire Dance & Conditioning InstructorStretch & Strength

Ilona has worked for Inspire Dance & Fitness since 2013. She has been teaching all facets of dance for the past
29 years. She is a graduate of Glen Street Academy, where she studied full time ballet under the direction of Tanya Pearson and Janece Green.

 

Ilona is also a qualified LGTDA tap and ISTD modern and tap teacher. She has worked extensively for Warner Bros Australia and has choreographed for school musicals, state dance festivals and many other productions.

Ilona opened Dance Creation in 1994 and successfully ran the studio for 20 years. At the end of 2013, she made the decision to close her studio. She is now specialising in ballet and other dance styles and is freelancing at various studios and schools across Sydney.

 

It is evident Ilona loves what she does as the students always walk out of class with a smile on their faces and their results speak for themselves.

 


 

Daniel - Inspire Dance & Dance Group Fitness Instructor

 Daniel is a passionate self-taught dancer that has allowed his determination and love for dance and fitness to lead him down multiple avenues of performance and teaching. He has worked in private dance studios and in educational schools for the past 6 years. He has created and runs his own hiphop based dance group fitness program which he currently runs 10 classes a week in gyms, community halls and schools.

 

In 2014 he landed his first stage role as Grandmaster Chad in Penrith Musical Comedy Company’s amateur premiere of “Legally Blonde”. The following year he played Graffiti Pete in the NSW amateur premiere of “In The Heights”. Also in 2015 he returned as the choreographer for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and has since choreographed “The Boy from Oz”.

 

Daniel’s successful choreographical works have won several competitions including the 2017 TET Factor and seen him create several works into YouTube concept videos.

 

Daniel’s infectious energy and encouraging demeanour keeps students engaged and allows them to feel they have achieved great things. He wants young dancers to realise that anything is achievable when you believe in yourself and work hard.

 


 

Zane - Self Defence, Martial Arts, Kickboxing & Bootcamp Women's Self Defense

Zane is passionate about teaching personal tactical defence skills in the community, with a particular interest in coaching women and young adults.  He believes that, equipped with the right knowledge, awareness, and skills, these vulnerable groups would be able to feel confident and remain safe by avoiding and/or managing potentially dangerous situations.

 

He has held a Ninjutsu Black Belt since 1993 and has been instructing Ju-jutsu and Ninjutsu?s Taijutsu since 1996. Zane has also competed in 6 kickboxing amateur ring bouts and although he no longer competes, he currently teaches women?s kickboxing classes and provide one-on-one coaching in boxing and kickboxing.

 

In addition to this, he holds qualifications and trade experience in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, as well as teaching English internationally with a TESOL Foundation Course certificate.

 


 

Jess - Inspire Dance Instructor

Jess has trained in some of the most prestigious performing arts studios both in Australia and the USA including Broadway Dance Centre (NY), The Edge Performing Arts Centre (LA), NIDA, TAFTA and other Industry dance studios.

 

Her professional career began at 4 on TV show Richmond Hill and since then Jess has appeared on TV shows including Home & Away, CNNN &High Life (LA). Films have included Son of the Mask, Me Myself I & Academy; Theatre including Nightmares Extreme Scream Park, The Jewellers Shop, Direct from Broadway Winner of 7 Tony’s and Leading Ladies and several TVC including McDonalds, Jenny Craig and Nude by Nature.

 

Jess has also performed & choreographed for various events & TV shows including The Megan ullally Show, Mornings with Kerrie-Anne, Carnival, Industry, Make-a-Wish and Special Olympics Australia. She is also the Director of internationally recognised company J.O International Productions which not only engages in professional performances but supports many causes including her passion of Arts within the disabled community.

 

Jess shares her time between USA & Australia where she performs, produces, teaches and provides opportunities for young artists.

 


 

Melissa - Inspire Fitness Instructor

Melissa has been a Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer for 5years. She decided to step away from accounting to take on a new journey that has led her to where she is today. She had always been into dancing and various sports throughout her teenage years and adult life.

 

Melissa is highly qualified with her Cert 3 & 4 in Fitness, Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA Fitness Instructor, Prenatal/Postnatal Trainer, Dance Fitness Instructor for Latino Aerobics, Zumba, The Jungle Body and Ujam Fitness along with Strength & Conditioning, Circuit, HIIT and Bootcamp PT sessions.

 

She loves motivating others with her passion for dance and fitness and helping change people’s lives is very rewarding. Melissa mainly focusses on her Dance Fitness classes to provide a fun way for people to keep fit. She also does a lot of charity work to help give back to the community by using the skills that she has developed – these include but not limited to Relay For Life, Beyond Blue Fundraiser & YMCA Open Day.