Our Team

Ballroom Baby Geelong is run by a team of dedicated staff who love to dance. We have a variety of experienced instructors and assistants, as well as contractors who teach at our studio. Read the profiles of our senior staff below.

  • As founder, director and principal, Zac is the leader of our Ballroom Baby community.

    Raised in Geelong and dancing since age 10, Zac was fortunate to train with some of Melbourne’s best coaches and studios, competing succesfully around Australia and internationally. Following a time living abroad, Zac returned to Geelong to create a new type of experience for young and old dancers alike and revitalise ballroom for the 2020’s. Now, at age 30, Zac is one of the youngest adjudicators on Melbourne’s comeptition circuit, specialising in the New Vogue category and has operated Ballroom Baby for almost 10 years. 

    “I feel incredibly proud of what Ballroom Baby is, and the work we have all done in bringing it to life. It’s a place full of creative, positive energy and means so much to so many people - it is really humbling to be at the helm of the ship. Dancing is in my blood and I follow in the quicksteps of my grandparents who were also studio proprietors”.

    Zac leads our adult social, advanced and experienced classes and is available for private lessons, particularly in the ballroom and new vogue styles for competition and high level medals.

  • Justine has been dancing for over 40+ years. She has studied a wide variety of genres over that period and had success both as a competitor and professional dance teacher/choreographer. Justine has additional experience with Musical Theatre and Dance Curriculum within the educational sector. 

    Thanks to years of extensive training, brilliant and renown teachers Justine’s proficiencies include:

    • Ballroom – Standard, New Vogue and Latin

    • Tap, Jazz, Lyrical

    • Contemporary and

    • Musical Theatre to name a few.

    Justine contracts for choreography and movement within educational settings, theatres and studios.  Her philosophy emphasises well-being and self-assurance and she excels with special needs and autistic children.

    Justine is available for private lessons, particularly in the latin style for competition and high level medals. She also heads up our kids classes and performance classes.

  • Tammy began dancing later in life, training in Melbourne and completing medals in all styles including latin and street latin.

    After teaching in Melbourne, Tammy operated her own studio in Bendigo for a number of years before moving to Geelong and joining Ballroom Baby. Tammy loves teaching and sharing her knowledge with all the new people at Ballroom Baby.

    Tammy leads our introduction dance classes. She is available for private lessons for social dancing and weddings.

  • Mel has been dancing since age 3 and ballroom dancing since age 14. Having trained in Queensland, England and Melbourne, Mel now resides in Geelong and teaches at Ballroom Baby Geelong. Mel is also a regular participant in Dancesport competitions.

    Mel leads our advanced dance classes, as well as debutante training programs.

  • Leighton started dancing locally in early childhood and was a mainstay of the Australian competitive circuit for many years. At age 22 he packed his bags for England where he would train under world leading coaches for 6 years, and compete against the worlds best. After returning to Australia he joined the Professional division and has since made every major final in the country. After working as a freelance coach for many years, in 2021 he founded Dance Lumiere, aiming to share his love for Ballroom dance to the next generation of Australian dancers.

    He is passionate about introducing dancing to as many new people as possible, focusing on sound fundamentals from the very beginning, and promoting confidence and inclusivity as part of the coaching process; to produce not just excellent dancers, but people too.

    Leighton joins us weekly from Dance Lumiere in Melbourne and is available for private lessons on a Monday.

  • At the age of 14, Shane started his dance career in Brisbane Queensland, rapidly rise through the ranks, he decided to move to Perth WA, After 5 years in Perth with many State & National wins, Shane then moved to London to train with some of the world masters. Shane returned to Australia where he turned Professional making all State & National finals.

    Shane decided Melbourne was the place to be for their career where they achieved every state and national final including 3rd at the Australian Dancesport Championships - Professional Rising Star Latin American.

    Shane is available for private lessons for competition, medals, social and weddings.

Interested in working with us?

Ballroom Baby is always open to hearing from experienced ballroom dancers who may want to start or continue their coaching career with us. We have a variety of options including direct employment, floor hire or consulting - or our ‘cadetship’ program for new teachers.

Send us an email to hello@babygeelong.com.au which includes; a brief introduction of yourself, relevant ballroom dance experience and qualifications, other relevant employment history and availability. We look forward to hearing from you! ​​