meet the staff
meet the staff
KATJA DAVIS-RAISS RAD (MISS KATJA)
PRINCIPAL & STUDIO OWNER
RAD
Katja Davis-Raiss began her dance training with the Jess Morrison and Doris Porter School of Dance at the age of two and a half. In 2000 the studio transformed and became Lamont Dance Studio where Katja continued her training until the end of high school. She was one of the first students to enrol and be educated in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical and Hip Hop.
Katja attended Mackellar Girls High School and was part of the first intake of students to be involved in an accelerated dance program. Throughout her years at high school, Katja was involved in School Spectacular, Rock Eisteddfod and the school dance ensembles. In her final year, Katja joined the NSW State dance ensemble and received a band 6 for her HSC Dance.
Katja went on to study full time dance at Ed5 International for 2 years. She graduated Ed5 with a Certificate IV in Performing Arts and a Diploma of Performing Arts and then continued her acting training at NIDA. Her professional credits include ‘Home and Away’, NRL Centenary Opening (choreographed by Dein Perry), Opening Ceremony of the Pacific School Games and Youth Olympics.
Katja has been teaching for over 13 years at multiple dance studios across the northern beaches. She completed her Pilates Mat training in 2018 and her Foam Roller Pilates training in 2019, both through Studio Pilates. She is a qualified Angelina Ballerina Coaching Academy Teacher, Pilates Instructor and is experienced in teaching the Glenn Wood Tap Syllabus and Tapatak Oz Syllabus. This year, Katja completed her Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies.
In 2022 Katja fulfilled her lifelong dream and took over Lamont Dance Theatre as principal of the school. Since taking ownership of the studio Katja has rebranded and Katapult Performing Arts continues to be one of the Northern Beaches leading dance studios.
“My hope is to continue assisting students in achieving their dreams and guiding them through their love of dance, creating the safe and nurturing ‘home’ that I was lucky enough to have as a dance student growing up.”
NATHAN BROOK (MR NATHAN)
Ballet Teacher
Nathan was born and raised in Avalon Beach, New South Wales. He started dance classes at the age of seven after his parents recognised that, no matter what the music, Nathan was always dancing. He trained at Lamont Dance School in Avalon Beach, with Aryana Lamont, until the age of 14, when he moved to Melbourne to attend The Australian Ballet School. After graduating, Nathan joined Queensland Ballet’s Young Artist Program, where he had the opportunity to perform in George Balanchine’s Serenade© and Sir Kenneth McMillan’s Romeo and Juliet. He joined Queensland Ballet proper in 2015, touring with the company to Lausanne, London and Shanghai. Nathan joined the corps de ballet of The Australian Ballet in 2016; he was promoted to coryphée in 2018, soloist in 2019, and to senior artist in 2022.
Nathan left The Australian Ballet in March 2024.
Nathan is so excited to be returning to the studios where it all began for him as a dancer and to pass on his knowledge, training, expertise and love of dance to the students of Katapult!
ARAD, LIFE MEMBER ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE
Suzanne Way trained at both The Australian Ballet School and The Royal Ballet School in London and was privately coached for principal roles in The Royal Ballet Company by the famous masters Dame Ninette de Valois, Sir Kenneth MacMillan and Sir Peter Wright.
At the invitation of Dame Peggy Van Praagh, Suzanne returned to Australia as a soloist with The Australian Ballet Company. Suzanne resided in the U.S.A. for 10 years, as a faculty member of the Washington Academy of Performing Arts, establishing a curriculum for full-time students and an outreach program presented in Elementary schools. Here she held teacher workshops to improve technical standards across the grades.
Suzanne coached many successful students with 100% placement into pre-professional programs both in Australia and overseas.
CHLOE TAYLOR (MISS CHLOE)
Teacher
Chloe Taylor has completed her Certificate IV in Performing Arts and Dance. Chloe began training full-time whilst studying school via correspondence at 13 years old receiving numerous scholarships and under the guidance of many internationally recognised choreographers.
After graduating Chloe went on to train in Marko Panzics ‘Show Business’ course and also signed with Sydney’s Jeep Management. Chloe has trained under many well known teachers including Rhapsody James, Jacquie Howard, Marko Panzic, Mathew Gode , Leah Howard, Euan Doidge and many more.
Some of her credits include; Hailee Steinfeld, Macklemore, The Veronicas and dancing for the The Final series of The Voice au contestants. Numerous Corporate functions.
Chloe began teaching at the age of 14 assisting many top choreographers. Since then she has taught at many studios and full-time dance schools.
Chloe’s love for dance and choreography has seen many of her students and troupes go on to win national and international titles.
WILLA BELL KLEMM (MISS WILLA)
Teacher
Willa began her training at Lamont Dance Theatre from the age of 5, training in Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap and Ballet.
In 2013 she was awarded the Lamont Dance Theatre Rap/Hip Hop Scholarship and in 2016 the Lamont Dance and Theatre Senior Scholarship and has completed her RAD Intermediate Exam.
Willa has featured in an ANZ TV commercial directed by Jane Campion in 2015 and has completed Dance Editorial’s Pre Professional Dance Course, receiving training from various Australian and International dance industry professionals. In 2017 she was selected to perform in their stage production ‘Love is Love’ as a protege where she was mentored by choreographer Tyson Almond. Following this opportunity, Willa was cast as an ensemble dancer in Dance Editorial’s 2019 production.
Willa completed her full time dance education at Brent Street in 2020.
Willa believes it is so special being able to show emotion through movement and strives to pass on her love and knowledge to the younger children.
Willa is currently performing in 'Gatsby at the Green Light' in the iconic Sydney Opera House.
LILY BOFFA (MISS LILY)
Teacher
Lily started her training at Lamont Dance Theatre at the age of 3, in all styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop and contemporary. She was awarded the junior scholarship award in 2014 and the senior award scholarship in 2018.
In 2017 Lily completed the Dance Editorial Pre Professional Dance Course and then continued her contemporary dance training under Loredo Malcolm in The LOcREaDO Company performing in “The Variety” and “Affinity” shows. From this program she was selected to be apart of his Touring Company, performing in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.
In the final years of schooling Lily completed her dance training at Elite Performance Studios and Stella Maris College in Manly under the direction of Rochelle Jones.
After high school Lily continued her training at Dance Force full time school on the Gold Coast for two years where she completed her PreProfessional training, involving choreographers from all over the world. She was then given the opportunity to tour Australia, performing as part of their graduation tour in 2021 and 2022.
Lily’s passion for dance and choreography comes from the idea that everybody can express themselves through movement and feel comfortable doing something they love, in a nurturing environment.
CHAVAUGN ODENDAAL (MISS CHAVAUGN)
RAD Ballet Teacher
Chavaugn began dancing in South Africa at the age of 4. After moving to Australia when she was 6, Chavaugn trained at a handful of dance schools across the Northern Beaches before commencing training in RAD ballet, contemporary, lyrical and jazz at Dynamite Premiere Academy.
Chavaugn’s love of dance and movement led her to a career teaching ballet, contemporary and lyrical dance and Pilates. In 2019 she completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, with the Royal Academy of Dance and her APPI Pilates Instructor Certification in 2021.
Chavaugn is currently undertaking a Bachelor in Physiotherapy at ACU with the intention to combine her love and knowledge of Ballet, Pilates and the human body. In the future, Chavaugn hopes to be able to work with dancers in not only their dance training but in injury prevention and rehabilitation, as well as creating programs to help with strength and conditioning, specialising to the needs of a dancer.
CURIE KIM (MISS CURIE)
Teacher
Curie always had a lot of passion and love for dancing growing up. She is trained in various different styles of dance and loves to share her passion and knowledge with the new and upcoming generation of dancers.
She grew up dancing in the Northern beaches, then went to Brent Street Academy and finished year 11 and 12 graduating with her Cert IV in dance. She then completed fulltime at Brent Street and graduated with her Advance Diploma of Professional Dance in 2023. During her 5 years at Brent Street she has trained under many industry professionals such as Cassie Bartho, Paris Cav, Stephen Tannos, Jacob Yarr, Veronica Beattie and many others.
She has been lucky to be given various opportunities such as back up dancing for Tones and I at the FIFA women's world cup, Dancing for Jazz K at the Sky fire festival, was the feature dancer of musical videos and appeared on several corporate gigs.
Curie loves watching her students grow and improve each week and loves to be a part of their dance journey.
ASHLEIGH MCNAMARA (MISS ASHLEIGH)
RAD Ballet Teacher
Ashleigh trained full-time at the National College of Dance, graduating in 2020 where she gained recognition for both her choreographic work and her performance asUrsula in their production of The Little Mermaid.
She has completed her formal examinations in RAD Ballet and has trained in Contemporary, Classical Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap, Horton and Graham technique. She has featured in commercial and creative projects for Façon Magazine and Mchoreography and as a performer with Interchange Dance Company.
Ashleigh is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance having earned her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies at Brent Street. She is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and Progressing Contemporary Technique and she enjoys being able to adjudicate across Sydney.
Ashleigh’s approach to teaching focuses on inspiring self-expression while encouraging students to embrace curiosity and explore their own creative movement practises.
LAURA RAVENSCROFT (MISS LAURA)
Singing Teacher
Laura has had a passion for Singing and Musical Theatre since a young age. Her qualifications include a Bachelor Degree in Music (Musical Theatre) from the Australian Institute of Music followed by a Graduate Diploma of Secondary Education in Music from Southern Cross University.
Laura was a vocalist with the Australian Girls Choir since the age of 12 and was lucky enough to travel and perform overseas and around Australia multiple times. After graduating high school Laura continued on to become a manager and tutor for several years for the Australian Girls Choir whilst also studying her two university degrees. Laura has over 15 years of experience in vocal tutoring and specialises in a range of styles with a strong focus on vocal technique.
Laura has been teaching music at a girls high school on Sydney's Northern Beaches since 2015 and also runs a small Performing Arts company. She has spent most of the last decade in the classroom teaching years 7-12, directing multiple vocal ensembles and Musical productions including, Hairspray, Rent, Legally Blonde, Matilda The Musical and various others.
Testimonials
Katapult is a wonderful dance school! My daughter is a senior student and has always been taught and mentored by professional teachers with amazing talent - she absolutely loves going to dance! The Principal, Miss Katja has made the school into a fun and loving environment but also challenges her students to work hard and achieve their best. I have been very impressed with Miss Katja’s concern and care for the health and wellbeing of all her students. The dancing community created at Katapult is amazing - we love it and the concerts are outstanding!!
Kelly B.
Katapult Performing Arts continues to be an amazing dance school for my daughters. The teachers are professional, approachable and knowledgeable. They have a passion and love for dance, and provide a positive and supportive environment for students.
Katja is an inspirational dance studio principal. She is friendly, enthusiast and very dedicated to the school and its students. She has taught all three of my daughters over the past 12 years and has always ensured they are enjoying their dancing, whilst encouraging them to grow and develop as dancers.
Katapult Performing Arts is more than just a dance studio – lifetime friendships are made, and valuable life skills such as resilience, self confidence, respect and teamwork are developed.
I highly recommend Katapult Performing Arts to anyone looking to join a wonderful dance school.
Kylie E.
Contact Us
ADDRESS & HOURS
74 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach NSW 2107, Australia
Monday: 9:30 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday: 2–8:30 PM
Thursday: 2–8:30 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM–6:30 PM
Saturday: 8 AM–3:30 PM
Sunday Closed
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About
Katapult Performing Arts is located at Avalon Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
With 2 fully equipped studios in one convenient location, Katapult has fast become the place to go for students of any level to develop and sustain their chosen craft.
Established in the year 2000, our studio continues to provide a family atmosphere that encourages self-expression and enjoyment in dance and theatre.
Opening Hours
Monday: 9:30 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:30–8:30 PM
Thursday: 9:30–8:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
Saturday: 8 AM–3:30 PM
Sunday: Closed
ADDRESS: 74 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach NSW 2107, Australia
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +61 2 9918 7304
Mobile: 0493 637 420
We acknowledge and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
@ Copyright 2025 - Katapult Performing Arts - All rights reserved
