Meet the teachers
Larissa Hughes
Owner and teacher
Larissa quickly showed her love of dance when she stepped into her first pair of ballet shoes at the young age of five. For the next 12 years she would study RAD ballet and jazz with New Zealand Academy of Modern Dance (NZAMD). This led to major exams including Solo Diploma at the age of 17, which is the highest level in NZAMD. She expanded her dance into hip hop and contemporary and in her last year of High School was given the opportunity to teach dance kids dance classes.This was just the beginning.
Larissa’s love of dance teaching would continue during her years at University in New Zealand where she took classes covering a wide range of styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical and musical theatre. In 2010 Larissa moved to Australia where she took on teaching roles at dance schools in Tocumwal, Shepparton and then Melbourne. She taught classes in a variety of dance styles with students of various ages. In 2014 Larissa travelled to and spent some time in London and during her time there, continued her passion to teach dance.
In 2019 Larissa was given a great opportunity to continue the dance arm of Creative Learning Centre in Moonee Ponds and so established Creativity Dance Studios. Larissa’s love for teaching dance to kids has grown even more. She enjoys watching the children learn and for her it is all about the students.
Nicole Cain
Teacher
Nicole’s passion for dance began at the early age of three when she performed on stage for the first time. Dancing and performance would become a big focus in her life over the next 14 years, studying Royal Academy of Dance ballet and New Zealand Association of Modern Dance (NZAMD). She also studied Hip Hop and Contemporary Dance.
Moving with her family to Northern Victoria in 2007. She auditioned for a place at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance in Melbourne and became a
full-time student there in 2010, completing a certificate in Performance Development which included dance, singing and musical theatre.
Nicole first started teaching kids dance classes in Shepparton in 2008 whilst still at High School. She taught Fairy Ballet in Melbourne and syllabus ballet in Warrnambool, where she also took private lessons choregraphing Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop and Jazz Dance competition pieces for students. Nicole began teaching kids dance classes at CDS in 2019. She loves that the students get to be themselves, want to learn new styles and can be expressive in a fun and welcoming environment. Nicole has extended her love of teaching into the school classroom and in 2023 commenced as a full-time grade three teacher.
Liv Feeny
Teacher
Born in Odisha, India, and raised in rural Victoria, Australia, Liv’s dance journey began at the age of seven. A highly versatile dancer, Liv has trained in and taught a wide range of styles over 16 years.
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Growing up in a small country town, Liv trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, and lyrical at her local dance school. She began her teaching journey at age 14 as a student teacher, choreographing and leading classes for younger dance students. As a teenager, she began self- training in Indian dance forms, including semi-classical, folk, Garba, Kuthu, Kathak-fusion, and Bollywood. This deepened her connection to her cultural roots and shaped her signature fusion
style.
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While studying at university, Liv launched her own dance platform, offering cultural workshops across Melbourne and Bendigo. She has developed a distinctive voice in fusion choreography. Liv’s work celebrates the intersection of her Indian and Australian heritage, creating space for dancers to explore identity, culture, and expression through movement.
Passionate about dance, Liv’s greatest joy comes not from performing, but from creating choreography that others can connect with and enjoy. Her teaching style weaves together storytelling, mindfulness, and cultural connection. Liv sees dance as meditation in motion and a powerful medium for personal storytelling. She encourages her students to move with intention, emotion, and authenticity.
Liv has recently graduated from her psychology studies at
university, and is now working in mental health support and advocacy, alongside her dance teaching.
Gaye Tutus (pronounced Gaia)
Teacher
Growing up in Turkey, Gaye (pronounced Gaia) began her ballet journey at the age of eight, with the Ankara State Opera and Ballet.
At the age of 11 after completing three years of initial foundational training and passing an entrance exam where the entry is very competitive, Gaye was accepted into the Ankara State Conservatory (middle school), where she continued her dance training, along-side her education, with the goal of becoming a professional ballerina.
The Turkish school system comprises of two terms each year and at the end of each term at the Ankara Conservatory, Gaye would take part in performances and ballet exams. She continued her education into High school, finishing a year early after graduating second in the school and first in the Ballet Department. She continued on to University and was given the opportunity to start dancing professionally at the age of 17, with the Ankara State Opera and Ballet, performing in iconic productions such as Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Nutcracker. During this time, Gaye began to develop a strong passion for teaching and went on to complete her teacher training through Ballet Conservatoire, based on the Vaganova Method.This technique which forms the foundation of her approach, was developed in the early 20 thcentury by Russian dancer and teacher Agrippina Vaganova, and is a method known for its emphasis on clean lines, precise technique, and expressive artistry.
In 2022, Gaye injured her ankle and required six months recovery. Wanting to use her time well, she began learning English and three months later, moved to Sydney to live with family. Being immersed in the language and a new environment, she has become fluent in English. She took up classes at the Sydney Dance Company which helped with both her recovery and stay connected to dance.
Hearing that Melbourne has a unique personality and is very rich in art, Gaye made the move from Sydney and started Screen and Media studies, learning a different perspective on performing arts.
Previously in Turkey, she had taught at other schools, she creates a calm and creative environment, where students can enjoy ballet and not just repeat movements. Gaye believes ballet should be inspiring and enjoyable, with a focus on helping students feel comfortable and confident in class, creating a space where they can challenge themselves, whilst still enjoying the process. She is passionate about nurturing artistry, musicality and self-belief in every dancer, along with building strong technical foundations in dance.
When Gaye is not teaching at CDS, she works as a freelance dancer, across a variety of creative projects. She has danced with Dancebourne Arts, International Arts Ballet Theatre and Ballet of Lights. Her next upcoming show if you would like to see her dance is 22nd March in Sleeping beauty ballet of lights.
Lily Clark
Student teacher
Alex Roberts
Student teacher
Alex has been dancing since she was 3 years old with Lily. Alex enjoys lyrical the most but also does jazz and ballet and contemporary also she is keen on sports playing cricket and hockey and also enjoys guitar, she is looking forward to sharing her love of dance with the younger students
Lily has been dancing since she was 2 year old. She joined Creative learning centre with Robyn and her passion for dance has grown ever since. She started doing creative ballet and has taken up more and more genres through the years. She now does creative ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz and strength and stretch. She has expanded her love of dance and has started teaching the younger students. She loves to help them grow and share her passion with them.