Faculty
Our school is very proud of the calibre of staff we attract. They are dedicated professionals drawn from a variety of International experiences with one goal in common; to guide students in experiencing the joy of dance. We are fortunate to utilise their combined experience and sound ethics to achieve outstanding results.
Michelle Hofmann
Principal, Ballet
Introduced to ballet as a child while living in Munich, Germany, Michelle Hofmann pursued her training in Australia despite there being no ballet schools nearby; with her parents driving a 300 km round trip to Whyalla to attend classes with Joyce Clothier.
Being so passionate about ballet, it was agreed that she would leave home at 14 years of age and move to Adelaide to access further training opportunities.
She trained full-time with Sheila Laing RAD Examiner who also mentored her as a teacher. Later she trained with and taught for Elayne Cherry, and was given the opportunity to take over a school in Tanunda while the teacher was on leave for a year.
In 1989 Michelle moved back to Munich, Germany and continued training at Dance Centre Iwanson where she had the opportunity of training with many different teachers and then worked as a professional dancer with Stadt Theatre St Poelton, Austria.
Teaching ballet was always a passion however, and not being satisfied teaching for others, Michelle decided to open Turning Point Dance upon her return to Adelaide in 1996 with an aim to give all students the opportunity to pursue a career in dance should they choose. This goal persists, insisting on great care in dancer’s training, staying current with changes in teaching methods and learning from other teachers, examiners and practitioners (physios, podiatrists, psychologists, pilates and yoga) She strives to provide students with excellent teachers in all genres of dance to give them an edge should they wish to pursue a career in dance or dance teaching.
Watching children grow and mature and generally being part of their lives has been an immense privilege for Michelle. Passing on her passion for dance, she finds that they in turn, inspire her to develop her teaching skills. Every student is unique and learn in different ways, and she enjoys the challenge of helping them all achieve their personal best.
Miki Rafinian
BAllet & Contemporary
Miki Rafinian was born and raised in Kanazawa City, Japan and started her training as a nine-year-old. After completing her secondary education, she moved to Melbourne and trained with Melbourne Dance Academy with principal Rex Reid and teachers Anne Jenner and Dale Baker. Miki went on to train at the Queensland University of Technology and gained her Associate Degree as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Miki has been teaching ballet and contemporary dance for seventeen years.
Miki has been with TPD for many years teaching Contemporary dance, Ballet, Limber, Pilates and continues to nurture and guide students towards their pathways in dance.
Jorselle Sison
Jazz &Tap
I discovered my love of dance in 2007 when I started training at Turning Point Dance. I have trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary, and participated in ACB (now BC) and RAD Ballet exams and CSTD Tap Exams with high distinctions. I enjoyed the thrill and team spirit when participating in regional competitions in Ballet, Jazz, and Tap troupes. My love for dance has never waned over the many years of coming to the studio. Inspired by the teachers, I became an assistant teacher and have chosen to follow a teaching career. I am studying Bachelor of Secondary Education (Honours) at the University of South Australia and Certificate IV in Assistant Dance teaching. I love teaching and am excited to pass on the skills and knowledge I have learned over the 15 years I have been learning. I love meeting new students and creating a positive and welcoming bond in my classroom. With the challenges that teaching comes with, I am determined to support my students in as many ways as possible; I love seeing them progress immensely and am proud of their achievements, big or small.
STefaan Morrow
pas de deux & ACRO
Born in Adelaide, South Australia, Stefaan began his training in classical ballet at age 9, under the tutelage of Tatiana Slezenova and Terry Simpson. He commenced further study at the New Zealand School of Dance, on full scholarship in 2012.
During his time at NZSD he was chosen to represent the school at the gala of the Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong, as a guest artist.
Stefaan joined Singapore Dance Theatre in 2014, touring across Asia, and performing a wide range of classical and contemporary pieces from notable choreographers such as George Balanchine, Nils Christe, Natalie Weir and Ma Cong.
Later in 2016 he commenced work with Theatre Pforzheim in Germany, where he stayed for 2 years, touring and performing in numerous dance galas with companies from across Europe and beyond.
Stefaan then accepted a contract with the contemporary company Zfin Malta Dance Ensemble, performing in Malta and Germany, before moving back to Adelaide in 2019.
Upon returning home, he was contracted with Lewis Major Projects, performing in various professional contemporary dance works, including at the Adelaide Festival. He most recently completed national and international performance tours with the company in 2024/25.
Stefaan has been teaching and adjudicating dance competitions throughout his career overseas and at home and is currently guiding the next generation of young dancers in South Australia and interstate. tina combines her gymnastics and cheerleading expertise to teach children of all ages and skill levels. She is committed to making acrobatics both fun and rewarding, whether her students are mastering foundational techniques or pushing themselves to achieve advanced skills.
AIDEN MUNN
contemporary dance
Aidan Kane Munn has been a dance artist in South Australia for 35 years enjoying a diverse and successful career, working with many fantastic people and outstanding artists. Performing and creating work for people throughout Australia, Asia and Europe. Since 2006 Aidan has directed his career toward choreography and sharing his love of dance through teaching
Graduating from the Australian Ballet School (1989), Aidan’s career includes work with Australian Dance Theatre, Leigh Warren and Dancers, State Opera of South Australia, Outlet Dance, Buzz Circus, Da Whyze Guize and Slack Taxi.
Aidan has created several of his own productions as well as choreographed for Adelaide Centre of Performing Arts, Adelaide Fringe Festival, No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability, Auguste, Brink Productions, Australian Dance Theatre, Various People Inc, Pelican Productions and the State Opera of South Australia.
Aidan has taught extensively in South Australia engagements include Adelaide Centre of Performing Arts, Flinders University, Ausdance and Australian Dance Theatre, as well teaching visiting dance companies Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sean Parker Company and DV8.
Eva Liang
BAllet & Admin
Eva joined Turning Point Dance in 2021 and has since become a valued member of the teaching team.
She holds a Bachelor of Media from the University of Adelaide (2023) and is a passionate and dedicated educator, committed to continual professional development. In 2023, she completed her Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) Teacher Training with Marie Walton-Mahon and is a registered PBT teacher.
Further expanding her knowledge of the body and movement, she became a registered Pilates instructor in 2024 after completing her Instructor Certificate with APPI.
She also holds a Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching from Victoria University, bringing a strong understanding of child development into her teaching practice.
In 2026, she graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance with a Certificate in Dance Teaching (Ballet) and is now a registered RAD teacher.
In addition to her teaching, Eva plays an important role in the day-to-day running of Turning Point Dance, working in administration and managing the school’s social media.
Eva is a thoughtful and knowledgeable teacher who is passionate about supporting each student’s development with care, clarity, and attention to detail.
JAnet Bridgman
guest teacher - Ballet / pilates
Janet has been teaching classical ballet, dance theatre, Pilates, repertoire and private coaching at Terry Simpson Studios for over 10 years. She was trained in Adelaide before beginning her ballet career with PACT Ballet, South Africa which provided the opportunity to dance with and learn from many famous names such as Anthony Dowell, Natalia Makarova, Eva Evdokimova, Istvan Nagy, and Merle Park. Galina Samsova and Andre Prokovsky. In 1976 Janet, and her Australian born husband, Anthony Bridgman, joined the London based New London Ballet, under the Directorship of Galina Samsova and Andre Prokovsky. In 1977 the pair joined the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Dusseldorf, Germany under the Directorship of Erich Walter. In 1980 Janet accepted a soloist contract with Ballett Frankfurt where she danced firstly under the Directorship of Egon Madsen and then William Forsythe. It was here that Janet danced principal roles in Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake and Giselle as well as appearing in many of Forsythe’s new works. On invitation from Uwe Scholz, Janet joined the Zurich Ballet in Switzerland and danced the final four years of her 18 year dancing career. On invitation from Meryl Tankard Janet became Rehearsal Director and Ballet Mistress of the Meryl Tankard Australian Dance Theatre where she continued in this role for seven years.
Chylie Cooper
Guest teacher - Ballet
Chylie Cooper was born in Thailand and grew up in Adelaide studying ballet with Jaqueline Tucker, Christine Underdown and performing with the South Australian Children’s Ballet Company.
Her further studies were undertaken in Perth at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts , graduating with a Diploma of Dance. In 1996 she worked with Rex Reid at Dance Theatre Victoria, then danced with David Prudham’s Australian Dancers Company in Perth for its 1998/99 seasons and with West Australian Ballet.
In 1999, Chylie joined Australian Dance Theatre in Adelaide under the direction of Garry Stewart.
Chylie then moved to Sydney and joined Sydney Dance Company in 2000. She toured with the Company throughout Australia and to the United States, Mexico, Germany, Austria, New Zealand, China and the UK.
In 2011, Chylie joined MOD Dance Company for a season premiere at Star city.
During the the past seven years Chylie has performed independently and taught
in Sydney at Newtown High School of Performing Arts and Tutustudios. She is currently teaching at the Australian Dance Theatre.
Sydney Dance Company repertoire: Stephen Petronio’s Underland; Meryl Tankard’s INUK2; Graeme Murphy’s Mythologia, Berlin, Salome, Air and other invisible forces, Free Radicals, the role of Miss Evelyn Rose and “rue de Paris’ in Tivoli, Ellipse, Random Play, the Superstar in Shades of Gray, The Bathroom duo in Some Rooms, Grand, Hua Mulan, The Director’s Cut, Ever After Ever, (appearing in highlights from Air and other invisible forces, Ellipse and Berlin) and in the premiere of Short Stories. Rafael Bonachela’s 360o and we unfold and Aszure Barton’s Sid’s Waltzing Masquerade. Narelle Benjamin’s; Gossamer.
Other career credits: MOD Dance Company; Suite Synergy West Australian Ballet: Coppelia; Australian Dance Theatre: Plastic Space, Bird Brain; David Prudham’s Australian Dancers Company: Virtuosity, Split. Dance Theatre Victoria: Peter and the Wolf.
Film and Television credits: Mao’s Last Dancer; ABC Dance Academy
Daniela Di Fabio
Guest teacher - Ballet / Pilates
I have worked in both the dance and fitness industries for over 20 years as a performer, choreographer and teacher in Australia, Asia and Europe.
After graduating from university, I became a member of the Company for Performing Artists, Thailand, before returning to Sydney where I worked for the Australian Institute of Sport (Active After School Care Program), teaching dance to children with mental and physical disabilities. I also taught the RAD ballet syllabus and choreographed for DirtyFeet and various independent and commercial events before returning to Melbourne to complete further study whilst continuing to dance professionally and work collaboratively with artists including film makers, sound designers and theatre directors.
In 2006, I moved to Italy to teach classical ballet, contemporary dance, Pilates and yoga. In 2009, I founded and directed my own award-winning dance and fitness school in the Trentino Alto-Adige region.
After returning to Adelaide in 2014, I facilitated a conditioning program for the Adelaide United Youth Team and continued to teach dance, Pilates and yoga at various dance schools and fitness facilities. In 2021, I established a boutique Pilates studio in Henley Beach. My current focus is teaching ballet and Pilates to students of all ages. I am blessed to be working in these fields; there is so much a body can do if one puts their mind to it.
My qualifications include: Bachelor of Dance, University of Melbourne, Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Post Graduate Diploma, VCA, Masters of Choreography, VCA, Yoga teacher (YTT 200-hours), Personal Trainer (Certificate III & IV in Fitness), Pilates Diploma (Mat and Studio and Rehabilitation, Polestar Education).
Community and volunteer engagement play an important role in my life: I host a weekly health and wellness program on Radio Italiana 531 (an Italian community radio station) and am a committee member of the Pilates Alliance of Australasia (PAA). Previous positions include Vice-Chairperson, Royal Academy of Dance South Australian Regional Advisory Panel.
jenni guest
Guest Teacher - physiotherapist, pilates and pointe assessment
Jenni has combined her formative years as a Classical Ballet Student/Amatuer performer with her academic years of pre and postgraduate Physiotherapy study resulting in a passionate focus on Dance Injury / Educationand Prevention. As a long standing member of The International Association of Dance Medicine and Science, Jenni remains up to date with the current research in Dance Medicine, treatment and preventative methodology. She works with junior dancers through their developmental years to achieve maximum potential, as well as following through with the tertiary students and professional performers in maintenance programs, specific rehabilitation and injury prevention protocols.
As a Senior Pilates Practitioner, Jenni actively focuses on current research in the practice of core stabilization. She is a Senior Educator and Examiner for Polestar Pilates Education. She is also the President of the Pilates Alliance of Australasia, Australia’s leading Industry Body for the Pilates Method.