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.

CHRISTINA MADI

ACRO

Christina Madi has been sharing her passion for acrobatics as an instructor for the past two years. Her dedication to working with children and helping them achieve their goals drives her every day. Christina finds immense joy in watching her students grow in skill and confidence as they take on new challenges in acrobatics.

Christina’s journey in movement began with gymnastics, where she developed a strong foundation in balance, flexibility, and strength. This early training set the stage for her transition into competitive cheerleading, where she refined her acrobatic abilities and embraced the importance of teamwork and perseverance. These experiences now inform her teaching style and inspire the lessons she shares with her students.

As an acrobatics instructor, Christina 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.

Christina’s greatest fulfillment comes from watching her students accomplish what they once thought was impossible. She is passionate about fostering growth, confidence, and resilience in every child she teaches, and she looks forward to continuing to guide and support her students as they reach new heights in acrobatics and beyond.

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.

Tony Bridgman

PAs de deux, Ballet, boys class

Anthony began his training in Melbourne with Kathleen Gorham and Martin Rubenstein, later continuing with and graduating from the Australian Ballet School. He then embarked on a 13 year professional career that took him to the Queensland Ballet, PACT Ballet, Johannesburg, Sth Africa, New London Ballet, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Dusseldorf and ballet mainz, Germany. During this time he performed as a soloist in all the classic full length ballets and many one act contemporary and event-garde works

Retiring from dance at the age of 32, Anthony completed full time studies in business management in Frankfurt, Germany and thereafter took up a position with Merrill Lynch in Zurich, Switzerland. In 1989 he returned to Australia with his wife and young daughter and took up engagements as a freelance teacher with the Victorian College of the Arts, Adelaide (later AC Arts) and 7 years teaching ballet with the University of Adelaide's dance course. During an 18 year absence from dance while Anthony was employed by the SA government in HR, he still taught for local ballet schools around Adelaide including SA Youth Ballet, Terry Simpson studios and Sheila Laing Ballet academy.

Anthony recently retired from his position from State Government and is returning to his love of dance and passion for passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of young talent. 

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. 

oliver toth

guest teacher - Ballet

Oliver was born in Berlin and began his dance career training in the Hungarian Dance and Arts Academy in Budapest. During his nine years of full-time training in all aspects of performance, he performed with the Hungarian National Ballet and National Opera Company and at the age of thirteen was chosen from hundreds of hopefuls to star in a telemovie. After graduating with a Bachelor of Performance he joined the Hungarian National Ballet performing roles in classics such as Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Spartacus. He also danced modern pieces from world-renowned choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, Hans von Mannen and William Forsythe. With a guest contract with a company in Germany, Oliver began a new aspect of his career, in musical theatre, dancing in shows such as West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof and Kiss Me Kate. In 1995, Oliver joined the cast of Cats in Hamburg, Germany and was part of the original cast of Cats in Belgium, working with Gillian Lynne and then toured Australia in the world premier version of Cats- Run Away with the Circus in the Big-Top. Oliver has had many highlights throughout his varied career including travelling the world performing in galas and festivals, which featured such companies as the Kirov and New York City Ballet, and in Budapest was honoured to perform with Rudolph Nureyev in Cristoforo. Oliver has taught dance at Sydney Dance Company and the Stella Academy Hamburg. Currently he teaches at ACArts Adelaide and Terry Simpson Studios, Turning Point Dance and runs a successful photography business, Accent Photography.