meet the team
Ashleigh Chapman started dancing at the age of 9, excelling in all styles of dance. It wasn't long before she began assistant teaching younger dance classes. Ash continued to develop her skills as an elite Troupe performer and a competitive soloist, whist studying at Campbelltown Performing Arts high School doing Dance and Circus Arts. In 2010, Ash completed her Certificate IV in Performing Arts at Brent Street Studios Full Time Course.
Since graduating, Ash has continued to grow as a dancer doing regular pro classes, elite dance courses, travelling around the world to train in New York, L.A, Italy and London. Ash worked with internationally renowned Erica Sobel as a cast member of the Collide Dance Company in their Australian Tour. She was also a featured dancer in the 7 Vies national tour. Ash has taught at a number of dance workshops and open classes around Australia and in the UK. She's highly in demand for guest teaching and choreography, having worked for a variety of dance and performing arts schools.
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With over a decade of experience performing professionally, teaching and choreographing, Ash founded Chapmans Dance Academy in 2021, a dream fuelled by passion for dance education, and a mission to provide quality dance and performing arts training to the youth of the Camden and Macarthur district.
Issy completed her Diploma of Performing Arts at Brent Street in Sydney Australia with a role of honour back in 2019.
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Issy is represented by Jeep management and was a featured as a dancer in Guy Sebastian’s film clip “Choir”. She also performed with Guy on The Voice Australia, in his performance “Choir”. Issy was awarded NRG International Prodigy in Sydney where she headed to the United States to work with many American leading choreographers such as Rustin Matthews and Mallauri Esquibel. Issy was recently featured in Samantha Jade’s film clip ’In The Morning’ and was also a featured dancer at the Fashion Launch for P.E. Nation and H&M at Bondi Icebergs. Issy’s commercial credits include Guy Sebastian, Timomatic, Samantha Jade, Jai Waterford and Marquee Sydney.
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As a teacher and choreographer Issy is in high demand, working across Sydney at some of Australia's most reputable dance studios. Recently Issy partnered with her sister Elly to create Dance Classes Online, which provided online tutorials to thousands of students across Australia through lockdown.
Nicole has been teaching dance for over 35 years and began dancing at the age of 5 with Langshaws. At the age of 12 she realised her passion was ballet and took up studying with Julie Wells. At the age of 17 she began studying full time as well as completing The Royal Academy of Dance STC program where she graduated with distinction and later went on to receive full teaching status.
At 21 Nicole left Australia and took up residence in Canada for 7 years. Whilst in Canada she taught full-time at the Edmonton school of ballet and was ballet mistress for their affiliated company “Festival Ballet” under the direction of David Adams former dancer with the Royal ballet.
Upon returning to Australia she continued to work in various schools across Sydney with students receiving excellent exam results in their RAD exams. Nicole has mentored a number students over the years who have since been accepted into the interstate program with the Australian ballet school and full time schools overseas. Nicole has been apart of the Chapmans family since 2022 and looks forward to working with our next generation of young dancers.
Kristel started performing at the tender age of 2 years and hasn’t stopped since. Her love of musical theatre drove her to obtain “triple threat” status studying dance, voice and acting at various local studios including Glenda Yee School of Dance prior to completing a full time Diploma in Performing Arts at ED5 International.
Studying various styles of dance including jazz, ballet, Broadway and her favourite style tap, she completed many formal examinations leading to a successful teaching career spanning the last 21 years. She has been part of the Chapmans teaching staff since 2001.
Some of her professional credits include dancing on Australian Idol with Marcia Hines, NRL Grand Final with Vanessa Amorosi, Countdown Spectacular, The Musical Theatre Project with Kelley Abbey, Christmas in July Burlesque Show (lead singer) & singer/dancer for Princess Cruises touring the United States and Pacific Ocean. TVC’s and featured spots on TV dramas such as Home & Away gave Kristel the opportunity to become familiar with being in front of the camera. Most recently Kristel has enjoyed performances on the musical theatre stage in local productions including The Producers (Usherette), Spamalot (Lady of the Lake) & Legally Blonde (Elle Woods).