About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Our philosophy centres on learning through positive reinforcement, and we take pride in fostering a welcoming and inclusive studio environment, whether you're seeking recreational or advanced classes.
Founded in 2010 as Melbourne Acrobatic Studio in Hampton, Melbourne, MAD Performing Arts has evolved over the past 15 years to encompass multiple genres and expand in size.
In 2024, we proudly rebranded as MAD Performing Arts, integrating drama and singing into our offerings. Additionally, we have our own in-house talent agency, MAD Talent.
Meet The Team
Catherine Bam
Teacher
​RAD CBTS
Catherine started ballet at the age of 3, and completed her RAD exams in Johannesburg, South Africa. She attended the National School of Arts, where she studied Ballet, Contemporary and Spanish dance, as well as Music, Anatomy and History of Ballet.
Catherine moved to the UK in 1999 and became a senior member of the GL14 Dance Company, performing many styles on stage, including ballet, tap, hip hop, and contemporary. She moved back to South Africa in 2009, where she completed her RAD CBTS (Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies) qualification.
Catherine has been teaching the RAD syllabus since 2010, she has extensive experience in entering candidates into examinations and boasts a 100% pass rate for her students in all levels. Her patience, dedication, professional and caring manner are great assets that she continues to bring to each lesson.
In July 2019, Catherine and her family moved to Melbourne, Australia. Since then she has completed her Level 1 Dance Teaching and Level 2 Pointe Intensive with Physio Lisa Howell. In 2025, Catherine obtained her RAD Silver Swans License and is very excited to be teaching adult classes as part of her continued dedication to bring ballet classes to all ages.
Natalie Bale
Director
RAD (RTS) CSTD.
Natalie Bale is a highly qualified and dedicated dance educator with over 30 years of teaching experience. A registered Comdance (CSTD) teacher holding both her Certificate and Full Teachers Diploma, she is also an RAD Registered Teacher and Mentor with a Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies.
Natalie trained full-time at Brent Street School of Arts in Sydney and holds additional certifications including Acrobatic Arts Module 1 and Progressing Ballet Technique.
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Passionate about safe dance practice, she has completed multiple specialised courses with renowned dance physiotherapist Lisa Howell, including Level 1 Teacher & Practitioner Training, Level 2 Flexibility, and Level 2 Turnout in Tiny Dancers. Natalie is committed to continual professional development, regularly updating her skills to bring the highest standard of training to her students.
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As an adjudicator, Natalie travels nationally and internationally to judge competitions and teach workshops. She also recently launched her own in-house talent agency. MAD Talent.
Her performance and choreography credits include Disney’s Carols in the Domain, Rock Eisteddfod, television pilots, nightclub productions, the Sydney 2000 Opening Ceremony, and the CSTD Convention Opening in Melbourne.
Kiahna Yammouni
Teacher
RAD (RTS)
Kiahna is a passionate and dedicated dance teacher with over 6 years of teaching experience and more than 16 years of dance training.
She is highly trained across a wide range of styles including Commercial/Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, and Ballet.
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Kiahna is a registered RAD Ballet teacher and holds her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS).
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She is also a graduate of Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance, where she trained under respected industry professionals and completed her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management.
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Kiahna is committed to providing high-quality, safe, and inclusive dance education. She strives to create a welcoming studio environment where every student feels supported, confident, and inspired to reach their full potential as a dancer.
Monika Jurisic
Teacher
Miss Monika trained at MAD Performing Arts in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary.
She has been teaching for over 5 years and absolutely loves sharing her passion for dance with young students. Monika’s classes focus on fun, creativity, musicality, and building confidence in a warm and supportive environment where every child feels encouraged to shine.
Alongside teaching, Monika studies Music and Science at Monash University.
When she’s not teaching or studying, you can often find Monika performing with her band, “The Peppermints.”
Monika is passionate about guiding little dancers as they take their first steps into the world of dance, building confidence, joy, and a love for movement.
Jasmine Jones
Teacher
Miss Jasmine has been teaching for over 5 years and loves introducing preschoolers to the joy of dance.
Jasmine trained at MAD Performing Arts from a very young age in the styles of Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical theatre and Contemporary.
Her classes focus on fun, creativity, musicality, and building confidence in a warm and supportive environment.
Alongside teaching, Jasmine studies Music and Science at Monash University, which helps her create engaging, age-appropriate classes that support children’s coordination, rhythm, and development.
She is passionate about helping little dancers take their very first steps with confidence and big smiles!
Amy Wilson
Teacher
Miss Amy grew up dancing at MAD Performing Arts, training in Classical, Contemporary, Jazz and Musical Theatre.
Amy is a certified in Ready Set Ballet and Ready Set Acro teacher and our students love her gentle and caring nature.
When she is not dancing , Amy is also completing her Uni degree in Data Science.
She love teaching her Saturday Pre-School students and is proud to pass on her passion for dance to the next generation.
Ella Bennett
Teacher
Ella grew up training at MAD Performing Arts.
As well as a strong classical RAD foundation, she also spent lots of time training in numerous other styles such as jazz, acrobatics, and contemporary.
After graduating high school, Ella began studying full time Pre-Professional contemporary dance at SCIMM Dance Company (a Melbourne based contemporary training program) as well as undertaking teaching endeavours in the Acrobatic Arts syllabus.
This year she will continue her studies with SCIMM, and is now a certified Acrobatic Arts teacher.
Ella teaches Acrobatics and Contemporary classes with us and students love her caring nature.
Leila Mileo
Teacher
Leila began dancing at the age of 3 and has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acrobatics, and Hip Hop. She has completed all graded RAD Ballet levels with Distinction, as well as all 10 levels of SFD Jazz and Tap with Honours with Distinction.
Over her 16 years of training, Leila has competed extensively in both solo and troupe performances at regional and national levels, earning placings and winning national championships. She has been a member of the Lionheart Youth Company, where she further developed her artistry and performance skills, including performing in a lead role. Leila also studied VCE dance and was recognised with a place on the Honour Roll in 2024 and she continues to dance on the Monash University Division 1 Dance Team, where she continues to compete at a national level.
Leila had been assisting dance classes for 7 years before she began teaching independently and is passionate about creating a supportive, encouraging environment and inspiring the next generation of dancers.
Madilyn Jonasz
Teacher
Madliyn is a highly trained dancer with 17 years of dance experience and has recently completed full-time professional training at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance. She holds a Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) CUA51520 and is currently completing a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management CUA40320.
Her professional performance experience includes appearing at major events such as Dancing with Tones and I at Rod Laver Arena in 2024, as well as performances for Monash Children’s Hospital in 2025, the Victoria Racing Club in 2025, the Master Builders Awards in 2024, and the Queensberry Cup in 2024.
Madliyn is committed to delivering high-quality dance education in a supportive and structured environment. She values strong technique, professionalism, and student wellbeing, and enjoys encouraging each student to develop confidence, discipline, and a love of dance.
Emily Burge
Teacher
Emily trained at MAD Performing Arts in Jazz, Ballet, and Hip hop. She has been dancing since she was 3, and loves every second of it !
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She is so excited to bring the joy of dance to her students that she is lucky enough to teach!
During the week, she is an early childhood teacher, teaching 4-5 year olds in her kindergarten room!
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Emily is certified in Ready Set Dance and loves teaching her Saturday pre-school students!
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She loves spending time with her friends and family, eating and cooking yummy food, shopping and Pilates!
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She is so excited to be a part of your child’s dance journey!!
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