OUR DIRECTORS & ADA TEAM
Our team at ADA is passionate about making our association the best it can be.
Our Board of Directors consists of 5 members (Lesley Scott, Frances Fontana, Nadia Vella-Taranto, Jodie Spicer and Susie Smither). The ADA team also consists of our Organising Secretary, Parys Sindoni and our Design and Media Coordinator, Tayla Meli.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADA?Contact us at anytime!
ADA PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR and EXAMINER
LESLEY SCOTT
Lesley is Managing Director of Dance Encore Productions and Principal of the Dance Encore Performing Arts Studio located in Sydney.
With 45 years as a Professional Dancer, Producer, Director, Choreographer, and Adjudicator, her career has included touring the world with husband Bruce as world renowned adagio performers. Dance Encore Productions began operations in 1980 supplying professional entertainment venues throughout Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Japan and South Korea.
The Dance Encore Performing Arts Studio opened in 2004 in Bexley NSW with Lesley as Studio Owner and Principal. The studio specializes in all Performing Arts genres. Lesley also teaches at The McDonald College in Musical Theatre, Dance & Acrobatics.
Lesley became an Examiner for ADA in 2016, a Director in 2018 and President in 2019 and is looking forward to a long and happy association with ADA and all of its members!
FRANCES FONTANA
ADA DIRECTOR and EXAMINER
Frances has been involved with dance since age 4. She began her professional career at age 16 when she danced at many Venues throughout NSW. That same year she also became a Dance Teacher in Tap and Jazz with FATD - now known as Australasian Dance Association (ADA). She was RAD Classically trained but now teachers the ADA Classical Ballet Syllabus.
While dancing professionally overseas, she became the first Australian Dance Captain with Princess Cruises where she travelled the world for 3 years. She has been an ADA Examiner since 1991 and currently serves on the Board of Directors. She also is the current ADA Technical Officer and Anatomy Coordinator.
Frances has done extensive training in the fitness industry. She has qualifications as a Fitness and Pilates Instructor as well as Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). Her passion for technique makes her attention to detail one of her strengths.
She loves to impart her knowledge and experience with all age groups including juniors, intermediates and seniors; as well as nurturing preschoolers in Ada’s Little Gems.
NADIA VELLA-TARANTO
ADA DIRECTOR
Nadia Vella-Taranto is a Director of ADA. She has an extensive knowledge of performing arts business experience. Nadia is the founder and principal of a large school, Nadia's Performance Studio for 20 years, runs the talent agency Taranto Management, and puts on an annual eisteddfod, Sydney Stars on Show.
Nadia has trained many ADA qualified dance teachers who now work professionally and teach at many studios across Sydney. Her students have gone on to master dance exams at all levels and have won many awards at ADA championships over the years.
Nadia is passionate about ADA and what it can do for your studio!
JODIE SPICER
ADA DIRECTOR
Successful Principal and dance studio owner of Dance Magic Academy for 16 years, Jodie Spicer, has been a qualified dance teacher for almost 40 years catering to students from as young as 18 months with Tiny Tots lessons through to offering a complete Adult Dance Program across 5 genres.
Jodie believes the ADA Syllabus is exceptional at allowing students to progressively improve their technique, with clear grading levels, appropriate dance skill advancements, up to date content in line with industry demands and most importantly highlights safe dance practice, permitting dancers to follow their dreams with a sound technical foundation.
Commencing dance lessons at the age of 5, Jodie loves teaching many styles including Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Broadway/Musical Theatre and National Character in particular. With experience in other industries such as Graphic Arts, Recruitment, Executive Personal Assistant, Office Administration, Retail and Hospitality, Jodie draws upon these roles and utilises different skills as a flourishing and professional business person.
She was greatly honoured to join the ADA Board of Directors early 2018, and has thoroughly enjoyed working towards ensuring ADA’s continued growth and success in the future. Jodie‘s passion for Tiny Tot students led her to be part of the creative team and now Head of Ada’s Little Gems Preschool Dance Program.
SUSIE SMITHER
ADA DIRECTOR
Trained and mentored by past ADA President Helen de Paul, multi award winning entertainer Susie Smither has turned a love of dance into a highly successful entertainment/business career.
Susie has extensive, broad ranging experience in cabaret, fashion marketing and runway production, children’s entertainment and corporate production and presentation. She is professional MC, event manager and copywriter.
Recipient of multiple Mo Awards with decades of Cabaret Trio – Triple Treat – Susie is co-owner and director of highly successful promotions company, Triple Treat Promotions.
Susie has been President of ALVA Women in Entertainment – Australian Ladies Variety Association – since 2005 and is looking forward to a long and happy association with ADA and all of its members.