Nikki Gelardi-Bunyi
(Proprietor/Senior Instructor/Choreographer)

Nikki Gelardi-Bunyi has been involved in the entertainment industry for the past 25 years. During this time, Nikki has worked with various styles of dance, from jazz to ballroom to ceroc, gaining her vast experience and knowledge in the area of performing arts.

Nikki trained at some of the most prestigious schools of dance; at the Janice Breen School of Dance, Ceroc ‘the Modern Jive’ Dance Co. and at the Conservatorium of Music, establishing her career as a professional dance instructor, choreographer, dancer, judge and Speech and Drama teacher.

Nikki is known for her innovative choreography and sharp timing.

Some of her achievements include:
• Judge at Numerous Modern Jive Championships (local and interstate)
• 7 times undefeated Australian National and Australasian Modern Jive Champion: 1991 -1998
• Modern Jive Teacher at the MLC School, Burwood
• Speech and Drama Teacher – Honours Graduate
• Numerous television appearances and stage performances
• Assistant Choreographer/Cheerleader for the Sydney City Roosters Football Team and the Sydney Olympic Soccer Team

Nikki is the co-founder and proprietor of the Le Groove Dance Company, which was established in August 2002. Le Groove Dance Company holds not only dance classes but also various workshops, routines, bridal packages, balls and dance parties where Nikki is the choreographer and event organiser for these events.

Nikki is a current member of the FATD (Federal Association of Teachers of Dancing).

Nikki has also been a guest teacher on numerous occasions at the Barbara Bower Academy of Dance, Grange, QLD.

Melinda Gelardi-Bunyi
(Co-Proprietor/Instructor/Co-choreographer)

Melinda Gelardi-Bunyi has been involved in music and dance for most of her life. In her teens, Mel has worked as a musician playing drums and singing in an all girl band, Clickers, at various nightclubs and pubs in Manila, Philippines.

She all studied Piano and Guitar at the Concordia College Conservatorium of Music.

Mel has co-produced music concerts (Jun Polistico), is our organiser for our Le Groove winter balls and dance parties.

Mel currently is the co-proprietor of Le Groove. She has co-choreographed over 14 modern jive routines and over 50 bridal routines to date and demonstrates at our venues.

Ili and John Ferreira
(Instructors)

Ili and John Ferreira began dancing in 2001 and have been involved in dance for the past 8 1/2 years. During this time Ili and John have done various styles of dance including Modern Ballroom, Salsa and Latin and most recently Modern Jive.

Ili and John have been trained by Nikki Gelardi-Bunyi establishing a strong knowledge of the technical side and precise footwork of Modern Jive.

Ili and John have been teaching for Le Groove Dance Co. since 2007. They held the force while Nikki was pregnant teaching Beginner and Intermediate classes and routine workshops, preparing students for major Le Groove events such as their winter balls and xmas parties.

Ili and John currently teach Beginner classes at Mount Annan Public School where they have a huge following.

Shannon Blakeley
(Instructor/Choreographer)

Shannon Blakeley has been involved in dance for the last 24 years. She has studied at The Pamela Ryan Dance Academy (EDTA), Rogerson Ballet Academy (RAD) and with Jeune Productions taking classes over the years in Ballet, Jazz, Modern Expressive, Acrobatics, Sports Acrobatics, Hip Hop and more recently Modern Jive.

Shannon has been a part of many troupe performances for eisteddfods, recitals, concerts and charity events where she has had the opportunity to sing, dance and act.

She has particular interest in musical theatre and has taken various parts in shows over the years often performing and now choreographing and designing school productions.

Shannon has been with Le Groove since 2006 and begins teaching and choreographing with the company from 2008.

Michelle Cope
(Jazz Teacher)

Michelle began physical culture at the age of seven, from there began Ballet & Jazz.

Michelle has completed all her grades in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Character & Modern to become a fully qualified teacher, Including a pass mark higher than 90% for her final Jazz exam. Michelle began teaching in 1996 and from there became a full time teacher in 2001 for one of the leading dance schools in the area.

Michelle's love of dance has produced fantastic results in her students and is looking forward to a long career as a dance teacher.

Christopher Reid
(Intermediate Demonstrator)

Chris began dancing at the age of 5 and ended up doing jazz, tap, drama and singing for the next eight or so years.

He started ballroom around 2007 and since then has also tried salsa and modern jive. His other hobbies include playing soccer, tennis and indoor cricket, performing in musicals (CATS, Miss Saigon, backstage for La Boheme), programming, playing video games and maintaining websites including this one!