0420 466 064
About Us
All Abilities Cheer and Dance was founded by Alana who is dedicated to bringing together people with disabilities, to express themselves through the fun and creative world of cheerleading and dance. Alana saw there were no other cheer and dance businesses in South Australia solely for people of all ages with all types of disabilities (under one roof) and wanted to provide them with equal access to the cheer and dance world.
All of the AACD coaches have personal and professional experience working with people with disabilities. All coaches have their Working With Children Check (WWCC) and a National Police Clearance. Coaches who facilitate our school workshops have their Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care (RRHAN-EC).
Miss Alana
Founder and Senior Coach
Alana has 27 years personal experience with disability; having two younger brothers with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. She is passionate about equal rights of people with disabilities, collaboration and inclusion, spreading kindness, and is excited about contributing to inclusion support in the cheer and dance world!
Alana has 14 years dance experience and has been involved in competition dance for 11 years. Her performance and competition dance experience include styles in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, cheerleading and pom. Her dance highlights include performing at Disneyland Resort in California, Disney California Adventure Park and at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2012. As well as competing interstate and performing in the (then) Credit Union Christmas Pageant, and on stage at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre several times. Alana is also an accredited cheerleading coach in Level 1 stunts, tumbling and tosses.
Alana completed her Bachelor of Communication and Media at the University of South Australia in 2017 and her Postgraduate Certificate in Disability Studies at Flinders University in 2019. Alana has completed courses in disability awareness and inclusive coaching from Perform-Ability and Special Olympics Australia. She previously worked in marketing and career pathways and is now incredibly grateful to be able to share accessible cheerleading and dancing throughout her community full time.
Miss Rachel
Team Leader and Senior Coach
Rachel has an extensive 20+ years personal experience with disability; having an older brother with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. She is passionate about spreading disability awareness and acceptance and continuing to create inclusion opportunities for people with disability.
Rachel is soon to graduate with a Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education at Flinders University and is motivated to pursue a career where she can create a positive and lasting impact within the disability sector. She has also completed courses in disability awareness and inclusive coaching from Special Olympics Australia. In addition to her studies, Rachel currently works as an SSO at a school that specialises in educating children on the Autism Spectrum, and as a disability support worker.
Rachel has over 15 years dance experience and training, both recreationally and competitively, at a state and national level. Her performance and competition dance experience include styles in jazz, theatrical jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, hip hop, cheerleading and pom. Her dance highlights include performing at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, in the (then) Credit Union Christmas Pageant, and performing on stage at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Rachel has four years prior coaching experience at previous dance schools and Special Olympics Australia, as well as being an OG All Abilities coach since its opening in 2020. Rachel is also an accredited cheerleading coach in Level 1 stunts, tumbling and tosses.
Rachel’s friendly and outgoing disposition enables her to form trusting relationships with all members of the AACD Community. She is loud, proud, and aims to provide an environment in her classes where dancers can have FUN and express themselves through the wonderful and creative world of cheerleading and dance. Inclusion and advocacy, along with cheer and dance, are Rachel's biggest passions and she is so excited to be bringing the two together!
Miss Hannah (Gig)
Senior Coach and Admin
Gig has two years of professional experience working with youth and adults living with a disability. Gig works as a disability support worker, supporting individuals, especially youth, to access the community, develop independence, social skills and to have fun. Gig also works as an OSHC educator and particularly enjoys being able to see students' development.
Gig is in her third year of a Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours) at the University of South Australia and hopes to use the knowledge around disability support she is developing to become a teacher that focuses on the inclusion and success of students with disabilities within school communities.
Gig has over 12 years of cheerleading and dance experience over a variety of genres such as Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Funk, Hip-Hop and Cheerleading.
Gig is very passionate about providing inclusion and opportunities for all and loves that being a part of the All Abilities community allows her to do this, as well as getting to meet and form relationships with such amazing people.
She cannot wait to meet and dance with you all !
Miss Leticia
Senior CheerAbility Coach
Leticia has 10 years of professional experience working with people with disabilities in a wide range of capacities. Leticia first began working with young people with disabilities in 2013, coaching swimming and gymnastics.
Leticia currently works as the Team Leader for children's respite in support services. Through supporting children to work towards achieving their goals, building and maintaining friendships, and the opportunity to develop their independence in a community based setting, Leticia's passion for disability has grown vastly.
Leticia is currently studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at the University of South Australia, and hopes to one day have her own private practice.
Leticia has over 10 years of experience in dance and cheer, competing at state and national competitions in level 4, performing in shows and pageants, and participating in fundraisers. Leticia is also an accredited cheerleading coach in Level 1 stunts, tumbling and tosses. Leticia is excited to continue to share her experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm with all athletes at All Abilities Cheer and Dance for the third year running.
Miss Georgia
All Abilities Coach
Georgia has had 8 years of competition cheerleading experience ranging from Level 1 - Level 3 in which she has competed at state level as well as nationally. In addition to this, she has experience in dance styles such as jazz, hip hop, pom, lyrical and musical theatre, both competitively and recreationally. Georgia has also choreographed several drama productions and school musicals.
Georgia is currently studying a Bachelor of Software Engineering at the University of South Australia.
Georgia is excited to share her love and passion for dancing with everyone at All Abilities.
Miss Jools
All Abilities Coach
Julique has been dancing since she was 4 years old and teaching since the age of 12. She has experience in teaching all age groups, as well as all levels of dance abilities. Julique herself dances many styles as well as teaching them. Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, Pom, Cheerleading, Musical Theatre, Funk, are some of the styles she has trained in, teaches, and also acts as an assistant teacher.
Julique has grown up with people around her who have a wide range of disabilities. She has been trained in how to look after people with physical and intellectual disabilities, as well as how to assist students in dance class through a range of methods, making sure that each individual is cared for properly. From a young age she has volunteered with the organisation scosa and has learnt a lot from everyone involved.
Julique has trained with national and international choreographers, as well as being mentored by professional dancers. From these experiences she has learnt how to run dance schools, what goes into making dance concerts/performances, successful winning routines for competitions, as well as fun classes and great recreational dances, making sure each individual dancer gets the most out of each class.
Julique has performed at many locations for all kinds of events including the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for Wakakirri and other competitions, and the Festival Theatre for the Festival of Music Northern Troup. She has been involved in many competitions and other performances state and nationwide, she has been very successful over the years and knows what it takes to make a winning performance. She has also been participating in Dance for Sick Kids, raising money for families through dance.
Julique is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Human Movement at University of South Australia, once she has finished the bachelor’s degree, she will then go onto a further 2 years of study for Dance Movement Therapy.
Julique is very excited to bring her experience, excitement and loving energy into class and help each individual dancer get the most out of each class and performance.
Miss Jess
All Abilities Coach
Jess has 18 years personal experience with disability; as she has a younger brother with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
She has also been working professionally within the disability sector for 5 years. She has previously been a Disability Advocate for people with Acquired Brain Injuries, she has extensive experience assisting people with accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Centrelink Disability Pension and Disability specific services.
Jess has previously worked on several disability specific committees, most recently being a part of the Australian Electoral Committee Disability and Inclusion Plan. Jess is currently an Acting Team Leader leading a team in Supported Independent Living for people living with complex disabilities.
Jess is passionate about disability rights and creating inclusive and safe spaces for people living with disability. Jess is currently undertaking a Masters Degree in Social Work having completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science in 2018.
Jess has been dancing since she was 2. Jess has experience in Jazz, Tap, Classical, Contemporary and Hip-hop. Jess has competed in many competitions and was fortunate to travel to Asia to dance in 2012 which was an amazing experience. Some of the highlights of her dancing includes being involved in Candance for a Cure for 10 years and was a part of the Core Group Ensemble for 5 years. Being able to combine her passion of dance and raising money for Cancer Research has been inspirational to see the difference the money has made to the ongoing plight of Cancer research.
Jess taught dance for many years as an assistant dance teacher within her previous dance school, and professionally taught Classical Ballet Exams for 3 years as a Senior Dance Teacher, training children form the ages of 4-16.
Jess is excited to share her passion and knowledge to all students at All Abilities and can't wait to dance with you all!
Miss Hayley
Student Teacher
I am a student at All Abilities Cheer and Dance. I have been dancing here since July 2020 after searching for a dance company where I would finally fit in and feel equal and I can just be me and here, I can.
I have autism, anxiety and a rare metabolic disorder called galactosemia - also causing intellectual disability and a wide range of health issues. Growing up with a disability has been very hard for me to find a place, feel safe, included, accepted and make friends who accept me for who I am.
Before joining AACD, I completed 15 years of calisthenics and received a 10 year service award! Dancing my way through to championship teams, my highlight was performing at the Australian Calisthenics Federation 19th National Championships in the Adelaide 2007th opening ceremony. After that, I moved to Golden Heights Cali Club and after receiving my 5 years service award, I still hadn’t found myself.
I completed year 12 with some struggles but during that time I managed to achieve my Certificate III in Children Services.
I love arts and crafts, dancing, the beach and in my spare time I love hanging out with my family/nieces and nephew, and hanging out with my friends.
My goals are helping others with disabilities, learning sign language and overcoming my anxiety and making everyone feel included.
Miss Hannah
Student Teacher
Hannah has been with All Abilities since 2020 when she was 11 years old. After starting dancing at 3, as she got older, she always felt she didn’t fit in. That’s when her mum found All Abilities Cheer and Dance and Hannah found her place where she is respected for being herself.
Hannah is the 2nd oldest of 4 siblings (all boys). Hannah’s older brother was diagnosed with Autism when he was 3.5 years old. She was his biggest help in learning to do many things, she has always had a caring heart and loves to help people whenever she can.
Hannah was also diagnosed with a disability herself in 2020, which has only made her more determined to make people feel included and help them achieve things to the best of their abilities.
Hannah is looking forward to continue dancing and now being a Student Teacher at All Abilities Cheer and Dance. Hannah hopes that she will make everyone at All Abilities proud just as her parents are proud of her.
Miss Benita
All Abilities Volunteer
Benita has 18 years of dance experience in a range of styles, including jazz, contemporary, commercial and hip hop. She has a variety of performance experience, including dancing for the Adelaide Lightning Dance Team and then the Adelaide 36ers Dance Team, as well as in fringe shows and other events around Adelaide. Benita also loves to teach dance to people of all ages, with 9 years experience teaching both recreational and advanced teams. Benita is currently completing her Bachelor of Physiotherapy, and is excited to be in a career where she can help people reach their fullest potential. She has volunteer experience working with both children and adults with disabilities, as well as personal experience growing up with an uncle with Down Syndrome. She is passionate about supporting all people to achieve their goals and have the opportunity to be involved in the magic that is dance!
Mr Srijit
Workshop Facilitator
I am an energetic, physically fit and confident dance teacher who has a successful track record of improving a student's knowledge and understanding of dance.
I have experience teaching Bollywood, Hip Hop and Zumba for all age groups, along with teaching students with disabilities. I not only fully understand the needs of students, but also have the ability to quickly engage with them.