The Team | Signature Dance

Ashleigh Gaggin

Director/ Founder

Jess Ladgrove

Accounts/ Business Manager

Grace Flaherty

Studio Manager/ Ready Set Dance Leader/ Teacher

Amara Ezzy

Teacher / Events Coordinator

Jess has been dancing since she was 5 years old, she has been trained in all styles and completed her Full-Time dance course in 2009. Jess has been a professional dancer for many years seeing herself dance in Touring Show’s, TV Show’s, Music Video’s and Back- Up dancing for well- known artists as well as performing for corporate events. With her dance background and experience in business, she has been a massive support to all families and staff at Signature Dance for the past 7 years.

Ashleigh is the Founder and Director of Signature Dance.

She was a professional in the dance industry, working as a choreographer, adjudicator and qualified teacher on the Gold Coast. She upholds a Bachelor of Primary Education with a specialization in Physical Education. Ashleigh is a qualified RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) ballet teacher and further extends her studies with a certificate in Progressing Ballet Technique. Ashleigh recently completed her instructor course for the Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Program and is committed to creating the whole dancer: physically, mentally and emotionally.

Ashleigh appreciates the importance of professional development and is extremely dedicated to her staff, students and families of Signature Dance.

Grace is a dedicated teacher at Signature Dance, bringing passion, professionalism and a strong commitment to every dancer’s growth. Having grown up dancing and completed full-time training, she developed a deep love for the industry that naturally led her into teaching.

Grace works across all genres at Signature dance, closely with Currumbin Primary school dance excellence students and leads our Ready Set Dance syllabus, supporting students to build strong technique, confidence and resilience in a positive and inspiring environment.

Amara began dancing at Signature Dance in 2017 and has grown within the studio, developing both her technical training and passion for mentoring. Trained across multiple styles, she understands the studio’s culture and high-performance standards from both a student and leadership perspective.

Now the Competition Coordinator and Choreographer, Amara leads the competitive program, creating engaging routines while building strong technique, stage presence and confidence in her dancers. Holding a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching, she is passionate about fostering a supportive and disciplined environment where students grow as both performers and individuals.

Katie Plant

Uniform & Costuming Coordinator

Mieka Moloney

Uniform & Costuming Assistant / Administration

Anna Jane

Teacher

Alycia Keane

Acrobatics Teacher

Mieka is the Costume & Uniform Assistant and Administration Support at Signature Dance. She plays an important role behind the scenes, assisting with costume coordination, uniform organisation and day-to-day studio administration.

In addition to her strong organisational skills, Mieka is also a talented and dedicated dancer. Her commitment, work ethic and passion for dance make her a wonderful role model for younger students within the studio.

Reliable, approachable and highly valued, she works closely with staff and families to ensure everything runs smoothly throughout the year.

Anna began dancing at just three years old and since then, dance has remained a central part of her life. She has toured Australia twice as a professional dancer, performed with three hip-hop crews, and competed in major hip-hop competitions across the country. As a teacher, Anna brings high energy and enthusiasm to every class while maintaining a strong focus on structure and discipline. She is passionate about creating a positive learning environment built on respect, encouragement, and confidence. Anna has developed a genuine love for teaching and finds great joy in supporting students as they work toward and achieve their goals. She looks forward to inspiring and connecting with each student in the studio.

Alycia Keane is a professional dancer, performer, and teacher with over 18 years of experience across the dance, entertainment, and education industries. Trained at Dance Force Studios on the Gold Coast, she has worked extensively as a touring and corporate performer both in Australia and internationally.

Coming from a gymnastics background, Alycia naturally stepped into the world of acrobatics and discovered a deep passion for integrating acro into dance. What began as a crossover of skills has now become her core focus and specialty. She is dedicated to bridging the gap between gymnastics-style acrobatics and dance-based acro, helping dancers build strong, safe, and technical foundations that support both their dance and acro training.

She is very passionate about creating a supportive and motivating learning environment, with a strong emphasis on correct technique, strength, confidence, trust and individual growth.

Alycia is excited to share her knowledge and experience with students and help them develop both their skills and their love for dance with a special focus on empowering the next generation of acrobatic dancers.

Katie is the Costume and Uniform Coordinator at Signature Dance, overseeing all aspects of studio costuming and apparel. She manages ordering, fittings and organisation with great attention to detail, ensuring every dancer looks polished and performance-ready.

Professional, efficient and highly organised, Katie plays an essential role behind the scenes, supporting both families and staff and contributing to the smooth running of the studio throughout the year.

Debbie Landel

Ballet Teacher

Kayleigh Sutherland

Teacher

Zayarnee Bornholt

Teacher

Sophie McLean

Teacher

Kayleigh is currently completing a double degree in Education (Secondary) and Fine Arts (Dance) at the Queensland University of Technology, where she combines her love of learning with her deep passion for movement. She is inspired by the way dance develops not only artistry, but strength, resilience, and self-belief.

Guided by mentorship from Ashleigh, Kayleigh values continual growth and reflective practice as an educator. She believes strong teaching is built through collaboration, curiosity, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Kayleigh is also completing her teaching qualification with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), further strengthening her knowledge of structured, developmentally appropriate ballet training. She values strong technical foundations and safe, supportive learning environments where dancers feel confident to challenge themselves and grow.

Kayleigh believes that strength in dance extends beyond physical ability — it is about cultivating confidence, discipline, and a positive mindset. She is passionate about helping each student discover their capabilities, celebrate their progress, and develop a lifelong love of movement.

Debbie Landel is an experienced & fully qualified Teacher and Adjudicator, trained at The Australian Ballet School in Melbourne and has also studied in Russia, London, Europe & America.
After being the Principal of a Studio in Sydney for 10 years & then relocating to QLD, Debbie was then a Principal for 20 years on The Gold Coast.

Many students are now successfully dancing on various Cruise Ships and stages around the world. Miss Debbie has been a Mentor for the Royal Academy of Dance & has trained many student teachers to obtain their RAD Teaching Certificate. Miss Debbie is also proud to be the Patron of a Ballet School in Okayama Japan where she has often been invited to Guest Teach.

Miss Debbie has recently judged many competitions.
Miss Debbie now Freelances on the Gold Coast and loves encouraging the up and coming Dancers of tomorrow.

With 17 years of dance experience, Zay is a highly trained, award-winning choreographer known for versatility across all styles. A 2025 graduate of Dance Force Fulltime, they began teaching at the age of 12, building a strong foundation in both performance and education from an early age.
A career full of highlights include scholarship with Sydney Dance Company, travelled internationally to compete at SummerJam in Vietnam, and assisting renowned choreographers Australia wide including Amira Mollenhauer and Shania Rae.
Zay is super excited to be starting with Signature Dance in 2026.

Sophie McLean grew up dancing at Signature Dance, training throughout her childhood and teenage years and developing a strong foundation in both technique and performance. After many years as a dedicated student, she naturally transitioned into teaching and has now been an important part of our faculty for several years.

Sophie brings patience, structure and warmth into her classes, creating a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to learn and grow. Her experience as both a long-term student and teacher at Signature gives her a deep understanding of the studio’s values and expectations.

Currently studying to become a qualified school teacher, Sophie also works as a teacher’s aide at Tallebudgera Primary School. Her background in education strongly complements her dance teaching, allowing her to confidently manage classes while nurturing each child’s individual development.

Sienna Drysdale

Teacher

Tiarni Taylor

RSD Teacher

Evie Kennedy

Teacher

Island-Bleu Blackley

RSD & Mini's Teacher

Miss T has been part of the Signature Dance family since the studio first opened, having trained under Ashleigh since the age of five. In 2018, she had the incredible opportunity to perform in the Opening Ceremony at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, gaining professional experience at an international level. Miss T has been teaching RSD at Signature Dance since it was introduced in 2015, beginning her teaching journey and quickly discovering her passion for working with young students. Over the years, she has continued to develop and evolve her pre-school dance teaching approaches, priding herself on creating a welcoming, nurturing and enjoyable class environment for all students. She will soon graduate with a Bachelor of Primary Education

Sienna Drysdale has been part of the Signature Dance family since the studio first opened and has played a significant role in its growth ever since. As a dedicated student, she trained extensively across multiple styles and proudly travelled to the United States with the studio, representing Signature Dance internationally.

Now a valued teacher, Sienna brings energy, leadership and a particular passion for Hip Hop to her classes. She is committed to inspiring confidence, individuality and strong performance quality in every dancer she teaches.

Beyond the studio, Sienna has recently graduated from Law School and is soon to begin her career as a practising lawyer, a true testament to her dedication, discipline and drive both on and off the dance floor.

Evie is a dedicated and passionate young dancer with a strong love for choreography and teaching. She recently completed her full-time training at Dance Force, where she also had the opportunity to perform in the 2024 Australian Graduate Tour.
Evie has been competitively dancing since a young age training extensively across all styles of dance. In addition to her performance experience, she completed her part-time training at Dance Force from 2022–2023, earning her Certificate III in Dance.
As a passionate and emerging choreographer, Evie has showcased her work at events such as ADT Chorefest and Flow City Industry Night, continuing to develop her creative voice within the industry.
Evie is thrilled to be joining the Signature Dance family and looks forward to inspiring and mentoring the next generation of dancers

Miss Island-Bleu was born and raised on the Gold Coast and began dancing at just three years old. From an early age, she trained extensively across all genres of dance, growing up in the competitive dance circuit where she developed strong technical foundations, performance quality, and versatility as a dancer.
In 2025, Miss Island-Bleu was selected as a Junior Gold Coast Titans Cheerleader for the NRL, marking a major milestone in her performance career and exposing her to the professional standards of elite sporting entertainment. Most recently, she had the opportunity to travel to Texas, USA, where she trained and danced alongside the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, further refining her skills, professionalism, and performance style at an international level.
Miss Island-Bleu is deeply passionate about dance education and mentorship. She is committed to inspiring dancers of all ages to grow in confidence, technique, and self-belief, while fostering a positive, supportive, and disciplined environment. Her goal is not only to develop strong dancers, but to encourage a lifelong love of movement, teamwork, and performance.

Ava Pegler

RSD & Mini's Teacher

Taylah Hickey

Teacher

Char Bennett

Teacher

Taylah Hickey has been part of the Signature Dance family her entire life, growing up within the studio and developing into a dedicated and inspiring young teacher. She completed her Certificate IV in Dance through Signature Dance as part of an extensive two-year training program, strengthening both her technical knowledge and teaching skills. Taylah has recently graduated high school and has been invited back to teach within the Dance Excellence program, a reflection of her leadership and talent.

Taylah has a genuine passion for working with young children and brings warmth, patience and enthusiasm to every class she teaches. She plays an important role in nurturing our youngest dancers, helping them build confidence and a love of movement from their very first steps.

In addition to her work at the studio, Taylah teaches at several kindergartens across the Gold Coast, sharing her love of dance with the wider community and creating positive first experiences in the performing arts.

Ava Pegler has grown up at Signature Dance, training at the studio her entire life and developing a genuine love for both dance and the studio community. Having recently graduated high school, Ava is proudly following in her mum’s footsteps as she begins her journey as a dance teacher. She has also completed her Certificate IV in Dance through Signature Dance, further strengthening her knowledge and teaching foundation.

With a natural warmth and patience, Ava has a special passion for working with our youngest dancers. She brings kindness, encouragement and enthusiasm into every class, helping little ones build confidence while developing their foundational skills.

Ava also teaches our recreational program at Currumbin Primary, where she continues to inspire young students and foster a love of dance in a fun and supportive environment.

Char has trained at Signature Dance for many years and has grown into a passionate and dedicated aspiring teacher within the studio. Through student teaching, she discovered a genuine love for mentoring younger dancers and supporting their development both technically and creatively.

She completed her Certificate IV in Dance through part-time study last year, further strengthening her knowledge and confidence as an educator. Char is also a proud member of the PBC Dance Excellence Program, where she continues to extend her training and performance experience.

In addition, Char teaches the senior competition students at Currumbin Primary through her involvement with PBC Dance, demonstrating strong leadership and commitment to inspiring the next generation of dancers.