Jayson Smart – Director

BA (DANCE), GRAD DIP ED (SEC), RAD (TC & TD), CSTD (CLASSICAL DIP, THEATRICAL DIP, TAP DIP), CERT IV TAA, EXAMINER FOR THE CSTD, PRACTICAL TEACHING SUPERVISOR FOR THE RAD

Unlimited Feet Performing Arts is under the Directorship of Mr. Jayson Smart & he has been offering quality tuition to dance students for over 30 years with many former students going onto tertiary training and professional dance careers. Unlimited Feet Performing Arts began in Murray Bridge & Glenunga in 1993 after Jayson purchased the Pamela Phillips School of Ballet. In 2005, Jayson purchased the Ecole de Ballet studio & ran UFPA in the Morphett Vale studio for 16 years. Unlimited Feet Performing Arts studio now offers classes in Murray Bridge.

Jayson commenced his studies with Kay Cranwell, Gwen Mackey and Susan Taylor in Adelaide before furthering his studies in London and New York. On returning to Adelaide, Jayson began studying at the University of Adelaide, completing a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) in 1989 & a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) in Dance Methodology in 1991 allowing him to teach dance in schools to Year 12 level. 

Jayson is a member of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) (London) & the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (COMDANCE).  He has been the Chairperson of the South Australian Regional Advisory Panel of the Royal Academy of Dance & has been a member of the Dance Subject Advisory Committee for the Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia (SSABSA) & represented studio teachers & dance educationalists for Ausdance – The Australian Dance Council.

Jayson also holds the Theatrical, Classical &Tap Teaching Diplomas of the CSTD and the Teaching Certificate & Teaching Diploma of the RAD

In 2008 Jayson was appointed as an examiner for COMDANCE & examines students in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop & Theatrical & Performing Arts exams throughout Australia, Asia & North America. He has been appointed as a Practical Teaching Supervisor for the RAD to assess the final unit for new teachers gaining their RAD Teaching Qualification. He has also attained his Certificate IV in Training & Assessment.

In 2018, Jayson was awarded the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing Leslie P. Newman Award for “Outstanding Service to Dance”

At Unlimited Feet Performing Arts Jayson teaches the Classical Ballet classes.

Fun fact — he has been to 4 Disneylands!!!

Bethany Calnan began dancing at a young age and joined Unlimited Feet in 2021 when her family moved to Murray Bridge. Her passion for dance continued to grow as she undertook Stage 1 Dance in Year 10 at Unity College.

Bethany is so excited to be part of the teaching team this year, teaching Hip Hop and Contemporary. She looks forward to sharing her love of dance, nurturing each student’s individual talents and helping dancers build their skills, confidence and creativity in a supportive and encouraging environment. Bethany can’t wait to see what the year brings and to be part of each student’s dance journey!

Ella started dancing at Unlimited Feet Performing Arts when she was three years old, making this her fifteenth year taking dance classes! One of her favourite things about dancing with UFPA is the end of year concert and the atmosphere of excitement that comes with it. The support that the dancers give each other is so heartwarming to witness. In the past, Ella has completed a variety of ballet examinations, starting from when she was in pre-primary ballet! In the future, she hopes to work towards completing more ballet exams as she gains more knowledge.

Ella was an assistant teacher in acrobatics classes last year and this year she is teaching these classes. This is the first year with Ella as a part of the staff at UFPA, and she hopes it is the first of many. She is passionate about helping students achieve their goals as she knows how hard they have to work to reach them. Ella completed SACE Stage 1 Dance at Unity College in 2024, when she was in year ten. Now in year twelve, she is working towards completing her SACE and moving onto tertiary education next year.

Miss Belle teaches Tiny Feet Ballet and all levels of Contemporary on a Saturday. “I am passionate about movement and the power it gives children; in my Tiny Feet classes I love focusing on how movement is for fun and skills can be gained through imaginative play and games. My passion for contemporary solidifies my belief in the joy of movement watching my students be themselves in my classes’ as they also enjoy the freedom dance gives them to be who they are.” 

Miss Belle started her dance journey here at Unlimited Feet when she was just 2.5 years old at our Meningie branch and is in her 18^th year of dancing. “I love how dancing makes me feel, the way it is a place to express yourself as well as work towards a personal goal, a new skill or an exam, there is always something new to learn or perfect. I love coming each week to work with my teachers on reaching that goal”

Miss Belle has completed her Ballet exams up to Elementary and is currently working towards her Classical Ballet Teachers’ Certificate in the near future.

A fun fact about Miss Belle is that she lived on a cattle station for 2 years working as a governess where she discovered her passion for teaching and is now in her second year of studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education Birth-8.

Miss Jessi teaches our Saturday jazz and tap classes and has spent 28 years immersed in Dance, participating in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and hip hop and for 14 of these years she has been dedicated to teaching at the Murray Bridge studio. “I absolutely love the safe, loving and nurturing community we’ve created here! Dance has always been a huge part of my life and sharing that passion with others is truly fulfilling. There’s something magical about watching students light up as they discover the joy of movement and creativity. the most rewarding part is seeing their progress both on and off the stage. It’s moments like those that remind me why I love what I do”

 Miss Jessi has 2 beautiful children and her youngest is also learning to dance and in her spare time she is an expert cake decorator!

Gypsy has been a student of Unlimited Feet since 2012 and has been a member of staff for 3 years. “There’s something magical about watching students light up as they discover the joy of movement, creativity and self-expression.” For Gypsy, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is seeing each dancer grow in confidence, develop their own unique style and find joy in dance.

Gypsy is very excited to continue teaching the preschool classes as well as Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap and Jazz at Unlimited Feet, sharing her passion for dance and inspiring students to express themselves, challenge themselves and most importantly, have fun!