ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Joanna is one of the many richly creative artists who call Darwin home and is the resident choreographer, Artistic Director and driver of SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre. As a long-term local artist and educator, she has created opportunities for young and emerging dance artists in the Northern Territory. 

Joanna received her formative dance and theatre training from Madame Lili Vita, Principal, Darwin School of Ballet. She then completed a Bachelor of Arts, Dance (Performance) University of Adelaide; a Grad. Dip Secondary Education, (Dance and Drama) NTU; Post Graduate Units (Technique and Choreography) Duke University, North Carolina; and a Master of Fine Arts (Choreography) University of Utah.

 Along with Julia Quinn, Joanna established the Juniper Tree Dance Company in 1991. Continuing with this focus, her youth initiative, SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre, created in collaboration with long-term educators and community dance artists, Sarah Calver and Quinn, is a creative venture that brings together dance theatre with social activism and awareness.

CREATIVE CONSULTANT

Julia is an accomplished dance artist and teacher whose training began at Darwin School of Ballet under Madame Lili Vita, shaping her teaching philosophy. She pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Dance at Adelaide University under the tutelage of David and Simi Roche. Later, co-founding Juniper Tree Dance Company in 1991 alongside choreographer Joanna Noonan, focusing on youth dance, thus laying the groundwork for what would eventually become SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre. In 1995, she expanded her expertise through an Independent Study Program at Alvin Ailey American Dance Centre in New York.

Upon returning to Australia, Julia dedicated herself to community engagement through teaching, mentorship, and performance across various institutions and programs, including longterm teaching roles at both Darwin High School and the Darwin School of Ballet, remote and regional outreach work with Ausdance NT, Dance Animateur at Tracks Dance with a focus on Seniors and Youth, and performing with Sunameke, Gary Lang, Kilos Kultura and SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre.

In 2020, she relocated to Perth and is now the Senior Dance Teacher at John Forrest Secondary College, and lecturing at WAAPA. In Perth she enjoys dancing and laughing with the Hot Hula Perth crew.

CREATIVE CONSULTANT/PARTNERSHIPS & PHILANTHROPY MANAGER

Sarah, over her lifetime, has shown a passion for, and been a constant provider of, dance arts advocacy in a myriad of ways. Her strong sense of community and artistic vision matched with her savvy business acumen has supported and driven her impact which has sustained the NT arts sector, seeing it flourish and grow.

Her influence can be seen in the work she has done with establishing Tracks and the Grey Panthers in their formative years, to the significant development of the Dance Department at Darwin High School to her instrumental leadership and work with SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre, and the establishment, nurturing and navigation of a tertiary education partnership with the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Sarah has also been the recipient of an Australian Dance Award for her Services to Dance Education (2012) and the AUNT Quality Educator Award (2016) which recognises teaching excellence. As a teacher, community creative consultant, mentor, advisor, community dance officer, director, administrator, performer and visionary community artist her involvement, leadership and engagement in education, community arts and dance sectors has made a difference and left an indelible footprint on our NT performing arts industry.

OPERATIONS & PRODUCTION MANAGER

Jerome, born and bred from Cape Town (South Africa) is a seasoned and passionate arts professional known for his leadership, adaptability, and dedication to artistic excellence. Throughout his two-decade career, he has managed an impressive variety of productions including theatre, ballet, opera, and large-scale festivals, and is instrumental in training technical trainees and leading production teams.

His strengths lie in meticulous planning, effective communication, and fostering collaborative environments that bring out the best in artists and crews. He has served as the Orchestra and Operations Manager for Darwin Symphony Orchestra, as Technician at Darwin Entertainment Centre, and continues to contribute to local arts development.

Jerome's international portfolio includes work at prestigious events and festivals such as Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Scotland), International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival (Ireland) and Singapore International Festival of Arts. Jerome is driven by a deep love for the arts and a mission to support meaningful creative expression. His dynamic career reflects both a mastery of stagecraft and an unwavering dedication to the people who make performances possible.

TECHNICAL DESIGNER

Tomm is a lighting and AV Designer, recognised for his designs that balance striking impact with refined detail. His work brings a fresh, inventive approach to each production, combining creative vision with technical fluency. As Senior Lighting Technician at the AANT Centre, Tomm regularly collaborates with leading Australian artists and companies, while also shaping the technical prowess of local theatre, dance, and music.

A recipient of the NT Performing Arts Behind the Scenes Award, Tomm has become a trusted creative partner for many of Darwin’s live performances. As Technical Designer for SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre, he plays an instrumental role in shaping the visual and technical elements of all their works. His recent projects include Electric Fields with DSO (2024), Mary Poppins - Superstar Productions (2025); Fair Punishment - Brownsmart (2025).

PRO BONO STRATEGIC ADVISER

Born and raised on Larrakia Country —and returning often — Rebecca is now based in Canberra on Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country, serving as a Senior Executive in the Australian Public Service with more than 20 years experience working within government.

Rebecca brings to SLIDE a deep belief in the power of arts-rich education, the foundation of SLIDE’s youth and mentor-led model. She has been a champion for youth arts throughout her career: helping embed Arts in the National Curriculum; supporting the creation of the inaugural National Creative Industries Youth Advisory Group; advising on a record federal investment in the National Arts Training Organisations (the ARTS8); and driving the re-establishment of the Bachelor of Circus Arts at the National Institute of Circus Arts with Collarts.

Her connection to SLIDE’s leadership, Joanna Noonan and Julia Quinn, stretches back to their shared training at the Darwin School of Ballet under Madame Liliane Vita. Though trained in multiple dance styles, Rebecca’s heart lies in Flamenco—a practice she pursued in Australia and Spain. She is a University Medallist and holds a First-Class Honours Degree in French Cultural Studies from the University of Adelaide.

COSTUME DESIGNER

Kylie began her creative costume design journey in dancewear and gymnastics clothing. When creating costume, Kylie focuses on sustainability through up cycling materials to reduce textile waste with a rich variety of colours, textures and fabrics. She creates character outfits that enhance storytelling through movement.

Throughout her career, Kylie has collaborated with acclaimed artist in residence Joanna Noonan on productions such as Rhubarb, Beam Me up Kate, Time (2024 and 2025) and Beautiful bringing characters to life on stage. She has worked in productions including Wayfinder by Dance North Australia, La Boheme by Opera Australia and most recently, Love Stories presented by AANT Centre, QPAC and Brisbane Festival. Kylie has created costumes and props for the recent Musical The Wedding Singer. She also adds valuable film set experience from projects like Top End Bub and Deadloch, which deepens her understanding of costume functionality in both live and cinematic context.

Patient about storytelling and dedicated to sustainability. Kylie continues to explore the intersection of fashion and performance while making a positive impact on the environment.

LIGHTING, SOUND & STAGE ASSISTANT

Bill started in the entertainment industry young. quickly gravitating to the technical side. He learned from generous mentors and worked with bands across Australia, including a tour with Hunters and Collectors.

His career took him overseas, where he worked on major festivals like Glastonbury and Roskilde. He also worked with artists Mariah Carey, Peter Gabriel, and The Rolling Stones. After returning to Australia, Bill became a pilot. He now supports the Darwin dance community with his technical skills.

He helps with productions at local schools and SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre. Bill finds working with young dancers and creatives both inspiring and rewarding.