Kate Barnes – Director/Choreographer/Performer/Instructor

Kate is the founder of Dance Zone Productions and has been operating the company since 2005. She has 22 years of training, 11 years of performance experience and 8 years of teaching experience within the entertainment industry in dance, music and acting.

As an Australian Salsa Champion (2010), Australian Professional Stage Magic Champion (2002) and Australian Open Entertainment Championships Finalist (2002), Kate is known for her bright and vivacious energy on stage, her professionalism and dedication to dance.

Kate's most recent award for 'Excellence in choreography' at the 2011 Rock Eisteddfod Challenge shows her committment to passing on her love of dance to all DZP students.

Throughout Kate’s career, she has had the pleasure of being guided and instructed by such genius talents as Paul Green (Dancesport World Champion & Dancing with the Stars Champion), Diego Orengo and Rick Brewster from ‘The Angels’.

Kate's live performance credits include Feature Ballroom Dancer in USA’s ‘Royal Caribbean Cruiseliners International’ production of ‘Ballroom Fever’(2009), Paul Green’s production of ‘Latin Prodigy’ at the‘Western Sydney Industry Awards’ and ‘South Sydney Juniors’ as well as Jason Gilkinson’s opening choreography at the televised ‘2008 Tattersall’s IDSF World Latin Championship’. Further expanding her horizons, Kate choreographed and performed for Iranian singer ‘Faramarz Assef’ and Middle Eastern diva ‘Tanyeli’ at the Middle Eastern Dance Festival (2009). Kate continues to perform regularly with ‘Viva Brasil Dance Productions’ including performances at Sydney's annual 'Latin Fiesta', 2008 production of 'Viva Au Mundo' at the Factory Theatre, Café Carnivale and many weddings, corporate and industry events.

On camera, Kate appeared as a dancer in the Bollywood Feature Film 'Heyy Babyy', US Feature Film 'Superman Returns' and ABC's 'Strictly Dancing'.

As an actor, Kate has performed in various theatre productions including lead roles in ‘Short & Sweet’, Hellenic Theatre’s ‘Yiros Live’, ‘Theatrefest 2007’, Muse Productions’ ‘Get Ben’ and Out Of The Blue’s production of ‘Rembetika’(Greek Blues). She is trained in the Chubbuck, Meisner and Stanislavsky acting methods as well as voice, acrobatics and improvisation.

Kate has a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) degree, Certificate III in Group Fitness and completed ‘The Power Of Acting’ performance course at The Actors Centre.