Meet our Team

Loic Valmy

Director – Head of Education
Loic has worked almost his whole life in the theatre and music industry. He started to perform professionally when he was just 6 year old and has never stopped working in the industry since.

Graduated at 18 year old from one of the toughest Performing Arts Schools in Paris, Alice Dona’s Studios.
Then, Loic became one of the most renowned Artistic Director in Paris. The biggest Major Record Companies such as Universal, EMI and Sony Music called him to coach and direct their talents.

Pascal Negre (CEO of Universal Music France) said: “Loic has the rare ability of spotting the strengths and weaknesses in any singer or song in just a few seconds. He has the knowledge to fix any issue and make anyone and anything sound better.”

Vocal coach and Artistic director for the past 26 years, Loic has mentored hundreds of young perfomers; most of whom have now professional careers. Along the years, Loic has developed his own teaching method which makes him one of the most respected Vocal Coach and Musical Theatre Trainer in Australia.

Loic has produced and directed more than 60 Musicals (Les Mis’, Aladdin, Van Gogh,…) and Cabaret shows in France, Europe and Australia.

More about Loic: http://loicvalmy.com

Leanne Schmidt (Ms. Lee)

Director and Head of Dance and Youth Departments
Lee has been dancing (Ballet, Broadway Jazz and Tap) from the age of 4 years old. Leanne is an active member of the dance and musical theatre community of Brisbane as both a performer and choreographer.

For the past 12 years, ‘Miss Lee’ has taught Ballet, Broadway Jazz, Hip-Hop and Tap Dancing to children and adults in Brisbane and across Australia.

She has performed in Musicals such as Singin’ in the Rain, Disco Inferno and The Little Mermaid.
She has also choreographed numerous Musicals and Cabaret productions including Snow White, The Wizard of Oz’, Singin’ in the Rain and more recently, Billy Bucket and Mary Poppins.

Virag Dombay

Acting II / Improvisation

Virag is a passionate teaching artist, theatre-maker and author who is committed to creating works that connect audiences, whether it be for the main stage or youth productions.
“No matter what ‘hat’ or ‘hats’ I wear in my creative projects, the most fundamental aspect of my work in the arts sector, as a youth educator, and in the literary scene, is this idea of connection; to each other, to the characters, to the story, and to the audience members.”

Graduating from QUT with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Drama with Distinction in 2019 and a Masters of Education (2021), Virag has performed and trained with a plethora of theatre companies in Brisbane. Through these experiences, she has performed her original works at a number of venues including the Brisbane Powerhouse and Metro Arts and festivals including Anywhere Festival, Short+Sweet, Backbone Festival and Brisbane Fringe.

Virag is also the director of Room to Play Kids; a youth arts company for kids and teens based in the inner-city suburbs. Virag is very passionate about youth arts engagement, as reflected when she created and directed the play “Dear Adults…”, and its successive tours and seasons, as well as the drama programs she delivers for schools.

Aurelie Roque

Singing II-IV / Vocal Ensemble

Aurélie studied Vocal Performance and Dance at the UMKC Conservatory before moving to Australia 7 years ago. Her cabaret career started at the famous bar Natasha, where she wrote and co-starred in several cabarets: A CABARET AT LAST, TAKING ON The MOUSE (I & II), which held the record for highest attendance of a cabaret, as well as her first one woman show, THE DOCTOR IS IN. She then came to Australia in 2016.
In the last few years, Aurélie choreographed for the 24 HOUR MUSICAL PROJECT (2017-2019), and choreographed / directed in Taipei. Most recently, she created a 6 part workshop series called CABARET CREATION (which assisted individuals in designing and showcasing their own shows from scratch). A complete artist who’s mastered the triple-threat of singing, acting and dancing, Aurélie has performed in numerous professional productions such as (but definitely not limited to) Boy&Girl and a very naughty Christmas.

Tiffany Payne

Theatre Jazz / Tap dancing – Professional Musical Theatre Program

Tiffany Payne began her training at The Australian Dance Performance Institute with a Diploma of Musical Theatre and Commercial Dance, followed by a Bachelor of Musical Theatre at The Queensland Conservatorium. Some of her performance credits include ‘The 7 Sopranos’, Dorothy Brock in ’42nd Street’, Hedy LaRue in ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’ and Angie in ‘The Wedding Singer’.
Tiffany is very passionate about performing arts education, and has a keen focus on guiding and teaching performers of all ages and abilities be bold and confident in everything they do.

Mina Aanat

Dance, Theatre Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre Performance

Mina is a passionate Musical Theatre performer who for the past 17 years has been trained in a range of dance styles including Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Point, Heels, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Commercial and Lyrical.
Since she can remember, Mina has always had the desire to share her love for dance and show people how telling a story through the arts can truly be something so special. Through this passion she has gone on to teach a range of different classes.

From an early age, Mina developed a deep love for the dance but found that musical theatre is where she felt the most at home. With this she found herself attending regular voice lessons at Hargrave Singing Studio and attending a range of different acting schools around the north-side of Brisbane for the past last 10 years.

Mina is super excited to be joining the LVBA teaching team this year and can’t wait to help inspire our incredible students.

Rhianna Tunks

Yoga / Pilates / Commercial Heels

Rhianna has been dancing since the age of 4 across many styles of dance including hip hop, jazz, ballet, tap, and acrobatics.
Rhianna is passionate about educating dancers and empowering them to take care of their bodies to achieve their full potential in dance.
She graduated from Curtin University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy and has since been working as a dance physiotherapist and Pilates instructor. Rhianna completed full time dance training with the Dream Show Business in 2021.

She currently trains and competes in street styles and commercial dance with The Home Base. She has completed intensive training under Caetlyn Watson during the course FORMÉ in 2022.

Rhianna is also passionate about commercial heels and has trained with Yanis Marshall and Cassandra Merwood (Mission Stiletto). She enjoys creative direction and choreography which has lead her to choreograph and perform for clothing brands including Ally Fashion and Ra Ra Superstar.
In the past 10 years, Rhianna has worked closely with full-time ballet and contemporary students at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and was the treating physiotherapist for the cast of The Dream Dance Company’s 2021 show ICON.

Nathan Seiler

Piano lessons

Nathan’s 30+ years in music encompasses multiple arenas. Nathan has producer & composer credits in film, television & radio. He has performed with many national & international artists such as Wendy Matthews, Peter Cupples, Carol Lloyd, Luke Kennedy & many others. He has recorded with ARIA charting artists- Caitlyn Shadbolt, Natalie Dunn, Christie Lamb, The Viper Creek Band to mention a few. Nathan has taught and mentored many artists and musicians who are now enjoying successful careers as musicians, international artists and educators. Jordan Rakei (2.5 Million monthly Spotify listeners) is one such success story.

These days, Nathan balances his time between his creative projects and sharing what he knows through teaching piano, lecturing in various universities and sharing his ideas online. Nathan composes and publishes his own music through his ‘Pianoscapes by Nathan Seiler’ project which has received nearly 4 million streams on Spotify.

“After more than 30 years of teaching, I have realised that learning and teaching is intrinsically linked. Music gives me so much joy and fulfilment as a vehicle to appreciate the present moment and freely express my ideas and emotions. SO I teach what I know, aiming to inspire and encourage others to find their own avenue of creative artistic expression. Teaching and making art go hand in hand. It forms a symbiotic relationship. In essence- My art informs my teaching and my teaching informs my art.”

Nykita O’Keeffe

Youth Singing, Acting and Musical Theatre

Nykita is a musical theatre performer and musician from Brisbane.

With an avid love for musical theatre, she has been involved in multiple productions across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Her theatre credits include Funny Girl, Annie: The Musical, Spamalot, Pirates of Penzance, Mary Poppins , Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables and more recently Spring Awakening for which she receives numerous outstanding reviews.

Nykita also performs as vocalist in professional gigs around Brisbane such as Bigsound Music Festival, the Lord Mayor’s Seniors Christmas Parties, and Brisbane City Sounds gigs.

Nykita is a direct LVBA Alumni and has trained with us for 2 years, working on advanced singing and performing techniques in musical theatre. Loving every part of what LVBA teaches, she has stepped into the role of teacher and couldn’t be more thrilled to share her experiences and knowledge to young minds.

Alannah Pilson

Youth Singing, Acting and Musical Theatre
Alannah has trained in musical theatre classses for 11 years now.

She has years of dance training with Miss Lee and is currently doing her level 8 trinity college drama exams.
Over the years, Alannah has competed in several Eisteddfods continuously ranking 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
“I want to be a teacher to help students grow, to inspire and motivate them to push them to unleash their full potential.”

Caitlin Granrose

Dance, Theatre Jazz and Tap

Caitlin is a musical theatre performer and dancer from Brisbane. She has a strong passion for all things surrounding music and dance.

Since the age of 3, Caitlin has been involved in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, and hip hop. She has had the chance to learn new skills and express herself through numerous musical productions such as Singin’ In the Rain, Shrek, High School Musical, Annie, and more.

Caitlin is very excited to teach with LVBA this year. With a love for learning and teaching, she cannot wait to help students feel safe to express themselves and feel confident in their talents.

Mina Aanat

Dance, Theatre Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre Performance

Mina is a passionate Musical Theatre performer who for the past 17 years has been trained in a range of dance styles including Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Point, Heels, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Commercial and Lyrical.
Since she can remember, Mina has always had the desire to share her love for dance and show people how telling a story through the arts can truly be something so special. Through this passion she has gone on to teach a range of different classes.

From an early age, Mina developed a deep love for the dance but found that musical theatre is where she felt the most at home. With this she found herself attending regular voice lessons at Hargrave Singing Studio and attending a range of different acting schools around the north-side of Brisbane for the past last 10 years.

Mina is super excited to be joining the LVBA teaching team this year and can’t wait to help inspire our incredible students.

Thomas Armstrong-Robley

Acting & Musical Theatre for Adults

Thomas is a seasoned show-business professional who has worked in over 30 countries worldwide as an actor, concert artist, director, host and cabaret performer. Trained at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Musical Theatre), he has stage credits including Jersey Boys (Tommy DeVito), School of Rock (Dewey Finn), RENT (Roger Davis), The Phantom of the Opera (The Phantom/Raoul), The Secret Garden (Archibald Craven), American Idiot (St. Jimmy) and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Melvin P. Thorpe). His directorial credits include Jesus Christ Superstar starring X-Factor winner Altiyan Childs, The Wizard of Oz, The Pirates of Penzance, Like A Metaphor and most recently Jersey Boys which received 5 star reviews and was described by critics as “a masterclass in direction”.
In recent years, Thomas has travelled the world working as a headline entertainer with major companies including Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises and Silversea Cruises (RCCL).

Bree Walker

Broadway Jazz Teacher

Bree was born & raised on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland where she began dancing at the age of 5. After graduating high school, she was accepted into prestigious full time college, ED5 International Performing Arts in Sydney. She successfully earned a scholarship and completed 2 years of full time, graduating with a Diploma of Performing Arts in 2013.

By the end of 2013, Bree landed her first professional dance contract with Princess Cruises where she has professionally & creatively been working with the company for 6 years now. Bree has travelled the world performing in shows by world renowned choreographers such as Liz Imperio, Danny Teeson & many more.

Bree has also featured and modelled in “Too Late” music video for pop artists in Italy & has respectively assisted choreographers on set for music videos in LA. In between contracts, Bree continues her dance training in Sydney or London to keep progressing and evolving within the industry. Bree has been teaching most styles of dance since age 14. She has taught & managed professionals onboard contracts and teaches back home on the Sunshine Coast as well as in Brisbane & Sydney. Bree aspires to be a creative director & choreographer and thrives off sharing her knowledge, experience and passion for dance to the young and up and coming talents of today.

Robbie McMillan

Broadway Jazz & Tap Teacher

Robbie studied at the Queensland Ballet before moving to Europ where he toured professionally for almost 10 years.

In 2008, Robbie competed in the Australian version of “So, you think you can dance”.

Robbie performed in the most prestigious shows such Cats, Flashdance, Chess and Guys ‘n Dolls to cite only a few.

He toured professionally in Paris, London, Los Angeles and in Florida before recently coming back to Queensland.