Our Staff
Our staff are highly trained and experienced to provide you and your child with an outstanding learning experience. For us, the best element of our job is that we get to play a special part in your child’s development and watch them learn, grow and create.
Vanessa Lynch
Hive Founder & Director
Bach. Education (hons) Major in Music
Vanessa has a B.Ed (hons) – Bachelor of Education with a major in Music and has spent several years teaching classroom music in high schools and primary schools in London. Vanessa is an accomplished pianist and flute player and has achieved an ATCL level in performance.
While studying an honours degree in Music Education, with a focus on neural research on children’s intellect and cognitive function, she discovered that music is especially powerful in shaping a child’s interests and abilities in the preschool years. Opening Hive, a creative learning studio for local families, was a natural step in her desire to give children the opportunity to develop the cognitive and musical skills that early childhood music training offers.
When she’s not buzzing at Hive, Vanessa spends her spare time being creative with cooking, baking, sewing and playing music with her kids Zara, Jayden and Brianna – they even have their own little family band!
Jessica Gavin
Customer Care
Jess is the friendly voice of Hive and answers your calls. She is available to chat with on reception Monday, Thursday and Friday. A mother to two beautiful boys, she has been a long-term client before joining the Hive team and her sons still love coming to Hive each week.
Attending the Hunter School of Performing Arts, Jess completed 6th grade level AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) in Trumpet and played in concert, marching and stage bands. From there she has achieved a Bachelor of Sience (Biotechnology) (Hons) and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Newcastle. After working as a Research Scientist and Laboratory Manager at Westmead Hospital, she relocated back to Newcastle and is now enjoying a child-friendly position, being surrounded by Creative People.
Lauren Turner
Customer Care
Lauren is the fresh new voice at Hive on the phone and happy to have a chat at reception on Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays.
A mum of a two beautiful young sons, Lauren’s passion for all things creative and imagination in little minds has come to life. Lauren has always loved being creative with dancing from a young age until she was 24. Her background is in hairdressing- hence loving to have a chat- and since having her son in 2020 decided a career change was in order.
Working at Hive is the perfect fit and loves being surrounded by such talented and creative people. She is currently studying her certificate III in business and looks forward to furthering her skills at The Hive.
Chauntelle O’Brien
Performing Arts Event Manager
Musical Theatre
Diploma of Musical Theatre, Diploma of Elite Performance (Dance), Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (The Actor’s Program) and Diploma of Dance Teaching
Chauntelle has been dancing for 26 years in styles such as Classical Ballet (BBO & RAD), Jazz, Tap (LGTDA & BBO), Contemporary, Show Girl and National Character. Chauntelle successfully created and operated CADA (Chauntelle Alydia Dance Academy) for 6 years and has been a dance teach for 16 years at various studios. During this time she obtained her Diploma of Musical Theatre, Diploma of Elite Performance (Dance), Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (The Actor’s Program) and Diploma of Dance Teaching, she is currently completing her Certificate IV in Training and Assessing.
Chauntelle has appeared in TV Commercials, Short films, Music videos as well as various shows around Newcastle including Priscilla (Metropolitan Players), Young Frankenstein (Opera Hunter), Fly By Night (Regional Institute of Performing Arts), Alice in Slasherland (Regional Institute of Performing Arts )and Trevor (Regional Institute of Performing Arts) Chauntelle also had the pleasure of choreographing for the City of Newcastle Drama Association Awards Ceremony in 2021.
Danny Folpp
Performing Arts Program Manager
Drama
Bachelor of Music Major in Musical Theatre
Danny has been performing since age 20 at various theatre stages across the globe. Studying at the Australian Institute of Music – Bachelor of Music major in Music Theatre.
His first role was Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer Musical which projected his passion for theatre and purpose for teaching. Notable roles include The Beast (Beauty And The Beast), Roger Davis (Rent), Gaston (Beauty And The Beast), Danny Zuko (Grease), Sky Masterson (Guys And Dolls), Rapunzel’s Prince (Into The Woods), Benny (Rent), The Monster (Young Frankenstein), Sir Robin (Spamalot)
Danny has been blessed to work with some of the best professionals the industry has to offer and recently performed in Chess with David Harris, Silvie Paladino, Marty Worrall and Amy Vee. Also recently assistant directing Priscilla and Be More Chill at the Civic Theatre and Civic Playhouse. Directing for 2022 the play – Keeping Up Appearances with Metropolitan Players.
His goals and aspirations for the future are solidified by his friends and family’s support as he strives for future opportunities and has begun directing and teaching.
Beth Aubrey
Drama Teacher
NIDA
Beth graduated from NIDA’s Acting course in 2006 and has worked extensively in all areas of the professional industry.
Francesco Bertoni
Musical Theatre
Francesco started performing at the age of 12 in Italy. He studied throughout the years singing, acting, dancing, piano and drums.
He successfully graduated in musical theatre at the Bernstein School of Musical Theatre (Bologna, Italy). He then performed in a range of shows on national tours for 2 years before moving to Paris to become a parade character performer in Disneyland Paris for 4 years.
In local theatre he appeared as Tyler in “Merrily we roll along”, Paul in “Company” and Lewis in “Pippin”. He is also a member of the Newcastle Chamber Choir since June 2022.
Bonnie McPeak
Voice
Diploma in Musical Theatre, Certificate III in Theatre & Screen
Bonnie brings a wealth of experience to our Performing Arts program, with experience in Musical Theatre, Drama, Dance and Vocals.
Bonnie completed vocal training with the exceptional Kim Hornby, in addition to her Trinity College Musical Theatre London ATCL Diploma and Certificate III in Theatre and Screen. She has experience in choreographing multiple local junior musicals as well as performing in a number of productions herself, such as; Ariel in the Little Mermaid Jr, Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde Jr and Sue Snell in Carrie. She has also been lucky enough to work with iTheatrics in New York on multiple occasions for High School Edition development workshops and High School Edition Choreography DVD’s. Most notably as Cassie in the A Chorus Line High School Edition choreography DVD.
Dancing for most of her life with Newcastle Dance Academy, Bonnie completed Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) classical ballet exams from grades Primary to Intermediate. Through NDA she also competed in many dance eisteddfods with both group and solo performances. Bonnie has also been a featured dancer in the City of Newcastle Drama Awards and Starstruck.
Bonnie is excited to share her passion and experience of the performing arts with students.
Shuna Mackay
Drama
Bach. Community Drama (hons)
Bridget Ponman
Musical Theatre Assistant
Bridget is a HSC student at the Hunter School of Performing Arts. She has spent 10 years developing talent in drama, musical theatre, and classical singing. She has been a frequent performer in many local productions and a CONDA youth ambassador. Bridget has earned multiple nominations and won the CONDA “Excellence by a Performer 18 and Under in a Musical” award. Her notable roles include Elle Woods in ‘Legally Blonde The Musical’, SpongeBob in ‘The SpongeBob Musical’, The Baroness in ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, and Ursula in ‘The Little Mermaid Jr.’ A talented visual artist, Bridget ranked in the Top 100 for the Young Archie’s 2021. At Hive, she passionately shares her arts expertise with young enthusiasts.
Amelia Accardi
Piano
Grace Lickley
Art
Bach. Natural History Illustration
Grace is a passionate writer and artist and is a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Natural History Illustration. Grace specialises in both digital and traditional drawing methods and has a profound love for watercolour. She also works with acrylic, polymer clay and fine liner. She has been recognised by the National Art School in Sydney where she was accepted into their Intensive Studio Program specialising in Life Drawing and has participated in multiple exhibitions.
For 8 years Grace attended a Steiner school and grew up surrounded by eclectic and colourful people. From age 6 her creative endeavours included painting, needle felting, knitting and candle making all of which she still enjoys and works at today.
Grace has extensive experience working with children and has taught at both primary and high school levels. She is incredibly passionate about encouraging kids to discover their creativity and develop their artistic skills.
Hannah Simonovich
Art
Bach. Fine Art
Hannah is a contemporary abstract artist who has been painting for over ten years. She obtained a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Newcastle where she graduated with a double major in painting and photography.
Since graduating Hannah has dedicated her time to her art making practice where she has been a part of numerous solo and group exhibitions. Hannah has also worked as a freelance photographer, conducted art lessons for primary and pre-school aged children and worked in the Interior Design Industry.
Predominantly working with oil on canvas, Hannah paints intuitively by drawing on memory of the natural world to create abstract landscapes. She is inspired by the emotive quality of colour and the environment.
Hannah’s passion and love for teaching children visual arts has gravitated her towards Hive Creative Studio. Not only is she thrilled to be a part of this creative and educational community but is grateful to be teaching children how to create art through different methods and techniques as well as how to express themselves and communicate through art making practices.
Melody Suranyi
Art
Bach. Visual Communication
Rosie Wilkie
Art Assistant
Lee Seaman
Bee-School
Diploma in Graphic Design
Hello! My name is Lee and you could say I wear many pants. Wife, mum, Artist, Graphic Designer / Art Director and published Children’s interior stylist.
I find inspiration for my art/design from all facets of life but mostly from the sheer beauty of kids and my fondness for all things that are colourful, fresh and fun. I am beyond passionate in helping the next generation of little humans find their creative spark by providing them the tools to create projects that push their capabilities so they are continually growing and developing.
Professionally, I have worked as an art director for over 9 years, and hold qualifications in graphic design and fashion design.
Rebecca Hrobat
Bee-School
Diploma in Performing Arts Major in Acting
Eloise Sheean
Bee-School, Baby & Toddler Music
Bach. Music
Gabriella Christie
Bee-School Assistant
Gabby has been an assistant tutor for 3 years in drama art and musical theatre. She has been part of the drama community for several years performing in shows such as Peter pan, Into the woods, Aladdin and the Moana Jr Pilot at the Junior theatre celebration. Gabby loves working with children and is passionate about making even the smallest difference in the lives of anyone she works with.
Summer Visocchi
Play Room Assistant
Summer is an assistant of bee-school and has been apart of this beautiful team since 2019. “I was gifted with the chance to make my dream come true with an amazing opportunity to do what I have always loved to do, which is working with kids”.
She has always loved building and forming relationships with children and thrives to help and assist them in growing and developing. She has always had a passion for both dance and art, and to be able to combine her hobbies and dream, she believes, is the best combination ever!
Charli Walker
Bee-School Assistant
Charli is a singer and artist. Having grown up in a musical household it was a natural progression for her to study music, majoring in voice and achieving incredible results in her HSC performance exams.
Charli has a natural affinity for working with young children and enjoys connecting with each child in her classes and helping them to find their voice.
Melissa Saunders
Program Director for 0-5 Yrs
Baby & Toddler Music
Diploma of Early Education & Care
Melissa has a background and qualifications in early childhood teaching and music education – giving you and your child a complete educational and creative experience. Before joining the Hive, Melissa worked as an Early Childhood Teacher and Director and also as a Voice Teacher and Choir Director. Melissa’s skills extend to the stage as well, where she has many years of experience in writing, directing and producing musicals and dramatic theatre productions.
She’s also a singer and songwriter – you might just see her wowing audiences at live performances in local venues around Newcastle.
Melissa is a proud mum to Natasha and Daniel, who share her passion for beautiful music and performance.
Emily Kingsmill
Baby & Toddler Music
Bach. Psychology in Education
Emily is a pianist, singer and teacher. She grew up playing the piano then completed her Psychology in Education degree back in England. She qualified as a Primary School teacher, then as an Early Childhood educator here in Australia. She is passionate about children learning through the joy of music and is delighted to be putting both her love of music and education together at Hive.
Her two little boys share her love of music, and together they like to spend time exploring and adventuring outdoors, going to the beach, sailing, crafting, baking, plus singing, dancing and making music!
Kirsty Venables
Play Room
Bach. Education (Primary)
Kirsty completed her primary teaching degree in 2009 and has been teaching for 12 years. Nurturing young little minds is her life goal. Working with children has been a dream of mine since I was one myself. There was never any other career path for me. It truly is my ‘dream job’ to have recently joined The Hive team; as it allows me to combine my passion for engaging with children as well as my love for The Arts.
Beth Peach-Robinson
Play Room, Bee-School
Bach. Music
Beth is a singer and actress with a passion for Early Years Education.
Originally from the UK, Beth began her training at Cardiff University, obtaining a Degree in Music. She then went on to study Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London. After graduating she went on to tour the UK and Internationally with multiple musicals.
She has previously taught Musical Theatre for the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, where she realised the joy in sharing her skills and love for music and performing with children.
Since moving to Australia Beth has fronted a local function band performing at weddings and music venues across the Hunter.
Beth has two beautiful children who are her inspiration, and further sparked her love for early childhood development. Beth feels so lucky to be a part of the Hive team, getting to do what she loves everyday with such a wonderful community of families.
The Blog
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