Who Is Running The Tour?

Executive Producer, Tour and Program Director: Jim Bennett – ClassRooms Around The World Pty Ltd.

Jim is highly acclaimed for his expertise, experience and professionalism in production and management of major large cast and arena events in a career spanning 20 years.

Whether staging a cast of 20,000 or working grand venues and events from the Sydney Olympics to the Brisbane Goodwill Games, from State of Origin & Football Grand Finals to New York Stages and Cruise Ship performances, Jim knows what it takes to produce a performing arts tour around the world.

As director of "ClassRooms Around The World Pty. Ltd." Jim Bennett has organised, directed and staged curriculum based student tours and performing arts tours since 1989.

"The world is a stage"- Jim Bennett.

Director of Dance: Amber Denning Productions.

Amber is 23 years of age and has been dancing since the age of four years. She is classically trained in R.A.D. Ballet as well as contemporary, modern, jazz and tap dance styles. Amber was a member of the prestigious NSW State Schools Senior Dance Company for three years and toured Japan with the company in 1999 and recently returned to choreograph for the NSW State Schools Senior Dance Ensemble also. Amber has danced professionally for many years and has performed at all the major Sydney and regional performance venues and events. Amber has been teaching and choreographing dance for nine years at many dance schools and academies, as well as recently for MTV Productions, Amber also opened her own dance school in Sydney’s south early in 2005. A recent successful international performance tour to the USA and Europe was a significant factor in Classrooms Around the World securing Amber as a key production team member for Odyssey on Stage 2005, and after the success of that tour, Amber is back with us for Odyssey on Stage 2006/2007. Amber has also completed university studies in a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology and is currently working as an intern psychologist with children and adolescents, she is very happy to continue her work in both arenas of psychology and dance throughout 2006 and 2007.

julie Julie Lea Goodwin

Biographical Notes

Soprano Julie Lea Goodwin is a graduate from the prestigious Talent Development Project and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, under the tutelage of Dr Rowena Cowley. At just 18 years of age, Julie has performed in some of Australia’s premiere performance venues: the Sydney Opera House (Encore, 2006, for outstanding HSC performers), the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Sydney Recital Hall, Angel Place (principal role, Paris, in the world premiere opera Love’s Lessons Learned), the Sydney Entertainment Centre (Schools Spectacular, 2005, 2006) and Sydney Town Hall (Day of Difference Gala Dinner).

In 2006 Julie was a featured soloist in ‘A Musical Tribute to The Royal Flying Doctors Service (City Recital Hall, Angel Place), performing alongside such distinguished performers as Amelia Farrugia, Michael Lewis, Catherine Carby, Sharolyn Kimmorley and Stuart Maunder. She has been a soloist for many awards ceremonies and corporate events. In 2002 Julie was privileged to sing for HRH Duke of Edinburgh for a private function during CHOGM.

Julie was awarded a scholarship to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (2006) and won the Farleigh Vocal Scholarship (22yrs and under) at the Cowra Eisteddfod (2006).
In 2005 and 2006, she was the winner of the Intermediate Aria (17-22yrs) at the McDonalds Performing Arts Challenge, a finalist for the Joan Sutherland Scholarship, and the recipient of a Youth and Tourism Foundation Scholarship for Young Australians. She has also been awarded the 4MBS Outstanding Student Award and the Australia Day Young Citizen Award.

Carly Smith

CARLY SMITH

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CHOREOGRAPHY

Carly has been dancing most of her life studying the Les Griffith syllabus ( L.G.T.D.A) and later under the tuition of Glenn Wood has proven herself to be an outstanding tap dancer, winning numerous Tap Championships and Scholarships at eisteddfods across New South Wales.

In 1999 Carly established her own successful studio (EXCEL tap) in Wollongong. In 2000 Carly performed at the Australian National Dance Championships obtaining the 2nd highest mark of all performers across all disciplines. In the same year Carly performed as a tap dancer throughout China with Sher's Studio of Modern Dance.

Carly has also taught tap dancing at other notable studios in NSW and ACT including Glenn Wood Tap and K & V Dance Corp.

After being involved in "Odyssey On Stage" 2005, Carly is excited about the prospect to again be a part of a program that gives

fantastic opportunities to youth interested in dance and the performing arts.

Sarah Young - Dance Teacher and Choreographic Team

"Sarah has been studying all forms of dance, including ballet, jazz, tap and
contemporary for 15 years and has successfully completed Ballet Australasia
exams in ballet, jazz and tap, and being awarded three BAL Incentive
Scholarships at their annual summer school. Sarah has performed in
eisteddfods all over New South Wales, and in major dance events such as NSW
Schools Spectacular, Australian Ballet School Summer School, NSW State PS
Senior Ensemble and Sydney 2000 Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Sarah was a student choreographer for Sydney South Regional Dance Festival,
and now teaches jazz,tap and ballet at a south-west Sydney dance studio. She
is currently studying Education and Arts in Psychology at University of
Sydney, after being awarded an entry scholarship. Sarah has travelled with
Classrooms around the World on two previous occasions, with her high school,
St George Girls, and is extremely excited about the prospect and
opportunities of a performance tour in destinations such as New York and
Paris, her favourite cities".

LANA HEAP - DANCE & CHOREOGRAPHIC TEAM