Western Australia’s Home of Performing Arts
Vanguard Performing Arts is Western Australia’s foremost performing arts house located in Perth covering all aspects of commercial dance, singing and musical theatre.
Students select from a variety of pre-set packages across the following age groups: Tiny Movers, Petite, Pre Junior/Junior, Pre Teen/Teen & Pre Senior/Senior.
Weekly classes on offer include: Acrobatics, Classical Ballet, Elite Extension Program, Hip Hop, Industry Class, Jazz, Lyrical & Contemporary, Musical Theatre & Singing, Open Class, Pilates, Private Lessons, Solo Class, Tap, Technique & Conditioning, Tiny Movers & Wellbeing.
Outside of classes and training, students have the opportunity to perform at live events, charity events and take part in competitions. Each year, students take part in our annual Vanguard Showcase.
Vanguard Performing Arts directors Daniella & Matt Papa have designed a heavily on trend program with an emphasis on performing arts education that takes students from their first steps in dance through to a professional performing arts career in the entertainment industry.
Vanguard Performing Arts caters to each child’s abilities, creative expression and coordination while nurturing social interaction and helping students to learn to follow instructions while having great fun. Students receive a safe, fun and stimulating education in dance as they explore a broad range of genres and styles all under one roof.
Vanguard Performing Arts combines real world experience, passion, enthusiasm, award winning choreography and a serious approach to the performing arts that is a cut above the rest and are committed to nurturing creative self-expression, self-belief, confidence and excellence in all aspects of the performing arts.
Meet The Directors
Daniella Papa
Having grown up in Perth, Western Australia, Daniella’s performing arts training began at the young age of three under the watchful eye of her Mother, Marina Del Basso. Daniella became extremely driven in dance from an early age and always dreamed of pursuing a career as a professional dancer.
With this goal in sight she took her studies further training full-time at Terri Charlesworth WA Youth Ballet, then furthered her training in Ballet & Contemporary at WAAPA where she received a Certificate II in Dance. Whilst Daniella was dedicated to her classical she always felt her passion was in Jazz, which lead her to move interstate at the age of 18 to study full time in Sydney at Brent Street Studios where she received a Certificate IV in Performing Arts.
Daniella then went on to work professionally under the guidance of PJ Clarke at Australia’s leading commercial dance agency Jeep Management.
Daniella’s film and television credits include: Baz Lurhman’s ‘The Great Gatsby’, TV Week Logie Awards, The Voice, X-Factor, NRL Grand Final, AFL Grand Final, LAMB TVC, ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ TVC, Zoe Badwi ‘Shoot Me Down’, Justice Crew ‘Boom Boom’, Marvin Priest ‘Feel The Love’, Anthony Callea ‘Oh Oh Oh’, Paulini ‘Firestarter’, and the television series of Underbelly & The Sleepover Club.
Daniella has also been privileged to perform in such shows as: Mardi Gras, Juicy Couture Launch, Pacha @ Ivy, Redken & Schwarzkopf @ Sydney Hair Show, Commonwealth Bank Awards, Amway Convention, The Star Opening, The Star Casino New Years Eve ‘High Rollers Party’, International Hair Expo & Olympic Welcome Home Parade.
Daniella counts herself lucky to have shared the stage with artists such as: Ricky Martin, Flo-Rida, Kelly Rowland, Paulini, Jessica Mauboy, Marvin Priest, The Wanted, Wynter Gordon, Wolfmother, Guy Sebastian, Prinnie Stevens, Todd McKenny and more.
As well as performing herself Daniella is one of Australia’s leading choreographers and has choreographed performances for Sids for Kids, Twenty2Go, Breakout Festival, Musicals in Concert, The Next Step (pre show entertainment), Justice Crew (pre show entertainment), Save Our Sons Charity, APAN, Sydney Swans Semi Final Performance, Channel 7 Telethon and has choreographed for artists such as Marvin Priest, Jessica Mauboy, Paulini and Keeda.
Daniella has worked with: The Squared Division, Jason Coleman, Ame Delves, Yvette Lee, Marko Panzic, Leanne Cherney, Sally Clarke, Simon Lind, Ashley Wallen & Michael Boyd and thanks them for her many performance opportunities and Jeep Management for their constant support to date.
Most recently Daniella directed, choreographed & performed in the Telstra Perth Fashion Festival, Chevron Ball @ PCEC & Suited Events NYE Masquerade Ball @ Crown Casino as well as Assistant choreographer for the 2021 AFL Grand Final @ Optus Stadium & 2022 Super Netball Series Grand Final @ RAC Arena & choreographer for Legally Blonde & Fame The Musical @ Crown Perth.
Daniella has worked hard in securing her place in the dance industry and is very thankful for her opportunities to date, she looks forward to continuing to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of performers through her role as Director of Vanguard Performing Arts.Add a descriptive title for the column.Use this space to add a medium length description. Be brief and give enough information to earn their attention.
Matt Papa
Having grown up in Canberra studying dance from a young age, Matt quickly become known for his take on rhythm and entertaining style, which evolved from his intense training by Glenn Wood, Dein Perry and Michelle Heine.
As a performer Matt has toured to 43 countries as a lead performer with the Tap Dogs and toured the country with The Next Step. Matt’s performance credits include: NRL Grand Final with Ricky Martin and Jessica Mauboy, Dancing With The Stars, MTV Australia, Suntory Japanese Whisky, Rome Motorshow, FIFA World Cup Awards, Vodafone Awards, Pfizer Retreat, Sunseeker Boat Show Sydney, Bacardi B Live Festival India, Cyprus World Festival, Sydney International Hair Show, Cosmetic Surgery Awards, American Crew International, 100th Season NRL Launch, Just Jeans Salvage Denim Launch, FORD Ranger Launch, Toyota Prius Launch, Toyota Camry Launch, Volkswagen Corporate, V8 Supercars, Jupiters Casino and Virgin Australia Launch with Richard Branson.
Signing with Grayboy Management one of Australia’s leading entertainment agencies Matt went on to perform at many major events worldwide including a season on London’s West End, Bologna International Motor Show, World Youth Day Opening Ceremony, Splendour in the Grass, India Live, West End Bares, CHOGM, Land Rover @ Crown Casino, Jaguar E-Type Launch, Carols in the Domain & The Lord Mayors Ball in Sydney.
Matt has performed in the musicals Hello Dolly as lead Ambrose Kemper & Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as well as featuring as a guest in the hospital drama ‘All Saints’ on Channel 7 and internationally for television advertising campaigns for Suntory Whiskey (Japan), Capri Sun (USA) and has appeared on The Morning Show in London, Mornings with Kerri Ann, MTV Russia, So You Think You Can Dance Season One Final, Dancing with the Stars Final, RAI Italy, The Lenny Henry Show, Good Morning America, The Project & Sunrise.
Matt has choreographed many of his own corporate pieces including: Carnival Australia, Short + Sweet, Luna Park Live, McGuigan Wines, TwentyToGo, Musicals in Concert with Todd McKenney & Rachel Beck and Channel 7’s Telethon.
Matt is renowned teacher across Australia & has choreographed many award winning routines for some of Australia’s top performing arts schools in addition to teaching dance workshops and masterclasses throughout Asia, Europe, The Middle East & the USA.
Matt has established himself as an innovative fixture on the Perth dance scene creating Boys Noise an all boys tap group in 2014 who performed and taught workshops at The Perth Royal Show & were lucky enough to perform on Channel 7’s Telethon as well as directing two shows at Telstra Perth Fashion Festival as well as directing & choreographing the Chevron Ball @ PCEC & ringing in the New Year at the launch of Crown Towers for Crown Resorts.
Matt has adjudicated nationally and internationally for: New Zealand Dance Awards, KAR (Kids Artistic Revue), Rainbow Dance Competition, Get The Beat & Showcase Australian Dace Championships.
Matt has worked hard in securing is place in the entertainment industry and is very thankful for all of his opportunities to date, he looks forward to continuing to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of performers through his role as Director of Vanguard Performing Arts.
