Meet the
directors.
Real world experience. Award-winning choreography.
Daniella and Matt Papa lead Vanguard Performing Arts, bringing professional stage, screen and touring careers to every class.
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 Classical Ballet and Contemporary at WAAPA where she received a Certificate II in Dance. Whilst Daniella was dedicated to her Classical Ballet she always felt her passion was in Jazz, which led 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 Luhrmann’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’ music videos, and the television series of Underbelly and The Sleepover Club.
Daniella has also been privileged to perform in such shows as: Mardi Gras, Juicy Couture Launch, Pacha @ Ivy, Runway Show for Redken and Schwarzkopf @ Sydney Hair Show, Commonwealth Bank Awards, Amway Convention, The Star Opening, The Star Casino New Years Eve ‘High Rollers Party’, International Hair Expo and Olympic Games 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, Justice Crew, Save Our Sons Charity, 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 and Michael Boyd and thanks them for her many performance opportunities and Jeep Management for their constant support and guidance.
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 and choreographed for Legally Blonde and Fame the Musical @ Crown Perth as well as Corporate Performance contracts for Business News WA, 40 Under 40 Awards, Rise Business Awards and Crown Perth Christmas Entertainment.
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.
Matt Papa
Having grown up in Canberra studying dance from a young age, Matt quickly became 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 Awards Australia, Suntory Japanese Whisky Launch, 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 Gold Coast, Jupiters Casino Corporate and the Virgin Australia Launch with Richard Branson and Delta Goodrem.
Signing with Grayboy Management one of Australia’s leading entertainment agencies Matt went on to perform at many major events worldwide including extended seasons on London’s West End @ The Novello Theatre and Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, 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 and The Lord Mayors Ball in Sydney.
Matt has performed in the musicals Hello Dolly as lead Ambrose Kemper and 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 and 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 and Rachel Beck and Channel 7’s Telethon.
Matt is a renowned teacher across Australia and has choreographed many award winning routines for some of Australia’s top performing arts facilities in addition to teaching dance workshops and masterclasses throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, The Middle East and 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 and 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 and choreographing the Chevron Ball @ PCEC and 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 and Showcase Australian Dance Championships as well as obtaining his Certificate IVs in Training & Assessment, Work Health & Safety and Health Care.
Most recently Matt produced, choreographed & performed in the Telstra Perth Fashion Festival, Chevron Ball @ PCEC, Suited Events NYE Masquerade Ball @ Crown Casino as well as Corporate Performance contracts for Business News WA, 40 Under 40 Awards, Rise Business Awards & Crown Perth Christmas Entertainment.
Matt has worked hard in securing his 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.