Meet The Team
Linda McKay
Linda has trained in all dance styles including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Character, Lyrical and Musical Theatre. She acquired her formal training in Classical Ballet at the Alkins School of Dance and attained her Teaching Diploma with the Royal Academy of Dance. In 1996, Linda graduated from The Australian Ballet School Teacher Training, achieving the Advanced Diploma of Dance Teaching with Distinction.
Linda has performed with The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet in a variety of character roles for The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet. In 2001 Linda opened the doors to Essentially Dance. The school’s successes include students that have been accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, The Australian Ballet School, Melbourne Youth City Ballet and The Victorian State Ballet Pre-Professional program.
Linda is passionate about recognising the individual needs of each student and therefore the studio offers a nurturing environment for both those who dance for pleasure and those who strive for excellence.
Director
Rebecca Murray
Dance Teacher
Rebecca started ballet at the age of seven in Mosgiel, NZ. By the age of 10 she was competing in competitions around NZ in a variety of dance genres. At age 18 she moved to Brisbane to commence further study at the Queensland University of Technology. Here, Rebecca studied contemporary dance as well as a range of other modern dance styles. In 2017 she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Dance Performance endorsed with Distinction. Alongside her degree, Rebecca is a fully qualified RAD and BBO teacher and in 2019 she wrote her own ballet syllabus. In 2018 she joined Victorian State Ballet where she tours and performs around Australia and NZ.
Max Davis
Dance Teacher
Max trained in all dance styles from age 8, with Niche dance. He trained at Victorian College of the Arts from years 7-12 in intense classical and contemporary technical training Max discovered a love for circus and acrobatics training at The National Institute of Circus Arts, mastering skills in acrobatic performing. Max has since appeared in multiple performances as Marvels' Australian Spiderman at events including the Australian tennis open, football games in Victoria and interstate Max now focuses on teaching the multiple styles he has learned to help further his students to their goals in all things dance.
Carla Fares
Dance Teacher
Carla started dancing from the age of 3 at Dance Revolution and experienced the dance competition lifestyle for almost 10 years competing in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, open, hip-hop, commercial and theatre jazz categories.
From 2021, Carla began expanding her dance training by joining a several youth companies including Scimm Platforms Youth Company, Transit Dance Origins, Stella Youth Dance Company and more.
After VCE studies, she is now training full time as part of the Scimm Pre-professional course, focusing on her contemporary technique and artistry, and attaining her Certificate IV in Dance. Carla has also made dance appearances in the 2024 AFL Grand Final Pre-show entertainment for Katy Perry, 2025 Australian Open ‘Kids Tennis Day’ performance, Coles Myer Gift Card TVC, and choreographed for Grounded: Battle of the Arts Next Generation Division 2024.
Carla desires to share her love for dance with others by spreading knowledge and forming meaningful connections with her students at Essentially Dance!
Stacey Beale
Administration
Mikayla Wisneske
Dance Teacher
Mikayla Wisneske has been dancing since the young age of 6 in her hometown of Mildura. She then moved to Melbourne at age 16 to complete a Diploma of Dance at Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance. Since graduating in 2021, Mikayla has continued to train and work with Stella Youth Dance Company and Lionheart Dance Company.
Some of her credits include, Stella Youth Dance Company - FIVE, Romaeo EP Launch and Music Video - "How To Be Honest", Lionheart Dance Company - Underlight & Enduring and Sparks Youth Dance Company - Satellite.
Mikayla loves to challenge and inspire students to be unique and individual while being in a supportive and safe environment!
Charlotte Lincoln
Dance Tecaher
Charlotte began dancing at the age of 4 at Niche Dance Studios. On completion of VCE, Charlotte attended Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance receiving a Diplooma of Musical Theatre and Certigicate IV in Dance Teaching and Management. Some of Charlotte's performance opportunities include: Tones and I music video "Won't Sleep" (2021), and QUBE Effects Award's Emma Tomlinson music video "Control" (2022).
Charlotte has pursued her passion for teaching across several dance studios, creating solo competition and performance choreography as well as producing catered movement programs for children and young adults of all abilities.
Jocelyn Wee
Dance Teacher
Jocelyn began dancing at the age of 4 at Essentially Dance. With her love for dance particularly in ballet, she was accepted into the Victorian College of The Arts Secondary School (VCASS) for Year 7. Since then, she has been training and performing in various dance styles including ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, character and commercial.
Jocelyn is a member of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and achieved a High Distinction in her Advanced 1 and 2 examinations. She was also 2023/2024/2025 Mabel Pryde finalist in the Ballet Teacher’s Workshop competition. In 2023 she auditioned and performed in the dance ensemble for the Performing Artists Company (PAC), where she performed ‘A Chorus Line’. In 2024 she auditioned for her schools major performance ‘Romeo and Juliet’ where she successfully performed as Juliet. In 2025 she also auditioned for ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’ where she performed as a lead fairy and Hermia.
She has also recently been invited to work with Singapore Ballet for 2 weeks, participating in class and observing rehearsals.