kelly aykers

After 50 years of training and performance, during which time she has also directed, choreographed, Kelly is delighted that the natural progression of her career is now giving her the opportunity to pass her knowledge on to others within the dance industry.

 

After an early career highlight of working alongside Ann Reinking as her dance captain on the Australian production of Chicago and, as a devout disciple of Bob Fosse, Kelly took on her first role of director in 2016. It was a natural progression and, along with Musical Director, Stephen Gray and a live on-stage band, she brought Pippin to the stage. A year later, the pair teamed up again to present super musical, Chicago to excellent reviews.

 

Additional director credits soon followed including, Little Shop of Horrors, The Pajama Game, Bring It On and, later this year, Kelly will assume the role of director and choreographer in Disney’s My Son Pinocchio. In addition to her upcoming work on Disney's My Son Pinocchio (Yourshow), Kelly’s previous credits have gained her a reputation as one of Australia’s pre-eminent musical choreographers.

 

Her mainstream credits include: Midnight the Musical (Aspect Entertainment), The Preacher (Klaus Productions), Barnum the Musical (Storeyboard Entertainment), The Very Excellent Mister Dundee, Follies in Concert (Storeyboard Entertainment), Annie the Musical (GFO-Greenroom Nomination), Sweeny Todd (Australian Opera), The Wizard of Oz (GFO), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (The Production Company), Guys and Dolls (The Production Company), Young Talent Time (Ten Network), Ultimate School Musical (Fox 8 series) So You Think You Can Dance Australia (Ten Network 3 seasons), Youtube Fanfest (Darling Harbour), The Divorce, (Opera Australia/ ABC), Star Struck (2 seasons GTV 9), My Brother Jack (Ten Network), The Moonshadow workshop with Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Masters Of Choreography: Shakespeare Comedies and Tragedies, Ringmaster, Zodiac and Once Upon a Time, The Australian ICC Cricket World Cup, Circacolumbia circus shows (P&O Cruises).

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Her performance resume boasts credits in some of Australia's finest professional mainstream Musical events. The lead role of Stephanie in Saturday Night Fever, the role of June in Chicago the Musical, the lead role of Helene in Sweet Charity the Musical, the role of silly girl in Beauty and the Beast, the role of Christine in A Chorus Line, the role of Patty Simcox in Grease the Musical, Funny Girl, Alana Scanlan’s Pictures, David Atkins’ Dynamite, David Atkins Dancin Man, Seven Little Australians the Musical. Dein Perry's film Bootmen and the role of Lauren Gatley on Neighbours.

 

To add to her already extensive credits, Kelly will soon take on the role of producer and, along with Company A, her own professional Broadway dance company, will proudly present her own original production - Speakeasy.

 

Furthermore, for thirty-six years, Kelly has remained one of the country's most sought after dance and Musical Theatre teachers, working in Melbourne and Australia's foremost universities and dance institutions.

 

Kelly is qualified with a Diploma of Musical Theatre, Diploma & Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Kelly is also director and owner of her own junior school, Kelly Aykers Junior Dance as well as Director and Coowner of Parklife Productions Pty Ltd.

 

In 2025 Kelly will be bringing her passion of Musical Theatre to the Junior students with the launch of her Junior Broadway Musical Theatre Company, Broadway Junior. Over the years Kelly's passion and commitment to the finer points of dance has not waned and she is as dedicated to her craft now as she ever has been. It is to that end that she proudly presents her own tertiary training facility at Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance in Brunswick.