Kate Ford-Chilvers

Kate is a dedicated triple-threat performer, teacher and mentor with over 35 years’ experience in the performing arts industry. She began her career as a child performing (singing, dancing and acting) in live stage shows with Australian celebrities including Geoff Mack and Freddie Meredith, and has since specialised in live entertainment with domestic and international credits. Career highlights include performing at Dick Van Dyke’s 90th birthday parade in Disneyland (Ca), tap dancing with penguins in New Zealand, frequently leading family shows at Carols in the Domain, hosting the stage at Tumbalong Park for the televised Macy’s-style Sydney Christmas Parades 2007-8 and countless live unlicensed and licenced stage shows including Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network and more.

Kate’s teaching experience includes Dance (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Folk, Music Theatre, Cheer), Drama and Voice in Sydney and the Mid North Coast for multiple local studios, production companies and privately.

Kate owns and operates Spark Performance, offering a broad range of specialised dance, practical speech & drama, and music workshops. Kate is the founder of the Spark Drama Method, “Drama for Dancers” – a drama examinations syllabus inspired by the Stanislavski System and utilising Laban Movement Analysis to tailor a drama method specifically designed for dancers. Kate is also the Artistic Director and principal vocalist for Opéra Côtier.

Kate is a producer, director and choreographer for amateur musical theatre companies on the mid north coast and Sydney, with credits including (but not limited to) 13 The Musical (Producer, Director), Puss in Boots (Director) and Spamalot, Addams Family, Legally Blonde and Anne Frank and Me (choreographer). Kate was also on the choreography team with SOCOG for the Sydney Olympic Parades and choreographed for multiple production companies in Sydney and the Mid North Coast from the mid-90s through to 2017.

Kate has been engaged for multiple dance, vocal and talent quest adjudications. When adjudicating, Kate offers kind, constructive feedback, focusing on the safe development of the performer’s talent for a long career in the arts. She looks for a sound foundation in technique, with a full-body expression of the specific genre. Kate encourages older students to consider the motivation of each movement, to develop the ability to connect the movement, body and music in every performance.