Cool Cats Rock ‘n’ Roll is a fun and flexible dance studio that provides skilled, organised, and targeted dance coaching for a broad variety of 1930s to 1960s ‘nostalgia’ dance styles. We are dedicated to helping dancers of all proficiency levels Take the Next Step in their dance journey - and understand that this will be something different for every dancer. Whether it is achieving confidence in the first figures learned, having more fun on the dance floor, or serious examination of dance mechanisms and technique, we want to help people achieve the most out of their dancing!
Working Hard
Cool Cats is working hard to keep Rock ‘n’ Roll vibrant. We have set our targets high to push ourselves to provide the very best for every dancer and to give back the most we can into the greater 'nostalgia' dance community.
Cool Cats believes in ongoing training, development, and evaluation for teachers and assistants to improve their skills, knowledge, and qualifications. This involves consideration to both dance and non-dance aspects of teaching so that students will continue to receive the best from their instructors.
Nathan & KayHelen, Jack, & Meryill
Commitment
Cool Cats is committed to the long term development and promotion of ‘nostalgia’ (Rockabilly/ Swing/ Rock ‘n’ Roll) dance styles. We teach in a manner that facilitates social activity and interaction, while imparting the necessary skills and knowledge for good dancing. Importantly, we maintain a distinction between related dance styles so that each be separately appreciated and remain true to form.
Cool Cats has a variety of programs in place or under development to promote new teachers and encourage participation by new dancers. Cool Cats actively participates in the broader Rock ‘n’ Roll community, by involvement in associated events and festivals, support of regional dance clubs and events, and through judging and promotion of dance competitions across Australia. In this regard, we support and aspire to the aims of the ARRDC.
Teacher Profiles
Nathan Major – Studio Principal
Nathan has been dancing since1996 and turned professional in 2002. Nathan is a qualified instructor (Licentiate - Australian Rock ‘n’ Roll Dancesport Council) in a variety of styles, including lift-work. Nathan competed successfully at State and National level competition and now regularly adjudicates at National events. However, he is most proud of the competition efforts and achievements of the students he has helped coach. Nathan looks forward to many further years of dancing with past, present, and future students of every description.
Nathan is committed to the future of Swing, Rockabilly, and Rock ‘n’ Roll and continues to develop his skills, qualifications, and passion so that he may continue to promote and inspire better dancing, helping more dancers Take the Next Step.
Australian Rock 'n' Roll Dancesport Council (ARRDC)
Qualified Instructor - Licentiate
Judge: Melbourne Grande National Dance Championship (2004)
Judge: World Freestyle Rock 'n' Roll Championships (2005-2008)
Judge: New England Rock ‘n Roll & Swing Dance Championships (2008, 2009)
Judge: Paradise International Rock ‘n’ Roll & Swing Dance Competition (2009)
Multiple State / City of Perth Champion -
Rock 'n' Roll, Jive, Lindy-Hop, Continental Rock 'n' Roll, Rockabilly
Crown Casino International Dance Championships (2000) -
Champion: Jive, Continental Rock 'n' Roll, Lindy-Hop
And after a long break from competition... :)
Paradise International Rock ‘n’ Roll & Swing Dance Competition (2009)
New England Rock ‘n Roll & Swing Dance Championships (2009)
Champion: Rockabilly (Pro-Am)
Helen Major - Professional Helen began her dance career back in high school but never really got it off the ground until she discovered the sheer joy of Rock 'n’ Roll. That was 1996 when she persuaded Nathan to escort her to a social dance class, and – as they say – the rest is history!
While Nathan rapidly embraced all things Rock 'n' Roll, Helen took the scenic route. Detouring from time to time into ballroom, swing and salsa, Helen immersed herself in the social scene, gradually acquiring her rock’n’roll skills along the way. Sitting on the sidelines while Nathan competed, however, eventually drove her onto the competition floor, and later into teaching. Turning professional at the end of 2001, Helen’s greatest joy was winning 1st place with Nathan in the ‘Pro-Am’ at his final amateur competition.
Helen is now a nationally qualified instructor in Rock ‘n’ Roll (Australian Rock ‘n’ Roll Dancesport Council) and is also a degree-qualified adult educator. She sees dance as the ultimate lifelong learning experience with a never-ending repertoire of skills to be learned and put into practice. Consequently, she gets great joy out of both her own learning and that of others.
Class Assistants
Our cadre of friendly faces...
At Cool Cats we provide the opportunity for more experienced students to assist in class. For some this may represent a training pathway to ultimately become teachers themselves, while for others it's a just way of helping out. Cool Cats understand that every dancer started as a beginner once! A few of the usual suspects are pictured in the side panel - feel free to say hi :)
