Welcome to Pretty Things Dance Studio!
About Pretty Things Dance Studio
Our Mission
Our mission at Pretty Things Dance Studio is to empower children through the joy of dance, fostering confidence, creativity, and a sense of community. We aim to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where every dancer feels valued, inspired, and encouraged to reach their full potential, both on and off the dance floor. Through expert instruction, nurturing guidance, and a passion for the art of movement, we strive to create a space where lifelong memories, friendships, and a love for dance can flourish.
The Four Cornerstones
Pretty Things Dance Studio’s foundations are built on Creativity, Confidence, Consistency, and Community.
- Creativity: We inspire dancers to explore their artistic expression, fostering originality and imagination in every step.
- Confidence: Through positive instruction and encouragement, we empower our dancers to believe in themselves and embrace their unique potential.
- Consistency: We value dedication and the importance of showing up—helping students build discipline, resilience, and steady progress over time.
- Community: Our studio is a family where connections flourish. We create an inclusive, welcoming environment where everyone feels supported and part of something special.
These four cornerstones are the foundation of Pretty Things Dance Studio, shaping the meaningful experience we strive to provide for every dancer and their family.
Dance Teachers
Dance Teachers
Laetitia Herrod
Studio Director & Dance Instructor
Laetitia Herrod has been a passionate dance enthusiast for decades, with over a decade of experience in the broader dance community, including participating in community performances and immersing herself in the dance competition world alongside her Daughter. When the last dance studio in the area closed several months ago, Laetitia, together with her husband, felt inspired to bring the joy of dance back to the community. Driven by her dedication to supporting her daughter through dance competitions, Laetitia committed herself to studying all aspects of dance and teaching. She developed a deep understanding of technique and discovered a profound love for guiding and inspiring others through the art of dance. Her journey has led her to create a welcoming space for dancers of all ages to learn, grow, and thrive.
Kate Watson
Dance Insturctor
Kate has nearly 14 years of dance experience, having fallen in love with movement and expression at just four years old. Dance has always been more than just a passion—it has shaped her journey as both a performer and a mentor to the next generation of dancers.
Kate's training began at GAD Innisfail, where she studied Ballet and Commercial Jazz before expanding into Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro, and Commercial Heels. Kate has successfully completed most of her ballet exams up to the Pre-Professional level, Her experience with Ballet moves across both Vaganova and Cicchetti Syllabus.
In 2019. Kate competed at Get the Beat Nationals, where her team won the national championship in the small group commercial heels division.
Kate's love for performance naturally led to teaching at NJ Dance in Mission Beach, working alongside Nicole, a former dance teacher who further fueled her passion for dance education. Kate was also honoured to perform in PAN ON SILKS, an immersive underwater and stage production curated by Nicole Jakobs.
With a strong foundation in both technique and performance, Kate is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inspiring environment where students can build confidence, refine their skills, and develop their artistry in every style they explore.
Isla Herrod
Student Teacher
Isla Herrod began her dance journey at the young age of three under the guidance of Rose Taifalos at the Rose Dance Studio in Tully, where she was taught by Elleigh Mercier and Rose for years. With a strong early foundation, Isla quickly developed a deep passion for expressing herself through dance. In 2019, she began training under Nicole at NJ Dance Studio and quickly developed a love for lyrical and contemporary dance.
It was with Nicole's guidance where her potential as a competitive dancer became evident. Nicole gave Isla multiple solo opportunities to perform at community events, recognizing her strong stage presence and expressive quality early on. Isla featured a solo choreographed by Nicole in Pan on Silks at Mission Beach in 2022. She also performed in a duet with Shekinah Goddard and danced in various troupes during the event. Isla began competing at the age of 11 and, now 13, has already achieved an impressive track record. Across competitions such as Cairns Eisteddfod, Innisfail Eisteddfod, FNQ Dance Festival, Evolution Dance Competition, Time to Shine, and Light Up the Stage, she has earned eight 1st places, one 2nd place, and three 3rd places. In 2024, Isla was awarded Judge's Choice for Most Versatile Dancer at Time to Shine and Highest Scoring Soloist at Evolution Dance Competition in Cairns 2024 in her Division. She also qualified for Nationals through Evolution Dance Competition but was unable to attend due to other commitments. Isla’s talent, dedication, and love for dance continue to shine through in every performance.
Isla is incredibly passionate about sharing the beauty of dance with other children. She finds joy in encouraging younger dancers and believes in the power of dance to build confidence, creativity, and connection. Whether she’s performing on stage or helping a friend in the studio, Isla radiates kindness and enthusiasm. Her love for dance goes beyond her own success—she truly shines when lifting others up and creating a positive, inspiring environment for those around her.
Elleigh Mercer
Dance Instructor
Elleigh brings over 20 years of diverse dance experience and a decade of teaching expertise across Tully, Brisbane, and Cairns, making her a seasoned and passionate educator. She is a certified instructor in Acrobatic Arts and Progressing Ballet Technique, ensuring her students receive training grounded in safety, progression, and excellence. With extensive experience teaching Kinderballet, Elleigh specializes in nurturing young dancers, laying strong technical foundations while fostering a lifelong love for dance.
Her training spans multiple prestigious ballet syllabuses, including RAD (Royal Academy of Dance), CSTD (Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing), and ATOD (Australian Teachers of Dancing), equipping her with a deep understanding of classical technique and artistry. This diverse background allows her to deliver a well-rounded dance education that caters to students of all ages and skill levels.
Elleigh’s favorite styles to teach include acro, contemporary, and commercial jazz. She has a unique ability to blend technical precision with creative expression, inspiring her students to push boundaries and explore their potential. Her teaching philosophy is centered on building confidence, encouraging individuality, and creating a supportive environment where students thrive both artistically and personally. Whether working with beginners or advanced dancers, Elleigh is dedicated to helping each student achieve their goals and discover the joy of dance.
Shekinah Goddard
Student Teacher
Shekinah's passion for dance began at an incredibly young age, even before she was old enough to realize it herself. While she was in daycare, her teacher, Rose, noticed her natural sense of rhythm and ability to follow a beat. Seeing her potential, Rose asked if she could bring Shekinah to her dance studio. From that moment on, her love for dance only grew stronger.
Shekinah has trained extensively in Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, Acro, Contemporary, Tap, and Heels. She has performed as a soloist, in duets, and as part of competition troupes. Her dance journey began at Rose’s studio in Tully before she moved to Urban Arts in Cairns. Later, she returned to Mission Beach, where she continued her training at NJ Dance Studio.
Throughout her competitive career, Shekinah has earned multiple first, second, and third-place awards across various dance genres at competitions in Innisfail and Cairns. She has also attended numerous workshops in Cairns, learning from some of Australia’s top choreographers, including Paris Cavanagh.
At one point, Shekinah was preparing for Australia’s Got Talent under the guidance of a choreographer, though the opportunity unfortunately fell through due to their other work commitments. However, a particularly special moment in her dance journey came when she was selected by Victoria and Brittany from The Next Step dance crew during their Brisbane tour. Performing on stage with them was a dream come true, as she has always loved the show.
Shekinah’s dedication and passion for dance continue to drive her forward, and she is always looking for new opportunities to grow and share her talent.