Behind the Stars

What happens when a performer turns her passion for movement into a whole new way of supporting dancers? In Episode 6 of Behind the Stars , we chat with performer, singer, dancer, mum and Pilates instructor Oriana Binetti about the powerful connection between Pilates and dance. Oriana shares her own journey as a performer and how becoming a Pilates instructor has given her a deeper understanding o...

In this episode of Behind the Stars , I’m joined by two incredible mums from our Star Academy community, Paula Zito and Natalie Ciccone, to explore the journey of being a dance parent — the highs, the challenges, and everything in between. Paula shares her experience as the mum of Stella, now 19, who has had an extensive journey in the performing arts, while Natalie reflects on supporting her daug...

In this episode of Behind the Stars , Luke Rinaldi, Assistant Principal and Wellbeing Leader at Nailsworth Primary School, shares valuable insight into children’s wellbeing and what it means to truly support young people in today’s world. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at his role in education, what led him into the wellbeing space, and how schools work to support students both emotionally and...

In this episode of Behind the Stars , Katrina Ryan shares her expertise as a voice coach, mindset and wellbeing coach, blending neuroscience, performance, and vocal training to support young performers. With a background as a professional singer and educator, Katrina offers valuable insight into how both the mind and body can be trained for success, and how these elements work together to build co...

In this episode of Behind the Stars , Amy Gallery shares her unique journey from dancer to qualified nutritionist, and how her time training and performing full-time sparked a passion for dietetics. Drawing from her own experiences, Amy opens up about the challenges she faced as a young dancer when she wasn’t adequately fuelling her body, and how this led to fatigue, soreness, and struggling to pe...

In this episode of Behind the Stars , Amelia Sanzo shares an inspiring and honest look into her journey through the world of musical theatre. She reflects on her time as a student, where she wasn’t always the strongest performer in every area, but consistently committed to hard work and intentional training. Amelia explains how she focused on improving her weaker skills rather than avoiding them,...

In this inspiring episode of Behind the Stars , we chat with former Star Academy student Sofia Maur , who is now training full-time at Brent Street — one of Australia’s most prestigious performing arts schools. Sofia shares how her years at Star Academy helped prepare her not only as a dancer but as an independent young adult — from mastering choreography and technique to managing her time, unifor...

 In this episode of Behind the Stars , we sit down with influencer and content creator Hayley Berlingeri to explore the world behind the perfectly curated feed. Hayley opens up about what it really takes to go from a brand brief to producing authentic content, how she juggles motherhood with her career as a social media influencer, and the highs and lows of living life online. She also shares valu...

In Episode 5 of Behind the Stars , we sit down with director and photographer Clay Glen , the creative mind behind the Netflix hit Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance , and rising star Zoe Burns , who shines on screen as Scarlett. Clay shares his journey from photography to screenwriting and directing, and how his daughters’ love of gymnastics inspired a global franchise. Zoe opens up about auditi...

 Episode 4 of Behind the Stars welcomes special guest Jenni Guest , a former dancer whose love for ballet inspired her career as a leading physiotherapist for dancers. Through her Smart Dance program , Jenni is passionate about not only treating injuries but also preventing them, helping dancers train safely and sustainably. In this episode, Jenni shares her unique perspective on the challenges da...

In this episode, we sit down with Adelaide-born and raised performer Ambrielle Payne , who is currently touring Australia in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast . From a young age, Ambrielle trained extensively in all styles of dance, developing the discipline and work ethic that would eventually lead her to the professional stage. Our Star Academy community were lucky enough to have Ambrielle as part o...

In this episode of Behind the Stars , we’re joined by Malissa Fedele — Clinical Nutritionist, performer, and advocate for holistic health — widely known as The Mood Boosting Nutritionist . With her signature passion for helping people thrive, Malissa takes us through the fascinating world where food, performance, and mental wellbeing collide. Together, we explore how the right nutrition can fuel t...

Welcome to Behind the Stars — the podcast that shines a light on all things performing arts, from the spotlight on stage to the stories behind the scenes. In our very first episode, we sit down with Jenna Maiolo , Owner and Director of Star Academy, and Kristy Burns , Principal, to uncover the inspiring journey of how it all began. From a simple idea shared over coffee to building a thriving perfo...