Anna Ocello
Anna Ocello is the founding member of Blue Suede Shoes Dance School established in 1992 and now in its 27th successful year. Her first studio was opened in 1992 at Ashlar Golf Club in the Blacktown District of Western Sydney. She began with teaching RocknRoll, Latin and Social Ballroom classes, specialising in teaching children from beginner through to competition levels.
Anna commenced dancing in Parramatta with the Amercian Franchise Group "Fred Astaire Dance Studio". The passion and obsession developed as a student brought her to continue at a more serious level with the view to teach others. Her studies continued at Alex Schembri's Dance Studio at West Ryde where Anna received her first qualification in Ballroom with the FATD (Federal Australian Teachers of Dance) at Associate Level.
Anna developed a love for RocknRoll and Swing and studied the style relentlessly. Anna's skills were derived from private lessons, workshops, competitions, and researching videos and books. Joining the SATD (Society of Teachers of Dancing) and receiving her second qualification in RocknRoll at Associate Level brought her to another organisation The Australian RocknRoll Dance Council Inc. (ARRDC).
This organisation held competitions at all levels and held titles from National, Australasians, South Pacific’s Championships, NSW State Titles and Festival days. Blue Suedes Shoes Dance School students excelled in the competition circuit and developed many champions at all levels, especially in the juvenile to youth area.
Numerous titles were won by Anna and her son in the Mother & Son events and Professional with Under 16yo. Anna has been grateful for the success during those competition years simply for the fact that Anna can see her rewards now with the same juvenile and youths (who today are adults) pursuing a dance career.
Later becoming a member and Licentiate of the ARRDC and secretary of the Board for (NSW). Anna has also developed a training program to help trainee teachers in their chosen field to improve and enhance their skills for a successful career in dance. The program is based on regular privates & workshops in theory and practice. In 2017 Anna left ARRD and new body was formed - the NSW RocknRoll Association which Anna is one of the co-founders of.
Anna's priority still lies with the dancing first and foremost. The studio has expanded and now covers a vast section of Sydney, from the inner west Concord to Emu Plains, Plumpton, Camden and the Central Coast. In 2014 the studio added a new venue in the Newcastle area.
Anna first began to teach ballroom and still provides 4 week short courses in this style. In the early 1990’s it was Rockabilly and RocknRoll that changed her course and still continues to teach these styles to this day as well as specialising in all styles of Swing, Lindy Hop and & Charleston. More recently added Balboa, Collegiate Shag and St Louis.