Behind the Stars is your all-access pass to the world of performing arts. Whether you're a student, parent, aspiring performer or industry pro, this podcast takes you behind the scenes to explore every facet of the journey — from training and full-time study to life on stage.
Join us as we dive into the real stories, expert insights, and essential topics that matter most: wellbeing, mental health, nutrition, injury prevention, performance psychology, and resilience.
From studio to spotlight, Behind the Stars shines a light on what it truly takes to thrive in the performing arts world — mind, body, and soul.
Episode 6. Move Well, Dance Well: Pilates for Dancers with Oriana Binetti
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 of the dancer’s body. We talk about how Pilates can help dancers build strength, improve control an...
30 Aug 2026
Episode 5: The Reality of Raising a Performer with Paula and Nat
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 daughter Maia, who is 11 and just beginning her competition and performance pathway. Together, they of...
16 Aug 2026
Episode 4: What Wellbeing Really Means for Young People with Luke Rinaldi
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 academically. Luke explores how to recognise when a child may be struggling mentally or emotional...
2 Aug 2026
Episode 3. Behind the Stars: Voice, Mindset & the Neuroscience of Success with Katrina Ryan
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 confident, sustainable performers. Katrina also explores the important role parents play in developi...
19 Jul 2026
Episode 2: The Nutrition Behind the Dancer with Amy Gallery
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 perform at her best. Her story highlights the important connection between nutrition and performance...
5 Jul 2026
Episode 1: The Journey from Student to Stage with Amelia Sanzo
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, building a strong foundation that would later support her professional career. Amelia also discuss...
1 Nov 2025
Episode 7 Dreams, Discipline & Dance: Sofia’s journey to Brent Street
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, uniform, and responsibilities with maturity and discipline. Now living in Sydney and balancing full-time ...
18 Oct 2025
Episode 6. Behind the Feed: The Real Life of a Social Media Creator with Hayley Berlingeri
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 valuable insights on keeping kids safe on social media and how digital platforms can be powerful ...
5 Oct 2025
Episode 5 Creating a Second Chance: Clay Glen & Zoe Burns on Gymnastics Academy
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 auditioning, overcoming nerves, and her experiences on set. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about cre...
21 Sept 2025
Episode 4 - Dancers’ Bodies: Care, Strength & Balance with Physio Jenni Guest
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 dancers face today—from common injuries and dangerous flexibility trends to the importance of mi...
7 Sept 2025
Episode 3 - Dance, Dreams and Disney Magic with Ambrielle Payne
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 of our teaching faculty, and we’re so proud to now support her incredible journey in musical theatre...
24 Aug 2025
Episode 2 - Fuel your Body and Boost your mood with Malissa Fedele
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 the body for long rehearsals, intense training schedules, and peak stage performance, while also sup...
7 Aug 2025
Episode 1. From Coffee to Curtain Calls: Star is born over a casual coffee catch up...
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 performing arts academy, Jenna and Kristy open up about the highs, the hurdles, and everything in betwee...
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