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 and technique, support recovery, and reduce the risk of injury — helping them feel stronger and more confident both in the studio and on stage.

We also chat about Oriana’s experience as a mum to a young performer and the different perspective that brings to watching the next generation of dancers grow.

It’s a great conversation about looking after your body, training smarter, and building strength that supports you for the long run.

Tune in for another inspiring conversation Behind the Stars!

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 offer two very different but deeply relatable perspectives on what it means to support a young performer at different stages of their journey. From first classes to long-term commitment, emotional highs to behind-the-scenes realities, this conversation is full of insight, honesty, and connection — and is sure to resonate with so many families navigating the world of dance.

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 emotionally, and provides practical advice for parents navigating challenging times with their children. He also discusses the connection between wellbeing and performance, the impact of social media on young people, and simple but effective strategies to help children manage overwhelm, anxiety, and big emotions in a healthy way.

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 developing resilience in their children, including how allowing young performers to experience disappointment can actually support long-term growth. She discusses strategies to help prevent burnout and shares practical ways to support the wellbeing of students while they navigate the demands of training and performance.

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, especially in a demanding industry like dance.

Amy also provides practical and easy-to-understand guidance for dancers and families, including healthy snack ideas for busy schedules, key nutrients to prioritise, and strategies to maintain balanced eating habits. She offers thoughtful advice for parents navigating the demands of supporting a young dancer, balancing training schedules with everyday family life, and ensuring their children are properly fuelled to thrive both in and out of the studio.

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 discusses the importance of continuing to train even after entering the industry, highlighting how growth and development never really stop. She shares the goal she set for herself to become the dance captain in Wicked, and the dedication it took to achieve it. Alongside stories from her time performing in major productions, she offers valuable advice for young performers about persistence, resilience, and what it really takes to build a career on stage.

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 training, part-time work, and life away from home, Sofia gives us a glimpse into a typical day at Brent Street, the incredible teachers and choreographers she learns from, and the strong sense of camaraderie among her peers.

Sofia also shares her valuable advice for aspiring dancers — to “sit into the uncomfortable.” Don’t just stick to what you’re good at; try new styles, challenge yourself, and embrace the moments that push you out of your comfort zone. She reminds us that at Brent Street, success isn’t about having the most perfect technique or doing the most pirouettes — it’s about artistry, passion, and presence.

Sofia’s journey is a beautiful reminder that dedication, humility, and a love for learning will take you exactly where you’re meant to go.

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 tools for both businesses and individuals when used with purpose and care.