Biographies

Nate Mendelsohn (AKA Nacho Pop) – Presenter/Choreographer/DJ

Growing up in New York City, Nate began dancing as a child, inspired by the local hip-hop culture and the local street corner breakers. He moved to Australia seven years ago and quickly established himself as one of Australia’s leading hip hop performers.

Nate has won battles against some of Australia and Asia’s best poppers / hip hop dancers and produces shows with the world famous ‘Seven Dollar Crew’. Nate is currently a member of Australia and New Zealand’s leading funkstyle crew – Star Connection.

Nate has danced in numerous television commercials and music videos as well as performing on Fly TV (ABC), at Good Vibrations Festival, Redman/Method Man, and the Big Day Out. He has also performed with the Black Eyed Peas.

Most recently Nate was selected as one of the choreographers in the smash hit of 2008 So You Think You Can Dance Australia. After the US series proved a ratings winner, Network Ten embarked on the local version to showcase Australia’s best undiscovered dancing talent.

As well as his amazing choreography on the show, Nate impressed everyone with his charisma and natural ability as he hosted the nightly SYTYCD ‘behind the scenes’ special on the Ten HD channel.

The second series of So You Think You Can Dance is currently on air so catch Nate in the new series — in an extended role.

In addition to his continued work as a choreographer and dance instructor, Nate regularly DJs at various venues throughout Sydney.

Awards include:

• Winner, 'You Got Served' hip hop dance battles
• Winner, 2004 National 1 On 1 Popping Battles
• Best Popper in Sydney, and battles constantly to retain the title

Pania Taku

Pania Taku is originally from Christchurch, New Zealand which is known for its raw and original styles. Pania started Hip Hop at age 15 and at 17, she joined Jireh Performing Arts to major as a dancer in Hip Hop and Break dance. Jireh opened the door to many performance opportunities at corporate and major events around New Zealand and Australia such as TV Show Stoppers, Mai Time TV and Australia’s Got Talent.

Pania has worked with artists such as Nesian Mystik, Guy Sebastian, Paulini (Australian Idol), Vince Harder (X-Factor); and for companies such as Nike, Coca Cola, Dream World and Parachute Festival.

Pania is based in Sydney since 2005, and she recently graduated from full time Musical Theatre at Brent Street Studios studying Dance, Drama and Vocals. She is now working professionally as a Hip Hop dancer and teacher. Pania’s most recent achievement has been her success as a top 20 dancer on the TV series So You Think You Can Dance Australia.

Melanie Hitchcock

Melanie is the artistic director of Caramell Dance Studio and Caramell Entertainment. With over 20 years of dance experience Melanie specialty lies within hip hop dance styles and choreography.

Styles include Hiphop, Breaking, Popping, Locking, Krump & House Dance. Enhanced by her background in Contemporary, Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre.

Melanie has spent time in New York and Los Angeles training with many of the top choreographers in the USA and absorbing the street culture at events such as Rock Steady Crew’s Anniversary.

Melanie has been teaching for well over 15 years and is currently in high demand and is well respected as one of Sydney’s leading and most experienced dancers, teachers and choreographers. Having started Caramell Crew in 2002, performing in numerous shows and winning many dance competitions over the years, Melanie now focuses on passing on her success and training to the next generation of professional dancers in Sydney and internationally to make sure Australia is on the map on an international level.

Performance/Choreographic work includes: opening Urban Music Awards 2006/2007, the Big Day Out, Sweatfest/Ministry of Sound, Battle of the Year, Sleazeball, corporate entertainment for Hewlard Packard, Apple iPod, Telstra and Adidas. Artists include Amanda Perez, Israel, Random, Selwyn, Lordz of the Fly, Maya Jupiter, Foreign Heights, Sneeky Sound System and Joseph Gatehau of Australian Idol.

Jessica Leah Taylor (AKA Jess T)

Jess T was trained in Sydney at Brent Street Studios and NIDA where she won ‘The Roadshow Entertainment Scholarship’. She has recently returned from London where she played the role ‘Lambchops’ in the European tour of Fame the Musical. Whilst overseas she conducted workshops in Holland, Germany and in London at Dance Attic and Pineapple Studios. She also choreographed for the UK Foundation of Dance and The American School of Cinematography. She appeared in and choreographed various film clips and TV commercials in the UK and was a dancer and choreographer for MTV. She also performed at ‘Uitmarkt’ (European Musical Festival). Previous to this, Jess T performed with Sydney Dance Company Studios at The Australian Dance Awards (choreographed by Leslie Bell and directed by Ramon Doringo).

Jess T has had extensive experience in musical theatre; acting and commercial dance credits include: The National Theatre Company’s production of Pygmalion (role of Clara), ‘Hermia’ in A Mid Summer Nights Dream, ‘Lizie’ in City Gym the Musical and ‘Erma’ in Anything Goes. She has toured with ‘The Wiggles’, ‘Warner Brothers Live Entertainment’ and was host on The Humphrey Bear Show. Jess T has choreographed many major fashion events for Billabong, Supré, NSW bridal exhibitions and Miss Indy as well as TV shows Fox Sports, Good News Week and Strictly Dancing. In 2007 she choreographed and performed at Sydney Mardi Gras. Jess T appeared in feature film Four Door Mansion in which she played the supporting role of Tania. The film recently won best comedy in the LA Film Festival. She has also appeared in Home and Away, All Saints and numerous television commercials. Also a fitness instructor, Jess T is renowned for her high impact and energetic class structure.