Juanita Mellick Ryder
Juanita Mellick Ryder (Founder) discovered from an early age her creative talents. These talents have been embraced in over 25 years of performing and dancing, as a student & teacher. They were further developed through successfully completing her Bachelor of Arts in Drama and from establishing and running one of the leading Dance Schools in Brisbane.

As the founder & former owner of Brisbane Academy of Dance, Juanita nurtured students aged 3 to 23 in the disciplines of ballet, modern, tap, contemporary and musical theatre. Its success emerged not only from a great enthusiasm to develop each student’s creativity and self-confidence but also due to Juanita’s passion for Dance & Performance.

During these fifteen years, Juanita’s industry expertise had her invited to direct the entertainment at many highly respected Brisbane events at which her talented students often starred. Such events included The Mater Hospital Charity Lunch at the Hilton, The Brisbane Bridal Expo fashion parades, various Brisbane City Mall entertainment and “Sell Out” Children’s Christmas Pageants.

Juanita's most recent creation, with assisted direction from husband Mark, is Cheeky Monkey Club. Their two young sons inspired its emergence, after Juanita and Mark were unable to find an exciting program that embraced their energy, imagination and developmental growth. Exciting Educational Modules with fun became the foundation of the Cheeky Monkey Club’s success and demand has rapidly driven its growth to now also offering Dance & Performance Classes, Funtastic Parties and Wow! Entertainment & Parades.

Testimonials

The program developed by Juanita is exceptional – it is innovative, educational and fun for the children. The teachers manage to capture and retain the interest of the children for the entire 45 minutes (no mean feat!).

With a variety of activities designed to both teach and entertain the children, the program is the best of its kind and well worth the money.
- (Tanya, Trinity Beach), Parent of 4 year old boy

A great way for kids to learn and meet new friends while having fun.
The sessions are well structured with lots of different activities that help to stimulate the senses and encourage group interaction. Whether the kids are singing, playing an instrument, dancing or travelling around the world on a magical journey, there is something for kids of all ages.

Celebrating Cheeky Monkey’s birthday was lots of fun. My daughter is the same age as Cheeky Monkey so this was an extra special time for her.
- (Yvonne, Brinsmead), Parent of 4 year old girl

Principal of a leading Cairns Child Care Centre
….As a centre of excellence, we are always looking for new and innovative experiences which we can provide to the children. Juanita offered a free 45 minute show where she demonstrated to myself and our educators, her concept of teaching young children through interactive puppetry.

All I can say is, we were all (children and adults alike) amazed at Juanita’s engrossing, dynamic and vibrant session with the children. No one dared to wander off in case they missed something.

Juanita has since taken the children through fun educational learning sessions for over a year now. Each session is based on a story/theme which incorporates learning about colours, numbers, shapes and sizes, as well as problem solving activities. The children have helped her build Cheeky Monkey a new house, celebrate his birthday, hang up washing for him and help him ask Santa for a new beach ball for Christmas. These are but a few of the wonderful, exciting interactive sessions which the children have experienced.

Juanita has not only offered something special for the children (she is contracted to us fortnightly) but she has been a great inspiration to the staff. They follow on with the theme of the latest “Cheeky Monkey” session or are inspired with new ideas for their own programs.

JUANITA AND HER CHEEKY MONKEY, WHAT A GREAT FIND!

- (Lucy, Pelicans in the Park Daycare Centre)