One's an executive assistant, one's a finance officer, one works in health policy and the other is a recreation and development officer.
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But together, they make a ripper dance team.
Say hello to Garrett Kelly, Angela Sullivan, David Santolin and Alana Beaton, the team of public servants carrying Canberra's hopes and dreams into new Channel 7 reality series Dance Boss.
The new-format dance show pits teams of amateur dancers from different states and professions against each other in a bid to find the best workplace dance crew in Australia. Dance Boss is hosted by Dannii Minogue, with winners receiving a $100,000 pay cheque.
There's the youth workers from Victoria, the car dealers from NSW and the zookeepers from Queensland.
But Team Public Servants definitely has an edge, says dance captain David Santolin, with the public service ethos of teamwork underpinning the Canberra troupe's approach to each dance challenge.
"I could reference the public service code of conduct and our vales and ethics guidelines, and the fact we are scrupolous hardworking public servants," Santolin laughs.
"But seriously, we're able to work well in a team beause the public service is a lot about teamwork.
"Also the public service hierarchy of supervisors, and people you have to report to, means we are really good at taking direction."
The other major advantage for Team Public Servants is - despite working for different departments and agencies - the foursome have danced together before. They met last September during rehearsals for Canberra Philharmonic's Strictly Ballroom.
When Santolin applied individually "for a new Channel 7 show about dance" earlier this year, producers called and asked if he'd be able to find three other public servants to join him on a proposed series called Dance Boss.
"I knew exactly who to call," he says.
"We had chemistry and friendship, we were comfortable around each other and we were always laughing in the studio, it was never a chore to dance with my fellow public servants."
The team's various employers "have been great" in supporting their staff on the show, Santolin says. In fact, Santolin's colleagues at the National Health and Medical Research Council are among his biggest fans, with about 40 colleagues buying tickets to every local theatre show he appears in.
"We're a small agency but there's a lot of love," Santolin says.
Team Public Servants is one of the first teams profiled in the Dance Boss premiere on Monday, August 6.
The team has access to some of the nation's best choreographers and costume designers in its bid to create a phenomenal dance piece for the judges each week. They'll tackle jazz, hip-hop, disco, contemporary, tap, Latin and ballroom on the show.
"Our bodies are definitely not prepared for what's coming up on the show, so far it's been really intense and that will only continue," Santolin says.
"There are long days, a lot of physical exertion but once you get on stage in your costume, all that fatigue and fear and worry just goes away.
"You're dancing on national television in front of Dannii Minogue - it's incredible."
Dance Boss premieres on Channel 7 next Monday August 6 at 7.30pm. Follow the Public Servants on Instagram: www.instagram.com/publicservants/
Meet Team Public Servants
Angela Sullivan, Department of Finance, Corporate
How many years you have you been dancing? 15
What's your dance superpower? I think my versatility is a bit of a super power. Even though I might be out of my comfort zone, I still make it work and feel good for me.
Where did you study dance? Rosie O’Sullivan School of Dance in Cooma. I also did drama, dance and musicals at school.
Do your colleagues know you dance? Yes of course! I tap dance at the printer all the time!
Proudest ever dance moment? Doing a beautiful pars de deux ballet piece with one of my best friends in my last ever Rosie concert. I was pretty proud of myself for working so hard for so many years and mum cried watching it so I guess she was pretty proud too!
What do you love about being on Dance Boss: I love that the show is a celebration of all kinds of dance and proves dance touches the lives of all different kinds of people. So many people from different walks of life came together to create the show out of their shared love of dance.
Garrett Kelly, Department of Infrastructure, recreation and development officer
How many years you have you been dancing? 16
What's your dance superpower? Majestic walking.
Where did you study dance? Fresh Funk in Canberra and Urban Dance Centre in Sydney.
Do your colleagues know you dance? Literally almost all of them.
Proudest ever dance moment? Taking my son to dance lessons every Monday to pass the torch. It was the same school (Fresh Funk) that started my love for dance and training. I’ve also danced for Wynter Gordon!
What do you love about dancing? I love how free you can be with dancing, whether it's putting on a character or a persona or just expressing your true self as freely as you can, without any apologies.
When I dance, I’m transported to a place where there are no worries, no trivial problems and no stress. It allows me to escape the mundane, even if for a fleeting moment and often I leave behind my worries and concerns when I’m back to reality. It’s therapy.
Alana Beaton, Department of Human Services, executive assistant in the media branch
How many years you have you been dancing: 18
What's your dance superpower? Not sure that I have any superpowers! But my favourite “party trick” steps are probably continuous fouetté turns and grand jetés (split leaps).
Where did you study dance? I trained at the Classical Ballet Centre Canberra (formerly Canberra Youth Ballet School) and then at the McDonald College in Sydney in the full-time ballet program.
Do your colleagues know you dance? Of course! Dance is such a huge part of my life that I think everyone I know, knows I dance.
Proudest ever dance moment? My favourite dance memory is representing Australia with my dance school at “Dance Excellence” in Los Angeles back in 2009. We performed at Disneyland which was something I’ll never forget. I also remember winning a small ballet competition against some other girls who were older than me and receiving a $700 cash prize - which was a lot of money for a 15-year-old.
What do you love about being on Dance Boss? Oh gosh, everything! Working with world-renowned choreographers, creative directors and costume designers is a dream come true. Even professionals would consider themselves lucky to work with them, so to have that opportunity as an amateur dancer is absolutely surreal and I’m just so grateful.
David Santolin, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), health policy and grant administration
How many years you have you been dancing: My mum would say since I could walk, but I've been dancing seriously for about 10 years.
What's your dance superpower? I can't explain it, but I can transform even the most empty dance floor into a wild party! I love connecting with people through dance and movement and lose all my inhibitions on the D-Floor. I believe everyone should express themselves through dance, whether you're trained or not.
Where did you study dance? I started dancing at high school and college here in Canberra. Then I began classes at QL2 Dance where I really learned about the fundamentals of dance technique. I trained in hip-hop and commercial styles at Fresh Funk at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
Do your colleagues know you dance? My colleagues love supporting my creative endeavours, they have seen almost every musical that I've performed in since 2013. I'm very lucky. My boss Heather will even come up to see me on Dance Boss, she's so excited!
Proudest ever dance moment? My proudest dance moment was with Fresh Funk, performing at 'Choreographers Carnival' in Los Angeles, under the incredible choreographer Tricia Miranda, who has worked with the likes of Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, and Missy Elliott.
What do you love about being on Dance Boss? I love so many aspects of being on Dance Boss; we are privileged to work with some of Australia's (and the world's) best choreographers, wear amazing costumes designed by Academy and Tony-award winner Tim Chappel (OMG!) and meet so many other incredible teams which share this wild, crazy, once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's something I'll never forget.
