dance teachers Toowoomba

Our talented dance teachers will take care of your precious dancer

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The mediocre teacher tells.

The good teacher explains.

The superior teacher demonstrates.

The great teacher inspires.

William A. Ward



Sally Andrew  Associate A.T.O.D., AAC1, TAE

Principal/Owner/Ballet dance teacher

Dance School Toowoomba

Owner and Principal of the Studio, Miss Sally has been teaching dance since 1995. With a bundle of awards to her name, Sally heads up an energetic and infinitely qualified team of professional educators.  Sally began her teacher training at the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet in Melbourne (Vaganova Method) and has subsequently also completed her Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management, Trainor and Assessor Qualifications, Dance for Parkinson's Australia Training, and Acrobatic Arts Training. She is also trained and qualified to teach Living Dance Australia, ACB and Australian Teachers of Dancing Syllabus.  In 2021 Sally also became an Amazon number 1 best selling author.  

Lydia Pickard - Jazz and Contemporary Dance

Lydia began classical ballet through the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet’s Russian Vaganova Method of Classical Training with Beth Baudistel. Classical training sparked Lydia’s passion for dance and she has since trained in a variety of genres including Jazz (SFD), Contemporary, Pilates and Hip-Hop. Lydia graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) with Distinction and a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) with Distinction. Currently, Lydia is the Head of Arts at St Ursula’s College, Toowoomba, teaching Dance as a subject for students in Year 7-12, with Year 11 and 12 students studying Dance as a General ATAR subject. Lydia also runs the College’s co-curricular Dance program, with biennial musicals and local, state and national eisteddfod opportunities. Lydia also holds a Working with Children Blue Card and a current First Aid Certificate. Currently, Lydia’s interests lie within choreography – particularly, contemporary. Last year, Lydia was accepted into and completed Sydney Dance Company’s Choreographic Practice Accredited Short Course. She loves that her career enables her to inspire and foster creativity within future generations.

Grace Tame - Classical Ballet Specialist

Grace’s love of dance and ballet started at a young age, leading her to start her dance journey. She started her dancing here in Toowoomba in multiple syllabi including Southern Federation of Dance, Living Dance and The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet syllabus. In 2012, Grace moved to Melbourne to train full time at The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet under the tutelage of Christine Walsh (former principal of the Australian Ballet). Whilst in Melbourne, Grace trained in ballet, pas de deux, contemporary and character, completed a CUA60111 Advanced Diploma in Dance (Elite Performance), and performed soloist roles in full length ballets. Upon returning to Toowoomba, Grace enrolled in university and continued her dancing journey. She has been choreographing and performing with the Toowoomba Ballet Theatre since 2018 and regularly takes classes in jazz and contemporary. On an academic note, Grace has completed a Diploma of Education Studies, and a Bachelor of Science (major in psychology) with Distinction. Most recently, Grace has become certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and finished her TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Grace enjoys using her diverse knowledge and experience to share her knowledge and love of dance with students.

 

Kerrie Jessup - Classical Ballet and Tap Dance

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Mrs Kerrie Jessup heads up our daytime Over 55’s classes for both Classical Ballet and Tap. Kerrie is a trained Junior School teacher (BA DipEd) and has been teaching dance for most of her adult life. She completed her R.A.D. training with the famous Halliday School of Dance in Sydney and later qualified to teach the R.A.D. grades. For several years Kerrie ran her own ballet and tap school in country NSW.

In Toowoomba she completed her Living Dance teacher training and holds a current Work with Children Blue Card and current First Aid Certificate.  In 2021 Kerrie completed her Queensland Ballet Dance for Seniors certification. 

Kerrie has a passion for sharing the many, well documented benefits of dance for body, mind and soul for those in their senior years.

Amy Logan - Acrodance Teacher

Miss Amy started her dancing at 6 years old in jazz and Irish. She was a competitive dancer and gymnast for many years before becoming an advanced gymnastics coach, and is now specializing in developing gymnastics programs for all level of abilities. Amy has been teaching acro at Radiance for the past 4 years and is extremely excited for the acro classes.  When she isn't teaching, she is finishing her uni degree, learning Auslan, and loving her toddlers!  Miss Amy has an Acrobatic Arts certification, Aerial Arts Certification as well as her gymnastics coaching qualifications. 

Sam Brider - Acro, irish and Boys club

 

Miss Sam has been involved in dance from a young age. She loved taking hip hop and ballet classes throughout school, as well as being involved in competitive gymnastics. She became a gymnastics coach in 2016 and worked at a summer camp in America teaching gymnastics and cheer in 2018/19. Sam now works as a primary school chaplain and is currently studying a Diploma of Youth Work. She runs our boys club class, a cheerleading crew and helps in the Acro classes as well. Miss Sam is passionate about fun, fitness and feeling good!

Faith Kelly - Ballet,  Jazz, Tap, Hip hop & More

Miss Faith graduated in 2023 from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Perth.  She completed her Bachelor of Arts (Dance).  Prior to this Faith has studied ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, cabaret, improvisation, acrobatics, aerial, Indian, music and more.  She has performed in various fantastic choreographic works as a dancer and has won numerous championships and awards at eisteddfod level.  Miss Faith has performed with Toowoomba Ballet Theatre in the past and is excited to return to Toowoomba to teach the students at Radiance Academy. 

Briannah Alexander - Tap Teacher

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Briannah has been dancing since the age of 4 and has learnt ballroom, tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre, contemporary and hip hop. Tap dancing is her favorite style. She has been teaching dance on the Gold Coast from the age of 14. At the age of 22, Briannah moved to Moranbah and taught jazz, hip hop and tap dancing to students from ages 5 to 45. Now she has settled in Toowoomba and teaches Music and Year 1 at Bunker's Hill State School. 

 

Miss Bri is currently on maternity leave 

Stephanie Fernando - Jazz, Ballet and Team

We are so excited to introduce you to our team for 2024. Today we would love for you to meet Miss Stephanie. Miss Steph started dancing at 3 years old in NZ at Mary Rodger’s Ballet Academy. In 2012, she moved with her family to Rockhampton and danced at Michael Robertson’s Dance and Musical Theatre Academy for 6 years. While she was there, she completed 6 jazz exams in the Australasian Dance Association syllabus, participated in ballet classes in the RAD syllabus and performed in multiple showcases, eisteddfods and musicals. Stephanie moved to Toowoomba in 2019 and began attending the Glennie School. Since 2019, she has completed exams in the ATOD syllabus through Radiance in both classical ballet and jazz. Steph completed a Certificate III and IV in Dance whilst being at Radiance in order to pursue dance teaching. She has starred in many of the productions at the Empire Theatre and completed in various eisteddfods over the years.  Steph loves being a teacher at Radiance as it has been a dream of hers to inspire creativity in young dancers through teaching.

Anna-Lucia Jutsum - classical ballet and jazz

Anna-Lucia began dancing in Toowoomba at the age of 5 at Living Dance School and have continued to attend at the same studio (which is now Radiance Academy). I began dancing ballet, where I am currently training in the Australian Teachers of Dancing (ATOD) syllabus. I then broadened my focus to jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, lyrical and pointe work. I have enjoyed competing at eisteddfods and dancing at local events as well as exams since I began dancing. The Vocational program at Radiance Academy has allowed me to study some qualifications including a Certificate III in Dance and a Certificate IV in Dance. These qualifications assisted me to begin teaching at Radiance. I thoroughly enjoy choreographing and teaching and I look forward to inspiring many young dancers in the future and assisting them to develop their passion to dance.

Lily-Anne Smart - classical ballet and Jazz

Miss Lily started dance at age 7 within her school’s dance program in 2013 and later moved to Radiance academy in 2015. While at Radiance she has studied various genres and has completed numerous ballet, jazz and tap exams under the syllabus of Australian Teacher’s of Dancing (ATOD). Miss Lily has been involved in many school musicals, Radiance concerts, Toowoomba Ballet Theatre productions and has placed in Eisteddfods all over South East Queensland. In 2023 Miss Lily-Anne did her majors Intermediate Ballet and Jazz Exam and received Honors. She has always loved the creative arts, throwing herself into any dance, acting and instrumental opportunities, including completing AMEB piano grade 5 exam and teaching dance workshops. While at Radiance Miss Lily has completed a Cert III and a Cert IV and has served as a teacher for Radiance since 2022.

Miss Lily is thrilled to continue teaching at Radiance academy and can’t wait to share her passion of dance and teaching with the younger students!

Tahlia Quilter - classical ballet, Jazz and Hip hop

Miss Tahlia has always loved to dance from a young age, and began learning jazz at 5 years old before doing physie for many years. Tahlia has now been at Radiance for 4 years where she has enjoyed learning lots of different styles including hip hop, ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical and pointe. She has also had the opportunity to perform at many Eisteddfods as a part of our performance teams. In 2023 Tahlia completed her Majors - Intermediate ballet and Jazz Exams through ATOD. Through Radiance, Tahlia has completed her Cert II and Cert III in dance and is so excited to begin applying her knowledge in her own classes this year. She also works in a kindy and early learning centre and is currently completing her Cert III in early childhood education and care. Tahlia is passionate about encouraging and fostering a love of dance in little people and helping them grow along the way.

Caitlin Mohr - Classical Ballet and contemporary

Miss Caitlin started dance at age 3. She joined Radiance in 2021. Since then she has studied a range of styles completing exams in ballet and jazz under the Australian Teachers Of Dance (ATOD) syllabus. Also completing a Cert IV in dance. Miss Caitlin has been involved in numerous opportunities with TCS musicals, Radiance concerts, QLD ballet workshops, Toowoomba Ballet Theatre productions, Eisteddfods. Caitlin has now begun pre-professional training with Queensland Dance and Performing Arts. Miss Caitlin is very excited to start teaching at radiance Academy and is looking forward to this great year.

Jorja Wicks - Tap

Miss Jorja began ballet at the age of seven at Living Dance School of Excellence in Dance studing the Living Dance International syllabus. This studio later became Radiance Academy where she continued her ballet studies learning the ATOD syllabus. At 11, she introduced pointe, tap, jazz and contemporary as well as  stretch and strength, and has recently expanded her experience to include hip hop and musical theatre. With Radiance, she has also had the opportunity to be in teams and duets to perform ballet, lyical, jazz, contemporary and hip hop routines at eisteddfods. She has also just performed Swan Lake with Toowoomba Ballet Theatre.

Miss Jorja has completed many tap and ballet exams with ATOD, including her Advanced Ballet grade last year while taking on her first year teaching tap classes and beginning university studies. This year she hopes to continue to broaden her knowledge as a tap teacher while finishing her ballet studies in ATOD's Avril Binzer Performance Award.

Sophie Greste - Acrobatic Arts & Administration

Miss Sophie started dancing from the age of 4 in Roma, learning Highland dancing and Ballet. A few years later she moved to Toowoomba with her family and enjoyed gymnastics for the next 3 years before returning to her passion for dance. Sophie moved over to Radiance and started out in Acro.  Since she joined Radiance, Sophie has added to her dance styles every year.  She has enjoyed adding to her love of dance with Acro, Hip Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary at Radiance. She has also been involved in the Acro performance team as well as Performance troupe. Sophie has enjoyed dancing in many Radiance concerts, competing in eisteddfods, performing at festivals and local events as well as undergoing exams at Radiance. She also has trained for and received her first-aid certificate. Miss Sophie loves assistant teaching and helping out our younger dancers develop their love and passion for dance

Claire Blackburn - Administration & assistant teacher

 

 

 

Claire has been dancing since she was a tiny tot. She has learned a variety of styles including classical ballet (working on Majors Level - Intermediate in 2024), Jazz (Honors in 2023 Exams), Hip hop, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Lyrical and more.

Claire is studying her Cert III in Dance at Radiance currently and will be assisting with classes throughout the year. You will also see Claire on the front desk reception multiple afternoons per week.

jasmine Andrew - social media,  administration & assistant teacher

Jasmine has been dancing since she was three years old. She has been learning classical ballet, jazz, hip hop, acrobatics, contemporary and anything else she has time for. Jasmine completed her Cert II in Dance with Radiance Academy in 2022, and is now completing her Cert III in Dance. In 2023 Jasmine received Honors with Distinction and Honors Plus in her majors dance exams.  She is currently studying her Intermediate level classical ballet.  

 

This year you will see Jasmine helping on the desk, assisting with dance classes and creating some of our social media content.

isabelle corcoran - relief teacher

 

 

Isabelle has been dancing since she was 9 years old and  trained in Ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz and tap. She has performed at various community events in Crows Nest since 2016 in which she fell in love with performing. Isabelle began teaching in 2020, sharing her passion of dance and performing to younger students. In 2020, she trained at Radiance Academy to attain her Certificate III in dance. In 2021 Isabelle continued her studies to complete a Certificate IV in dance. In 2022 she co-founded a non for profit dance studio, Dance Expression Crows Nest.  Miss Isabelle is excited to be joining Radiance Academy as a relief teacher in jazz, contemporary and hip hop.