dance teachers Toowoomba

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. She loves that her career enables her to inspire and foster creativity within future generations.

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.

Sian has been dancing since 1995 in many well known dance schools around Brisbane and Bayside. In 2007 Sian completed her certificate III in Dance at the Australians Dance Performance Institute. While studying at ADPI she was also completing all levels of her Ballroom and Latin Dancing Levels at Coll Studio. Sian stopped dancing momentarily to start a family and have two children of her own and during this time also completed a Diploma in Early Education and is a experienced Special Needs Educator and also holds a current blue card and first aid/CPR certificate.  Whilst being at Radiance, Sian has also completed her Cert IV in Dance.  Sian is trained in all styles of dance and specialises in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap, Dance Aerobics and Cheer/Pom.

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.

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 2 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 newborn bubs!  Miss Amy has an Acrobatic Arts certification as well as her gymnastics coaching qualifications. 

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 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 Flexibility & Fitness class and helps in the Acro classes as well. Miss Sam is passionate about fun, fitness and feeling good!

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 and performed in their annual concerts. Steph completed a Certificate III and IV in Dance whilst being at Radiance in order to pursue dance teaching. Steph loves being a teacher at Radiance as it has been a dream of hers to inspire creativity in young dancers through teaching.

I am Anna-Lucia, and I am a high school student at Highlands Christian College. I 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.

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. 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 relief teacher for Radiance.

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