dance teachers Toowoomba

Mia began her dance journey later than most dancers, at  the age 10 at Noosa Professional Dance Academy, where she was accelerated to full-time training with Marie Walton-Mahon Dance Academy. At the age of 16 Mia left home and moved to Switzerland to train at Tanz Akademie, Zurich and danced a range of classical roles and contemporary works throughout Switzerland, Germany and Italy. She then returned to Australia where she completed her Diploma of Dance Performance with the National College of Dance. 

After graduating Mia was offered a Full Scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School, a contract with Royal Caribbean cruise lines, and a position with the Royal Danish Ballet. Mia also seconded briefly with Sydney Dance Company, Melbourne Ballet, and the Queensland Ballet and worked as a supernumerary with The Royal Ballet. 

In addition to her role at Radiance, Mia is also the Director of Toowoomba Ballet Theatre where she unites dancers and dance students from all around South-East Qld to stage original, full length production each Easter at the beautiful Empire Theatre in Toowoomba. 

Mia holds CSTD Classical Ballet Teacher's Diploma and is one of the few teachers in the region to hold teacher certification with Ballet Conservatoire (Vaganova Method, which is renowned for being the most industry relevant method of training for dancers aspiring to a career in ballet). Mia has also studied Small Business Management, Photography and Sports Psychology, and works as a freelance guest teacher, examiner, choreographer and adjudicator. 

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’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.

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 gymnastics and acrobatics teaching. Amy has been teaching at Radiance since 2018, and takes the acrobatics, aerial, Irish and Dance for Parkinson's classes, along with being a dance photographer. Amy holds a cert IV in Auslan, an array of gymnastics, acrobatic arts and aerial arts certifications. Miss Amy has a passion for movement and performance and challenging all students to keep learning new skills and styles. 

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!

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. 

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 began dancing in Toowoomba at the age of 5 at Living Dance School and has continued to attend at the same studio (which is now Radiance Academy). She began in ballet and then broadened her focus to jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, lyrical and pointe work. Anna-Lucia has enjoyed competing at eisteddfods and dancing at local events as well as exams. The Vocational program at Radiance Academy allowed her to study qualifications including a Certificate III in Dance and a Certificate IV in Dance. Miss Anna-Lucia thoroughly enjoys choreographing and teaching and hopes to continue to inspire many young dancers in the future.

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!

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 many 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 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.

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 Jorja began ballet at the age of 7 at Living Dance School of Excellence in Dance studying 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 stretching 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, lyrical, 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.

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, Contemporary and Aerial 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 and teaching aid certificate. Miss Sophie loves assistant and relief teaching, helping out our younger dancers develop                                                                                                      their love and passion for dance and working                                                                                                on front desk.

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.