come dance
with us
APR 12-14 2024 \\ MELBOURNE SHOWGROUNDS
OUR AMAZING
FESTIVAL
PARTNERS
TITLE SPONSOR
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Established in 1988 as a dancewear store supplying original, carefully designed basics with a mission to inspire and support dancers to perform well and live well. Energetiks was conceived by three remarkable women, mothers and dancers, and quickly became a brand that set itself apart through an unwavering commitment to creating the finest quality high performance Australian dancewear. This, along with a passion and dedication for supporting and expanding the dance community remains the cornerstone of the Energetiks brand philosophy. Energetiks are the proud title sponsors of the Victorian Dance Festival 2023. #DanceForLife www.energetiks.com.au
MEDIA PARTNER
Dance Informa is Australia’s online home for dance. As the country’s leading dance magazine, Dance Informa keeps you up-to-date with latest dance news, audition listings, events, as well as offering health and business advice for students, professionals, teachers and studio owners. Dance Informa also offers FullTimeDance.com – Australia’s guide to full time dance studies. Dance Informa is a free service for the dance industry. Sign up free at DanceInforma.com.au and DanceMagazine.com.au
PLATINUM & TEACHER DAY SPONSOR
Show Works is Australia’s largest manufacturer of dance and exercise equipment. Our teacher has always been you the Australian Dance Industry. Our ballet barres were designed closely with the Australian Ballet, our Sprung Dance floors have all been designed in collaboration from several of the peak dance bodies in Australia. Even our Tap Steps were designed in collaboration with one of Australia’s leading dance teachers. We listen to your needs and in response provide top quality, competitively priced products with a warranty that is second to none. Show Works exclusively provides Tarkett dance vinyls at the best possible prices and range. If Tarkett is Australian for Dance Vinyl then Show Works is Australian for Dance Equipment. www.showworks.com.au
TEACHER DAY SPONSOR
DanceSurance - There for you every step of the way!
We offer tailored insurance products for every stage of your Dance & Performing Arts career.
Qualified brokers, personal service, industry experienced. DanceSurance.com
PREMIUM SPONSORS
Norwegian Cruise Studios deliver A-list productions directed and choreographed by renowned professionals like Warren Carlyle, Patti Wilcox, Tiger Martina, Chase Benz, and Mark Kanemura. We offer competitive salaries, paid rehearsals, housing, and professional working environments. It’s an exciting time to become a part of the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings family!
Norwegian Creative Studios casts dancers for productions such as Footloose, Burn The Floor, Choir of Man, Velvet, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots and After Midnight for Norwegain Cruise Line, Regent Seven Sea Cruise and Oceania Cruises. www.norwegaincreativestudios.com
Our vision is to always create dancewear that will inspire and enrich the performance experience.
We are an Australian-owned brand who are proud to offer an expansive range of stylish and comfortable dancewear that dancers will love – in class and on stage.
Our range includes all dance class essentials, tutus and dresses, jazz wear and collections of vibrant, versatile, fun and innovative fashion and costume pieces. We also offer a range of dance accessories, including bags, drink bottles and makeup.
For over 10 years, we have proudly supported independent dancewear retailers, and are proud of the impact our brand has made in the industry. We are excited to bring a range of new styles to dancers over the coming year. www.studio7dancewear.com
Capezio’s been dancing Since 1887
Founded in 1887 by master craftsman, Salvatore Capezio, cobbler to the Metropolitan Opera.
Capezio quickly gained a reputation as the finest shoe-maker for dancers and performers worldwide. His original shop became a legendary gathering place and shoe resource for storied dancers like Anna Pavlova. Capezio is the global leader in dance and a household name, widely known and cherished by dancers of all ages. With 130 years of quality craftsmanship, dedicated customer service and timeless design to its name, Capezio has been making footwear and apparel that have inspired greatness in studios, on stages and runways world-wide. It is this rich heritage of supporting dance in all its forms and celebrating movement as a means of creative expression that has made it the brand of choice.
With 26 ships and 134 shows world wide, Royal Caribbean Productions creates, produces, and manages the largest premium entertainment operation at sea! From full Broadway musicals, to Las Vegas style production shows, along with ice and aqua spectaculars; no single production company provides more exciting opportunities to both the entertainer and the audience. www.royalcaribbeanentertainment.com
It all started with a promise in 1932 to make the most comfortable dance shoe in the world.
Since founder Jacob Bloch made this commitment to a young ballet dancer 90 years ago, Bloch has been listening to the needs and desires of dancers around the globe. It’s in every piece of dancewear, shoe and accessory Bloch creates – from the premium material selection to the artisan construction. Bloch leads the way as the ultimate dancewear brand, equipping you with the tools and confidence to be the best dancer you can be.
Today, guided by the third generation of Jacob Bloch’s family, the company’s international acclaim has cemented its position as a leader within the technical dance market. Their innovative designs, material selection and construction are all closely linked to dance, making Bloch one of the most trusted names in the industry. www.bloch.com.au
Ballet ● Jazz & Contemporary ● Hip-Hop ● Tap ● Modern Dance ● Open Dance classes and many more!
The Joffrey Ballet School is the only ballet school in New York City that offers a well-rounded dance curriculum that includes serious training in both classical ballet (technique, pointe, variations, adagio, men’s classes) and contemporary ballet (technique, improvisation, partnering), as well as modern, character, choreography, dance history, music, pilates and yoga. Special workshops are taught by guest faculty to augment the curriculum. All dance classes have live piano accompaniment, and live cello and percussion accompaniment is used in some contemporary and modern classes.
At VDF 2023, Joffrey Ballet School will offer scholarships to train in New York to talented dancers who join in the Joffrey Ballet School classes. You just have to be working hard in class and be spotted to be offered 2 week's tuition in America at one of Joffrey's prestigious summer intensives! Joffreyballetschool.com
GOLD SPONSORS
Hosts of the Be Well hub
At Performance Medicine, we get it. We know that every performer is an amazing and complex mechanism, where every problem is different and every solution is a thing of bespoke attention and care. From stage to backstage to behind the backstage, from professional dancers and singers, to amateur dramatics, we see the bigger picture to performance.
We distinguish ourselves by understanding and treating the full spectrum of today’s performer, from body conditioning, muscle matter, to mind. And our holistic, three-sixty approach is re-shaping performance culture nationally and internationally. www.performancemedicine.com.au
Chunky Move creates bold, visually striking and genre defying dance works. These works are experiments that merge the body with other forms, explore new ideas and materials and respond to different spaces and contexts. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Antony Hamilton and Executive Director Kristy Ayre, Chunky Move plays a crucial role in driving the artform of dance forward in Australia and beyond. Artists and audiences are at the heart of our company, expressed in our dense program of major works, commissions, residencies, workshops and public classes. Our collaborations, partnerships and projects aim to extend artform influence in the public realm and increase the visibility of contemporary dance as an everyday artform. www.chunkymove.com
Comdance - Home of CSTD. Over 85 years of dance delivery. The COMDANCE global community consists of teachers and studios around the world who work as a global family. Joining Comdance is a great launching pad for a journey in dance. At Comdance we provide strong technique and expression along with experiencing enjoyment in an encouraging and empowering environment.
COMDANCE teachers are fully accredited and with our fantastic range of syllabi can help students prepare for exams and competitions.
Comdance gives you the structure and syllabi to engage and encourage your students. Our internationally-recognised syllabi and qualifications cover all major dance genres including Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop Ballroom and Latin. They give you an excellent structure and framework on which to base your classes and keep your students motivated.
Our history testifies to our ability to deliver! Start your journey now.
Become a Completely Awesome Teacher of Dance. www.comdance.org
The National Melbourne comprises Australia’s longest-established drama school, a preeminent ballet school and a 783-seat proscenium theatre, housed in an historic beaux art building originally constructed in 1921 as a 3000-seat cinema.
It is the continuing legacy of Australian performing arts pioneer Gertrude Johnson who established The National Theatre Movement in 1935 to ensure training and performance opportunities for young artists in Australia.
The National Melbourne is home to the 783-seat National Theatre est 1974, The National Ballet School est. 1939 (formerly The National Theatre Ballet School) and The National Drama School est 1936 (formerly The National Theatre Drama School).
As a Not For Profit organisation we strive to support communities through the arts by providing an accessible venue and a centre for training emerging artists for generations to come.
The Royal Academy of Dance is a world leader in dance education and training.
We’ve been teaching the world to dance for over 100 years and believe passionately in its power to transform lives. Through an international network of dance teachers, we support and connect a global community of more than 400,000 students, and dancers of all ages and abilities, in more than 80 countries.
RAD Australia offers training, professional development, student activities, exams, and membership to choreograph a future in dance for every body.
Our mission is to inspire the world to dance!
au.royalacademyofdance.org
The Cecchetti Principles of grace, balance and line form the basis of a sound training syllabus that has been developed to meet the needs of today’s modern child - teaching co-ordination, poise, confidence, rhythmical sense and musicality while ensuring that the process in still fun!
The fully qualified, carefully trained and registered teachers of Cecchetti Ballet Australia are committed to providing a stable and secure foundation for each student’s training – whether for purely recreational enjoyment or as the beginnings of a career in dance. The Cecchetti teacher training courses prepare them to teach with a safe and secure technical base, sound knowledge of anatomy and basic physical faults, good teaching practices and the historical background of the art of classical ballet. www.cecchettiballet.org
Australian Teachers of Dance
At Australian Teachers of Dancing we are teaching the world to dance, one student at a time! Our aim is to bring together people who share a passion for dance, providing them with excellent opportunities to grow as individuals, as studio owners and teachers, as student teachers, as dancers of all levels and ages and as a globally connected dance organisation. Australian Teachers of Dancing ignites the passion that fuels the DREAMS that connect our community. In the studios, on the stage and in education, we celebrate the artistry, energy, technique and creativity of dance. www.atod.net.au
Belinda Strodder Photography
Voted Victoria's Favourite Dance Photographer 2014, Belinda is a specialist dance and performing arts photographer. Her work is published regularly in magazines, online publications, exhibitions and promotional campaigns world wide. Active in the dance community and proudly supports The Victorian Dance Festival, Ausdance, Dance Informa, Dance Australia Magazine, Cecchetti Victoria, The Australian Ballet School and Stage Art Productions. Dancephotography.net.au
Dance Forever Online Dance Market
Dance Forever is the new way to shop dance. Australia's online dance market, Dance Forever is home to sellers from all across Australia and the world offering the latest dance fashion, dance footwear, accessories, training tools, equipment, costumes, active wear, dance bags, and more. Shop now at DanceForever.com.au.
Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance
The revolution at Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance. Further to a gleaming career that has seen her both shine at the forefront of Australia’s entertainment industry and dominate behind the scenes, Kelly Aykers is realising her dream of building a new dynasty. While there are few in the industry that can boast the same credentials, the passion that drove Kelly throughout her career is the same passion that she brings into the studio. Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance embodies that passion and prides itself on providing the finest in quality tuition while giving all dancers the respect they deserve. Kelly spearheads a stellar teaching staff brimming with industry professionals across five premium full time courses that not only prepares students for a career in the dance industry but, through those same students, redefines the industry itself. www.kellyaykers.com.au
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Spectrum Dance Studios
At Spectrum Dance we want you to succeed and know that in order for you to be your best you need to feel safe, welcome and challenged.
We believe that this is crucial for student engagement, for current skills, and for ensuring that the training in our studios is relevant to the dance and performing industry. This also allows students to network and build relationships with potential future employers.
With a limited intake of students each year, our students receive an individually tailored curriculum to achieve their career dreams. We provide opportunities for our students to engage in Industry Based Learning, placing our students at the forefront of their peers. www.spectrumdance.com.au
Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance
Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance is an iconic institution in the world of dance in Australia. Founded by the renowned dancer and choreographer Jason Coleman, the Ministry of Dance offers a wide range of dance classes, workshops and programs for dancers of all ages and levels.
At the Ministry of Dance, students can learn a variety of dance styles including jazz, hip hop, contemporary, ballet, tap and more. The institution prides itself on its world-class facilities, highly experienced teachers, and a supportive and inclusive community that encourages students to express themselves through dance.
With its emphasis on creativity, discipline and artistic excellence, Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance has produced some of Australia's top dancers and choreographers. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, the Ministry of Dance offers an unparalleled dance experience that is both fun and challenging.
Patrick School of the Arts
Patrick School of the Arts is the most recognised and respected industry arts institution in Australia.
For over 16 years, the institute has developed Australia’s leading triple threat performers.
Our employment statistics are unrivalled across any private school in the nation. PSA strides into the future across all genres from stage to screen and continues to be the most ground breaking academy across the Asia Pacific. psarts.com.au
At babyballet® we provide award-winning preschool dance classes. We love to make learning to dance an unforgettable and magical experience for you and your budding babyballet® star. Our successful babyballet® preschool dance programme is growing rapidly in Australia. babyballet® classes give toddlers, tots, young children and preschoolers the chance to learn to dance, gain confidence and shine. All classes are taught in a fun, caring and supportive environment.
Our classes provide the opportunity for babies and young children to learn to dance and develop key life skills in a healthy, sociable, caring and safe environment. babyballet® is so much more than just a dance class.
Our licenses give dance teachers and dance studio owners all the resources they need to see their preschool dance department shine. Licensees receive the fully developed babyballet® program, rights to use the award-winning brand and Intellectual Property, an exclusive zone to market their classes and a support network of Head Office and like minded licensees.
The babyballet® program in Australia has four stages for babyballet® stars from 6 months to 6 years to progress through. There is also a tap dancing class for children over 3 years. babyballet® teachers all undergo babyballet® training, and with professional dance and teaching experience, they strive to create a fun, friendly and inclusive experience for everyone – no matter what your child’s age or ability. Our classes are a great way for parents and carers to meet up and make new friends too!
Our programme fits well within the Australian Early Years Learning Framework, ‘Belonging, Being and Becoming’, making it the perfect activity choice for you and your child. Our classes provide the opportunity for babies and young children to learn and develop key life skills in a healthy and safe environment. The babyballet program is giving thousands of babyballet® stars the chance to learn to dance and have fun! Babyballetdance.com.au
The Joymaker with Christine Denny
Christine Denny is a well known and respected figure in Sydney’s tap scene and the creator and CEO of Tapatak Oz. During her travels promoting, teaching and examining Tapatak Oz she has been developing programs that harness the arts in a personal development setting to help people realise and implement JOY in their lives. Her signature programme “The Joymaker” empowers students with tools and strategies to bring resilience, confidence and joy to life, as they navigate the challenges of our modern world. This one day programme has had incredible feedback from the participants and is suitable for all ages 14 years and over. As a natural extension of this philosophy, Christine released of her first children’s book “ Great Job Nature “ in 2022 which continued her desire to actively engage children with the world around them as a way of harnessing joy and connection with both the natural world and their parents and carers. Christine’s Motto is: Be Joyful - Discover Your Bliss! www.christinedenny.com
TAPATAK OZ
TAPATAK OZ is a unique tap dance syllabus and mentorship programme for teachers and students that launched in Australia in 2008, created by renowned tap dancer Christine Denny Since then, the syllabus has gained a reputation as being modern, technically challenging and most importantly - relevant to today’s tap scene and as such it is now in use all over Australia, as well as in the UK, USA, Canada, France, Italy, Finland, New Zealand, Singapore, Brazil, South Africa, Dubai and more. The fundamental principle underlying the syllabus is developing thinking students and teachers, who through Tapatak Oz develop self confidence, self appreciation and self motivation, alongside a quality tap technique, whilst discovering their unique quirks, style, gifts and talents that can be shown off through the programme. The programme is designed to celebrate individuality and encourage a genuine passion and enthusiasm for tap and rhythm. And after many years in the classroom this wonderfully liberating approach has developed many wonderful tappers who are confidently moving into the tap world with their own unique approach and style and an open mind to always continue learning. www.tapatak-oz.com
THE TAP PACK
Sponsored by Dance Informa
Jordan Pollard and Thomas J Egan from sensational hit show The Tap Pack will appear at VDF23 as special guests of Dance Informa. Join the guys for a sneak preview performance at lunchtime on Friday 14 April at Vitality Teacher Day and Saturday 15 April during the main weekend.
The Tap Pack will be performing at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre at the end of April.
THE TAP PACK is a high-energy, tap comedy show inspired by the infamous “Rat Pack” which included the famous talents of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jnr.
With dazzling performances on stage, dressed in slick suits and equipped with sharp wit, The Tap Pack is a modern twist on the classic Rat Pack.
They infuse tap dance with swing music and witty banter. The Tap Pack is a taste of a new, highly entertaining act featuring some of Australia’s finest tap dancing performers tapping up a storm. With credits on stage, film and television and with over 20 musical theatre productions between them, The Tap Pack is pure entertainment.
They bring new, invigorating energy to a timeless style.
Old School Cool from the new Kings of Swing. Book now at https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=TAPPACK23
TWINKLE STAR DANCE
US sensation Twinkle Star Dance's mission is to help dance studio owners re-focus their efforts on the backbone of their studio—the recreational 2–6 year-old-dancers and the tricky 6–12 year-old beginners. Tiffany Henderson, owner of seven Tiffany's Dance Academy locations in California, founded Twinkle Star Dance as a complete toolkit for studio owners that enables them to "plug" a recreational dance program into their existing studio without increasing their workload. The Twinkle Star Method is comprised of four different modules for training preschool age dancers. Skill Building, Center Movement, Just for Fun, and Showtime. These classes become the backbone of any studio, ensure growth, and provide a consistent program of advanced dancers that will flourish for decades.
Find out more www.twinklestardance.com
RAMBERT GRADES
Training to empower.
Rambert Grades is a progressive and inclusive contemporary dance syllabus created from the landmark collaboration between two of the world’s leading dance organisations: Rambert School and Rambert company.
The benchmark for creative contemporary dance learning and practice, Rambert Grades offers students of all abilities and backgrounds the opportunity to develop lifelong skills. Carefully designed with an unequivocally holistic approach at its heart, the syllabus embraces an ethos of progressive dance education and is about inspiration, confidence, and self-belief.
The syllabus was developed by some of the most dynamic and relevant voices of contemporary dance in the UK, including material from renowned choreographers Hofesh Shechter and Alesandra Seutin. The syllabus offers dance training across Grades 1- 8 and through Creative Dance for Early Years (Creative Movers, Pre-Primary and Primary).
In 2022, Rambert Grades entered into a 3-year pilot with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in Australia. RAD Registered Teachers across Australia may take advantage of an exclusive discount on Rambert Grades membership. Find out more www.rambertgrades.com
2023 FESTIVAL EXHIBITORS
Acrobatic Arts I AlcieMay I Applause Dance Tours I ATOD I Baby Ballet I Belinda Strodder Photography I Beyond Dance I Bloch I Capezio I Cecchetti I Chunky Move I Comdance I confiDANCE I Creative Studios (Norweigan Cruise Line) I Dance Around the World Tours I Dance Arts Alliance I Dance Informa I DanceSurance I Dance Training Organisation I Dance Wright I Don't Walk, Dance I Dynamite Studios I Energetiks I HAIMZ I Heal Yourself + Move I Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance I Joffrey Ballet School I Josephine Lacumba I Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance I Patrick School of the Arts I The National Theatre I Performance Arts Awards (AMEB) I Performance Medicine I PinkLemon Dancewear I Rambert Grades I Ready for Stage I Royal Academy of Dance I Royal Caribbean International I Show Works Creative Solutions I Soundmoda I Spectrum Dance Studios I Studio 7 Dancewear I Tapatak Oz I The Joymaker with Christine Denny I The Tap Pack I Transit Dance I Twinkle Star Dance I
Like to become a Festival Partner or Exhibitor? Email exhibit@victoriandancefestival.com