Dancing their way to Success

From tiny-tots to young adults, Bullsbrook Dance Academy has been nurturing talented dancers, acrobats and circus performers for nearly 30 years.

Among the former students in the academy’s hall of fame are Tiarna and Lindsie Johnson, now dancing at Universal Studios in Japan, Georgia Dewstow-Smith, a professional dancer at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, the Victorian State Ballet’s Tenaya Kerr, and Sarah Gray whose roles have taken her to California and Paris and across Australia, including performing in Barnum The Circus Musical in Melbourne.

Former student and now professional ballerina Janae Kerr has taken the lead role in The Little Mermaid with the Victorian State Ballet, while Samantha Riches’ dancing and singing career has taken her to cities around the world, including London and Dubai.

Dancer and acrobat Jacinta Seivers has performed with Rudimental, Flo Rida, Olly Murs and Guy Sebastian to name but a few, and performed in London’s West End with Thriller Live! since her days at Bullsbrook Dance Academy.

But for Tanya Kerr, who opened Bullsbrook Dance Academy in February1993, the most important role of all is the one her dance school continues to play in the local community.

“Providing children with a safe space to be seen, heard and encouraged has always been my biggest priority over the years,” Tanya says.

“I have had the privilege of watching so many beautiful children grow into successful adults. But the most beautiful part is that some of them are now parents, bringing their own children back to dance. It is really special when you see another generation coming through the doors.”

From jazz, ballet, cheer and contemporary, to hip-hop, tap, acrobatics and circus skills, the Bullsbrook Dance Academy aims to build confidence, coordination, poise, discipline, grooming, teamwork and communication.

Dance is just one of the many fun ways to keep fit and healthy in Bullsbrook, or pick up a new hobby. From cricket and basketball, to bowls and netball, there’s something for everyone.

Classes at Bullsbrook Dance Academy are held through the week for both girls and boys starting from 18 months old.

“Bullsbrook Dance Academy has always been a close-knit dance community and this is also credit to the community we live in and the way everyone supports each other in the area,” Tanya says.

The dance school grew quickly in the late 1990s and several of Tanya’s older students stepped up to become assistant teachers. In 2012, the Bullsbrook Dance Academy moved from Pickett Park Community Hall to its current premises in Frigate Way, Bullsbrook.

“It really is a dream come true to run my own dance school and pass on my love of dance to so many beautiful children,” Tanya says.

Janae Kerr Image by Jacqueline Mitchell @everlineimagery