About us

We are Australia's peak body for dance, at present working as a voluntary board without funding.

As a leader in dance advocacy, Ausdance National has a 45-year history of designing and delivering accessible and sustainable services to support Australian dance, bringing new resources and funding to the dance community through partnerships and collaborations.

Although no longer receiving federal funding, we continue to have a strong international reputation, and we are recognised as a leader in arts advocacy by other art forms.

Ausdance National is part of a network of Ausdance organisations delivering integrated programs across the country, anticipating industry issues and providing innovative and inclusive responses.

See also Towards a safer and more inclusive dance industry.

Ausdance National mission and aims

Our vision is for dance to be a valued part in the lives of all Australians.

Our mission is advocate for dance and the diversity of dance in Australia.

Through advocacy, we aim to:

  • Lead and shape dance policy development and debate.
  • Provide a national voice for dance and dance education.
  • Identify and promote diverse forms of dance and dance practice.
  • Encourage access to and understanding of dance.
  • Foster national and international links with dance and dance-related organisations.

Achievements

Annual reports

Ausdance National Board members

President: Julie Englefield (Qld)
Secretary: Vacant
Treasurer: Charl van der Walt (NSW)
Council Members: Dr Cathy Adamek (ACT), Teagan Lowe (Qld), Amy Wiseman (WA), Deborah Prentice (Vic), Amanda Kimber (SA)
Public Officer: Jane Pamenter

National Honorary Life Members

Over the years Ausdance has been supported by many passionate volunteers, committee members and staff. We acknowledge these special people with honorary life membership.

Ausdance network members:

Ausdance ACT

Ausdance ACT provides a voice for dance in the ACT. Our mission is to provide high quality dance programs, from across all genres, which engage and inspire dance makers, performers, audiences, and other participants in the ACT.

T 02 6188 4250

Staff​

Dr Cathy Adamek, Director

Emma Dykes, Marketing Manager

Debora Di Centa, Project Manager

Board

Natalie Pearse, Chair

Cheryl Diggins, Vice-Chair

Preeti Somasundaram, Treasurer

Jacqui Dimmock, Secretary

Shekiralea Healy, Board Member

Bexsa-Ashley Munro Cairncross, Board Member

Divyusha Polepalli, Board Member

Address

B Block, Gorman Arts Centre, Ainslie Ave, Braddon ACT 2612

T 02 6188 4250

[email protected]

Ausdance NSW

Ausdance NSW was wound up in 2023.

Please contact Ausdance National, or your nearest Ausdance organisation for more information.

Ausdance Qld

Ausdance Queensland was established in 1978 and provides professional advocacy and industry development for Queensland dance through strong local, regional, national and international networks.

We work to bring recognition to the many roles that dance plays in the cultural life of Queensland and to maximise opportunities for practitioners.

Staff​

Teagan Lowe, Executive Director

Taylah Karpowicz, Membership & Marketing Manager

Leilani Seeto, Regional Arts Advisor

Julia Tetteris, Marketing Coordinator

Contact our team via [email protected]

Board 

Anne Metcalfe, Chair (on leave)

Robert dhurwain McLellan, Treasurer & Interim Chair

Kath Cadd, Secretary

Sue Fox, Melissa Lee, Hannah Scanlon (Board Members)

Contact our Management Committee via [email protected]

Ausdance Educators Qld

Helen Mullins, AEQ Chair

Jess Kavanagh, AEQ Secretary

Kath Cadd, AEQ Treasurer (on leave)

Amy Kirwan, Interim AEQ Treasurer

Cindy Ambridge, Sue Fox, Lydia Garreffa, Hayley Jensen, Desiree McGann, Breeanna Muirden, Caitlin Sands & Tessa Trudgen

Contact our AEQ sub-committee via [email protected]
 

Address

Thomas Dixon Centre – 406 Montague Road, West End QLD 4101

T 0414 629 643

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/AusdanceQld/
https://www.instagram.com/ausdanceqld/
www.linkedin.com/company/ausdanceqld

Ausdance SA

Ausdance SA, the leading advocate for dance in South Australia, has championed the local dance community for over 40 years.

We support dance teachers, independent artists, choreographers and studio owners by promoting quality standards, expertise and networking opportunities statewide.

We provide resources, advice, advocacy, education and professional development for dance artists, practitioners and enthusiasts throughout the state.

Board

Amanda Kimber, President

Lana Adamuszek, Vice- president

Jo McDonald, Secretary 

Taylor Robinson, Treasurer

Trudy Surman

Jayson Smart

Malcolm Harslett

Emily Jaensch

Contact

E [email protected]

Ausdance VIC

Ausdance VIC is the peak body for dance in Victoria and a leading dance-specialist Registered Training Organisation, supporting artists, educators, organisations and communities across the sector. Find out more.

Staff

Interim Managing Director: Deborah Prentice

Marketing Manager: Hayley Sims

RTO Senior Coordinator: Colleen Racovalis

Programming Manager: Elise Brennan

Programming Coordinator: Jordan Pollard

Marketing and Programs Coordinator: Stephanie Clare-Cover

RTO assistant: vacant

Board

Gracieuse Amah: Chair

Sonia Sarangi: Vice Chair

Kate Outridge: Treasurer

Carmen Pace: Committee member

Merryn Tierney: Committee member

Jayden Hicks: Committee member

Joti Van Carlos Gore: Committee member

Abigail Sullivan: Committee member

Address

552 Victoria St, North Melbourne 3051

T 0480 359 982

E: [email protected]

Ausdance WA

Ausdance WA is a not-for-profit, membership-based service and advocacy organisation for dance in Western Australia.

Our programs are designed to build the capacity and development of the industry – for dance artists, for teachers in schools, in studios and community cultural and recreational contexts, and dance companies and organisations across the state – to ensure the best possible experience of dance for all Western Australians.

Staff

Amy Wiseman, Executive Director

Phoebe Tempra, Communications and Memberships Manager

Amanda Scoble, Finance Manager

Board

Gary Hodge, President

Tatyana Kozyreva, Treasurer

Dr Maria Gamble, Secretary

Nina Levy

Deanna Faust

Amanda Leigh

Contact