FOR THE LOVE OF DANCE

From Miss Grace:

“I have a deep love for dance, particularly ballet, yet my journey has been far from easy. Along the way, I endured very real instances of abuse, both physical and mental, inflicted by teachers and within the ballet world. Sadly, this was the norm then, and only now, albeit slowly, are we beginning to see change.

Devoting my childhood to a dream that I ultimately didn't achieve, such as becoming a Prima Ballerina at The Royal Ballet, was incredibly challenging. (I was successful in working as a professional dancer overseas and in Aus, just not in ballet.) Various factors, including injuries and body size, prevented me from reaching that goal. For a significant period, even the mere sight of professional ballet would bring me to tears, overwhelmed by the "shame of not being good enough."

At one point, a therapist suggested that I might need to walk away from dance entirely for the sake of my mental health. I reflected on this and discovered that while dance had been my greatest source of pain, it was also my greatest joy. I couldn't envision a life without it. This realisation led me to establish Grace Dance Academy.

Born out of the Covid-19 lockdowns and my need to heal my inner child ballerina, Grace Dance Academy is a sanctuary for enjoying movement without pressure. For example, we have no mirrors, and this is by design. My studio stands in stark contrast to the competitive, body-shaming, high-pressure environment I experienced. It's a place where you dance simply because you love it.

This isn't to say that I don't believe in offering the highest quality training, (I hold my registered teacher status with high regard and am only able to maintain this status with regular professional development. ) I just believe that it can be done without causing lifelong trauma. Join me in this revolution!”