Youth Dance Festival Ausdance ACT

24/03/2026

A wonderful workshop session last week with Hawker College and international dance artist Grace Peng. To find out more about our Dance Artists in Schools program visit https://www.ausdanceact.org.au/dance-artists-in-schools

23/03/2026

🎉 We are excited to share with you our 2026 Australian Dance Week calendar! 🎉

Ausdance ACT’s Australian Dance Week opens on International Dance Day and has grown into the biggest offering in Australia!

Our calendar is chockers with over 20 invitations to dance all over the ACT and region. Young, old, mixed ability, professional, pre-professional and anyone who loves to dance or has always wanted to try.

There are workshops and classes along with performances for those who like to watch and dance on the inside. Ballet, contemporary, folk, hip-hop, dance fit, inclusive dance, dance for wellbeing, improvised dance....

This is YOUR Dance Week ACT, grown by local member dance artists, schools and studios working with Ausdance and everyone who loves to dance since 1982.

Stand by for more updates and let the dancing begin!💃🕺🏽🩰🪩👯

View the full calendar here: https://www.ausdanceact.org.au/australian-dance-week

16/03/2026

Ausdance ACT is delighted to host two Masterclasses with Victorian State Ballet's Michael Scott-Kahans and Grace Kefford during the Canberra Theatre Centre season of ALADDIN.

The workshops ((junior and senior) will consist of classical ballet barre and centre work. There will be a short Q&A session and photo opportunities at the end of the workshops.

Friday 24th April - on stage of The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre

3pm to 4pm - Junior/Intermediate. For 10 to 13 year old dancers
Cost $45, Ausdance ACT Member $30
https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-ausdance-act-masterclass-with-victorian-state-ballet-elementary-intermediate

4.15pm-5.15pm - Senior/Advanced. For 14+ years & adult dancers
Cost $50, Ausdance ACT Member $35
https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-ausdance-act-masterclass-with-victorian-state-ballet-intermediate-advanced

Not a member? Concession memberships from $33. Sign up here
https://www.ausdanceact.org.au/memberships

Places strictly limited.

24/02/2026

2026 Australian Dance Week - we can't wait to announce the full program and events!

Australian Dance Week turns the spotlight on our incredible local dance scene, and we are very proud that Ausdance ACT hosts the largest program in Australia, around UNESCO's International Dance Day.

Inclusion in the Ausdance ACT 2026 Australian Dance Week is OPEN to Ausdance ACT members. Do you have an event, workshop or class to offer between 29th April - 6th May 2026? Let us know!

Hurry deadline for registration is the 2nd March.

Find out more and register your event here → https://form.jotform.com/253213349020849

Photo Australian Dance Week, Intergenerational Hungarian Folk Dance Workshop by Compagnie József Trefeli.

16/02/2026

THIS WEEK, AUSDANCE ACT WORKSHOP SERIES - dance with Joel Bray Artistic Director & Choreographer of 'Garabari'!

The workshop will focus on repertoire from 'Garabari', and Joel will also delve into his performance‑making approach, including his improvisation method, En Route.

Joel is an artist living on Kulin Country (Melbourne) and is a proud Wiradjuri man. He trained at NAISDA and WAAPA before pursuing a career in Europe and Israel, later returning to Australia to work with CHUNKY MOVE. Joel’s choreographic practice spans dance, experimental performance, and screen-based work.

Open to dancers 14 years plus, independent dance artists, dance teachers and adult dancers with an intermediate to advanced level of training in contemporary dance.

This workshop is presented with the support of Canberra Theatre Centre and Gorman Arts Centre. ‘Garabari’ is presented by Joel Bray Dance and produced by BlakDance.

Wednesday 18 February 4.30-6pm, D Block Gorman Arts Centre
Find out more & bookings → https://events.humanitix.com/ausdance-act-workshop-series-2026-with-garabari

Show 19-20 February, The Playhouse
Bookings → https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/garabari-2026/

📸 Jeff Busby

05/02/2026

Ausdance ACT is thrilled to offer a contemporary dance workshop for local dancers, led by Garabari’s Artistic Director and Choreographer, Joel Bray during the show's Canberra season.

WHEN: Wednesday 18th February, 4.30-6pm
WHERE: D Block Studio, Gorman Arts Centre
BOOKINGS: https://events.humanitix.com/ausdance-act-workshop-series-2026-with-garabari/tickets

'Garabari' is a high energy dance gathering where Wiradjuri story meets a pulsing techno beat. Step onto the dance floor, join the movement and feel the shared spirit of corroboree as traditional song and modern sound come alive together.

The workshop will focus on repertoire from 'Garabari', and Joel will also delve into his performance‑making approach, including his improvisation method, En Route.

Open to dancers 14 years plus, independent dance artists, dance teachers and adult dancers with an intermediate to advanced level of training in contemporary dance.

Cost $50, Ausdance ACT Member $35
Save $15 on the class price by signing up as a member, concession memberships start from $33. Check out the many ongoing discounts and benefits and join here https://www.ausdanceact.org.au/memberships

This workshop is presented with the support of Canberra Theatre Centre and Gorman Arts Centre.

Photo Credit: Jeff Busby

09/12/2025

Dance artist Sonia Raveena recently hosted our last Dance Artist in Schools session for 2025 - a Hip Hop workshop for the students at Daramalan College.

We received great feedback from their teacher Jessica Haynes:

"The workshop with Sonia today went really well. The style suited the students, and they all had fun. They were dancing right up until the last minute, it was great!"

Sonia also had a wonderful time teaching:

"The year 9 and 10’s from Daramalan College were such a joy to teach. They brought energy, passion and were so supportive of one another. Jess was so lovely. I would love to come back and teach here!"

Bookings are now open for 2026! We specialise in sourcing diverse dance experiences for your students to extend their practice and cultural knowledge.

Let us do the work for you! Here is what is included:

~ Teachers share their vast knowledge in dance, from technique to choreography and cultural awareness in the workshop or class format of your choice.
~ A wide range of genres is available including Cultural Dance (Afro/Indian Classical/Bollywood), Street Dance, Creative Dance and more. If you have something specific in mind, just ask us!
~ We coordinate all booking, invoicing and travel requirements.
~ Provision of professional, qualified and experienced teaching practitioners.
~ WWVP checks.
~ Risk assessments.

More information: https://www.ausdanceact.org.au/dance-artists-in-schools

12/11/2025

Ausdance ACT were proud and pleased to be awarded a Canberra Critics Circle Award last night “For providing young dancers with a professionally curated and technically sophisticated platform for dance and choreography as it celebrated its 40th Anniversary of the Youth Dance Festival at Canberra Theatre in November 2024 with the theme, What Do You Dream?”

Although our Director Cathy couldn’t be there, Board Executive Isabelle Lee and Marketing Manager Emma D***s were able to attend and accept the award, pictured here with Arts Minister Michael Pettersson MLA

So much hard work rewarded for our wonderful 40th celebration. Thank you Canberra Critics. A big shout out to our fellow dance partners Australian Dance Party and the marvellous emerging artist Akira Byrne who also received awards. Canberra dance is🔥 🔥

06/11/2025

Relive 2025 Youth Dance Festival 'Life on Mars'!

Use the link below to purchase a full-length high-quality recording of each night's show provided by Cowboy Hat Films.​

Note: to stream your video you will need to log in to the website using the same email and password used to make your purchase.

https://www.ausdanceact.org.au/youth-dance-festival

Send a message to learn more

29/10/2025

Canberra Theatre Centre is the home of Ausdance ACT's Youth Dance Festival. We warmly acknowledge their continued support and ongoing partnership in providing a professional setting for generations of young performers.

Last night's 'Life on Mars' cast delivered an outstanding show. One show to come tonight 7pm, do not miss it!

Tickets: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/ausdance-life-on-mars-2025/

Photos Art Atelier Photography

27/10/2025

Countdown to 2025 Youth Dance Festival ‘Life on Mars’!
💫🚀👽

Our dance artist mentors have been busy visiting every school participating in this year's festival to provide guidance and support.

Our Mentor Jonah Lamond visited Marist College Canberra, Burgmann Anglican School, Gold Creek School, UC SSC Lake Ginninderra, St Mary MacKillop College Canberra, Kingsford Smith School and Alfred Deakin High School. Phew!

Jonah said:

“Marist College - such an enthusiastic and supportive class. I absolutely loved the energy of this group and I definitely know you will too.

Burgmann Anglican School has such an incredibly captivating piece. This team is focused, determined, and completely in sync.

Gold Creek School - a room full of great leaders. The choreography is next level! 10/10. You won’t want to miss them.

UC SSC Lake Ginninderra College, the creativity from this group is unreal. They have created a horrifying yet beautiful story which sent chills down my spine. really looking forward to seeing this one live on stage.

Loving the enthusiasm from St Mary MacKillop! I’m completely drawn to their theme and story—it’s so unique. Can’t wait to see how it all comes together.

Kingsford Smith School brought such a positive energy! Loving their music choices, you won’t want to miss it.

Alfred Deakin High School was an absolute pleasure to work with. This group was not only hardworking but also incredibly respectful throughout the process. I can’t wait to see their beautiful piece come to life on stage.”

See how these works have evolved, live on stage!

28+29 October, Canberra Theatre Centre
Bookings https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/ausdance-life-on-mars-2025

27/10/2025

One more sleep until 2025 Youth Dance Festival ‘Life on Mars’! 💫🚀👽

School visits are one of our favourite things about Dance Fest! Our Mentor Mia Rashid has been busy visiting Amaroo School, Melrose High School, Radford College, Caroline Chisholm School, Erindale College, Canberra, Gungahlin College and Canberra Grammar School. Wow!

From Mia:

"What a fun morning at Amaroo School. They have come up with some exciting themes, characters and choreography and I cannot wait to see how their work develops for YDF.

Melrose High School showed two dance works, both with detailed narratives and engaging movement. They were a motivated and ambitious team, and I cannot wait to see their final performance!

The Radford College dance group were spinning, lifting and jumping their socks off! We had a productive session together and I loved seeing them applying new ideas quickly and enthusiastically.

Radford College Year 10’s showed me excellent technique and choreography. We worked together to fine tune some lifts to ensure safe dance practice. We also did some improvisation tasks to establish their narrative further. Was lots of fun!

The students at Caroline Chisholm School showcased intricate and engaging choreography. From the warm-up to the end of the session, their energy and enthusiasm were a delight to see.

Canberra Grammar School’s work was a joy to watch. Taking a creative approach to the theme - I was drawn into their candy world. Together we worked on performance quality and the lip-syncing parts to build confidence and clarity.”

Erindale College, Canberra's students showed me an upbeat collage of Michael Jackson-inspired choreography. Great unison and energy from this group!

Gungahlin College Year 11’s sent shivers down my spine as they showed me an incredibly dynamic work filled with darkness, unity and retrograde. This piece was truly from another planet!”

See how these works have evolved, live on stage!

28+29 October, Canberra Theatre Centre
Bookings https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/ausdance-life-on-mars-2025