What is dance at Dance Garden?
Dance Garden classes bring together two approaches to dance.
Creative dance invites children to explore movement through imagination, play and self-expression. Using props, imagery, music and guided explorations, children discover the main elements of dance (body, action, space, time and energy) and find their own ways of moving.
Contemporary dance adds technical foundations. Children learn to move safely and efficiently, building balance, core strength, flexibility and coordination, from floorwork and rolling to travelling sequences and leaps.
Together, these give children both the skills to move with confidence and the freedom to make dance their own. There's no single "right" way to dance here. Technique is taught as a way to expand what each body can do, not a mould to fit into.
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About your teacher
I'm a professionally trained contemporary dancer and choreographer, with degrees in dance from Deakin University and the Amsterdam School of the Arts, and a Registered Dance Movement Therapist. I'm also a Rambert Grades Trained Teacher, and I weave elements of the Rambert Grades Contemporary Dance syllabus into Dance Garden classes.
Rambert is one of the UK's most respected dance organisations, home to a school founded in 1920 and a pioneering contemporary dance company. Rambert Grades was created to offer high-quality contemporary dance training for the next generation, with material developed by leading dance educators and choreographers, including Matthew Bourne and Hofesh Shechter.
The syllabus explores dance through three strands, which shape my classes. The technical strand builds safe, efficient movement skills. The performance strand has dancers learn short dances and bring their own interpretation to them. The creative strand invites dancers to respond to a stimulus, such as an artwork, photograph or poem, and create their own movement, alone and together, with the focus on the creative process rather than a polished end product.
For info about Rambert Grades classes: https://www.rambertgrades.com/what-is-rambert-grades/
What to expect in a class
Each class follows a familiar rhythm, so children know what's coming and feel safe to explore:
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Warm up: an energetic warm-up to wake up the body and get everyone moving together.
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Build skills: physical and spatial skills such as balance, strength, coordination, floorwork and travelling across the room.
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Create and imagine: themed explorations where children create their own movement. One week we might be swimming with whales, the next flying to the moon or travelling through the desert.
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Share and settle: a chance to share ideas with the group, followed by a calm, grounding finish.
Music changes from week to week, celebrating different cultures and styles. Each term also includes relaxed, low-pressure performance opportunities where children can share their work with family and friends.
What will your child gain?
Through dance, children develop the physical foundations of balance, strength, flexibility and coordination that support dance, sport and healthy, active living. Creative tasks encourage independent thinking, problem-solving and self-expression, while working in pairs and groups builds communication, teamwork and respect for others' ideas. Most of all, children grow in confidence as they discover that their movement ideas matter, and develop a lifelong love of moving.
Every body is welcome
Dance Garden classes are inclusive and welcoming to children of all abilities, backgrounds, genders and learning styles, including neurodivergent children and children with disability. All material is non-gendered, so every dancer learns every exercise, and movement is adapted to support different bodies and needs. Rambert Grades' early years material was designed with input from disabled artists and educators, and my background as a Registered Dance Movement Therapist means choice, consent, rest and regulation are woven into every class.
If your child has particular needs or you'd like to chat about whether a class is a good fit, please get in touch. I'm always happy to talk.
About our venue
Classes are held at Cedar Creek Hall, Closeburn. Unfortunately, the hall is not currently wheelchair accessible as there are steps leading up to the entrance the entrance and no ramp. I know this is a real barrier for some families, and I'm actively working towards finding more accessible options. If access is a consideration for your child, please get in touch. I'm happy to talk through the space in detail, and to explore what might be possible.
Classe decriptions
Classes for young people run as a weekly, term-based practice rather than a stand-alone workshop. These classes are structured to support gradual learning, allowing skills, awareness, and creative expression to deepen over the term. Dancing together across a term helps participants develop trust, familiarity, and a shared movement language, supporting richer listening, creativity, and self-expression.
Everyone is invited to begin with a free trial class. After that, you can decide whether you’d register yourself or your child for the remainder of the term (classes work out to $20 each).
Dance Play!
Creative & Contemporary Dance for kids in grades Prep - 2
A playful introduction to dance. Through stories, music, games and imaginative themes, children build balance, core strength, coordination and rhythm, while discovering their own ways of moving. Every week is a new adventure, with gentle structure that helps little dancers feel confident and safe.
When: Saturdays, 8:50 - 9:50am
Where: Cedar Creek Hall, Closeburn
Term 4: 10th October - 28th November
Dance Friends!
Creative & Contemporary Dance for kids in grades 3 - 5
Building on curiosity and creativity, these classes introduce more contemporary dance technique, including floorwork, travelling sequences and jumps. Children learn short dance phrases and add their own interpretation, and work together on creative tasks to make dances of their own. Sessions support confidence, connection, social and emotional learning, and a growing sense of themselves as dancers.
When: Saturdays, 10 - 11am
Where: Cedar Creek Hall, Closeburn
Term 4: 10th October - 28th November
Creative Contemporary for Teens
A supportive, non-judgemental space where young people can explore movement, creativity and self-expression. Classes weave together contemporary technique (centre work, floorwork and travelling sequences), repertoire drawn from the Rambert Grades syllabus, including material created by professional choreographers, and creative tasks and improvisation where teens develop and share their own ideas. This balance of structure and freedom supports agency, confidence and connection while building strength, coordination and expressive range. Teens are also invited to share their work through relaxed performance opportunities.
Please express your interest in the teens class via dancegarden.com.au
Movement Mondays - Adults!
Two welcoming classes for adults of all ages and experience levels. Come to one, or stay for both.
It's never too late to dance
Whether you danced years ago, have always wanted to try, or simply want a joyful way to move your body, Movement Mondays is for you. No experience is needed, and there's nothing to get "right." Just come as you are.
Contemporary Dance 6-7pm
A grounded contemporary class exploring movement fundamentals and technique. We warm up together, build strength, balance and coordination through floorwork and travelling sequences, and learn short dance phrases that gently challenge memory and focus. It's a chance to move with intention, feel strong in your body, and enjoy the satisfaction of learning something new.
Creative Dance 7-8pm
Dance supports both body and mind. It builds strength, balance and flexibility, gives the brain a workout as you learn and remember movement, eases stress, and offers a warm sense of connection and community. Many people find it's the part of their week where they feel most themselves.
When: Mondays, weekly
Where: Cedar Creek Hall, Closeburn
Cost: $20 per class or $30 if you attend both classes.
Payment: Cash or online booking
If you would like to do a free trial for both, you only need to complete one booking form and please send me a text that you intend to do both classes. Ph 0487342909
Why dance as an adult?
Dance supports both body and mind. It builds strength, balance and flexibility, gives the brain a workout as you learn and remember movement, eases stress, and offers a warm sense of connection and community. Many people find it's the part of their week where they feel most themselves.
Every body is welcome
Classes are inclusive and adapted to support different bodies, ages and abilities. You're always welcome to move at your own pace, take a rest, or sit out and watch. My background as a professionally trained dancer and Registered Dance Movement Therapist means classes are both skill-building and deeply supportive.
Our approach
Curiosity alongside skill. Technique is taught as a way to expand what each body can do, and there's always room to explore, experiment and find your own way of moving.
Imagination and choice. Classes balance clear structure with creative freedom, so dancers learn through doing, sensing and responding, and build real confidence and agency.
Care at the centre. Consent, inclusion and safety guide every class, with breath, rest and grounding woven in to support ease and wellbeing.