“Is there anyone who can teach dance?”

 Is there anyone in the Exeter Area that can teach a couple of kids to dance?” So began the journey of the West Tamar Dance Academy (WTDA) based in Exeter, Tasmania. As it turns out, this humble request on a community Facebook page in August, 2022 ,was seen by a teacher at the local high school, Bridie Youd, who put her hand up, thinking that it would be easy enough to stay an extra half an hour after work, perhaps once a week, for a small group.

Fast-forward two years and the WTDA has grown to 70 enrolled students, aged from two to 58 years, and offering classes three nights per week, with a fourth night dedicated to private classes: a response and growth of the dance school beyond Bridie’s wildest expectations.

Such was the community response that she quickly had to familiarise herself with the complexities of insurance, business registration, music licensing, social media and logo design. Balancing this growth with her “day job” was challenging – she has since reduced her high school teaching to invest time and energy into the dance school.

Bridie’s experience as a Highland dancer (she previously competed nationally and ran a small Highland dance school) was augmented by training in ballet and jazz as well as formal education in dance and performance at university and a teaching degree in human movement. In addition, when her daughter Amy began dancing at the age of  three, Bridie began a 20 year journey as a proud “dance mum”. (Amy’s image is incorporated within the WTDA logo, against a backdrop of the Tamar River and hills). 

WTDA is located at Exeter High School in the heart of the West Tamar Valley in Northern Tasmania. The school has been “incredibly accommodating”, but dance classes have to be scheduled around school hours and terms. While WTDA would love to find a purpose-built home, for the time being, Bridie explains, “we continue to make the best of our space, dancing on carpet and making do without mirrors or barres, while hoping a more ideal location will become available soon”.

Classes at WTDA are arranged by age group which Bridie says “creates a wonderful environment where dance friendships blossom”. She offers one class of Tiny Tots (3-4); two classes of Little Leapers (ages 5 -6); one class of Mini Movers (ages 7 -8); one class of Junior Jivers (ages 9-1); one class of Tween Twisters (ages 12-14); and an adult class (ages 17 -58). Each class focusses on jazz and lyrical/contemporary foundations and routines and there is a strong interest in competition across all age groups, though non-competitive dancers are also welcome. A weekly strength and technique class is also provided for her Junior Jivers and Tween Twisters, as well as private coaching for solos, duos and trios.

Bridie says she is incredibly fortunate to have the support of one senior and two junior assistants, Chloe, Hayley and Ebony, who excel in working with our younger students and provide invaluable help.

From humble beginnings, WTDA has achieved some impressive results. In 2023 the school entered four troupe routines in the Follow Your Dreams Dance Competition, achieving 1st or 2nd places for all, and an additional “Clean Troupe Award”. For this year’s competition, which is held in October, WTDA will grow to 20 entries.

The dance school fosters strong connections with the local community, performing at markets and shows as well as the highlight of the end-of-year concert. The informal building of community is one of the most gratifying aspects of Bridie’s job. It is now common in Exeter to see groups rehearsing together in the local park, or school mates dancing together in the school yard!

– MICHELLE DURSUN

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