FIRST OF ITS KIND DANCE SCHOOL OPENS ON COAST

THE opening of a Gold Coast dance school will mean career dancers won’t have to move interstate to qualify.

Trade and Occupational College of Australia (TOC) in Southport is offering courses previously unavailable in Queensland, meaning aspiring dance teachers will no longer have to move to Sydney or Melbourne.

Dance teacher Ailey Lyon said the school would help local dancers get qualified and gain employment.

“I think it’s really exciting this type of school is finally available on the Coast,” she said.

The school offers a Certificate II in Dance and a Certificate III in Assistant Dance Teaching.

Students still at high school can also take classes while simultaneously completing their final years.

Dance school owner Ben Foster-Brown said TOC was aimed at helping dancers who wanted to teach.

“We really want to attract current dance teachers, studio owners and older dancers who want to teach professionally the chance to become accredited,” he said.

Picture: RICHARD GOSLING Dancers such as (from left) Demi Marie Allchin, Aimee Fryer and Ailey Lyon could see career paths open thanks to a new Coast school.