Dance studio earns regional award
ANorthern Grampians Shire dance studio is flying the regional flag in its teaching of a specialised pre-school dance program.
District Dance Studio, which offers classes in Stawell, St Arnaud and Donald, won a Ready Set Dance Regional Studio of the Year award at a national Ready Set Dance awards conference in Sydney.
Ready Set Dance classes are designed to give pre-schoolers a foundation in dance and develop their co-ordination, confidence and creativity.
The national industry awards, presented by the Australian preschool business Ready Set Dance, recognises and celebrates Australian studios dedicated in teaching the program to students.
District Dance Studio owner and principal teacher Linda Grigg said the studio decided to invest in the program in 2018, and introduced classes at the start of this year.
She said teachers travelled more than four hours each week between St Arnaud and Stawell, and one hour for Donald, for a total of 30 students throughout the studios.
She said was very proud of the studio’s win, which she labelled as a testament to the dedication of its teachers.
“The commitment my teachers have shown is phenomenal, as they have donated countless teaching hours to trials and promotions within our areas,” she said.
“To be the official Ready Set Dance
Regional Studio of the Year award winner is mind blowing. I am also very grateful and humbled by this recognition and could not have done it without my team.”
Ready Set Dance also features in children’s program Nick JR as ‘fun and energetic’ short dance videos to encourage regular physical activity.
Ready Set Dance director Jade Barnes said District Dance Studio teachers were among the most passionate of the 900 teachers of the program across Australia.
“District Dance Studio really stood out in their category for their determination to ensure their local community received the benefits of the program,” she said.
District Dance Studio Ready Set Dance students have two upcoming performances.
These include ‘Countdown’ on Saturday at the Stawell Entertainment Centre from 7pm, and a 30-year celebration performance on December 7 at St Arnaud Town Hall.