"Premier has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It is here that I have had the privilege to learn and be a part of Dance. Being able to love and appreciate Ballet is something that I cherish. It is such a beautiful form of expression and I am forever grateful to The Premier Dance Academy and its Principal, Tania Whelan for giving me such a beautiful and nurturing environment to learn in. At Premier I developed poise and grace but also discipline, confidence and focus. Dancing is still and will always be something I love to do. Thank you, Premier Dance."

Sarah Maunsell

Current Student and Staff Member

"Premier Dance is not only a place where students can develop technique and performance skills in different styles of dance but an environment that promotes inclusion, builds self-esteem and nurtures a love of dance. The teachers not only nurture students growth as dancers but their personal growth as developing individuals. Students develop a lifelong love of dance and strong friendships and values that can be used throughout their lives. I have been been a student at Premier Dance for over fifteen years and privileged to be a staff member for almost five years. I can confidently say that I am not only a better dancer but a better person because of my experience at Premier Dance."

Alexandra Heron

Current Student and Staff Member

"I hold many fond memories of my time at Premier Dance Academy. The nurturing environment in which I received the early years of my dance training fostered my love of movement, and it was here I discovered a passion for ballet in particular. This foundation has allowed me to enjoy my dancing for many years. I often draw on memories of dancing around the studio in Milton, completely uninhibited and with such freedom of movement, for inspiration today when performing and to keep challenging myself professionally. I feel very grateful and appreciative of the Premier Dance Academy and of Tania Whelan in her guidance and support over the years, for having given me this foundation for a career in dance, which has been so rewarding."

Gabriella Raetz

Past Student, currently dancing in The Australian Ballet Company

"No matter who they are, no matter where they have come from, Premier Dance, most significantly Principal Tania Whelan herself, will foster a love for dance within her students. My passion for teaching stems from Tania, my mentor and friend, who taught me the importance of dancing on all levels. Her enthusiasm, devotion, and nurturing nature to every student no matter who they are and where they have come from will be instilled in me for life. I will be forever thankful."

Charlotte Walker

Past Student and Current Teacher

"I started dancing at The Premier Dance Academy at the age of six. I am now almost seventeen and believe that my time at The Premier Dance Academy has helped shape the person I am today. Dance has helped me gain self confidence and I have developed self discipline and realise that you won't get anywhere in life without hard work. Continued encouragement from my teachers has made me persist to continue working on my dance technique so that I can become a better dancer. At Premier Dance Academy everyone is made to feel comfortable and part of a team. Students are taught to always strive for their goals and are given many great opportunities to do so. The Premier Dance Academy offers everyone the best in dance training whilst still promoting a happy and fun environment to learn to dance."

Sasha Cooke

Current Student and Student Teacher

"Premier Dance is a part of me, of who I am. Premier Dance not only instils a strong love of dance and technique into each one of its students, it also teaches one to understand and be passionate towards this wonderful form of art. Premier Dance is the place where I learnt to dance; it is also the place where I learnt the love and joy of dance, which will be with me forever. To Premier Dance and more importantly, Tania Whelan, I want to thank you for everything you have taught and instilled in me over the past 11 years and for giving me the opportunities learn and grow as a person, for this I am forever grateful. I truly believe Premier Dance has captured the true essence of dance."

Emma-Kate Lock

Current Student and Past Staff Member

"I can never decide which gives me greater pleasure at Miss Tania’s end of year concert when I see the “tiny tots” (pre-school) being gently positioned by two or three older girls into one straight line and helped to point a toe and curtsy or bow without falling over. Or is it the thrill at the end of the evening seeing a brilliant pas de deux of the most advanced male and female students? I suspect for Miss Tania this might also be a difficult choice.

The Premier Dance Academy deserves its title. My grandson was a tiny tot many years ago. Harry has progressed through his ballet training, passing his Royal Academy of Ballet exams with distinctions, performed in eisteddfods and on hastily arranged stages at fetes and schools in Brisbane. He is currently preparing for his third annual July week at the Australia Ballet School in Melbourne.

Of course many Premier Dance Academy students will not aim for a career in dance. Some who also do tap, jazz, and hip-hop at the Premier Dance Academy as Harry did will aspire to teaching and choreography. Many parents would be pleased with the grace their children acquired in their deportment from only a year or two of dance instruction.

The Premier Dance Academy offers students many choices and opportunities at all levels. "

Pat Hillcoat

Grandmother to current student Harry Hillcoat

"I've been dancing at Premier for 6 years. In my time here my love and passion for learning and teaching dance has grown immensely. Originally attending quite a strict dance school moving to Premier I learnt how to appreciate dance as more than a discipline, I learnt how to enjoy it. The Premier staff and students have become like another family to me, everyone is always so welcoming and dedicated. The inspiring staff are constantly pushing students to their full potential while ensuring a fun and positive environment is upheld. The staff's love of dance is reflected through their teaching and seen in so many of the students. Premier is a wonderful place to learn and to love dance."

Ali Smeal

Current Student

"My son began dancing at Premier when he was 5 years old. Over the years, I've noticed how the staff make boys feel welcome at the academy yet, at the same time, don't draw attention to the boys' "minority status". Being a male dancer can be difficult but my son has always felt comfortable and supported at Premier."

Kelly Wickham

Mother of current student, Aeden Pittendreigh

"Moving from Darwin to Brisbane four years ago was very daunting for me, but my love for dance found me at this fabulous dance school. The family-like atmosphere and the fantastic staff are just a few elements of what makes Premier so unique. Many of the teachers and all of the student teachers are products of what this school preaches. I have been fortunate enough to be part of the school as both a student and staff member. Tania Whelan, my teacher, employer and mentor, has produced a school which is considered to many of its students, a sanctuary. Her passion for teaching dance is admirable and one that is contagious to her students and staff. I feel privileged being apart of the Premier Dance Family. Many thanks!"

Louisa Boscaini

Current Student and Student Teacher

"Since I was three I have been learning to dance at the Premier Dance Academy, with Miss Tania as my teacher. Many years have passed, however I am still dancing at the Premier Dance Academy and am still being taught by Miss Tania. I am now in my 12th year at The Premier Dance Academy and am currently in Advanced One in ballet and am a student teacher on a Monday afternoon. There are so many things that I love about Premier, and one of them would definitely be the great staff. Throughout my dancing life I have had many different teachers; all of these teachers have been kind, loving and great role models. The staff in the office the teachers and the student teachers are all so nice and make you really feel at home. The students are also a great part of this school, as there are so many smiling faces that are always happy to talk to you. This great community and fantastic dance school is the reason for my dreams and aspirations to one day own a dance school myself that holds the same great features as the Premier Dance Academy. "

Luisa Grieco

Current Student and Student Teacher

"The mediocre teacher tells. The Good teacher explains. The superior teach demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. – William Arthur Ward.

After seventeen years at Premier Dance Academy, I believe that the teachers at PDA are not only ‘great’ teachers who inspire all students, but they are truly gifted at what they do.

The Premier Dance Academy has instilled in me a love of dance that has affected my life in so many ways. Not only has it made me into a dancer, but it has made me who I am today and opened up an array of pathways for me to take in life.

Growing up at Premier, I have been given enormous opportunities for which I will be ever grateful. It is a place that I can always return to, a place that encourages all students of different skills and abilities to strive for achievement whilst building their technique and confidence.

As I enter a crossroads in my life between education and employment, I know that whatever I do it will involve dance, and I hope that I can have the same impact on others, and my students that Premier Dance has had on me."

Sarah McNamara

Past Student and Student Teacher

"Our family just wanted to pass on our sincere congratulations and thanks to you all for yet another highly professional, creative and entertaining series of concerts this year. We really appreciate all the effort that goes into preparing for them not only in terms of the routines but also, in relation to the sheer logistics involved with co-ordinating so many students and classes. Through your professionalism, passion and evident enthusiasm (I must make special mention of Miss Charlie, our Scarlett's teacher this year, Miss Trudy and also, Miss Ivah, who has always been so helpful to us in the office) you bring a lot of joy to the lives of so many children and families."

Karalyn Shaw

Parent of a student at Premier Dance