Australasian Dance Association ADA 

Celebrating Artistry and Excellence

words and images Danielle Brown

On Wednesday 1 October, the Everest Theatre at The Seymour Centre came alive with exceptional displays of technique, artistry, and joy as the Australasian Dance Association (ADA) hosted its huge four day event, the ADA Dance Championships which included Junior and Senior Classical, Tap, and Jazz Scholarships.

Over four exhilarating days, students from across Australia and abroad took to the stage in a vibrant celebration of talent, discipline, and creativity, hallmarks of ADA’s legacy and training philosophy.

With a prize of $500 for Junior and $1000 for Senior Scholarships, the event recognised not only technical excellence but also performance quality and individual artistry, qualities that have made ADA one of the most respected organisations in Australian dance education.

For Alesha Campbell from Dance Encore Performing Arts Studio, the event offered the chance to connect, grow, and share her love of dance, “I participated in the Masterclasses, Solos/Duos/Trios section, as well as the ADA Syllabus competition. It was a great experience meeting dancers from different studios across Australia and Thailand,” Alesha said.

“Performing our exam work on stage was incredibly rewarding, and I loved choreographing my own duo — it gave me a chance to express myself creatively. Everyone from the judges to the volunteers was so kind and professional, which really helped calm my nerves and made the experience unforgettable.”

Her fellow student Sophia Macapagal, also from Dance Encore Performing Arts Studio, described her experience as both inspiring and empowering, “Performing at the ADA Championships was amazing. I took part in Ballet, Jazz and Tap syllabus sections and loved being on stage with dancers from all over Australia and Thailand,” said Sophia.

“Everyone backstage was so friendly and supportive. The ADA volunteers kept everything running smoothly, which helped me feel confident. Winning the Bronze Ballet section and performing my Classical Variation in the Scholarship round was such a proud moment. I can’t wait to come back next year.”

The Championships also highlighted ADA’s global reach, welcoming dancers from Thailand, including Malinmiya Sumkaew from Onvimon Dance School.

“I chose to study ballet in the ADA program because it includes many dance styles — Ballet, Jazz, Acrodance, and Contemporary,” said Malinmiya. “It’s so exciting that examiners travel from Australia to assess us in person. Competing in Sydney made me proud and motivated to improve even more.”

She continued, “Being part of the ADA Championships taught me so much about confidence and discipline. I was nervous, but the experience made me stronger. Everyone was so friendly, and I made new friends from different countries. It’s something I’ll always remember.”

Her teacher, Onvimon Janma, principal of Onvimon Dance School, spoke about the benefits of adopting the ADA syllabus, “The ADA curriculum provides exceptional dance standards across all genres, ballet, jazz, contemporary and acrodance and supports teachers with annual training and examinations,” Onvimon explained.

“Our students loved competing in Sydney and learning from such a high-calibre event. We were thrilled that our student won first prize in the Ballet Solo Grade 5 category. ADA’s dedication to both teacher and student excellence is truly commendable.”

Integral to ADA’s continued success are its industry partners, including BLOCH and Luxe Performance Tours, whose support helps bring these opportunities to life for students nationwide.

As one of the world’s most respected dancewear brands, BLOCH has been an enduring and vital supporter of the Australasian Dance Association, championing the artistry and education of dancers for generations.

Their commitment extends far beyond sponsorship; BLOCH’s long-standing partnership with ADA ensures that students perform and train in world-class footwear and apparel designed for excellence and longevity.

The alignment of values between BLOCH and ADA, precision, creativity, and care — underscores their shared mission to support the next generation of performers. ADA’s use of BLOCH’s professional-standard gear throughout its events reflects a mutual dedication to nurturing talent from the studio to the stage.

Emma Barnett, Travel Advisor at Luxe Performance Tours, shared a similar sentiment about collaboration and shared values, “Luxe Performance Tours are proud to partner with ADA, as we share the same commitment to excellence, creativity, and community,” said Emma.

“ADA has cultivated a passionate network of students, teachers, and families dedicated to growth both on and off the stage. With over 30 years of travel industry expertise, Luxe creates unforgettable dance tours around the world, from the USA to Europe and Asia, combining expert planning with our love for dance.”

Scholarship Recipients

Erica Johnson

Studio H

Junior Classical Scholarship Recipient

Chloe Haplin

Tammy Worth Academy

Junior Tap Scholarship Recipient

Sophia Kousoulos

Nadia’s Performance Studio

Junior Jazz Scholarship Recipient

Chirasyapohn Luengaram  

The Kid Chiangrai Ballet

Senior Classical Scholarship Recipient

Elizabeth Nelson

Ann Roberts School of Dance

Senior Tap Scholarship Recipient

Mia Ellemor

Brisbane Academy of Dance

Senior Jazz Scholarship Recipient

The Australasian Dance Association Dance Championships reaffirmed ADA’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded, confident performers and to celebrating the art of dance in all its forms.

Every dancer, from the youngest junior to the most seasoned senior, stepped onto the Everest Theatre stage embodying passion, discipline, and heart. Together, they created an atmosphere of inspiration that will ripple through studios and stages long after the final bow.

The photographs captured on the day tell this story in movement, moments of focus, friendship, and pure elation that speak to the enduring magic of the ADA community and the artistry it inspires.