Dance Academy
Welcome Year 7's
Welcome to our new and returning BCDA families! We are pumped for a busy and fun-filled 2026. We hope our 2026 Year 7 class wears their new BCDA jacket with pride and had a great time at camp getting to know each other.
Check in with Year 7 student Olivia Lawrence!
My name is Olivia Lawrence and I'm starting Year 7 In the Berwick Dance Academy this year. I’m excited about performing and doing what I love at school which is learning more and developing more with my dance and performing arts. Since I was about two years old, I have been training at Cathy Lea Studios, which is where I developed my passion for dance and theatre, with all the training I have received at my classes at the Studio.
Recently I auditioned and was chosen to perform for the Casey Philharmonic Orchestra Nutcracker with a full live Orchestra and Choir at Bunjil Place. My experience with both the rehearsal and performance was wonderful. The Teachers made sure everyone was comfortable and safe. The schedule was easy to read and understand. The costumes were beautiful and comfortable and overall, I had lots of fun, bringing a well-known ballet to life. I was also fortunate since a big group of dancers from the Cathy Lea Studios, and my sister Elizabeth Lawrence (who is also in the BCDA - Year 10), joined me and other dancers in making the show a huge success.
I look forward to developing my dance & performance skills further this year and working with the BCDA troupes and my Cathy Lea Studio troupes, as well as performing as a dancer at The Windmill Theatre Company Frozen Jnr Production, and the Musical Junior Production of Seussical with the Cathy Lea Studios for 2026.
Where are they now?
We are always proud of our dance students, whether they decide to take a gap year, head to university or take on the challenge of full-time dance. We recently checked in with 2025 alumni Malaika Geerdharry who has started her course at Village Nation Performing Arts in Sydney.
My first week at Fulltime Performing Arts at Village Nation has been nothing short of amazing. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed, inspired, and excited to learn, with every class pushing me to grow creatively and confidently.
The energy, support from teachers, and connection with other performers made each day unforgettable, and I already feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Malaika Geerdharry – 2025 BCDA Graduate
VCE VET Dance Showcase Assessment Night
We’re excited to invite our school community to our first performance of the year. Our VET Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 students will be performing for assessment on Thursday February 26 at 6:00 pm in the Performing Arts Centre. All are welcome to attend and support our senior dancers. No tickets are required.
Melissa Quenette
Dance Academy Director