Building Dreams: Studio 4 Opens and New Teachers Join the TCDA Family

Growth at Tamworth City Dance Academy has never been just about numbers—it's about creating opportunities, investing in our students' futures, and building spaces where excellence can flourish. This term, we're thrilled to announce the completion of Studio 4 and the addition of two exceptional teachers to our staff: Miss Mia and Miss Bridie.

Studio 4: Vision Becomes Reality

What began as a concept years ago has finally materialised into a fully equipped 70 square meter dance studio, complete with sprung flooring, Harlequin dance vinyl, mirrors, barres, and a professional sound system. Studio 4 adds crucial teaching space to our facility, allowing us to expand class offerings and provide more opportunities for our growing community of dancers.

The journey to completion required patience and strategic planning. Before construction could begin on the studio itself, we needed to address the building's structure—removing side and rear roller doors and replacing them with insulated walls and windows. This critical work was completed in Term 2 with the invaluable help of TCDA dance dads and the incredible expertise of Phil Sleiman Construction. Phil, a long-time TCDA dance dad himself, brought both professional skill and personal investment to the project, understanding exactly what we were building and why it mattered.

We also constructed a custom exterior storage shed to house our scaffolding—essential equipment for our weekly aerial apparatus safety checks. These behind-the-scenes elements may not be glamorous, but they're the foundation that allows everything else to function safely and efficiently.

While a few lucky dancers got early access when construction wrapped up a few weeks ago, Studio 4 is now officially timetabled into Term 4, which started this week. Already, Miss Jaydah has claimed it as her studio—a testament to the inviting space it's become.

The Vision Continues

Studio 4 represents a milestone, but not a finish line. Plans are already in place for future enhancements: a cyclorama at the studio's end will create a permanent photography-ready space for our dance photoshoots, and an additional fixed rig point will enable more aerial private lessons.

From Students to Teachers: Welcoming Miss Mia and Miss Bridie

The completion of Studio 4 has created exciting new teaching opportunities, and we're thrilled to welcome two remarkable young women to our teaching staff. Both Miss Mia and Miss Bridie exemplify what we strive to develop at TCDA: technical excellence, dedication, humility, and genuine love for dance.

They'll begin by offering private lessons, teaching dancers competition routines and providing individualised attention that helps students reach their competitive goals. Classes may follow as they grow into their teaching roles, continuing the beautiful cycle that defines TCDA—students becoming teachers, passing knowledge and passion to the next generation.

Meet Miss Mia

Miss Mia's connection to TCDA runs deep—she's been part of our family since 2012, progressing through our ranks and previously serving as a TCDA Junior Teacher. Her return to our teaching staff feels like a homecoming, bringing experience, expertise, and intimate understanding of the TCDA philosophy.

Competition Achievements:

• Junior Studio Champion 2017

• Primary Studio Champion 2019

• Intermediate Studio Champion 2022

• Intermediate Championship Winner (Primary) 2021

• Intermediate Championship Winner (High School) 2022

• Senior Championship Winner 2024

TCDA Show Troupes: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Examination Success:

• Honours with Distinction: Bronze Medal Jazz, Bronze Star Ballet, Gold Medal Jazz

• Honours Plus: Bronze Medal Ballet, Silver Medal Jazz, Silver Star Ballet, Gold Star Jazz

• Honours: Bronze Star Jazz, Silver Medal Ballet, Silver Star Jazz, Gold Medal Ballet

Get to Know Miss Mia:

• Hidden talent: Waterskiing/Wakeboarding

• Best emoji: ✌️

• Dream destination: Fiji

• Most hated chore: Unpacking the dishwasher

• Favourite entertainment: Curious George and Step Up (movies), The Next Step and Love Island (series)

• Music preference: Rap

• Spirit animal: Monkey

• Life motto: "No such thing as you can't, you can, just keep trying"

Meet Miss Bridie

Miss Bridie brings fresh energy and a wealth of experience to TCDA. Though newer to our team (joining in 2024), she fully embodies the TCDA ethos and arrives with impressive credentials in performance, choreography, and competitive dance. Her addition strengthens our teaching staff and brings new perspectives that will benefit our entire community.

TCDA Show Troupes: 2025

Examination Success:

• RAD Intermediate Ballet Exam - High Merit

• RAD Intermediate Foundation Ballet Exam - High Merit

• Honours with Distinction: Level 6 Hip Hop, Level 3 Musical Theatre, Level 5 Hip Hop, Silver Medal Jazz, Bronze Star Jazz, Bronze Medal Jazz

• Honours Plus: Level 4 Hip Hop, Bronze Star Ballet

• Honours: Silver Medal Ballet, Bronze Star Tap

Get to Know Miss Bridie:

• Hidden talent: Can sing "Baby Got Back" word for word

• Best emoji: ✌️

• Dream destinations: Maldives or Greece 🇬🇷 🇲🇻

• Most hated chore: Hanging out clothes 🧺

• Favourite movie: The Notebook

• Favourite song: Miles on It 🎤

• Spirit animal: Dory the fish 🐟

• Life motto: "Just because things take time, doesn't mean they're not happening"

The Circle Continues

There's something profoundly satisfying about watching students become teachers. Miss Mia and Miss Bridie represent the full realisation of TCDA's educational philosophy—dancers who have absorbed not just technique but values, not just steps but wisdom, and who now feel called to share what they've learned with the next generation.

They know what it feels like to struggle with a difficult combination, to push through nerves before competition, to balance dance with academic demands, and to grow in confidence through dedicated training. This empathy, combined with their technical expertise and competitive experience, will make them exceptional teachers who truly understand their students' journeys.

Building More Than Studios

The completion of Studio 4 and the addition of Miss Mia and Miss Bridie to our teaching staff represent more than physical and staffing expansion—they reflect TCDA's ongoing commitment to creating opportunities and investing in our community's future.

Every decision we make, from building layout to teacher selection, considers how it will serve our students' development as dancers and as people. Studio 4 provides space for more classes, more privates, and more opportunities for individual attention. Miss Mia and Miss Bridie bring expertise, passion, and the invaluable perspective of having walked the same path our current students walk.

We're building more than studios—we're building a legacy of excellence, community, and opportunity that will serve Tamworth's dancers for years to come.

Thank You

To Phil Sleiman Construction and all the TCDA dance dads who contributed their time and expertise: your investment in this project extends far beyond the physical structure. You've created space where dreams will be pursued, skills will be honed, and confidence will be built.

To Miss Mia and Miss Bridie: welcome to the teaching staff. Your students are fortunate to learn from teachers who understand their journey from personal experience and who embody the values TCDA holds dear.

To our entire TCDA community: thank you for your patience during construction and your continued support as we grow. Every expansion, every addition, every improvement is made with your dancers in mind.

Here's to Studio 4, to new teaching talent, and to the exciting opportunities that await our students. The space is ready, the teachers are prepared, and Term 4 is off to a spectacular start.

To learn more about TCDA's facilities and teaching staff, or to inquire about private lessons with Miss Mia or Miss Bridie, visit www.tamworthcitydance.com.au or contact our Principal directly at kellie@tamworthcitydance.com.au.