The nation’s best choreographers have given our student-dancers a masterclass of a lifetime at the Victorian Dance Festival.

Over a thrilling five days in Australia’s cultural capital, our dance students in Years 10 and 11 put their best foot forward as part of an immersive dance experience that saw them learn new moves from the best in the business.

Aimed at exposing our dance students to the dance industry at large, this inaugural dance trip to the Victorian Dance Festival in Melbourne was a dream come true for 24 of our emerging student-performers.

In addition to seeing acclaimed live stage performances of Chicago (Her Majesty's Theatre) and Wicked (Regent Theatre), our students had the opportunity to participate in three hours of dance workshops run by professional dance company Chunky Move. These workshops were led by professional dancer and choreographer, Aimee Schollum, who is currently a finalist for the 2024 Australian Ballet Telstra Emerging Choreographer award.

A major highlight of the trip – and its central focus – was the two intensive days spent at the Victorian Dance Festival at the Melbourne Showgrounds, which brought together the best choreographers, dance educators and creatives from across the world to teach and empower the next generation of Australian dancers. 

During the festival our students participated in six dance workshops daily and were able to choose from a range of genres including jazz, musical theatre, hip hop, Latin and Latin fusion, contemporary, ballet, afro-fusion, commercial, Broadway, lyrical and tap. 

They also enjoyed participating in the ‘Mega Class’ held by Jason Coleman – well-known choreographer, producer and former judge on So You Think You Can Dance Australia – and observing professional dancers audition for the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet Company (Chicago) as well as a range of international cruise liners.

The festival experience not only provided our students with a significant insight into the level of skill necessary to pursue the dance profession, but also exposed them to new genres of dance and extended their performance and technical skills. They were challenged as artists and introduced to future career pathways in the dance profession.

As part of the trip our students learned to navigate Melbourne’s public transport system, plan and budget for their own meals and step bravely into many new and unfamiliar situations.

The experience represents the first time that our dance students have travelled interstate to train on the national stage and reflects the college’s ongoing commitment to immersive, real-world learning that is expansive, meaningful and transferable.

Tatachilla’s inaugural Melbourne dance trip took place on 11-15 April 2024.