Parkwood Dance Academy
Parkwood Dance Academy in Park Orchards, provides an opportunity to enjoy the experience of creating art; through repetition, experimentation, risk-taking and pushing personal boundaries.

We inspire the curiosity to learn and explore creative intelligence
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Excellence through respect, support and personalising each dancer’s program.
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Classes for One year olds to Adults. Beginners to Advanced.
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Dance is an extremely powerful tool for learning, as for some, visual and physical expression is more accessible than verbal communication.

We have a 100% success rate ensuring our dancers are accepted into their first preference tertiary dance courses (both fulltime and university standard), which include:
Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School
Victorian College of the Arts (Dance)
Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate
Dance Factory (Full- time)
Royal New Zealand Ballet School & Company
Australian Ballet School & Company
The Space (Full-time)
Patrick Studios Australia
Disneyland Tokyo
Russian Choreographic Academy
Spectrum Dance
Ministry of Dance
Patrick Studios Australia
Kelly Aykers Full Time
Ballarat Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA)
Testimonials
Our Testimonials

Wendy Southward
How has Parkwood Dance Academy benefitted your child/children?
“My kids have each had many take-away benefits from PDA. All of them have extended their base level of strength, flexibility, balance and musicality. They have also learned about themselves and their limits; they have been exposed to a range of experiences and challenges, socially and educationally; and they have received exposure to a broad repertoire of dance styles (as well as the related history, music and musical theatre knowledge that comes with studying the performing arts). PDA also offers invaluable opportunities to perform live, and somehow the end-of-year concert becomes more magical each year…! But as well as sharing the joy, and showcasing what they’ve rehearsed with an audience, the annual concert has offered my children priceless chances to conquer nerves, experience behind-the-scenes operation, work together, support one another and be part of the workings of a team to make it all happen.”

Clair Jansen
“I highly recommend Parkwood Dance Academy. Their talented, dedicated teachers work hard with students and their high dance standard, as well as love for dance is seen throughout the studio. My daughters have grown in confidence over the years as they have had the privilege of dancing here. They have not only formed connections and made many friends but have grown in ability and love for all forms of dance.”

Sinead O’Connell
“Parkwood has been a home away from home for a very long time. They provide a safe and positive space to make life-long friends, fitness and to be yourself.”

Liz Crawshaw
“Parkwood Dance Academy has been my happy place for years. The adult class is great fun and the dancing is at your own pace. No matter your age or ability we would love for you to come and join us. You will always leave class with a smile.”

David & Catherine Noel
“We admire and respect Parkwood Dance Academy for its professionalism and commitment to each dance style and to their dancers of all ages.
During her 13 years attending PDA, my daughter has thrived under their high standard of teaching and support, formed positive friendships and cultivated commitment and discipline.”

Lona Pennell
“I would definitely recommend PDA to my friends. Both of my sons have had lessons at PDA. As an adult I have also been a student at the academy, it’s never too late to learn! I have always found the teachers to be very supportive, encouraging and knowledgeable. They instil a sense of practising well and diligently to progress but also bring a lot of warmth and fun into the classes. The mid-year and end of year performances are always fun and very professional, and all the dancers are clearly proud of their involvement in the events. I highly recommend PDA!”

Quinn Family
“Our family started learning dance at Parkwood over 5 years ago. We have benefited greatly from the excellent teaching, individual concern for every student’s dancing development and this year in particular, their ability to move with agility to an online platform so we could still enjoy the benefits of dance education despite lockdown.”

Janani Karunanayake
“I will definitely recommend PDA to all my friends.
Buthmini loves coming to PDA for her lessons from her Kinder days , she has got enormous confidence in her ability and she loves and enjoys being with the lovely teachers , she feels very much at home and loves every minute of it.”

Juliette Liu
“I would recommend Parkwood Dance Academy to my friends. I love learning new things in different dance styles and performing them. Preparing for the exams is very fun and completing them has built up my confidence.”

Laura O’Brien
“Parkwood Dance Academy is such an encouraging and open community to express creativity and learn more about this beautiful art form. Having spent the last 15 years here, my self-confidence has grown, I have made life-long friends and I always look forward to classes. I would definitely recommend Parkwood Dance Academy to anyone interested!”

Vihaara Jayamaha
“I would recommend Parkwood Dance Academy to my friends because I have so much fun with my teachers and friends and I always learn new dance moves.
Parkwood Dance Academy has benefited me in many ways, including my confidence levels and helping me believe in myself.”

Mahaliah Noel
“PDA possesses a strong, community dynamic. I’m very proud of how long I’ve been associated with the. I value the strong and memorable friendships I’ve formed with my peers and the valuable relationships I’ve established with my teachers.”

Wendy Southward
Would you recommend Parkwood Dance Academy to your friends?
“I have actually recommended Parkwood Dance Academy (PDA) to a number of friends already. The school is run by a family of passionate and creative dance educators, and amazingly, manages to blend disciplined, formal dance training together with a relaxed ‘family vibe’. The academy is somewhere I feel confident dropping my children off – I know that they are safe and nurtured, as well as inspired and provided with a good level of technique and knowledge. At one point five members of our household were enrolled at PDA, studying a range of styles at a variety of levels, so for us, the PDA community very quickly became like an extension of our own family!”

Amy Murray
“Parkwood has helped me in many different ways, one of which is that the moment i enter the dance space i feel happy. Dance is a way I can have fun and build on lots of different skills.
I would recommend Parkwood to everyone that wants to have fun, perform and meet amazing people!”

Lauren Johnstone
“I came to PDA after going to a few other dance schools, and the girls there immediately became like family. Everyone was so warm and welcomed me with open arms like they’d known me for years. What made PDA stand out from other dance schools to me, was that there is no rivalry, no drama and no jealousy – just dance. I would (and have) recommended PDA to my friends!”

Despina Filippidis
“Their (my childrens’) enjoyment and their development of technique was remarkable and the pleasure they derived from learning dancing was immeasurable. I was so impressed by the end-of-year PDA concerts; each and every one of them was a beautiful spectacle to watch and I felt privileged to have my daughters attending.”

Sutton Family
“PDA is recognised amongst its peers for providing exceptional tuition in all aspects of dance (including performance and exam studies).”

Vanessa Chavez
“I danced at the school and now my daughter loves dancing over 5 hours per week there.”

Claire Tetaz
“PDA is an outstanding dance school of this area – with facilities, accessibility & family focus that are valued and enjoyed by the parents and students alike.”

Amy McLellan
“People from all over Manningham participate and vital relationships are formed for both students and their parents.”

Mary Panther
“Although a totally professional operation, it is like a family and I along with my daughter have found good friends and a warm environment that I love being a part of. It is not just dancing, that the students learn. There is good health, strength and fitness….they see first-hand the importance of caring of and understanding the feelings of others. But probably the best is the feeling of being a part of something special and working, with others, towards a common goal.”

Janelle Or
“Words cannot express how much Parkwood means to my family. More than a dance school, over the past 16 years it has provided exercise, expression, confidence, enlightenment (special needs children) moral and emotional support in difficult times in dealing with spinal scoliosis and cancer.”

Mirella Drago
“A ‘family’ is exactly what it feels like, as there is a certain sense of familiarity, security and a bond with staff, students and parents. It has been not only good for my daughter’s health, but also for her mental and emotional wellbeing.”

Audrey Lynikas
“There is a great community feeling at the school and many friendships are made.”

Sarah Jane Norton-Smith
“The people at Parkwood are as much a piece of me as an individual as they are to all the students there.”

Ant & Annie Blumer
“Having a local dance academy was very handy and the sense of community was amazing, as we all know each other and become like one big family.”

Sophia Douketis
“It is a family, a community, a positive environment for the physical and mental development of those who attend.”

Bond Family
“Parkwood offers a truly supportive and positive environment for our family and we (along with the many other families) will be forever thankful for the opportunities that have been provided by Myffie and staff.”