Behind every award-winning studio is a story of dedication, leadership, and impact. We want to hear your story in 2026!
The 2026 Australasian Dance Education Awards timeline is now live and it’s time to mark your calendar.
From early entry access in July through to the Awards Night & Conference in Melbourne this November, the journey begins now.
For studio owners and educators ready to elevate your brand, team and recognition within their community, this is your year.
Prepare early. Enter strategically. Show your community what you’ve built.
Here’s your 2026 ADEA game plan:
✔️ July – Get early access
✔️ August – Submit your entries
✔️ September – Deadline hits
✔️ October – Finalists revealed
✔️ November 6 – Melbourne Awards Night & Conference
If you want your studio recognised, now is the time to prepare. Start gathering your ideas around your growth, goals and challenges. Put metrics to your income, retention, inclusion. Start thinking about what makes your studio unique. Look at your submission from last year and start to tweak your answers. Save all of this information in an ADEA file and get ready for July.
📌 Save this timeline
📌 Share with your team
📌 Get ready to enter
#DanceStudioOwners #ADEA2026 #DanceBusiness #StudioGrowth #DanceAwards businessaward
Back for 2026. And truly… bigger and better than ever.
The Australasian Dance Education Awards is stepping into its fourth year, and what started as an idea to recognise dance educators has grown into something incredibly special.
ADEA is not just about trophies, it’s about the hard-working, passionate educators behind the studios. The teachers who show up week after week. The studio owners building something meaningful in their communities. The educators shaping not just dancers, but confident, capable young people.
Across Australia and New Zealand, there are studios doing powerful, grassroots work every single day. Work that doesn’t always get the spotlight, but absolutely deserves it. That’s what ADEA exists to celebrate and elevate.
In 2026, we’re bringing it all together again, with Industry-led judges who genuinely understand what it takes to build and sustain a dance business. A Conference filled with practical classes for studio owners and teachers who want to grow. And an Awards gala that feels like a true celebration of our industry, and a great night out.
There’s something really special about being in a room full of people who get it. Who understand the challenges, the wins, the constant juggle and the deep love for what we do.
This is your chance to reflect on how far you’ve come. To share your story. To be recognised by people who truly understand the work behind it.
And most importantly, it’s a chance to celebrate the impact dance education has on our communities.
Welcome to ADEA 2026.
SAVE THE DATE - November 6, 2026.
Melbourne, VIC
🏆 Congratulations to our winner of “Hall of Fame Dance Studio of the Year” at the Australasian Dance Education Awards!
With over two decades of dedication, impact and excellence, your studio has become a cornerstone of the dance community. This honour celebrates your legacy, leadership and lasting influence on generations of dancers.
Gold - Centre Stage Dance & Entertainment
Silver - Galaxy Talent Academy
Bronze - Garvey School of Dance
#ADEAwards #DanceEducation #HallOfFame #LegacyInDance StudioMilestone
🏆 Congratulations to our winner of “Emerging Dance Studio of the Year” at the Australasian Dance Education Awards!
In just a few short years, you’ve made a bold mark on your community and the industry. This award celebrates your passion, progress and powerful potential — the future is bright!
Gold - Versatility Dance Centre
Silver - Dance Central
Bronze - The Illawarra Dance Academy
#ADEAwards #DanceEducation #EmergingStudio #RisingStar NextGenDance
🏆 Congratulations to our winner of “Regional Dance Studio of the Year” at the Australasian Dance Education Awards!
You’re proving that distance is no barrier to excellence. From the heart of your region, you’ve built a thriving studio that inspires, empowers and elevates your community through dance.
Gold - Bom Funk Dance Studio
Silver - Richardson Dance
Bronze - Street Slamin Dance Centre
🙏 Thank you to our category sponsor @applausedancetours for shining a light on regional brilliance in dance education.
#ADEAwards #DanceEducation #RegionalStudio #CommunityThroughDance #ApplauseDanceTours
🏆 Congratulations to our winner of “Dance Studio Owner of the Year” at the Australasian Dance Education Awards!
You are the visionary, the motivator, and the heart behind your studio’s success. Your leadership creates not just a place to dance — but a home for creativity, growth and community.
Gold - Melissa Sgro Dance Fusion
Silver - Kaitlin Hauge Bayside Dance
Bronze - Georgia Dostal GC Dance
#ADEAwards #DanceEducation #StudioOwner #LeaderInDance #StudioSuccess
🏆 Congratulations to our winner of “Studio Dance Teacher of the Year” at the Australasian Dance Education Awards!
Your passion, patience and power to inspire shine in every class. From technique to teamwork, you’re shaping not just dancers — but confident, creative humans.
Gold - Kym Barrenger Dance Fusion
Silver - Tanaye Shaw Centre Stage Dance & Entertainment
Bronze - Ava Moschetti Valmy Academy
#ADEAwards #DanceEducation #TeacherOfTheYear #StudioDanceTeacher #InspireThroughDance
🏆 Congratulations to our winner of “School Dance Teacher of the Year” at the Australasian Dance Education Awards!
Your classroom is a stage for creativity, expression and growth. You’re not just teaching steps — you’re building confidence, connection and a lifelong love of dance in every student.
Gold - Tess Howieson - Seton Catholic College
Silver - Paula Nicoletto - Trinity College
Bronze - Kirsten Canniford - St John’s Lutheran School Kingaroy
#ADEAwards #DanceEducation #SchoolDance #TeacherOfTheYear #InspiringYoungDancers
🏆 Congratulations to our winner of “Excellence in Child Safety Practice” at the Australasian Dance Education Awards!
Creating a safe, supportive environment is the foundation of every great studio — and your commitment to child safety sets the standard for the entire industry.
Gold - Laneway Dance
Runner Up - GC Dance
🙏 Thank you to our category sponsor @dance.arts.alliance for recognising the essential role of safety and wellbeing in dance education.
#ADEAwards #DanceEducation #ChildSafety #SafeStudios DanceArtsAlliance DutyOfCare
🏆 Congratulations to our winner of “Excellence in Leadership” at the Australasian Dance Education Awards!
Great studios don’t happen by chance, they’re shaped by visionary leaders who inspire, empower and lead with heart. Your leadership has lit the path for others to follow.
Gold - Valmy Academy
Runner Up - Dance Fusion
🙏 Thank you to our category sponsor @dance.s.t.e.p for supporting bold, purpose-driven leadership in dance education.
#ADEAwards #DanceEducation #StudioLeadership #LeadWithPurpose #DanceStepLeadership
🎄✨ Merry Christmas from ADEA ✨🎄
As we close the curtain on another incredible year, we want to thank the passionate educators, studio owners, creatives and industry leaders who make our dance community so powerful. Your commitment to excellence, growth and lifting others up is what the Australasian Dance Education Awards are all about.
We wish you a Christmas filled with rest, joy and time to celebrate everything you’ve achieved this year. May the holiday season bring renewed energy, inspiration and excitement for what’s ahead.
Merry Christmas — and we can’t wait to celebrate with you again in the year to come 🤍✨
🏆 Congratulations to our winner of Excellence in Team Culture at the Australasian Dance Education Awards!
This award celebrates more than just a team — it honours a family. A culture built on trust, collaboration, positivity and purpose. You’ve created a space where everyone grows together.
Gold - Hunter For Dance
Silver - BPA Dance Studio
🙏 Thank you to our category sponsor Dance Around The World for recognising the power of strong, connected teams in dance education.
#ADEAwards #DanceEducation #TeamCulture #StrongerTogether #DanceAroundTheWorld
