The best dance teacher in regional Victoria: Winner and finalists revealed

You voted, and now the results are in. The time has come to shine the spotlight on regional Victoria’s best dance teachers. Find out who they are.

The winner has been crowned and finalists have been announced for the best dance teacher in regional Victoria competition.

Dozens of entries were received and the voting results have been revealed.

The dance teachers who were nominated specialise in ballet, calisthenics, jazz, contemporary, tap and many more dance forms, making a difference in their community.

The drum-roll moment has now arrived to announce our winner, runner up and second runner up of the competition — see who they are and read their journeys.

SECOND RUNNER UP

There was a tie between four dance teachers who claimed the second runner up title.

ELLA GRAHAM, BALLARAT CENTRE OF MUSIC & THE ARTS: BALLARAT

Ella Graham said she did not expect to claim a finalist spot in the competition and was “very pleased to hear”.

“I think it was really reaffirming the importance of what we do as dance teachers and really great to know it’s having a positive impact and that I’m having a positive impact on my community,” she said.

Ms Graham said getting the opportunity to “nurture” each person as an individual was the most rewarding part of the job. Picture: Sarah Cornwill Photography

The 22-year-old worked as an assistant dance teacher for six years and then a dance instructor for five years.

Ms Graham said there were two sides to students’ dancing talent.

“There’s the side where they’ve been recognised by external industry professionals — so I’ve had some really great exam marks from my students and received some really great prizes across competitions,” she said.

“But beyond that the most valuable part to me is I see their entire confidence increase when they’re coming each week, each year and just developing as a person and an individual.

“What I’ve loved in a lot of my students is they’ve started to find their own styles of dance and I can see the future is very bright, not only for professional dancers but for up and coming dance instructors as well.”

Ms Graham said dance teaching gives her the chance to share her passion and creativity with others.

“The opportunity to nurture each person as an individual is the biggest and most rewarding part of the job,” she said.

RENEE BURKE-HUGHES, HOTSHOTS PERFORMANCE DANCE TEAM: IRYMPLE

Renee Burke-Hughes from Hotshots Performance Dance Team in Irymple was “absolutely honoured” and “gobsmacked” to claim a place as a finalist.

Ms Burke-Hughes said the special part about dance teaching was watching the kids grow up with you.

Ms Burke-Hughes said she was “absolutely honoured” to be a finalist in the competition. Picture: Supplied

“I’m teaching children who I’ve taught some of their mothers and grandmothers — it’s beautiful and it’s lovely to see the different generations come through and it’s so rewarding to watch the kids on a daily basis,” she said.

“I work with an inclusive school and I’ve got a boy with down syndrome so that was my focus.

“For me I get thrilled for someone that’s got anxiety to get up on a stage for the first time.”

Ms Burke-Hughes said having an “inclusive” place in regional places, no matter the age or skill level, was “beautiful to watch”.

“There’s a million things I could say that are beautiful — there’s some really special moments for parents that have really struggled getting their kids into different spaces or sports and we’re a welcoming little space,” she said.

“I keep it small and boutique because I am working with kids with special needs — it’s open to all.

“We’ve got a little girl that was born with no hand and she’s on the stage with the other kids as well in the same competitions and the same levels.

“They may not have the skill level — but they’re included.”

Ms Burke-Hughes expressed her joy on how these factors were delivered to the community.

“It’s the welling up of the eyes of the parents’ faces that makes it worthwhile,” she said.

KYLA MCGREGOR, AWAKEN DANCE THEATRE COMPANY: SHEPPARTON

Kyla McGregor from Awaken Dance Theatre in Shepparton dreamt of dancing since she was little.

Ms McGregor’s dream turned into more ways than she could have ever imagined when dance was offered and delivered in class as a VCE subject in Shepparton secondary schools for the first time in 2020.

Kyla McGregor dreamt of being a dancer since she was little. Picture: Dannika Bonser

“It’s really wonderful — it’s so good for these kids,” Ms McGregor said at the time.

“My students have worked so hard over the years and this now offers new opportunities.”

EBONY SPENCER, EBZ DANCE: MILDURA

Ebony Spencer from Ebz Dance in Mildura provides classes to students of all backgrounds.

Ms Spencer has been described as dedicated, optimistic and creative by a friend who entered her in the competition.

“Her concerts are a whole production with self made choreography, props and backdrops,” the friend wrote.

“She deserves the recognition.”

RUNNER UP

MELISSA KEENAN, DANCE ILLUSIONS: KYABRAM

Taking second place of the competition is Melissa Keenan, also known as “Miss Melissa” from Dance Illusions in Kyabram.

The 38-year-old has been teaching for 23 years and running her own school for 13 years.

Ms Keenan said there were so many deserving dance teachers out there and felt “pretty special” to be a finalist, taking her “off guard”.

Melissa Keenan (pictured middle) with her two daughters Charli and Scarlet. Picture: Supplied

She said she loved getting to know her students and has taught some for over 10 years.

“Physically you’re a part of their lives and literally watching them grow up so it’s pretty amazing to be a part of their journey,” Ms Keenan said.

“The kids are so lucky to have the opportunity to do different things and I try to bring Melbourne industry teachers down just to give the kids exposure because obviously living regional they don’t get the opportunities like all of the city kids.

“It’s great to give them as many opportunities as we can.”

Ms Keenan said her students got to dance with Katy Perry when the singer last visited to Australia.

#1 PLACE

SORAYA MCKEE, SORAYA MCKEE DANCE SOCIETY: BALLARAT EAST

Ballarat East dance teacher Soraya McKee from Soraya McKee Dance Society received the most votes and has been crowned first place in the competition.

The 31-year-old started teaching before she was a teenager and was an assistant dance teacher when she was 11, teaching under supervision at 16 and then solo at 18.

She has been a dance teacher for about 13 years.

Soraya McKee with one of her dance students. Picture: Supplied

Ms McKee said she was “incredibly shocked” and “incredibly humbled” to win the competition.

“I’m speechless to be honest — I was shocked when I found out about the nomination — I’ve worked really, really hard so getting that recognition is massive,” she said.

Ms McKee added her favourite thing about being a dance teacher was seeing the kids’ progress.

“When I start with a student they might be really shy when they come in but seeing them glow not necessarily as a dancer but as a person — seeing their confidence build and seeing their friendships grow — it’s just the best part,” she said.

“A little girl who came to me when it was my first year of having the studio was so nervous and we had our first performance which was a very low-key performance just in the hall — and she was in tears and wouldn’t go on stage.

“That’s kind of been something we’ve built on over the years — and recently she went on stage and danced all by herself — so that was massive and I honestly felt like a proud mum.

“I think I was almost in tears backstage, it was just awesome — it was a really good day.”

Ms McKee said she opened her business during the pandemic.

“Having worked so hard for the last two years to get to where I am is just amazing — I’m still a bit gobsmacked,” she said.