About Us
What We Offer
Established in 2006, Dance Northside teaches community-focused, age-appropriate, recreational dance to students aged 18 months to adult in an educational and fun environment that embodies kindness, respect, and community.
We offer classes for students of all ages in a variety of dance styles. Our focus is on sharing a passion for dance, and we have a strong commitment to our students' holistic development as well-rounded, happy individuals and competent dancers.
Our values of kindness, respect and community surround everything we do at Dance Northside.
The health and wellbeing of our community is important. All classes are delivered in line with our COVID-19 Policy.
The Team
Holly Diggle - Studio Director
Holly holds a BA in Dance Performance (Theory and Practice), a Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management, an RYT 200hr Yoga Teacher Certificate and a 50hr Kids Yoga Teacher Certificate, both accredited with Yoga Alliance, and is Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) certified.
She has extensive professional performance experience, having performed throughout Australia and toured internationally. Over the years she has worked with choreographers such as Elizabeth Cameron Dalmon (OAM), Graeme Watson, Michael Whaites, Cadi McCarthy, Bernadette Walong, Darren Green, Robyn Prichard, Meg Millband, Adelina Larsson and many more. Holly was nominated for an Australian Dance Award ‘Most Outstanding Female Performer’ for her work in Mirramu Dance Company’s ‘River’ and was awarded ‘Most Outstanding Choreography Award’ and the ‘People’s Choice Award’ for Contact Improvisation Performances in collaboration with Keira Mason-Hill for Short and Sweet Dance Festival. Holly was honoured to become one of the ‘faces’ of the ACT Public School Alumni and to be publicly acknowledged as a ‘Person of Note’ in 2014. The alumni list was initiated to acknowledge people educated through the ACT public school system who have gone on to become leaders in their chosen field. In 2018 Holly was a finalist in the Canberra Women in Business Awards. Holly has over a decade of teaching experience, ranging from dance studios, primary schools, high schools, colleges and universities. She has also worked with refugee groups, women in recovery and youth at risk. Following her young son Toby's birth, Holly incorporated Little Wigglers (originally Wiggle with Diggle), a class for dancers aged 18 months to 4 years, into the Dance Northside timetable.
Holly’s specialty is Contemporary Dance, and she gives a strong, physical and technical class. Her teaching methodology is inspired and informed by the desire to provide a positive, confidence-building experience for her students. Holly is committed to her students' holistic development, both as dancers and as well-rounded and happy individuals.
She has extensive professional performance experience, having performed throughout Australia and toured internationally. Over the years she has worked with choreographers such as Elizabeth Cameron Dalmon (OAM), Graeme Watson, Michael Whaites, Cadi McCarthy, Bernadette Walong, Darren Green, Robyn Prichard, Meg Millband, Adelina Larsson and many more. Holly was nominated for an Australian Dance Award ‘Most Outstanding Female Performer’ for her work in Mirramu Dance Company’s ‘River’ and was awarded ‘Most Outstanding Choreography Award’ and the ‘People’s Choice Award’ for Contact Improvisation Performances in collaboration with Keira Mason-Hill for Short and Sweet Dance Festival. Holly was honoured to become one of the ‘faces’ of the ACT Public School Alumni and to be publicly acknowledged as a ‘Person of Note’ in 2014. The alumni list was initiated to acknowledge people educated through the ACT public school system who have gone on to become leaders in their chosen field. In 2018 Holly was a finalist in the Canberra Women in Business Awards. Holly has over a decade of teaching experience, ranging from dance studios, primary schools, high schools, colleges and universities. She has also worked with refugee groups, women in recovery and youth at risk. Following her young son Toby's birth, Holly incorporated Little Wigglers (originally Wiggle with Diggle), a class for dancers aged 18 months to 4 years, into the Dance Northside timetable.
Holly’s specialty is Contemporary Dance, and she gives a strong, physical and technical class. Her teaching methodology is inspired and informed by the desire to provide a positive, confidence-building experience for her students. Holly is committed to her students' holistic development, both as dancers and as well-rounded and happy individuals.
Laura Gerstenberg - Customer Relations Manager
Laura is an experienced and knowledgeable dance teacher, with a particular passion for working alongside individuals living with additional needs. Laura holds a Certificate III and IV in Disability Studies and has worked extensively in the specialist education and disability community within the ACT.
Laura began her dancing journey at the age of two with the Jill Glanstonbury Ballet Academy. In 2007, when Dance Northside was established, Laura continued her dance education in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop. Laura was an active member of the Advanced Performance Team and enjoyed the opportunities to perform at locations around Canberra. Laura began her teacher training at just 13, working alongside Rebecca Allan to support the studio’s youngest dancers. Laura quickly went on to teach the Kids Creative Movement (now Minis Creative Movement) for several years before taking a break to focus on her studies. Laura was ecstatic to return to the studio in 2019 as a teacher, and more recently has taken on her role as the studio’s Customer Relations Manager. Laura is absolutely thrilled to be teaching classes in our Minis, Kids, Junior and Youth age groups. She is a strong believer in providing a supportive and welcoming studio environment. Outside of dance, Laura is a fully qualified social worker.
Laura began her dancing journey at the age of two with the Jill Glanstonbury Ballet Academy. In 2007, when Dance Northside was established, Laura continued her dance education in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop. Laura was an active member of the Advanced Performance Team and enjoyed the opportunities to perform at locations around Canberra. Laura began her teacher training at just 13, working alongside Rebecca Allan to support the studio’s youngest dancers. Laura quickly went on to teach the Kids Creative Movement (now Minis Creative Movement) for several years before taking a break to focus on her studies. Laura was ecstatic to return to the studio in 2019 as a teacher, and more recently has taken on her role as the studio’s Customer Relations Manager. Laura is absolutely thrilled to be teaching classes in our Minis, Kids, Junior and Youth age groups. She is a strong believer in providing a supportive and welcoming studio environment. Outside of dance, Laura is a fully qualified social worker.
Caitlin Johnstone - Studio Administrator
Caitlin has loved to dance since she was very young. She was first introduced to dancing at the age of three, starting out in ballet. At age four she took up Irish Dance, and trained competitively in the style for nine years, representing the Liz Gregory Academy at state, national and international level. Caitlin was ACT State Champion for four years running, from 2009 to 2012. She consistently placed in the top twenty nationally, with her best result being 9th place in 2011. In 2013, Caitlin travelled to California to compete in the North American National Championships, open to dancers from across the globe, where she placed 38th.
Caitlin met Holly in 2012, through the primary school dance competition known as Wakkakirri. Since then, Caitlin has taken nine years of contemporary classes and six years of jazz classes at Dance Northside. She has also been part of the Dance Northside Performance Team, allowing her to gain experience in other styles of dance and perform extensively across Canberra. Caitlin now works as Studio Administrator and teaches Kids/Junior Contemporary and Dance Fundamentals, while undertaking a degree in International Relations at the Australian National University. She gains so much happiness from dance, and aims to inspire that same joy in her students.
Caitlin met Holly in 2012, through the primary school dance competition known as Wakkakirri. Since then, Caitlin has taken nine years of contemporary classes and six years of jazz classes at Dance Northside. She has also been part of the Dance Northside Performance Team, allowing her to gain experience in other styles of dance and perform extensively across Canberra. Caitlin now works as Studio Administrator and teaches Kids/Junior Contemporary and Dance Fundamentals, while undertaking a degree in International Relations at the Australian National University. She gains so much happiness from dance, and aims to inspire that same joy in her students.
Our Dance Teachers
Caitlin Johnstone
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Kasha Solomon
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Ellie Crnkovic
Emma Laverty
Shayla Tarrant
Erin Gale
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Nathan Rutups
Emma Wilson
Read more about Emma...
Concerts
In 2022, our students will have two performance opportunities. The first is a mid-year Showcase at Canberra Theatre, on Saturday the 2nd of July. The second is an in-house Community Concert Week at the end of the year, in Term 4. Both are stress-free but one is more informal, giving students of all confidence levels a chance to shine.
We make performing a positive experience for students and parents alike. The music we use, the choreography we create and the costumes we provide are always appropriate to the student's age. Our makeup requirements are minimal - in fact, optional! No sewing of costumes is required, just a small costume fee. All rehearsals are held within regular class times, and the performance season itself is very short.
We make performing a positive experience for students and parents alike. The music we use, the choreography we create and the costumes we provide are always appropriate to the student's age. Our makeup requirements are minimal - in fact, optional! No sewing of costumes is required, just a small costume fee. All rehearsals are held within regular class times, and the performance season itself is very short.
Performance Team
The Dance Northside Performance Team works with a number of choreographers to create high-quality pieces in a variety of styles. It does not compete in eisteddfods, but instead performs at local community events, such as Raiders Games, Floriade, the Multicultural Festival and school fetes. The aim is to challenge our advanced dancers while maintaining a focus on personal growth and the Dance Northside values.
Auditions for the 2022 Performance Teams are held annually. Students aged 11 years and over are invited to audition. Please get in touch if you would like more information.
Auditions for the 2022 Performance Teams are held annually. Students aged 11 years and over are invited to audition. Please get in touch if you would like more information.
DanceStep
Dance Northside partners with DanceStep, a formalised and progressive student teacher education program. DanceStep empowers young people to serve as leaders and role models in their community. It combines practical dance teacher training with theory-based learning about anatomy, safe dance practice, lesson structure, behaviour management, and much more!
Our DanceSteppers assist in our Minis and Kids classes. We accept regular intakes of student leaders aged 11+, but there are a limited number of places available each term. Please contact us for further information or to find out when the next round of DanceStep applications opens.