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03 8199 8344
Invigorating classes in hip-hop, jazz and tap.
Develop confidence and co-ordination.
Build strength, fitness and agility.
Meet other young dancers.
The Australian Boys Dance Academy (ABDA) provides a unique environment where boys and young men can explore their love of dance in class of like-minded peers. Whether you’re looking for a fitness alternative to traditional sports, or you’ve always had an interest in dance but have been hesitant to start classes, ABDA is the ideal place to launch your dance journey.
We’re not a conventional dance school. Our curriculum is specially developed to appeal to the way boys learn. At ABDA, students develop strength, technique and musicality whilst exploring styles of dance that they love like hip hop and tap dancing; and it’s all in one weekly session. No multiple trips to the dance studio to learn different styles.
ABDA provides a safe and supportive environment for boys to try dance for the very first time, but our team of professional rehearsal directors are equipped to extend our dancers as their skills develop, and they move through our group hierarchy.
Because Boys Dance, Too.
Classes held at 4 convenient locations
Dance Directors
Dylan Dickson
Curriculum Coordinator
Dylan has had a successful career travelling to over 70 countries as a professional dancer for various cruise lines.
After graduating from his dance studies under Robert Sturrock, Dylan signed his first professional contract with Princess Cruises. He danced for three years with Princess Cruises before signing with ESC Management UK, for whom he danced with Costa Cruises and Carnival Cruise Lines.
With a wish to continue developing his skills, Dylan trained in the UK between contracts and was accepted into the renowned Broadway Dance Centre Course in New York.
Dylan’s credits in Australia include working with Jessica Mauboy, Rhonda Burchmore, Channel Seven’s ‘Australia’s Got Talent’, Network Ten’s ‘Everybody Dance Now’, at the Regent Theatre Melbourne, Crown Casino, Crown Palladium, Grand Hyatt, Eureka Sky Tower, Marvel Stadium, FX Entertainment, HD Entertainment, Brooks and Baker Entertainment, Fresh Creative Entertainment, Dana Jolly, Robert Sturrock, Todd Patrick, and many more.
Dylan is a passionate dance teacher, with over ten years’ experience teaching at some of Melbourne’s most prominent full-time performing arts institutions, including Patrick School of the Arts, Robert Sturrock’s Industry Dance Company, Assoicated Studios Australia, ShowFit, The Space Dance and Arts Centre, and Theatre Blacks.
Dylan is well known for his ‘Adult Theatrical Tap Classes’, inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Dylan is currently studying a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Dance/Drama) at Deakin University, with plans to complete a Master of Teaching to continue developing his skills as a performing arts educator.
Jacob Carr
Rehearsal Director
Jacob’s experience with theatre started at age 16, in high school productions. They then joined Centrestage Performing Arts Academy in 2019, and most recently studied Musical Theatre at Patrick School of The Arts from 2021-2022. Jacob recently featured as Hanchen in the Young Australian Broadway Chorus production of Spring Awakening. Their creative credits include Choreographer Gypsy, Music and Vocal Director Madagascar Jr. In addition to their work at ABDA, Jacob also teaches voice at the Geelong Academy of Performing Arts.
Isaac Di Natale
Rehearsal Director
After graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, Isaac went on to study a Certificate IV in Dance Performance. Isaac then furthered his education by completing a Diploma in Dance Performance majoring in Contemporary from the New Zealand School of Dance. Isaac was a Company Dancer for the Ballet Theatre in Pforzheim, Germany (2017-2019), and an associate artist with the Sydney Dance company (2016-2017). Isaac has since used his extensive training to teach at Stapleton’s Dance Academy, Danceworld Studios and now Stage School Australia.
Amber Riches
Rehearsal Director
After completing her undergraduate degree in Dance at Deakin University in 2010, Amber went on to study her Honours in Contemporary Dance at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts as part of Link Dance Company. With Link, she worked with international choreographers, performed for Ausdance WA and toured through Europe and around Australia. In 2015 Amber performed in and co-produced her first Melbourne Fringe Festival show at Dancehouse while completing her Master of Arts Management with RMIT.
Corey Smark
Rehearsal Director
Corey discovered his love of Musical Theatre performing with Stage School Australia in the Young Australian Broadway Chorus, performing as a Triple Threat in Melbourne. His credits with Stage School Australia include featured ensemble roles in ‘Les Miserables’ (2019) and ‘Wicked’ (2018). Corey has recently completed a Bachelor of Musical Theatre at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. His credits at the Conservatorium include Glen Guglia ‘The Wedding Singer’, Bud Frump ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’, featured performer ‘Putting it Together’, and Eugene understudy ‘Grease’.
“ "Absolutely loved the show. The best part was seeing so many boys so happy on stage and loving busting their moves. I was moved to tears as sometimes it's hard for them to feel comfortable dancing but they really outdid themselves and I just loved the joy they all radiated in such a supportive environment" ”
Australian Boys Dance Academy
“ It was incredible. Especially since they only have one class a week. ”
Parent after the Demonstration Show