Dare to Dance Canberra
The D2D Team
Meet the passionate teachers and performers behind Dare to Dance Canberra.
Alison Louise Bailey
Managing Director & Principal
Alison began dancing at age 3. She started her training in Goulburn with Irene Gelfius School of Dance, as she lived in small town Braidwood. Many years later her family re-located to Canberra and she transferred her training to Canberra.
Qualifications
- R.A.D RTS — Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teachers Status
- R.A.D Certified Mentor
- P.B.T Certified — Progressing Ballet Technique
- Acrobatic Arts Certified
Awards
- Voted top 3 dance studios for 4 years running — Three Best Rated
- Local Business Awards Winner — Outstanding Performing Arts 2021
- National Women's Business Champion Awards Winner 2022 — Outstanding Performing Arts (out of 29 national dance studios)
- Telstra Business Woman of the Year Awards finalist 2014 — Young Business Woman and Entrepreneur
Meet the Team
Our Teachers
Hannah
Teacher
Hannah's passion for dance ignited at the tender age of three when she joined D2D. Over the years she has grown as a dancer and performer, showcasing her talent in a variety of styles. Hannah has taken on numerous lead roles in major productions and has achieved remarkable marks in several ballet examinations. Hannah is currently studying Primary School Teaching at the ANU.
Lauren Stevens
Teacher
Lauren started her dance journey in Newcastle and went on to study a degree in Dance Education at University. She now teaches dance, amongst other subjects, at a local High School. Lauren is trained in RAD Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acro and Contemporary, and has gained 100% in her Acrobatic Arts Module 1 Certification. Lauren joined D2D in 2022 and is a trusted, much-loved member of the team.
Monique Swan
Teacher
Monique started her dance journey at 4 years of age with Irish Dancing, then at 10 changed to ballet studying the RAD syllabus. She competed in performance troupe across Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Lyrical, and has attended hip hop workshops with Will Tran. Monique has been teaching dance since 2022 and joined the D2D family in late 2024.
Jessica Charles
Teacher & Choreographer
Jess began dancing at Dare to Dance at age 4 and was awarded the title of Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, completing RAD ballet exams up to Advanced 2 with Distinction. She was D2D's first student to complete all RAD graded and vocational exams and move on to teaching. Jess has won/placed at local, interstate and national competitions, was awarded a scholarship to The San Diego Ballet's Pre-Professional Summer Intensive (2024), and performed the lead role of Clara in The Nutcracker (2025). She holds a degree in Health Science from ANU and is currently studying Medicine.
Catie Charles
Teacher & Choreographer
Catie has been dancing at D2D since she was 3, studying RAD Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. She completed RAD ballet exams up to Advanced 1 (Distinction) and her Dance Apprentice Training in 2023. Catie was head choreographer for the CAT award nominated School of Rock (St Edmunds College, 2024) and performed in A Chorus Line by Free Rain Theatre Company (2025). She is currently studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Canberra.
Alice Abbott
Teacher & Choreographer
Alice has been dancing at D2D since she was 3, studying RAD Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. She completed RAD ballet exams up to Intermediate and her Dance Apprentice Training in 2023. Alice has performed major roles in D2D productions including Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, Jafar in Aladdin, and Ursula in The Little Mermaid. She is currently studying Primary School Education at the University of Canberra.