Director and Principal
Miss Alison
Alison Louise Bailey | Managing Director
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. Alison is trained in Classical Ballet, Broadway/Jazz, Modern Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap and Musical Theatre. Alison began assistant teaching at the age of 15 and spent many days of the week helping at the dance studio. Alison completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in 2006.
As a student Alison was involved in many Competitions, Festivals, Gala's and achieved great results in all her Examinations and Competitions.
Some of Alison's qualifications include;
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
In 2008 Dare to Dance Canberra Opened and as Principal, Director and Teacher Alison along with D2D has gone from strength to strength. Alison is incredibly passionate about teaching her love and loves all her students like they are her own children. She is nurturing and treats all students with love and respect. Some of Alison's students have even returned as Adults or have started bringing their children to dance. Her ethos is about providing all children the opportunity to dance no matter what their skill level is. It's not just about "Winning" all of the time.
Alison runs D2D completely on her own and has since the age of 21. Alison is in charge of Administration, Staff, Advertising, Costuming, Planning as well as Teaching. Alison continues to develop skills and knowledge through many studies and courses, keeping up Continuing Professional Development. This ensures she is able to keep up with demanding industry. Alison tries to ensure she teaches all the students at some stage through their dance journey as she likes to know all of the students by name.
Dare to Dance Canberra has been voted as the top 3 dance studios for 4 years running through Three Best Rated (@ThreeBestRated.com.au)
All businesses face a rigorous 50 point inspection which includes everything from checking reviews, ratings, reputation, history, complaints, satisfaction, trust and cost to the general excellence.
Alison was a finalist for the 2021 Local Business Awards.
Dare to Dance Canberra was the Local Business Awards Winner for Outstanding Performing Arts 2021!
Dare to Dance Canberra was a finalist at the National Women's Business Champion Awards in 2022 and WON out of 29 National Dance Studios for Outstanding Performing Arts. This was a huge achievement to even be nominated but to win was next level! It really shows Alisons dedication to her business.
(Check out the awards video on our home page!)
Alison was a Telstra Business Woman of the Year Awards finalist for 2014 and shortlisted under two categories. Young Business Woman and Entrepreneur.
Alison holds a current WWVP card and a first aid qualification.
Hannah
Hannah
Hannah's passion for dance ignited at the tender age of three when she joined the prestigious Dance to Dance Canberra (D2D) studio. From those early days, she became captivated by the rhythm, grace, and expression that dance offers. Over the years, Hannah has grown not just as a dancer but as a performer, showcasing her talent in a variety of styles.
Throughout her time at D2D, Hannah has taken on numerous lead roles in major productions, impressing audiences with her charisma and skill. Her dedication to her craft has also led her to excel in her ballet studies, where she has achieved remarkable marks in several ballet examinations. These accomplishments reflect not only her hard work but also her unwavering commitment to the art of dance.
Hannah's journey is a testament to her love for movement and performance, inspiring those around her. As she looks to the future, she hopes to continue sharing her passion for dance and inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
Hannah is currently studying Primary School Teaching at the ANU.
Lauren
Lauren Stevens
Lauren started her dance journey in Newcastle. She found she had such passion for Dance that she went on to study a degree in Dance Education at University.
Lauren now teaches dance, amongst other subjects at a local High School.
Lauren enjoys teaching all genres to children and adults of all ages.
Lauren is trained in RAD Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acro and Contemporary. She has also gained 100% in her Acrobatic Arts Module 1 Certification.
Lauren is a trusted member of D2D and has a wonderful positive approach towards her students. She goes above and beyond for her students and is loved by everyone.
Lauren joined D2D in 2022! Lauren teaches a variety of classes at D2D and continues to be an asset to our studio.
Lauren holds a current WWVP card and a first aid qualification.
Monique
Monique Swan
Monique started her dance journey at 4 years of age!
She started with Irish Dancing and at the age of 10, changed over to ballet, where she studied the RAD syllabus.
Monique competed in performance troupe through a variety of other styles such as Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Lyrical.
Monique has attended hip hop workshops with the likes of Will Tran and picked up some great skills.
Monique has been teaching dance since 2022.
Monique joined the D2D family late 2024 replacing a teacher who went on Maternity Leave.
Monique holds a current WWVP card and a first aid qualification.
Jessica
Jessica Charles
Jess began dancing at Dare to Dance at the age of 4, training in RAD classical ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap and broadway/musical theatre. She was awarded the title of Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance having completed RAD ballet exams up to Advanced 2 (with Distinction).
Jessica completed The Dance Apprentice teaching certificate and became our first student to complete all RAD graded and vocational exams and move on to teaching within the studio! She has a passion for dance and dance teaching and has gone on to teach many styles and age groups in dance schools across Canberra, further developing her teaching skills and experience, while always remaining at D2D.
Jess has competed as a soloist and in troupes across various styles and has won/placed at local, interstate and national dance competitions. At Nationals (2023) she was awarded a scholarship to The San Diego Ballet’s Pre-Professional Summer Intensive Program (2024).
Jess has performed in many D2D productions and has played lead roles including Cinderella (2018), Snow White (2021) Jack Skellington in A Nightmare before Christmas (2020) and Joy in Inside Out (2022). Jess performed the role of The Sugarplum Fairy in a local production of The Nutcracker (2024) and the lead role of Clara in the same production in 2025. Last year Jess took a leap into musical theatre securing a role in Free-Rain Theatre Company’s production of A Chorus Line.
Jess has choreographed winning/placing solos and group routines (including a national champion winning routine). She choreographed many show-stopping numbers for dance productions across Canberra and choreographed for St Clare’s College production of Legally Blonde (2022) where she was also Dance Captain. Jess also adjudicated for an ANU dance competition (2023) in front of a sold out theatre.
Jessica has a degree in Health Science from the ANU and is currently studying Medicine. She holds a current WWVP card and a first aid qualification
Catie
Catie Charles
Catie has been dancing at Dare to Dance Canberra since she was 3. She has studied RAD Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. She has completed RAD ballet exams up to Advanced 1 (Distinction) and is working towards Advanced 2 this year.
Catie completed her Dance Apprentice Training in 2023 and has previously taught relief classes as well as choreographing various pieces in Aladdin (2024) and The Little Mermaid (2023). Catie was also the head choreographer for the CAT award nominated School of Rock by St Edmunds College (2024) as well as choreographing Get’cha Head in the Game for the St Edmunds Cabaret (2025).
Catie has competed in solo and troupe dance competitions across many genres. She has performed major roles D2D shows including Sally in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sadness in Inside Out, Andrina in The Little Mermaid, Aladdin in Aladdin, and Bo Peep in Toy Story. Catie also performed in the ensemble of A Chorus Line by Free Rain Theatre Company (2025).
This year, Catie will continue dancing at D2D while studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Canberra.
Alice
Alice Abbott
Alice has been dancing at Dare to Dance Canberra since she was 3. She has studied RAD Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. She has completed RAD ballet exams up to Intermediate.
Alice completed her Dance Apprentice Training in 2023 and has previously taught relief classes as well as choreographing various pieces in Toy Story (2025), Aladdin (2024) and The Little Mermaid (2023).
She has competed in solo and troupe dance competitions across many genres. She has performed major roles D2D shows including Lock in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Riley in Inside Out, Ursula in The Little Mermaid, Jafar in Aladdin, and Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story.
This year, Alice will teach at D2D while studying a Primary School Education at The University of Canberra.