About SADC

There is more to dancing than just movement and SADC prides itself on quality training.

Dance improves co-ordination and balance, a healthy mind and more importantly instills discipline - the one attribute that will help every child growing up to make the most of every life opportunity offered. 

It is a form of art that demands expression within movement of the body. It is highly technical and requires years of proper training. Unfortunately there are no short cuts. Strengthening and stretching muscles, proper body alignment, control and balance, rhythmic structures, focus and dynamics as well as disciplining the mind to understand the complexity of step combinations, all are part of proper dance training.

To learn takes time and error, therefore we must insist on a process of slow measured and monitored development of a student to ensure both health and technical proficiency.  There is no instant perfection. In learning to dance, children can enjoy the art form, cultivate a love of music and if nothing else, acquire grace and poise which will give them life long attributes, including confidence and leadership qualities.

We offer a nurturing environment where students feel comfortable and can express themselves through dance.

Our Studio

Located in the Redcliffe Entertainment Centre, our purpose built studio space is maintained to the highest of standards

  • Dance-safe sprung flooring with professional tarkett

  • Large well-ventilated studios with high ceilings for safe Aerial work

  • Professional acrobatic equipment including tumbling mats, air track & crash mat.

  • Well-maintained first-aid and emergency facilities

  • Professional sound equipment

  • Multiple large screen TVs & video equipment

Our Uniform

At SADC, our teachers, students and families show respect for ourselves and each other. We expect students to attend classes dressed correctly and ready to listen and learn from their teachers whilst showing respect for them.

Wearing correct attire with hair pulled up away from the face allows teachers to be able to correct posture and placement issues and also allows students to self correct using the mirrors as they can see their alignment clearly. It is compulsory to wear proper dance clothing with nothing loose fitting to Acro for safety reasons, and students who come to class looking like dancers will always work to the best of their ability and feel like a dancer….

Just as swimmers need their swimsuit, goggles and swimming cap, dancers need leotards, tights and hair in a bun, plus correct fitting shoes for the genre they are studying…

We have SADC leotards, leggings, jackets, crop tops, bike shorts and skirts available to allow the students to feel like a team and to take pride in their studio.

Our Ready Set Dance students are required to wear the Ready Set Dance tutu or tshirt to class each week and for any community performances.

Meet the Team

  • Sharon Alback

    Sharon has been running the Centre since 1952 and is a Comdance International Examiner, Life Member of Comdance, and convener for the Qld Born to Perform Festival. Sharon has nurtured an endless number of students over the years to become the best they can. Many have gone on to become professional dancers, studio owners, choreographers and countless other professionals in the Industry. Sharon oversees all costume design and making for our concerts, competition and performances.

  • Diahann Maude

    Diahann is a Comdance International Examiner, an adjudicator, holds a BA in Recreation Management and a CERT IV in Dance Teaching and Management, as well as her Acrobatic Arts Certification and her Aiixa Flexibility Instructor Certification. Diahann has been dancing since age 3 and has grown up in the Studio. Diahann oversees all classes and teaches most of the syllabus classes within the studio, as well as the running the business side of the Studio.

  • Kerry Smale

    is a CSTD International Examiner and holds a CERT IV in Dance Teaching and Management and Acrobatic Arts Certification, as well as Ready Set Dance Acredditation. Kerry has been in the studio since she was 4 years old and teaches everything from the Kindy classes to the full diploma exam classes. Kerry is instrumental to the success of the studio over the years with her nurturing methods with students and parents alike.

  • Andrew Maude

    Andrew holds his Teacher’s Certificate in Modern Jazz , Acrobatic Arts Certification, and was a Level 9 Gymnast and National Level Trampolinist. Andrew has been dancing since the age of 2 completing a full time Dance course at Conroy Dance Centre. Andrew returns to the studio in 2025 to teach Senior Acrobatics

  • Alyson Reese

    Aly has been a student with SADC from age 3 and has studied all genres of dance during that time. Aly holds her Acrobatic Arts Certification, Ready Set Dance Teacher training and her Teacher’s Certificate in Musical Theatre. Ally has been studying Dance full time for the past few years and teaches Ready Set Dance, contemporary, and Acrobatics classes as well as Intermediate and Senior Jazz and Intermediate tap classes. Aly also assists Cassie with our adult’s classes.

  • Tracey Francis

    Tracey holds her dance Teachers Certificate, Level 2 sports acrobatic and Cert IV in training and assessment qualifications. Tracey is currently studying her Bachelor of Education which she will graduate with mid 2025 and works full time in the Early childhood sector as a traineeship apprenticeship coordinator. Tracey has been with the studio since the age of 7 and is a huge advocate in promoting the wellbeing of young children in a supportive  learning environment. Tracey works behind the scenes here at the studio and has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the SADC family for the past 33 years.

  • Cassie McClymont

    Cassie holds her full Diploma in CSTD Classical, Modern Jazz and Theatrical. Cassie has been with the studio since she was 3 years old and has also completed her full qualifications in Nursing while still attending and teaching classes in the studio. Cassie teaches our Adults classes and assists with classes when Kerry or Diahann are examining

  • Lauren Couch

    Lauren is a dedicated dance teacher with over 20 year of experience. Since joining the studio, Lauren had showcased her broad knowledge and versatility across various dance genres. Her qualifications include COMDANCE Teacher’s Certificates in Jazz, Tap, Theatrical and Performing Arts, and Classical Ballet, as well as COMDANCE Teacher’s Diplomas in Jazz and Theatrical and Performing Arts. Additionally, she has completed R.A.D classical ballet exams, Advanced 2 and Grade 8. Lauren is passionate about sharing her love for dance with future generations. She encourages her students to not only improve their skills but also develop a lasting love for dance.

  • Alex Cooney

    Alex holds her Teacher’s Certificate in Theatrical and Performing Arts and is currently studying to complete her Teacher’s certificate in Tap. Alex has been a student at SADC since age 5. After receiving an Op of 1 in Year 12, Alex is now studying full time but also teaches junior jazz and tap classes, hip Hop, Senior Jazz and Tap, as well as contemporary classes

  • Kitty Gough

    Kitty has been a student of SADC from age 4 and has completed all of her grade exams in Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre and Contemporary. Kitty is qualified as an Acrobatic Arts coach and and holds her Teachers Certificate in Modern Jazz., and Ready Set Dance certification. Kitty teaches our acrobatic Classes, Ready Set Dance and Ready Set Acro, Tinies Classes.and Senior Tap, whilst completing full time study as a Nurse.

  • Jess Alback

    Jess has grown up in the Studio. Being Sharon’s granddaughter and Diahann’s niece, Jess has completed all her Grade exams and after leaving school, Jess attended full time dance study and performed in the Opening of the Commonwealth Games in 2018. She also performed in the USA and on Carnival Cruise Lines with the studio on their 2011 and 2014 tours. Jess has completed her Certificate III in dance and has her teaching certificate in Modern Jazz. Having just graduated university with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Jess aims to continue teaching alongside working as a Registered Nurse.

  • Jessi-Violet Lord

    Jessi-Violet Lord

    Jessi-Violet has been a part of our studio from age 4 and has completed her exams in Classical, jazz and tap. She is currently working towards finishing her Contemporary Teacher’s Certificate. Jessi is a qualified Yoga and Pilates instructor and teaches our Contemporary Grade classes as well as our morning yoga classes and our Junior Lyrical class. Jessi is currently studying full time to be a Nutritionist

  • Lisa Christensen

    Lisa completed 2 years of full time study at QDSE in Classical ballet , Repertoire, Pas De Deux, Jazz , tap and Contemporary. She also holds Advacned Ballet in Comdance Syllabus and is currently working towards her Teachers Certificate in Classical . Lisa teachers in our junior ballet grade classes as well as assisting in our Major Ballet and Pointe Classes. Lisa is also an artist and creates the most amazing sets and backdrops for our annual concerts!

  • Mia Maude

    Mia Maude has been in the studio since she was born ! She holds her Student Teacher certification in Ready Set Dance and has completed all her exams in Jazz, tap, Classical, Contemporary, Theatrical and Performing Arts up to senior levels. She is currently starting to study for her Teachers certificates in several of these genres. Mia assists in the Ready Set Dance and Ready Set Acro classes, as well as ViPRep classes.

  • Gayle De Bruin

    Administration Staff

  • Candice Reibelt

    Administration Staff

  • Helena Cooney

    Administration Staff