About
Students can study a comprehensive range of dance styles including Ballet (R.A.D. and A.C.B Australian Conservatoire Of Ballet (Vaganova)), Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Glenn Wood Tap, Musical Theatre, Pilates and Conditioning from experienced professional instructors from four purpose built studios in Jardine Street Fairy Meadow.
About Our Principal
Joanne Grace-Morgan
Owner and Director of the Joanne Grace School of Dance, Joanne Grace-Morgan, has built a career dedicated to mentoring and inspiring the dancers of the Illawarra, and nurturing their passion for dance.
She’s an accomplished dancer in all its forms and the most highly qualified teacher in the Illawarra.
Joanne’s proudest moments are when she sees her students fall in love with the arts, when they show courage and step out of their comfort zones, when they build their confidence and when JGSoD alumni go on to have successful careers in their chosen fields.
She encourages every student to think critically and creatively, and to build life skills when learning dance. The versatility, perseverance, dedication and determination she instils are long-term qualities they can take into adulthood.
Early life and career
Building and leading the Joanne Grace School of Dance for the last 25 years follows many achievements in education, dance and teaching across all genres.
Growing up in Woonona, NSW, Joanne became attached to the arts and dance when she was just 3-years-old, tagging along with a friend to her first dance class. While her friend didn’t stick out the term, Joanne’s passion hasn’t faltered 40 years on.
Joanne’s interest grew after starting classical ballet. She then expanded her skills with tap, jazz, lyrical and contemporary dance styles. Performing in musicals as a child and teenager with the Arcadians and Guild Theatre Groups grew her adoration of musical theatre, which she incorporates into her end of year shows today.
As a dancer, Joanne’s many performances and accolades culminated in achieving Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD) status, succeeding in her Advanced 2 Exam.
Joanne went on to complete her teacher training, which led her to landing a position at the prestigious Newtown High School Of The Performing Arts. Alongside this role, her dance school was beginning to take off, so after 4 wonderful years she moved into a position closer to home at Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts.
Teaching had always been a passion and when the opportunity arose to teach and mentor the next generation of teachers at the University Of New South Wales as part of the Dance Degree program she welcomed this opportunity. Starting in the role of dance teacher of both the contemporary and classical styles, and finishing in the role of lecturer for Dance Methodology, Joanne looks back on her 12 years of employment at UNSW fondly.
Teaching and adjudicating qualifications
Joanne holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts Dance/Drama, a Masters in Dance Teaching, a Bachelor of Education and a Certificate IV in Assessment and Training.
Expanding her knowledge and education, Joanne completed the RAD Teachers Certificate (Reg. 501226) and Diploma of Teaching. She’s also qualified in 3 syllabi of classical ballet with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), Australian Conservatoire of Ballet (ACB) and Classical Dance Australia (CDA).
A member of the Australian Dance Adjudicators Association, Joanne’s authorised to adjudicate all styles of dance and actively judges at the regions’ eisteddfods.
Business achievements
The Joanne Grace School of Dance was the first full-time training institution in the Illawarra. Its success was rapid, earning Joanne a Local Business Award for Illawarra/South Coast in 2020 and Young Achiever of the Year in the early years of the business.
The Joanne Grace School of Dance is a registered organisation for the Progressing Ballet Technique Program and a leader in the training of preschoolers, recognised as the official location for Ready Set Dance and Ready Set Ballet in Fairy Meadow.
Above all, Joanne takes great pride in the inclusive environment her dance school has become, where students build lasting friendships and grow into confident people.
