Junior SchoolIn 2018, we launched the Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance junior school, where we bring the same professional attitude and high standards that have made our senior school soar. Kelly herself leads a fantastic team of hand-picked professionals who share their passion and love of dance in every class. We create a safe, friendly, and family-like environment where young dancers can truly grow in confidence while having loads of fun. Plus, our junior dancers get a special treat with guest appearances from our amazing senior teachers, giving them a taste of top-notch expertise and inspiration. We're all about keeping our students safe and happy. That's why all our studios have professional-standard, fully sprung dance floors. These are essential for protecting growing bodies and preventing injuries. Your child's safety is our top priority, and we ensure they're dancing on the best floors available. |  |
 | Our super friendly staff are always around to help out and answer any questions you might have. With competitions, exams, the mid-year Raw Showcase, the end-of-year Triple Bill Showcase, and loads of dancing, there's always something exciting happening. We're busy, but we love every minute and can't wait for more fun ahead. Ready for some dance-filled adventures in a supportive and fun environment? For more info or to enroll your child, click the 'Casual/Junior Dance Enquiry' button at the top of the page or drop us a line at fulltimedance@kellyaykers.com.au. |
| Ballet | Ballet is the basis of all dance. In Ballet the children learn the fundamental technique that will be used through out their dance journey. It starts with Barre work, which supplies correct placement and then moves into Centre work, honing into strength and agility. Ballet training is necessary if your child is serious about dance. Our ballet classes are based on the syllabus from the British Ballet Organization. |
| Jazz | Immensely popular and probably what most kids mean when they tell you they want to be a dancer, Jazz is energetic, fun and impossible not to love. Easy to learn, Jazz incorporates bold body movements with the beat making it both irresistible and amazing to watch. |
| Tap | More then just dancing to the music, Tap is actually a part of the music! Few genres can match it for its audacity and its breezy style and is a real crowd-pleaser. With an emphasis on fun (and a lot of noise), Tap starts with the basic technique and moves onto intricate beats as the students gains confidence |
| Hip Hop | The last decade or so has seen Hip Hop emerge from the streets and into popular culture. Combining fat beats with wry presentation and dazzling steps , the rise of the Hip Hop culture makes this genre a favourite of all ages. |
| Contemporary | An offshoot from Classical dance, Contemporary dance casts plot aside and focuses on the purity of movement and physical expression. Thought provoking and driven by intent, dancers enjoy the freedom to express their emotions in the nicest way possible – through dance. |
| Competition | Experience the thrill of dancing on stage performing in the genres of Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Song & Dance in our Comp squad. There are weekly rehearsals working on choreography which bonds the children together and lets them perfect the art of performance as well as solidifying the dance genres. |
| Skills | Skills class is for those dancers that want to take their dancing to the next level. The focus here is on advanced technique. Starting with a series of stretches it then goes into working skills such as Fouette`s, Jete`s, Pirouettes, Russian Jete`s and much more. Once adopted, these skills will hone and polish performance in all genres forever more. |
| Acrobatics | Nothing takes the breath away quite like a well executed flip or somersault in the middle of a high energy number. Acrobatics is trained on a professional acro mat where the children gain the courage to find their own strength. It is placement and technique based and taught strictly through safe dance practices. |
| Musical Theatre | Combining the triple threats of singing, dancing and acting, each Musical Theatre class is like a mini-musical in itself. The children have a ½ hour group singing class followed by a chorography class, which includes acting and learning character breakdown. Kids really love the chance to step outside of their shells for a little while and really get into character. |
| Singing | We ALL sing – we do it because it makes us feel good. With the correct training and practice, using the voice as an instrument can be immensely satisfying and do wonders for confidence. The great part is, once you start, you may never stop! Singing is best trained in private tuition (½ to 1hr sessions) but is also offered as a group class in Musical Theatre and Competition squad. |
The Junior School Faculty
Kelly spearheads a top class junior faculty that is an astute blend of her industry peers alongside some of the brightest and dedicated up-and-coming teachers that have been trained and mentored personally by Kelly. With an unwavering emphasis on safe dance and technique, the Kelly Aykers Dance Faculty will not only build solid foundations for years of dance, but bring fun and enthusiasm to every class.
All of our teachers have valid Working with Children accreditation and are extremely dedicated to creating a safe and friendly environment in which the kids can enjoy doing what they love.
 | Kelly AykersJazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, CompsKelly draws on years of experience and contact with the brightest in the industry to compile a Melbourne based teaching staff that would be the envy of any school in the country. Kelly knows that to deliver the kind of graduate that can take on the dance industry with confidence, she needs to surround herself with people that share her own passion and vision. To that end, Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance is dedicated to providing the best tuition by the best in the business. After 40 years of training and performance, during which time she has choreographed, and assisted many Australian and international choreographers, Kelly is delighted that the natural progression of her career is now giving her the opportunity to pass her knowledge on to others within the dance industry. For more on Kelly's career, check out our About Kelly Page. |
 | Donnie DimaseJazzAt such a young age, Melbourne based Donnie Dimase has already established himself as a choreographer to watch for in years to come. Specialising in Urban Dance, Voguing & Waacking, he created the very popular Tenacity Dance Crew winning the UDO 1st Place World Championship Title & various awards as well as creating underage commercial company Ferocity Dance Crew. Donnie is a graduate of Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance and has been Nominated for Victoria's Favourite Dance Teacher by Ausdance. In addition, he has been nominated for the Short Dance Film award with his work, 'Black Widow'. Resident Choreographer at Masters of Choreography for two shows running including 'Nightmare on Dance Street' & 'Once Upon a Time Chapter II'. Donnie is honoured to have been selected to participate in the 2013 Short + Sweet Dance Festival and to be awarded both the 'Choreographic Award' and the 'People's Choice Award' for his show, 'Own The Throne' he was also selected Resident Choreographer at Raw : Natural Born Artists. Amongst his many achievements and choreographic credits, he can include the Melbourne White Night, Australian Open, Big Day Scout, Victorian Dance Festival, Miss Crown Asia Beauty Pageant, Platform, Lili Kendall's 'Run' Boylesque and Many More. |
 | Connor MicallefAcrobatics, Contemporary, EliteConnor has danced with multiple dance companies including "Lionheart Dance Company", Performing in the professional show "Fabricated" and undergoing company training every week, as well as that he has completed his training at "Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance" in Melbourne under the prestigious Kelly Aykers. His performance credits include: Representing Australia in the ICC opening ceremony , back up dancer to Nathaniel and Mike Tompkins, featured dancer in the Australian mini series “The Divorce”, performer at Brandcast and the Youtube Fanfest. Additionally has has performed a number of times in Masters of choreography , Victorian dance festival and Australian Dance Festival. |
 | Talitha DuncanTap, BroadwayTalitha is an experienced performer and dance teacher with a lifelong passion for musical theatre. Talitha has dedicated herself to mastering the art of tap - her specialty. She graduated from Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance in 2021 with a Diploma of Musical Theatre where she featured in shows including ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ playing the role of Audrey 2. Her Professional credits include ‘The King and I’ the musical with the production company, the ‘Annie’ media call with John Frost, and the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ promo video. Talitha has also had the opportunity to compete with the Australian National Dance Team in which she placed in the top 10 with an own choreography tap duo and in the top 15 with an own choreography tap solo. Talitha takes great pride in her teaching ability and cherishes being able to teaching young, aspiring professionals and watching them grow. |
 | Kirsten ManuelSingingKirsten graduated from Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance completing her Diploma of Music Theatre and has been involved with Parklife Productions Little Shop Of Horrors (2021), Lightbox Productions Be More Chill (2018) and Dogfight (2019), Misfit Theatre Children of the Clock (2018) and Windmill Theatre Company Jersey Boys (2022) and World of Musical Theatre for Kids (2023), and CLOC’s Catch Me If You Can (2023). She teaches hip hop, street dance and musical theatre and is a character entertainer with Flutterby Entertainment and Royaltea Parties. |
We are taking enrolments now for the year ahead!
Press the 'Casual/Junior Dance Enquiry' button at the top of the page or you can contact us anytime at: fulltimedance@kellyaykers.com.au
Watch this space for more great information including cutting-edge Pro and Graduate classes in the coming weeks!