about us
Venus Dance is mixed media performing arts school, mixing the arts of film, music and dance.
Each year classes involve different forms of dance & music, and during the year all students work on film and performance pieces for the end of year show. Students do not need to perform in order to take part in classes but students wanting to take part in the performance need to attend regular classes.
The teachers at venus dance wish to inspire the love of dance in children and adults alike. Classes are based on the idea that good technique and individual style both matter, as everyone has their own dance expression just as they do their own voice.
The foundations of dance are rhythm, passion and technique (converted to muscle memory). And our classes are designed to bring awareness of this foundation to children and adults. We do this by using a variety of music and rhythms, different dance styles, and the use of dance materials such as silks, ribbons, saris and firedance sticks. Even our 'zumba' style dance/exercise classes use fire sticks for arm work!
Our dance classes feature classical work, as classical posture and positioning are the base to many dance forms. But there is a strong focus on learning other techniques as well in order to extend dancing skills and help bring confidence out.
Classes will introduce essential technique and encourage the passion of free dance with classical, contemporary, creative, modern, firedance, hip hop, flamenco, and free styles.
Paula has been dancing since she was born. Dance was an important part of family life with various family members involved in and passionate about dance. She began lessons in classical ballet and tap dancing at three years of age in the UK. Paula then took up contemporary, character, modern and creative dance when the family moved to Australia.
Trained in the RAD syllabus, Paula was fortunate to study classical ballet in Melbourne with Martin Rubinstein, a former dancer with the European Borovansky Ballet in the 1940s, who further inspired the ‘otherworldly’ passion of dance for her these classic companies so famously embodied. Paula undertook examinations in RAD classical ballet and tap dance as well as started teaching other children from the age of 14. Upon completing school Paula took up what was to become her favourite dance styles – flamenco and firedance. She has continued studying flamenco and other dance styles as well has performed and taken classes and dance workshops for both children and adults.
Currently Paula is continuing flamenco studies with her teacher based in Melbourne, Laura Uhe, and with Laura is currently studying professional flamenco syllabus. She also enjoys working with photography, music and film.
