DanceRites 2023
Brolga Dance Academy
DanceRites will be returning to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on Nov 25-26 for the first time post-pandemic. Full details about the weekend’s program can be found HERE, and more information about this year’s competitors are HERE, They will welcome over 300 participants from more than 30 nations and clans from across Australia for the largest live version of DanceRites – the only national competition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance groups.
One of the competing groups is Brolga Dance Academy Founded in 2020 by Artistic Director Jodie Choolburra-Welsh, Brolga was named as the 2023 Sydney City Business of the Year in Performing Arts while Jodie was recognised as the Sydney City Business Person of the Year. Specialising in Aboriginal Contemporary and Traditional classes, over 100 students have been enrolled at Brolga this year, where body movement is used as a tool to discover the intricacies on words and language of the Aboriginal people.
The Academy is firmly focused on creating pathways into professional practice for their students, and have already had two of their students attend NAISDA with one graduating last year and some of their dancers were featured in Mitch Tambo’s ‘Dreamtime Princess’ music video. Key to their professional development practice is their Elite Programme with many of the DanceRites representative dancers coming from this group. The structure of the Elite programme offers opportunities for performance, choreography, leading workshops, and mentoring younger students.
Proud to be a 100% owned and operated Aboriginal business, using Aboriginal dance teachers and delivering an authentic culturally safe and professional service, Brolga are also extensively involved in community engagement by running workshops held in schools across NSW – as far as Lightning Ridge!
