When international dance powerhouses Renee Ritchie and Lockhart Brownlie first imagined the Tasmanian Dance Expo (TDE), it was little more than a dream. Today, it’s a thriving three-day event that blends competition, training, and community — creating life-changing opportunities for dancers across Tasmania and beyond.
The Dream That Started It All
For Lockhart, the idea quite literally came in a dream. “I was home over Christmas and it hit me so vividly,” he recalls. “Renee and I needed to join forces, take everything we’d learned in America, and bring it to Tasmania. Not just small workshops, but a big event that dancers could travel to — something we’d seen in the States.”
At first, Renee wasn’t sure. “I thought, This is going to be so hard! But the vision came to me too, and suddenly it clicked. We’d never had anything like this in Tassie before. It was challenging to build, but also the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”
Why Tasmania?
Both Renee and Lockhart grew up in Tasmania, and they know firsthand what it felt like to be far from the opportunities of the mainland.
“As kids, we had to travel to Sydney or Melbourne for training or to get in front of choreographers,” Renee explains. “We wanted to change that. We wanted Tassie dancers to know they’re not too far away — they can do this too.”
Lockhart agrees. “There’s a mindset sometimes in Tasmania of, we’re not on par with the rest of Australia. We wanted to break that by creating a world-class event right here in their backyard. Something that shows them — yes, you belong.”
What Makes TDE Different
Unlike a standard competition or convention, TDE is built around two core pillars: community and training.
“One of the biggest things we hear from parents and studios is how welcoming it feels,” Lockhart says. “No matter your level, you’re part of the family. Our team — made up of family members, old dance friends, and mentors — makes everyone feel supported.”
The event blends competition and workshops, offering dancers the chance to perform, but also to train intensively with industry leaders. Scholarships, prizes, and international opportunities add another layer of inspiration.
“We want to encourage training above all,” Renee adds. “Competitions fade as you get older, but training never stops. TDE helps dancers see themselves not just as competitors, but as artists building a career.”
Atmosphere and Experience
For three days each August, Wrest Point in Hobart becomes a hub of energy and connection. “We want dancers to leave with new friends, new inspiration, and memories that feel like they’ve just been to Disneyland,” Lockhart smiles. “That’s the kind of magic we’re creating.”
Parents and teachers agree. Year after year, feedback highlights how inclusive and nurturing the environment is. “People leave saying they’ve had the time of their life,” Renee says. “That’s what makes all the work worth it.”
Mentorship at the Core
Both Lockhart and Renee take their role as mentors seriously. They are hands-on throughout the event — teaching, talking with dancers, and checking in with students individually.
“We run a protégé program where dancers assist us, learn choreography, and work closely with faculty,” Renee explains. “But even beyond that, we take time to talk to everyone. We care about them — their progress, their confidence, their joy. That’s why we do it.”
A Partnership Built on Balance
Running an international-scale event from Los Angeles isn’t easy, but together the duo makes it work. “People say we’re like a married couple,” Renee laughs. “Lockie is the big ideas man, and I’m the one who makes it happen. We balance each other perfectly.”
Lockhart agrees: “I couldn’t imagine doing this without Renee. Neither of us could do it alone — it takes both of us, our strengths, and our shared passion.”
If they had a theme song? “I Got You Babe,” they laugh. “Because when one of us drops the ball, the other is always there to pick it up.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Looking back, neither Renee nor Lockhart could have imagined as teenagers in Tasmania that they’d one day return to build something like TDE.
“I’d tell my teenage self, just keep going,” Renee reflects. “Keep dreaming, keep pushing, keep following your passion.”
For Lockhart, it’s about persistence. “Mine was more accident than plan, but I just kept putting one foot forward and staying driven. That’s what got me here.”
The Vision Ahead
The future of TDE is clear: growth, community, and more opportunities for dancers. “We want every Tasmanian dancer to have TDE locked on their calendar every year,” says Renee. “Not as an afterthought, but as the event they can’t miss.”
Lockhart adds: “We also want mainland dancers to see Tassie as a destination — somewhere they’ll have the time of their life. That mindset is shifting, and we’re proud to be leading that change.”
With dates for 2026 already confirmed — August 14–16 at Wrest Point, Hobart — the Tasmanian Dance Expo continues to grow as a signature event on Australia’s dance calendar.
“Every year, dancers leave saying they feel inspired, connected, and uplifted,” Renee smiles. “And that’s exactly why we created TDE.”
