Collaboration Over Competition

The idea of creating a collaborative group for studio owners and dance teachers has been sitting in the back of my mind for nearly a decade. I’ve always felt there was something missing in our local dance community, but I wasn’t quite sure what it was. I hadn’t pursued the idea until earlier this year, when I mentioned it to a friend and she simply said, “Do it.”

I’ve seen dance communities in other areas where mutual respect and a genuine sense of connection are the norm, but for whatever reason, that kind of culture feels harder to come by on the Gold Coast. That’s not to say it isn’t possible, but I knew if I wanted to see that kind of environment here, maybe I needed to help create it.

The Gold Coast Dance Alliance was born from a quiet but persistent thought: imagine what we could do if we all connected.

For too long, we’ve been living in the same world separately. And while no one is being required to join, I’ve created this Alliance as an open invitation. A space where dance professionals can see each other as people again. Where we can put a face to a name, and in doing so, move through this industry with more kindness, more integrity, and more thought.

The events we have planned reflect that intention. Some will be educational, others focused on wellness, some purely social and a few haven’t even been dreamt up yet.

I’m at a point in my life and career where I feel comfortable in who I am and what I’ve built. I’m not threatened, I know what I have to offer and I’m more than happy to share the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with other teachers who are quietly struggling with the same challenges I’ve faced. It’s shown me that so many of us are going through the same things—so what if we didn’t have to go through it alone?

Too often, we suffer in silence, thinking we’re the only ones feeling the pressure. But what if we didn’t have to? What if support, understanding, and collaboration were just a conversation or an event away?

I’ve spent years searching for this kind of community. And while I’ve been fortunate to build my own small Alliance, I know that’s not the case for everyone. For those who feel like they’re navigating this industry on their own—I want you to know, you’re not.

I’ve been touched by the number of people who have already reached out. There’s a real sense of excitement around the idea of connection, and it’s clear this is something our community has been craving for a long time.

We’re only at the beginning, but already it feels like the start of something meaningful.

Because when we choose collaboration over competition, we begin to build a stronger, more connected dance industry.