Miss Tanya (Principal)
Completed a Bachelor of Arts in Dance (UWS) 1992
RAD Registered Teacher (completed 1997).
Tanya has been involved in the dance industry for over 40+ years, in that time studying and teaching Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Contemporary dancing. Tanya has performed and competed in various dance eisteddfods, school spectaculars and ceremonies at sporting events including the 2000 Olympic Games.
Tanya was a student with Kim and Sandra Griffin in Sydney (1978 – 1983) then moved to Newcastle where she extensively studied Classical Ballet at Newcastle High School as well as Tap, Jazz and RAD Classical Ballet with Dianne Talbot and Margo Kerr from 1984 to 1988.
In 1989 Tanya went to University (UWS) to study dance, at which time Classical Ballet and Contemporary dance were the main focus, along with safe dance practice, anatomy and notation etc. In 1992 Tanya graduated from university.
In July 1994 Tanya Brooks Dance Academy opened its doors. Today we proudly have over 150 students attending dance lessons each week.
Miss Tanya was married to Alistair in July 2005. Professionally she is still known as Miss Tanya Brooks although her married name is Mrs Tanya Cook. Tanya and Alistair have two beautiful children, aged 18yrs and 16yrs.
Miss Tanya teaches Ballet classes at TBDA on Monday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
Miss Courtney (Ballet & Contemporary Teacher)
Courtney attended dance classes at Tanya Brooks Dance Academy from the age of 4yrs. At the age of 16yrs Courtney started student teaching with Miss Tanya and in 2018 she began to teach her own Junior Contemporary classes at TBDA.
Courtney obtained her Royal Academy of Dance accreditation in 2024 as a fully registered RAD Ballet Teacher and also has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Dance and Performance at Macquarie University. She has taught numerous contemporary workshops within the university.
Courtney was a member of the TBDA Hip Hop Crew competition group since the age of 12yrs.
Courtney has taught dance in primary schools and has been involved in professional, creative dance projects over the last five years.
Miss Courtney teaches Ballet and Contemporary classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons.
Miss Jacinta (Hip Hop Teacher)
Jacinta started her performing arts journey at the young age of 3, has been teaching for 10 years and has been involved in many performance opportunities.
Some of her experiences include, performing at Disneyland, universal studios, cruise ships, MJ tribute show and winning “take the mic Australia.” Jacinta also has been in many adult hip hop crews such as “alpha pack.” This crew still learns choreography and is ongoing training professionally. Jacinta has also been on the x-factor, released her own single and even went to LA and Costa Rica July 2019 for her performing.
Jacinta has been trained in Hip hop, jazz, contemporary, RAD ballet and Tap. Along with all of this she is a professional singer. Jacinta is motivated and focused on giving inspiration to all aspiring young dancers.
Miss Jacinta teaches Hip Hop and Jazz on Mondays and Thursdays.
Miss Claudia (Ballet & Contemporary Teacher)
Claudia began her classical ballet training at the age of 3. She spent most of her childhood in New Zealand at Canterbury Academy of Dance where she completed her exams for RAD Ballet. In 2016 Claudia moved to Melbourne to complete her Advance Diploma of Dance at The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet. She then went on to dance for the Yellow Wheel Youth Company for a year before accepting a position for the 2019 Pre Professional Year at Sydney Dance Company. Pre Professional Year allowed for Claudia to progress her contemporary skills and learn new ways to choreograph and move.
Miss Claudia has been teaching at TBDA since 2023, she teaches Ballet and Contemporary classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Miss Kirsty (Ballet, Pointe & Contemporary Teacher)
Kirsty has been dancing since the age of three and teaching dance now for over 10 years across both Australia and the UK. She trained professionally at Ev and Bow in Sydney, specialising in Ballet and Contemporary Dance Performance. Over the years, she has also worked as an independent contemporary dancer in Sydney, performing a variety of works. including Colossus choreographed by Stephanie Lake.
She studied dance teaching through ComDance, receiving her Diploma in Modern Jazz, and has prepared students for competitions, auditions, and examinations in multiple syllabi, including RAD, ISTD, and ComDance. Including previously at TBDA from 2019 – 2022, and is very excited to be returning! She is passionate about supporting her students and loves seeing them succeed in all their endeavours, both in dance and beyond.
In addition to dance, Kirsty has worked as a Pilates Instructor for the past 4 years both across Sydney and London. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science.
Miss Kirsty will be teaching Ballet and Pointe classes on Thursday evenings.