Miss Tanya / Mrs Tanya Cook (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 15yrs and 13yrs.
Miss Tanya will be teaching classes at TBDA on Monday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons in 2023.
Miss Lucinda (Ballet and Contemporary Teacher)
Lucinda has over 30+ years of teaching experience. She has danced with Ruth Galene at Red Opal Dance and Ann D’Hau in Freelance Dance Company. Lucinda’s teaching experience includes Dance Lecturing at HSC Level McDonald College, SGECGS Redlands, Tertiary Level at Australian College of Physical Education (BA Dance Course). Lucinda has a Teaching Certificate from the Sydney Dance Development Centre, a Bachelor of Arts, Performing Arts, Dance from S.A.C.A.E. and a Master of Arts, Choreography from U.W.S.
Lucinda was the principal of her own ballet school “Dance Moves” for 11 years which she sadly had to close in 1998 after the birth of her 3rd and 4th children (twin boys).
Miss Lucinda will be teaching on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday evenings in 2023.
Miss Courtney (Ballet & Contemporary Teacher)
Courtney has been attending Tanya Brooks Dance Academy for the last 15 years. She began student teaching at TBDA in 2016, and in 2018 she began regularly teaching contemporary classes. She is currently in the process of obtaining her Royal Academy of Dance accreditation whilst completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Dance and Performance at Macquarie University. She has taught numerous contemporary workshops within the university. Courtney has been a member of the Hip Hop Crew competition group since she was 12. She has taught dance in primary schools and has been involved in professional, creative dance projects over the last two years.
Miss Courtney will be teaching Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in 2023, and is currently on the RAD CBTS training program to become a fully registered RAD Ballet Teacher.
Miss Jacinta (Hip Hop Teacher)
Jacinta started her performing arts journey at the young age of 3, has been teaching for 6 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 will be teaching 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 will be joining the TBDA teaching staff in 2023, teaching Ballet and Contemporary classes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, she is looking forward to sharing her experience and knowledge with our TBDA students.