Brolga Dance Academy is an Aboriginal owned and controlled business built from deep respect, passion, desire and a long-standing commitment in the Aboriginal performing arts industry and community.
We value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, culture, communities and people – their passions, their creativity, and their commitment. Brolga Dance Academy brings a familiar perspective to representation that upholds our belief that our young people and culture are the most important part of our business. As a result, we provide a space for our young people to be storytellers through body movement using fused traditional and contemporary styles.
Brolga Dance Academy is 2023 Sydney City Business of the Year in Performing Arts and our Founder/Artistic Director Jodie Choolburra-Welsh is Business Person of the Year.
The Brolga is one of the most iconic birds. A number of traditional Aboriginal legends and dances are associated with the Brolga, and use movements that mimick their graceful performances. Brolgas are renown for their elaborate dances, and we aim to be renown for our elaborate, unique and memorable dancers and stories.
THE STORY BEHIND OUR LOGO:
The Brolga's are in dance movement, working with each others energy. The red image above is a place of gathering to shine. The markings on the body signify ceremony points of movement in the body and the spirit and flow. Our logo was designed by Kaliela Thornton , a descendant of the Gamilaroi, Yuwaalaroi, Kooma and Mandandangi people. A proud First Nation's artist and business owner of Maaya-li Dhawun Creations.
Founder & Artistic Director
Proud Gamilaroi and Murrwarri Woman
Operations Assistant, Senior Aboriginal Contemporary & Elite Teacher
Descendant of the Turrabal people and is a proud Jagera Woman,
Gomeroi Elder & Traditional Dance Teacher
Proud Gomeroi Woman
Junior Aboriginal Contemporary Teacher
Proud Kaanju (Cape York) and Wagadagam Woman from Mabuyag Island (Torres Strait Islands)
Elite Teacher
Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi, Torres Strait Islander, and Noongar descendant
Gomeroi Songman, Teacher and Consultant
Proud Gomeroi Man
Zumba Fitness & Dance Instructor
A proud Wuthathi (Shellburne Bay) and Torres Strait Islander woman from Moa Island and Darnley (Erub) Island
Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor
A proud Dharawal and Gumbaynggirr woman
Junior Aboriginal Contemporary Teacher
A proud descendant of the Kuku Yalanji people in Far North Queensland
Traditional Dance Teacher
A proud Weilan and Gamilaroi man.
The Indigenous duo behind this year's 9pm Calling Country Fireworks
30 Dec 2022
Brolga dancers bring culture to Sydney NYE
30 Dec 2022
Indigenous dance school finds feet in face of COVID 19 crush
19 Nov 2020