About Us
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.
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.
meet the team
Jodie Choolburra
Jodie is a proud Gamilaroi and Murrawari women, raised in the Redfern community and former CEO of Gadigal Information Service Aboriginal Corporation, the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Jodie brings over 20 years’ experience in the Indigenous arena specialising in Indigenous arts, media and politics. Driven by her passion to promote Aboriginal arts and culture to local, national and global audiences, she has played a vital role in educating communities about the value and importance of using Aboriginal arts as a vehicle to foster respect, awareness and understanding. In 2018, you may have seen her throughout Westfield shopping centre's as she was one of four Indigenous women selected for the Westfield NAIDOC exhibitions, “Because of her we can”. In the same year she was selected for the KARI Leadership Program which assists high level Aboriginal people to achieve personal and professional goals. During this program Jodie developed an adaptive and future-focused approach to the challenges and dynamic nature of our global economy and culture, including new opportunities for workplace change and innovation.
“My most important role to date has been a mother. Instilling, practicing and developing cultural practices, arts, and pride in my children has been at the forefront of every decision. I am a strong believer that it takes a village to raise a child and this is why the Brolga Dance Academy is so important. Our young people will have an opportunity to make a positive impact through storytelling of our histories, modern societies, and untold stories, all while being immersed in their culture and guided by professional and experienced Aboriginal Dancers.”
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Daniel Mateo
Daniel is a proud Gomeroi and Polynesian descendant that grew up on Wiradjuri country and is now based in Newcastle, Awabakal land. Daniel is currently in his Diploma of Dance Performance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the NAISDA Dance College. During his time with NAISDA, he has achieved Cert III and IV in Dance Practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people alongside an Individual Distinction in Ballet.
Daniel was selected for the NSW Aboriginal Dance Company and has choreographed with Catapult Dance Company, Sydney Festival (Colossus), Erth Company, and NAISDA Annual End of Year Show. Working with established Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists such as Frances Rings, Deborah Brown, Cadi McCarthly, Jo Clancy, Pamela Williams, Erth, Mathew Doyle, and Dujon Nuie. Daniel has experience working with young people through his teaching at Canobolas Rural Technology High School, Belmont High School, Charleston Public School, and Belmont Public School.
Amy Johnson
Amy is a descendant of the Turrabal people and is a proud Jagera woman.
Dancing since the age of 2, doing jazz, tap and ballet, then in her later years started practicing hip hop, contemporary and Aboriginal Contemporary Dance. A student at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts from years 7 - 12, selected as a performing artist student from her audition for dance. Amy has continued to study mainly in the genres of Contemporary and Ballet. As a student, Amy was involved in the NSW Public Schools Aboriginal Dance Company through the Arts Unit, where she partook in many community and non-community events. Some of these being, Schools Spectacular and being 1 of 6 chosen to dance at the Royal Reception in 2014 at the Sydney Opera House for Prince William & Princess Kate. “It was an amazing experience which I will treasure and never forget.”
The past two years have seen Amy tour rural NSW teaching Aboriginal Contemporary Dance to primary school students with the Arts Unit. Following her passion for working with young children, teaching dance, and keeping connected with culture Amy holds dearly to her heart. This year Amy was selected to join the Sapphire’s Cheerleader Squad for the NRL Canterbury Bulldogs Team. Amy is currently undertaking a full-time traineeship at the at the Reserve Bank of Australia whilst studying towards a Certificate III in Business Administration.
Bianca Williams
Bianca Williams is a Barkindji woman who grew up on the banks of the Macquarie and Barwon Darling rivers of Western NSW. Being fortunate to grow up out on country has fostered Bianca’s long sustained passion to connect with and continue culture. As a performer Bianca has extensive skills and is a flexible cultural practitioner who thrives on keeping her ancient culture alive through working with our younger generations.
Performing highlights includes; Dance Rites (Sydney Opera House) 2017-2020, Artstate NSW Opening Ceremony 2017, Invictus Games 2018, Boomerang Festival (Byron Bay Blues Festival) 2018-2019, Warami celebrations City of Parramatta 2019, the National Indigenous Art Fair 2019, Royal Edenborough Military Tattoo 2019, Patty Mills Wedding Cultural Night and Sydney Festival Barangaroo Vigil 2020-2021.
When Bianca us not in the studio or practicing in the sand circle, she is busy coordinating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and Mentors networks in Sydney and Perth on behalf of the Aurora Education Foundation.