This month’s Club Focus spotlights In Motion Dance Works and the diverse range of dance, acro, circus, and aerial services they provide to their local community.
We had the pleasure of chatting with Keeley, a former student for 13 years who’s been sharing her passion as a teacher for the past 9 years at IMD.
- How did your club start?
In-Motion Danceworks started 30 years ago by Rebecca Elliott! It began as a dance studio and has developed to offer dance, acrobatics, singing and circus to the local community!
I (Keeley) began teaching at IMD 9 years ago at just 16 years old after learning dance and acrobatics here for 13 years prior. Since then, I have assisted in developing the acrobatics program to cater for beginners to advanced. Starting from only 3 classes to now offering 8 different classes including a boys only tumbling, beginners and advanced tumbling.
- How many kids do you train and what skill levels?
At our dance studio we have 165 students and 79 of them do acrobatics! I currently teach approximately 30 students but have taught hundreds over the last 9 years of teaching. I have taught students from beginners to advanced, 2.5 years to in their 20s!
- Do you have any programs for children with special needs?
As a small town, we currently do not offer exclusive classes for special needs students. We are an inclusive school in which caters for all levels of learning and development within our current timetabled classes.
- What is your organisation's vision/mission statement?
In-Motion Danceworks strives to provide a safe and nurturing environment where students can truly be themselves and find their potential. We cater classes to each age group and use merit and sticker systems to keep our younger students engaged and motivated.
We also have competition teams which assist in keeping our students striving for their full potential to compete for our studio.
- What are some objectives of your club?
IMD’s objectives are to continue to service the community as the Best Performing Arts in the Shire. We strive to continue to improve our facilities, develop our teacher’s knowledge and certifications and be an outlet for our students to be themselves.
- What are you most proud of in your club?
In 2024, IMD is celebrating 30 years of operation! In this time we have developed from a small dance studio, to offering all styles of dance, acrobatics, circus and singing.
IMD was awarded the Best Performing Arts in Wollondilly in 2023 and in 2024 our principal, Rebecca Elliott was awarded the Most Outstanding Business Person of the Year in the Shire! A true testament to her hard work in building the amazing studio and community we have today!
In 2024 our acrobatics students began competing at eisteddfods as a troupe. They took out the ‘Most Entertaining Troupe’ of the day at their first competition which was an amazing result!
- Why do you think your club is important to families and your community?
IMD is extremely important within our community. As a small rural town, In-Motion Danceworks provides the community with a state of the art studio with sprung floors, mirrors, rigged ceilings, tumble tracks and mats. Our studio allows students to learn skills in a safe environment, whilst learning from certified and skilled teachers!
The studio offers opportunities to students they do not get from anyone else within our small town. Including USA dance tours, NRL and A-League performances, opportunities for auditions, dance and circus concerts in theatres.
- What piece of advice would you give to a gymnast/student?
Never give up! Students sometimes think a skill will come overnight but that is not true! You have to do the drills to get the skills, have patience. Trust the process and it will benefit you in the long run!
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Follow In Motion Danceworks on Instagram here.
Follow Keeley on Instagram here.
Visit their website here.
