International Dance Awarding Organisation bbodance (the new name for The British Ballet Organization) hits a milestone in Australia, having now celebrated 90 years in the country.
First launched in Australia in 1936, by BBO founder Edouard Espinosa in Sydney, for 90 years the organisation has been sharing support, education and inspiration for dancers and dance teachers. There followed a branch in New Zealand in the late 1930s which is also thriving.
Now reaching its 90th year
CEO Fiona Knower, on the continued success of the company, said, “We are proud that our community of dance teachers continues to thrive across Australia and New Zealand. Our current branch administrators, Elizabeth Derby and Lisa-Maree Derby, do a wonderful job of uniting teachers across the region and showcasing all that bbodance has to offer.”
She adds, “In this time of digital growth, we can foster personal connections and offer opportunities to connect members across the globe through online CPD, Examiner Training and 1-to-1 onboarding calls. All delivered from across the globe but without sacrificing quality or content. Events held in the UK are also mirrored across Australasia, including our flagship event, Dance Days, which is held annually in Sydney and Christchurch.”
bbodance headquarters are in Battersea, London, UK, but there are strong international connections and offerings on the other side of the globe. “We are proud to have wonderful Patrons in Australia and New Zealand, Gillian Revie and Martin James,” Knower continues.
“Our UK Patrons also do wonderful work to unite members across the globe and share everything we have to offer. For example, Brandon Lawrence was a bbodance Student and Scholar and qualified as a dance teacher through the bbodance Teaching Qualification pathway! Brandon continues to offer invaluable support to the organisation. Other alumni include Serena Fisher, who performed with the Queensland Ballet, and George-Murray Nightingale, who performed with The Australian Ballet and Matthew Bourne.”
The organisation has recognised for many years that multi-genre training is important, not only to develop creativity but also to help dancers be adaptable and build a sustainable career in dance. The genres taught are Classical Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Musical Theatre and AcroDancer.
Knower explains, “Our syllabi support students to have sustainable and enjoyable careers in dance. There is a need for performers to be as versatile as possible; many companies are beginning to merge styles, so being able to draw upon your syllabus training is a real strength.”
She adds, “We also recognise that whilst our members predominantly work towards examinations, they also participate in competitions and performances. We want to ensure our syllabi complement this side of their training by offering structured, progressive training that enhances choreography, musicality and performance skills. For students, offering multiple genres means they can excel in a genre that suits their individual interests – by having six options available, there is always something for every dancer to enjoy. This supports teachers in attracting different types of dance students, giving their business more depth and a stronger offering. Our multi-genre offering is reflected across our Dance Days event and Take the Stage competition, both of which showcase a variety of genres and the creativity within our membership!”
As part of the celebration, bbodance is offering 90 for 90. “To celebrate the 90th anniversary of our branch in Australasia, we are offering 90 dance teachers across Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to join bbodance as a Registered Teacher for the remainder of 2026, for an exclusive price of just $90,” Knower says. “Holding bbodance Registered Teacher status can inspire growth for your students and schools, and we can’t wait to connect with more dedicated dance teachers. Teach our world-class syllabus, access our flexible exam pathways, and benefit from exclusive offers and personal support from a caring staff team. Let’s make the 90th year of our Australasian branch the best year yet!”
Beyond the syllabus itself, bbodance membership supports teachers at every stage of their career. Registered Teachers gain global recognition, access to flexible exam and assessment pathways, and eligibility to enter students for the Dance Theatre Awards. Schools can also become a Host Dance School, supporting teaching assistants through bbodance’s Level 3 Dance Teaching Assistant Certificate. Members benefit from ongoing teaching resources and safeguarding support, discounted CPD including online courses and recordings, and exclusive partner offers such as discounts on PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) courses.
For more information, visit www.bbo.dance. Join bbo as a register teacher for only $90! Click here.
By Jamie Body of Dance Informa.
