Dance Teacher Expo Welcomes Perform Ability: Where Inclusive Teaching Takes Root
There are events that inspire, and then there are events that move you to action.
Dance Teacher Expo (DTE) is where Australia’s dance education community comes to learn, grow, and connect—and wow, did it deliver.
This year was all about levelling up.
Business deep-dives? Tick ✅
Teaching tools? Absolutely ⭐
Fresh ideas and lifelong connections? Everywhere you looked 👀
It was a full-body yes for anyone serious about making dance education not just bigger, but better.
A Haven in the Hype – The Calm Corner by Perform Ability 🌿
Let’s face it—big events can be a sensory rollercoaster. That’s where The Calm Corner, proudly sponsored by Perform Ability, came in—a peaceful retreat where attendees could take a breather, regulate, and reset.
With comfy seating, soothing views, fidget tools, colouring-in sheets, and emergency headphones, it became a quiet little sanctuary amid the vibrant buzz of the Expo floor. Designed especially with neurodivergent folks in mind (but open to everyone), this space reminded us how a small bit of thoughtfulness can go a long way in making events feel welcoming for all attendees.
The Venue Did Accessibility Right ♿
Big shoutout to the DTE team for getting this right. The venue wasn’t just accessible—it was intentionally inclusive.
With accessible bathrooms (yes, braille signage included), wide corridors, supportive handrails, and plenty of space for mobility devices, every detail was thought through.
True accessibility, woven into the bones of the event.
Ooops! Don’t Swing on the Barre!
One session that had everyone talking? The amazing Miranda Daisy and her eye-opening session:
“Ooops, Don’t Swing on the Barre! – Behaviour Strategies to Engage Every Dancer: Neurodivergent, Neurotypical & Everything in Between.”
This wasn’t just a talk—it was a deep dive into what it really means to teach inclusively, and it was a reality check in the best possible way.
Miranda’s key takeaway?
Behaviour isn’t the problem—it’s the signal.
She encouraged teachers to ask, “What is this dancer trying to tell me?” —because behaviour is communication.
Miranda reminded us that the most challenging dancers are usually the ones most in need of connection—the ones asking for support the loudest, even if they don’t have the words to say it.
Behaviour is never just noise—it’s information. And when we stop trying to silence it and start trying to decode it, we can turn frustrating moments into powerful teaching ones.
Ready to Create an Inclusive Studio? ♾️
If DTE sparked a sense that it might be time to do things a little differently—that’s a powerful place to begin. If you’re ready to evolve your studio into a space that celebrates diversity and make inclusion part of your studio’s DNA, Perform Ability is here to help you take the next step.
When you bring Perform Ability into your studio, you create space for dancers who have often been left out of the spotlight. You give families hope, dancers purpose, and your studio a deeper sense of impact.
Bring Perform Ability to your studio and open the doors to dancers of all abilities.
Together, we’ll make sure no one misses out on the joy of dance—and your studio stands out for all the right reasons.
The Real Takeaway and Why We Keep Coming Back
What really stuck with us? The way this community shows up.
The hugs, the deep chats, the shared laughs, the “I needed that” moments.
The spontaneous catch-ups in the hallways that turned into full-on brainstorms.
There’s a reason DTE has a loyal crowd that shows up year after year.
It brings together people who get it—people who love teaching, leading, and lifting others through dance.
This year’s Dance Teacher Expo brought a new level of energy, connection, and inspiration—proving again why it’s Australia’s go-to event for dance educators.
And if this was your first time?
Something tells us it won’t be your last.
Become a Perform Ability Partner Learn More!
Book a FREE 1:1 Session with Miranda Daisy Book Here!
