Miss Tia is a proud graduate of Whitsunday Dance Connection, where she trained for 13 years. She began her dance journey in 2006 at just five years old, joining WDC as a Pre-Primary Jazz and Ballet student. From those early beginnings, Tia flourished into a well-rounded and passionate performer.

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During her time at WDC, Tia completed examinations in both the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet syllabus and Glenn Wood Tap (GWT) syllabus. She began competing in eisteddfods at the age of eight, performing across a range of styles including Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Cabaret—competing right up until her graduation in 2018. That same year, she was honoured with the WDC Lanais Halemai Encouragement Award Trophy.

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After graduating Year 12, Tia moved to Brisbane to further her training, completing both her Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance) at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) in 2019 and 2020. While at ACPA, she was selected for prestigious secondments with Bangarra Dance Theatre (Sydney), Australasian Dance Collective, and Circa in Brisbane. She also performed at major events including the Queensland Great Awards, Queens Ball for Pride Week, C&K Conferences, and starred in ACPA’s annual showcases at QPAC, including 'The Wiz' and 'Roar into the 20s'.

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In 2020, Tia was chosen for the Cadetship Program with The Australian Ballet's Education and Outreach Team, based in Melbourne. She went on to choreograph and perform for the Queensland Premier at the 2021 International Women’s Day Ball, and appeared in QPAC’s Posters and TV commercial “The Most Amazing Seat is Yours at QPAC.”

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Now back in the Whitsundays, Tia brings with her a wealth of contemporary experience, industry knowledge, and fresh choreography. Passionate about giving back to the studio where it all began, Miss Tia is excited to step into her fifth year of teaching at WDC in 2025.