Business Details
20 Years
experience
Your Trusted Dance School in Bundoora
We are a distinguished dance and performing arts school established in 2006, offering innovative and nurturing programs for children aged 18 months to 18 years. Our purpose-built studio in Bundoora provides preschool, recreational, and elite dance training with specialized instructors and state-of-the-art facilities. We pride ourselves on fostering technical excellence, artistic creativity, and a supportive community environment.Our students have achieved recognition in professional performances and full-time dance institutions globally. With costume hire services and structured programs, we ensure affordability and accessibility for families while maintaining professional standards. Located in the University Hill shopping precinct, we combine convenience with quality education in a vibrant setting.
Services
Preschool Dance
Recreational Classes
Elite Program
Hip Hop
Ballet
Tap
Contemporary
Acrobatics
Performance Training
Studio Hire
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- We offer specialized instructors in ballet, hip hop, tap, and contemporary dance styles.
- Our purpose-built studio features sprung flooring, climate control, and dedicated facilities.
- We provide affordable costume hire with no sewing requirements for performances.
- We maintain an inclusive environment with viewing windows for parent engagement.
- Our students gain professional opportunities through elite program mentorship.
What people say
Amazing teachers
Welcoming environment
Professional facilities
Dance journey
Second home
Services
Preschool Dance
Structured dance classes for children aged 18 months to 5 years. Our program develops motor skills, creativity, and social interaction through playful movement activities. Parents participate in 'Me & My Grown Up' sessions while observing other classes through viewing windows. We provide costume hire services to ensure affordable, stress-free performances.
Recreational Classes
Engaging dance training for ages 5-18 with no prior experience required. We offer ballet, hip hop, tap, and contemporary styles in a non-competitive environment. Our end-of-year performances feature professionally hired costumes with no sewing obligations. Classes focus on technical development and artistic expression while maintaining accessibility for all skill levels.
Elite Program
Audition-based program for serious dancers aged 5-18. Our curriculum includes compulsory and optional classes, private coaching, and guest instructor workshops. Students receive mentorship for professional opportunities and full-time dance institution applications. The program emphasizes technical excellence, artistic growth, and performance readiness through structured weekly training schedules.
Hip Hop
Contemporary hip hop instruction led by specialist instructors Donna Lierse and Jack May. Classes focus on rhythm, coordination, and stylistic expression for ages 5+. Our program incorporates current trends while developing foundational street dance techniques. Students participate in choreographed performances at annual events and external showcases.
Ballet
Cecchetti-method ballet training for preschool to elite levels. Specialist instructors Deanne Francisco and Laura Kinross deliver technical instruction in pointe work, alignment, and classical repertoire. Our program prepares students for examinations and professional performance opportunities while maintaining safe, age-appropriate progression.
People
Vanessa Papillo
Founder & Director
Vanessa established Dance Machine in 2006, cultivating its reputation as Melbourne's premier dance institution. With 19 years of leadership, she mentors faculty and students while maintaining artistic standards. Her vision combines technical excellence with creative expression, evidenced by alumni placements in global dance companies.
Donna Lierse
Hip Hop Specialist
Certified hip hop instructor with extensive industry experience. Donna delivers dynamic classes that develop rhythm, coordination, and urban dance style. She contributes to choreography for performance groups and maintains current trends in street dance education.
Laura Kinross
Ballet Specialist
Professional ballet instructor specialising in Cecchetti method training. Laura teaches classical technique, pointe work, and performance skills across all levels. She prepares students for examinations and professional pathways while maintaining safe technical development.
Jayden Wall
Tap & Acrobatics
Dual-specialist instructor in tap dance and acrobatic skills. Jayden teaches rhythmic precision in tap while developing flexibility and strength for acrobatic elements. His classes integrate technical drills with performance choreography for competitive and recreational students.
Isabella D'Accione
Contemporary Choreography
Contemporary dance specialist with expertise in lyrical and modern styles. Isabella develops expressive movement quality and choreographic creativity. She mentors elite students in artistic interpretation and competition preparation while maintaining technical foundations.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We offer programs for children aged 18 months to 18 years across preschool, recreational, and elite levels.
Do you require prior dance experience?
No prior experience is needed for recreational classes. Elite program requires audition or invitation.
What dance styles are available?
We teach ballet, hip hop, tap, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and acrobatics with specialist instructors.
Are costumes included in fees?
We provide costume hire for performances at minimal additional cost - no sewing required.
How are performances organized?
Annual end-of-year shows feature professionally produced choreography with viewing windows for families.
What facilities do you have?
Our purpose-built studio includes sprung flooring, climate control, dressing rooms, and viewing areas.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Venetia L. Di Pierro
Sep 22, 2021
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Dance Machine has been our second home. Always a fun, welcoming environment and professional standard of dance. We have made so many friends and had such an amazing dance journey at the studio and at competitions and events. Cannot recommend highly enough.
A. B. P. Gaming
Aug 20, 2021
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My daughter loves it here. Great dance spaces and lots of parking. Friendly staff who work well with the kids. Top notch learning environment.
Andrea Houchen
Feb 26, 2021
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Friendly Happy Professional Studio! Dance Machine located in Bundoora (Uni Hill) is HUGE, has 4 studios with dance Tarkett flooring, Mirrors, Ballet Barrs, Heating and Cooling, comfortable viewing areas and two large change room areas. Working with some of these beautiful students I have seen their growth, happy smiles, create new friendships and reach their own personal goals! The students are treated equal and everyone is welcome! Its Everything you Want in a Dance School. Highly Recommend Dance Machine!
Dani De Vincentis
Feb 24, 2021
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My daughter is in the tiny tots group and Im just so impressed with the class. The teachers Alyssa and Erika and amazing young women who are so great with the little kids. Such a hard age group but the teachers keep the kids so interested the entire session. My daughter has learnt so much in such a short time. Everyone I have met at dance machine has been very friendly and helpful. Very very impressed
Sara
Feb 21, 2021
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Positive:Communication,Professionalism,Quality,Value
My 4 years old enjoys the class very much. Teachers are professional and patient with the kids, staffs are always helpful! Definitely recommend!
My 4 years old enjoys the class very much. Teachers are professional and patient with the kids, staffs are always helpful! Definitely recommend!
Sara
Feb 19, 2021
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Positive:Communication,Professionalism,Quality,Value
My 4 years old enjoys the class very much. Teachers are professional and patient with the kids, staffs are always helpful! Definitely recommend!
My 4 years old enjoys the class very much. Teachers are professional and patient with the kids, staffs are always helpful! Definitely recommend!
Laptop
Jul 25, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism
It's really good here. You get to dance and its a nice and warm environment for my 3 year old. She feels really comfortable with the teachers.
It's really good here. You get to dance and its a nice and warm environment for my 3 year old. She feels really comfortable with the teachers.
