Dance teachers in North Mackay 

Sandra Danastas

TCRG, ADCRG, Member RAD, MBAL, Member CSTD, Trinity College, London (Piano Grade 8) - Studio Principal and Director

Sandra commenced dancing in Mackay at the age of five. She competed successfully until the age of 23, winning many premierships, titles and aggregate awards throughout North Queensland. Throughout her dancing years, Sandra had tuition in Highland, Irish, Ballet, Tap and Character Dancing. Highland and Irish Dancing was her first love, and these were the areas that she chose to specialise in.

Sandra passed the BAL/NDAA Elementary Highland Dancing Teacher's Examination in 1986 and then went on to pass the BAL/NDAA Intermediate Highland Dancing Teacher's Examination in 1995. Sandra passed the BAL/NDAA Irish Dancing Teachers Exam in 1988 and when the North Queensland Irish Dancing Teachers became affiliated with an Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha, Ireland she decided to continue her studies in that area and in 1998, Sandra became the first person in Mackay to pass the TCRG (Teachers Qualification) with the Irish Dancing Commission (IDC), Ireland. Sandra furthered her Irish Dancing qualifications when in 2007 she became the first teacher in North Queensland to become a qualified ADCRG (Adjudicator) with the IDC, Ireland.

Sandra joined the teaching staff at IDA in 1993 and became principal of the studio in 2006. Sandra not only has a wealth of experience in the art of dance but has also successfully completed to Grade 8 in piano with the Trinity College, London. Sandra enjoys teaching and choreographing and is delighted to be Principal at IDA where she shares her passion, knowledge and experiences of dance with her students.

Judy Vidulich

Bachelor of Education, ABTA Registered Coach Level 1 & 2, ABTA Judge Level 1, Acrobatic Arts Teacher (Module 1)

Judy began Twirling in 1981 with the Proserpine Baton Twirlers. During her teenage years, Judy competed in both individual and team events at local, state and national levels. Moving to Mackay in 1992, Judy maintained involvement with both Proserpine and Sarina clubs. With experience in coaching all age and ability levels, Judy has had many opportunities to extend her knowledge and skills in coaching and judging, utilising her Twirling network of Australian and overseas coaches. Judy is currently an executive committee member of Twirl Queensland Assoc Inc. and a State representative on the Australian Baton Twirling Assoc committee.

Judy has been the Baton Twirling coach at IDA since 2011. Judy also enjoys participating in team events at competitions and performances with our Senior Twirlers. Her passion for Twirling inspires our Twirlers to challenge themselves and excel to great heights with many of them gaining the titles of State and National Champions. In 2023, Judy and five of our Senior Twirlers travelled to Liverpool in England to compete in the World Baton Twirling Championships in solo, pairs and team events. Two of our Twirlers were successful in reaching the final, with one of our Twirlers taking home a Bronze medal.



As well as being a talented Baton Twirler, Judy is an accredited Acrobatic Arts (Acro) teacher! She enjoys creating a fun, nurturing and safe environment for our Acrobats to enjoy learning new skills, flips and tricks!

Judy also holds a Bachelor of Learning Management and is a Primary School Teacher and Principal. 

Jan Mills

A.R.A.D., Examiner R.A.D., R.A.D Advanced Teachers Diploma, RAD RTS., C.S.T.D. Classical & Theatrical Teachers Diplomas - Guest Ballet Teacher

Jan was trained in Mackay, Central Queensland studying Classical Ballet, Tap and Jazz. She has been teaching for the past 40 years and has been an examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance since 1990.

In addition to regular teaching, Jan enjoys tutoring at workshops in various cities, coaching students with examination preparation, choreographing routines for dance competitions and above all, nurturing skills and a passion for dance in all young students.

We are privileged to have Miss Jan as a guest teacher at International Dance Affair.

CRYSTAL DANASTAS

Bachelor of Learning Management (Early Childhood), TCRG (Reg. Teacher IDC, Ireland & AIDA Inc), Teacher NDAA Highland

Crystal began dancing at International Dance Affair at the age of four and during her time as a student, she learnt Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Highland and Irish forms of dance. In addition to many Eisteddfods and Examinations in Ballet, Tap and Jazz, Crystal has had a successful career as a competitor in both Highland and Irish dancing, where she has won many Titles and Premierships across the State of Queensland. She has competed successfully at State, National and International level and has qualified to compete at the World Irish Dancing Championships on numerous occasions. Her dream to compete at the World Championships became a reality where she represented Australia in Glasgow at the 2018 CLRG World Championships.

Crystal was the first dancer in Queensland to obtain the CLRG Dancers Diploma for completing all twelve Grade Exams. Crystal obtained her Highland Dancing Teachers Certificate with the National Dancing Association of Australia in 2007 and in 2022 she travelled to Melbourne to successfully pass the TCRG Teachers Examination with An Coimisiun le Rincí Gaelacha, Ireland, the most prestigious Irish Dancing governing body in the world.

Crystal also holds a Batchelor of Learning Management degree, specialising in Early Childhood Education. Crystal's knowledge and love of dance is certainly an asset to the students at IDA.

TORI McNEILLY

Dance Force Pre-Professional Year, RAD Advanced 2 Diploma of Dance, CSTD Grade 9 Jazz, CSTD Level 5 Contemporary, CSTD Adv Gold Star, IASF Level 1 and 2

Tori started her dance journey in Mackay at the young age of three, right up until she was eighteen. Following this, she moved to the Gold Coast to train professionally at Dance Force Studios. It was there that she had the opportunity to work alongside industry leading professionals, learning all styles of Choreography and performing in professional level shows.

Prior to her professional career, Tori studied all CSTD and RAD examinations up to and including Advanced 2 Ballet, Grade 9 Jazz, Advanced Gold Star Tap and Level 5 Contemporary.

Tori brings with her a wealth of experience and an array of incredible choreography ideas which she enjoys passing onto the Contemporary, Jazz and Tap students at IDA.

Tarni stevenson

ATOD Gold Medal Ballet and Jazz, CSTD Grade 8 Jazz, Level 4 Contemporary