By Michael Burt
Urunga dancer Clare Beale is jiving her way into a stellar career at Australia’s leading performing arts training centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
Clare is her second year at NAISDA on the Central Coast studying for her Diploma of Professional Dance Performance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait people. The full-time course integrates Indigenous cultural knowledge, community connections, and contemporary dance practice.
Born in Urunga, the proud Kamilaroi, Manandanji and Darkinjung woman is encouraging other local young people keen on a performing arts career to join her at NAISDA in 2027.
“It’s been an amazing experience at NAISDA over the past two years. It’s been great for building confidence, and the trainers are excellent,” Clare said.
“NAISDA is also in a beautiful spot on the Central Coast, and I love where I am staying.”
“There are so many opportunities that come out of a NAISDA diploma, including studies at the Bangara Dance Theatre.”
NAISDA students are known as Developing or Practising Artists while they undertake training. The creative talents of Developing Artists are showcased each year at NAISDA’s performances and stage productions, and many NAISDA graduates continue to play key roles both onstage and off at companies such as Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Sydney Dance Company.
While at NAISDA, Clare’s goal is to increase her cultural knowledge, strengthen her dance skills, and performance skills to provide more professional opportunities. Her long-term plans are to join a professional dance company after completing her studies like Bangarra Dance Theatre or Sydney Dance Company.
Clare’s studies at another big step forward in dance career that began at four years old with local cultural. Clare has been taught by professional choreographer Gloria Briggs, performing at various workshops and local festivals. In 2021 Clare joined Bellingen High Schools cultural group ‘Budabung Bari’ performing in festivals including ‘Saltwater Freshwater’, ‘The Kingship Festival’ and ‘Dance Rites’.
For the past 8 years Clare has trained and competed at Eisteddfods in jazz, Cecchetti ballet, contemporary, lyrical and hip-hop.
Clare was provided with many opportunities to perform with NAISDA in 2025, including Vivid, Newcastle University NAIDOC Performance and Echoing the Future in the Artistic Director Charles Koroneho’s piece.
NAISDA is encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to apply for its 2027 intake with the launch of a new course aimed at those interested in live performance production.
To help mark it’s 50th year of training, the college has introduced a new course focusing on live production and technical skills: The CUA40425 Certificate IV in Live Production and Technical Services creates a new pathway into the creative sector and sits alongside NAISDA’s existing Dance Practice qualifications.
NAISDA CEO Kim Walker AM said it will open NAISDA to mob interested in careers across the performing arts.
“We know there are young people out there who are passionate about the arts, but don’t necessarily see themselves as dancers or choreographers. Obviously, that’s how NAISDA started, but as we celebrate 50 years we look to the future and are expanding our curriculum.”
“Students will gain practical skills in lighting, sound, staging, vision, hands-on industry experience, as well as cultural learning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Cultural Tutors.
“I am excited to see what our first cohort in Live Production will bring and encourage people who know someone with an interest to apply.”
For dancers and performers looking to take centre stage, NAISDA continues to offer four nationally accredited Certificate IV to Advanced Diploma pathways in Dance Practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Applications for the 2027 intake are now open and will close on 31 August 2026. Interested young people can find out more or apply at naisda.com.au/apply-to-naisda/.
