Creative Dance & Yoga for Children
Joyous and nurturing experiences through dance, yoga and music for children from 2 - 12 years old
2025 classes are open for enrolments
Group sizes are limited to 10 children
Term 1 Fees (8 weeks)
Parent & 2 year olds
$185 early-bird pricing (until 7 Feb)
or $200 regular price
3-12 year olds
$145 early-bird pricing (until 7 Feb)
or $160 regular price
A trial class ($25) can be arranged upon request
2-year olds and parents
Wednesdays
11:15 am - 12 pm
3 - 5 year olds
Wednesdays
10 am - 10:45 am
5 - 8 year olds
Wednesdays
4:15 pm - 5:15 pm
8 - 12 year olds
Wednesdays
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
What is Creative Dance for Children?
In our classes children engage in a variety of activities, from dynamic movement to moments of stillness and relaxation. We recognise the importance, more than ever, to create opportunities for children to be physically active while fostering a rich imagination. We aim to create a safe and playful setting where children can directly engage with one another both physically and emotionally with presence.
Creative dance springs out of yoga, and yoga practice is an integral part of each class. We explore postures through playful sequences, supporting body awareness, building strength and fostering a stamina for focus. In our classes we bring a diverse selection of music genres and styles, and engaging props, to inspire our dance and artistic expressions.
We look forward to meeting you and your young one!
If you have any queries, please contact Julie Aares on 0491 057 924 or julie@thereddoorstudio.com.au
Julie Aares
Creative Dance Teacher
Since she was a child, Julie has been enjoying dancing and moving along to bopping beats and playful tunes. Growing up she tried out a variety of dance styles and when, as an adult, she came across Creative Dance, Julie fell in love with this form of artistic dance expression.
Julie says: “I find Creative Dance fun, playful, nourishing and enriching! It extends my movement range and widens my scope for imagination and artistic expression. It is also such a wonderful way to connect and communicate with other participants in this non-verbal language of movement.”
Julie has taught Creative Dance and Yoga to adults and children of various ages, both in Norway and in Australia.
After completing her Diploma of Creative Dance and Yoga in 2013, Julie taught toddlers and 2-year-olds with parents at Lieto Creative Dance Studio. In 2015 she moved to Norway for three years where she loved teaching Creative Dance and Yoga to school-aged children. Returning from Norway Julie shared creative dance with mothers and babies. When the covid pandemic brought a lull to social interactions, Julie’s focus shifted to designing and building a home studio from where she could offer creative dance and yoga classes to the community. With building complete, Julie is now delighted to return to sharing creative dance experiences with adults, youth and children.
Julie holds a Diploma of Creative Dance and Yoga from The Mangala Studio of Yoga and Creative Dance. She undertook her initial yoga teacher training in Norway, with 300-hours of fundamentals training from Oslo Yoga.
In addition, Julie has undertaken a 50-hour certification in Holistic Yoga and a 50-hour certification in Yoga for Children and Youth. She has attended numerous workshops with practitioners such as Peter Hokey, Anahata Giri, Donna Farhi, Lisa Petersen, Mia Hozona, and Kastub Desikachar, to name a few, and she continues to deepen her knowledge in yoga and movement.
Our Creative Dance teachers
Anna Phan
Creative Dance Teacher
Anna is a passionate Drama, Dance, and English teacher with over 14 years of experience inspiring young minds in Melbourne schools. As Head of Drama at several institutions, she has directed numerous productions and taught VCE Drama and Dance, merging her love for creativity and movement with her commitment to education. Research underscores the importance of creative thinking in today’s world, and creative dance fosters this from an early age.
Anna’s performing arts and dance journey began at age of three at Mangala Creative Dance Studios, where she developed a life-time love for self expression and imagination. Later she studied classical ballet, completing her Royal Academy of Dancing Level 7 examination, and explored a wide range of styles, from jazz and flamenco to contemporary dance.
Later, Anna completed a Bachelor of Performing Arts and a Graduate Diploma of Education from Monash University. In 2006, she completed a Diploma in Teaching Creative Dance from Mangala Studio, solidifying her expertise in early childhood movement education. Since then she has continued to dance weekly and completed workshops with local and overseas teachers.
In 2024, Anna took parental leave to care for her three-year-old twin daughters. Seeking an imaginative movement class for them, she was disappointed by the lack of engaging options. Finally, she found Lieto Creative Dance in Fitzroy, which reignited her passion for creative dance for children. This experience inspired her to assist in classes and eventually to develop her own teaching style, blending her dance background with her extensive teaching experience.
“I love combining dance, drama, music, and design in my creative dance classes,” Anna says. “My background as a drama and dance teacher allows me to introduce imaginative play, character exploration and the joy of movement in ways that resonate with children.”
She believes that childhood is a precious time for exploration and creativity and is passionate about providing enriching experiences that children-and their parents-will cherish forever.
Now, as part of The Red Door Studio, Anna is excited to share her love of creative dance with families across Melbourne. She warmly invites you and your little ones to join her on a journey of movement, creativity and connection.