About
Kids and Adults Dance Classes in Coffs Harbour
HPAC delivers industry-leading tuition in the major genres of theatrical arts – Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Pilates, and Drama.
Classes are held at our studios in Coffs Harbour, with additional classes available at Nambucca Heads and Valla Beach.
Highly regarded students and teachers
Our students are highly regarded in the local and wider dance communities – not only for their technical and creative excellence, but also for their love of the arts, their camaraderie, and their sportsmanship.
School History
1970
Harbour Performing Arts Centre, as it’s known today, can be traced back to the 1970s. During this time, the principal was Val Jenkins.
1980
Around 1980, Toni Allen took over as principal, with the studio located in Duke Street where a community hall existed. The school originally followed the Cecchetti ballet syllabus, although today we follow the RAD syllabus.
1985
In 1985, the school was renamed the Coffs Harbour Dance Studio, with Louise Condon as its principal.
1996
Kate Barber owned the school from around 1996 and the ballet syllabus changed to RAD (Royal Academy of Dance). The studios were located upstairs in the Jetty shopping village.
2002
Jacqueline Hoole became the new owner in 2002, moving the school to its present location in Keona Circuit.
2007
Now known as Harbour Performing Arts Centre, the school has been under the direction of Francesca Montanaro since 2007.
Former Students
Cassie Lee
So You Think You Can Dance (TV) 2008
Meredith Wilson
Top 100 So You Think You Can Dance (TV) 2009
John Sandurski
Danced in Europe with leading companies and is now a classical tutor at the Queensland Ballet Academy.
Lily Potger
Australasian Dance Collective
Max Jones
Ballett Zurich
Asha Khamis
independent artist in Melbourne
Hannah Mourin
Austi Dance and Physical Theatre
