T: +61 2 8006 9975

About MPA

At Macquarie Performing Arts, our mission is to provide students with more than just dance classes. We are committed to delivering a high-quality dance education that supports each student’s physical, technical, and personal development within a safe, structured, and nurturing environment.

Our highly qualified and experienced teaching staff bring extensive knowledge across a wide range of dance genres and are dedicated to maintaining professional standards in every class. All staff members hold a current Working With Children Check and uphold the highest standards of care and responsibility.

Located in West Ryde, Macquarie Performing Arts offers professional, age-appropriate training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Lyrical/Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Acrobatics.

Established in 1991 by Directors Lisa-Maree and Elizabeth Derby, the studio combines a warm, welcoming atmosphere with a disciplined and purposeful approach to training.

We believe dance plays a vital role in developing confident, well-rounded individuals. Whether a student is a complete beginner or pursuing advanced, pre-professional training, we offer carefully structured classes from preschool through to senior levels, ensuring clear pathways for growth and progression.

Our programme promotes coordination, confidence, musicality, and strong technical foundations, while fostering a genuine love of dance. We take great pride in watching our students grow in strength, posture, artistry, and self-belief.

Macquarie Performing Arts has a strong history of success at dance competitions, including Sydney Regional and Australian National Finals, and has produced numerous national title holders across solo, duo, trio, and group categories.

Many of our students have progressed to full-time training at prestigious institutions such as The Australian Ballet School, English National Ballet School, London Studio Centre, and other leading colleges, with graduates working professionally in classical ballet, musical theatre, and commercial dance worldwide.

At Macquarie Performing Arts, we are passionate about excellence in dance education and about guiding each student to discover their individual potential through the art of dance.

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Welcome To
Macquarie Performing Arts

The Premier Performance Studio

Macquarie Performing Arts is located in West Ryde and offers professional, age-appropriate training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Lyrical or Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Acro with a strong focus on technical foundations, confidence, and long-term development.

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Classes We Offer

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Examinations

Macquarie Performing Arts offers structured examination classes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theatre. All examination classes are taught within an enjoyable, progressive, and technically sound framework, designed to support each student’s development while maintaining a positive and encouraging learning environment.

We provide a wide range of examinations and assessments suitable for students of all ages and abilities. These are carefully designed to build strong technical foundations, encourage musicality, expression, and creativity, and foster confidence through clear goal setting and achievement.

We recognise that students come to dance for many different reasons and at varying stages of their development. To support this, Macquarie Performing Arts offers multiple pathways to suit both vocational training and dance for enjoyment, including:

Pre-Graded Examinations
Graded and Vocational Graded Examinations
Assessments
Dance Theatre Awards

All students receive formal recognition for their achievements through certificates and, where applicable, detailed mark breakdowns. Macquarie Performing Arts is an inclusive studio, and all examinations and assessments are open to every student.

We strongly encourage participation in examinations, as they help develop focus, discipline, and technical accuracy, while providing students with a clear sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Eisteddfods and Competitions

Participation in Eisteddfods and competitions, either as a soloist or as part of a troupe, provides students with valuable performance experience and helps build confidence and stage presence.

Students interested in competing as an MPA soloist or troupe member should discuss this with Lisa-Maree or Elizabeth Derby.

Dance troupes play an important role in developing advanced skills, performance quality, and teamwork. Troupe selection is by invitation only, and members are expected to commit to regular weekly rehearsals, with additional rehearsals scheduled as competitions approach. Troupe members should also be available to participate in approximately three to four Eisteddfods each year.