Community & Business
5 September, 2025
Every step is a story
Last week, the Millmerran Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) partnered with Queensland Ballet to bring a series of workshops to the Pittsworth and Millmerran communities, giving people the opportunity to discover the magic of dance.
Dancing might not be everyone’s “cup of tea” but in recent years, research into the health and wellbeing benefits of movement through dance has more people asking the question - why can’t it be for everyone?
The recent program by MAPA and Queensland Ballet offered a safe space for toddlers, students, parents, grandparents and even great grandparents to be part of a celebration of dance, where every step is a story.
MAPA President, Natasha Hollis, said over 426 people aged between two and 93 years participated in the workshops.
Queensland Ballet Teaching Artists Mimi Van Burren and Myra Turner ran sessions for about 360 students at Millmerran State School, C.&K. Millmerran Community Kindergarten, St. Stephen’s Primary School Pittsworth and Pittsworth State High School.
A highlight was the free Schools Activity Day on Tuesday which welcomed around 60 students from Kindon, Brookstead and Leyburn State Schools to Millmerran, to take part in a rotation of activities including a dance workshop, pointe-shoe decorating, and a visit to Millmerran Library.
The workshop at Pittsworth State High School was themed in ‘Partnering’ which had participants working in pairs, developing knowledge of balance
and partnering techniques whilst experimenting with movement and choreo-graphy.
Community ballet and repertoire sessions were offered at the Millmerran Cultural Centre for participants aged six years and over, and an all abilities movement class was held at Annie’s House in Pittsworth.
Queensland Ballet Education Manager, Kath Cadd, said the focus of the program was to build on the work already established at the local dance studio in Millmerran, while creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to experience the joy of dance.
“Together with MAPA, we aimed to provide access to classes and workshops that enrich lives and wellbeing through movement, offer schools distinctive arts learning experiences, and foster a lasting connection between the community and Queensland Ballet,” Ms Cadd said.
“The response from the community was excellent and the feedback we received has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Even the old generation at Yallambee Aged Care in Millmerran had a visit from the Queensland Ballet Teaching Artists.
Residents benefited from a Ballet Serene session which is a seated, ballet-inspired movement class designed specifically for aged care facilities.
At the other end of the age scale, an intimate group of tiny tots attended the First 5 Forever Storytime Ballet session on Thursday morning.
MAPA partnered with the Queensland Ballet’s Community and Education team to bring to life a program tailored specifically for our communities.
Funding for the event was provided by Flying Arts Alliance, Best Wilson Buckley Family Law, GFG Projects and the Millmerran Community Support Services team.
“We are so thankful to the Queensland Ballet Educational Outreach Team
for bringing this fabulous opportunity to our community,” Mrs Hollis said.
“We can’t wait to hear all of the stories, memories and experiences created during their tour to our region and hope to invite them back again soon.”
Ms Cadd said Queensland Ballet would be delighted to return to the area in the future, to work with MAPA again, and continue building connections and sharing the joy of dance with the community.
The program also shone a spotlight on the importance of performing arts in schools to foster creativity an emotional development.
As the saying goes - a life without ballet would be pointe-less.
