Surf Coast adults find joy and fitness in dance

MANY adults on the Surf Coast are turning to alternative forms of exercise such as dance, swapping traditional workouts for something a little more creative – and a lot of fun.

At Surf Coast Dance Company, owner and director Melinda Hickey has seen firsthand how adult ballet and jazz classes are striking a chord with the community.

Since opening nearly four years ago, the studio has offered adult classes from day one, initially sparked by interest from parents of young dancers.

 

 

“We’ve offered adult dance classes since we opened, mostly because some of our mums wanted to get involved as well,” Hickey said.

What began as a class of just two has grown steadily, with around a dozen participants now attending ballet, alongside a strong jazz cohort. Plans are also underway to introduce adult musical theatre classes, with singing lessons already on offer.

For many, the appeal lies in the unexpected nature of the workout.

“They love being able to exercise and get fit by accident,” Hickey said. “They’re dancing, they’re having fun, they’re laughing.

 

 

“They often say it feels like ballet therapy.”

Beyond the physical benefits – cardio fitness, strength and coordination – dance also provides a powerful cognitive boost. Adult students learn choreography and musical timing, engaging memory and concentration in ways that differ from traditional exercise.

The classes cater to a wide age range, from teenagers with no prior experience to participants in their 60s, all sharing the same space in what Hickey describes as a “non-competitive, family-friendly” environment.

Importantly, the studio is also helping to break down long-held stereotypes about dance.

 

 

“We have people of all shapes and sizes… and over time their confidence just grows,” she said. “I feel honoured that they feel so safe in that space to just be themselves.”

That inclusive philosophy extends further, with Hickey also launching an all-abilities musical theatre program in collaboration with No Limits Geelong. The group, made up of adults with a range of abilities, is currently working towards an original musical performance later this year.

Hickey said all her adult classes are about more than technique.

“It’s just a group of adults having a really beautiful time together,” she said.