The Groove Story
Grooving with NSW Primary Schools Since 2011
Groove Nation is one of the most trusted and chosen providers of Primary School dance programs in NSW. We’ve been operating for well over a decade, delivering inclusive and creative dance classes. Our team is small but mighty and is made up of extremely passionate and talented teachers.
Our dance programs are designed to meet the curriculum and are injected with fun choreography, modern music and infectious groovy energy!
We are 100% convinced that primary schools deserve quality dance programs that support teachers, foster student diversity & inspire creativity and confidence. We know that through dance, children thrive, children find their confidence and believe in themselves.
We are dedicated to providing a holistic approach to school dance programs and take care of everything that is involved from designing the programs, organising the classes, providing the resources and execution of final dance presentations.
Why Choose Us
When you choose Groove Nation,
you're guaranteed...
Fully qualified, insured & highly-experienced Dance Teachers
Access to our Online Teachers Portal, full of resources like links to the curriculum, assessment rubrics & complimentary classroom activities & music links
Stress-free programs with everything included: quality sound systems, microphones, the latest and greatest music professionally cut and edited for age appropriateness
Curriculum compliant, fresh & fun, custom choreography to cater for all abilities
Our Motto
Support
Foster
Inspire
Our Team
Meet Our Groovers
Amy
Creative DirectorAmy has danced since she could walk and continues to live and breathe all things dance (just ask her husband who deals with boxes of costumes that block his view of the Sunday afternoon footy on TV).
She is a Sutherland Shire local who loves exploring new places, early rising, the beach, singing (even though she admits her passion far outweighs her talent in this area) and…. science!
Amy has a background working in forensics and completed a science degree prior to starting Groove Nation. Yes, the white lab coat is now a world away from her dance pants. Amy also holds a Bachelor of Primary Teaching, which she completed with a Distinction average and loves find ways to connect with the diverse range of students K-6 across both mainstream and special needs schools.
You can find her outside of work spending time with her husband, five and three year old kids, walking her Groodle by the name of Wally (or Walter when he’s in trouble) or attending a ballet at her favourite building – the Opera House.
Rebecca
Team LeaderSince the age of 3 Bec has not stopped dancing. Having had 3 older brothers that were only ever interested in football and cricket, Bec’s mum was relieved that she finally had a girl and she loved to dance. From the moment Bec stepped into her first Pre Primary ballet class that was it, the next 30+ years were set.
Bec grew up in the Mid North Coast towns of Wauchope and Port Macquarie where, if she wasn’t at the studio you would find her at the beach. After two years of full-time dancing, Bec made the decision to complete a Bachelor of Dance Education and made the big move to Sydney. From there, that lead her to working for Groove Nation where she has been for the last 7 years, loving every second.
Bec also has a keen interest in working with students with special needs. On Fridays you will find her in the classroom teaching at a SSP school.
Outside of work she enjoys attending the theatre as often as possible, traveling, spending time with family and relaxing by the beach.
Ashlee
Head Teacher & Parent Account CoordinatorAshlee has been dancing since she was just 5 years old. She found her love of dance as soon as she entered her first Beginner Jazz class at a local Campbelltown dance school, Breanna’s Academy of Dance. From then on, Ashlee hasn’t stopped doing what she loves.
Ashlee has performed in many events in her dance career and also picked up some acting roles as a background extra. You may spot her in a few Home and Away scenes.
Now Ashlee shares her passion for dance through teaching. She has been teaching dance for many years now. Ashlee loves to share her experiences and what she has learnt in her year of full-time at Brent Street. She completed a Diploma of Dance in 2017 and remembers this year being one of the best years of her life. So inspiring and motivating for the future.
Ashlee spends most of her time in a dance class teaching but when she is not doing this you would find her outside for a nice walk or spending time with her family. She is always finding a way to make her family laugh. If you asked them, they would say she is the funny one in the family. You may also find her painting terracotta pots as this is another hobby she has found herself to be really good at.
Ashlee loves being part of the Groove Nation team!
Nicolette
Head Dance TeacherNikki started dancing at the age of 3 and since that day she has love dancing and knew she wanted to be a dance teacher when she grew up. Nikki loves sharing her passion and love of dance to her students, inspiring them and growing their love for dance as well.
Growing her teaching skills Nikki has completed a certificate in ballet teaching and loves teaching all styles of Dance and performing professionally whenever she can.
Away from dancing and teaching Nikki spends her time down the coast learning to surf, working on her car and exploring new beaches with her two dogs Tyson and Lulu who love being in the water more than her.
Taylor
Casual Dance TeacherTaylor has been dancing since the age of 2, with training and performance in a versatile range of styles including Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballet and Tap. Taylor’s dedication to inspiring her students and devotion to their love for dancing helps create an exhilarating environment for all those she teaches. Taylor completed a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Management at the Australian College of Dance in 2019, proceeding to choreograph various group, solo and duet routines for Regional Dance & Local Shire Eisteddfods. In 2020, Taylor completed her Dance HSC with Ev & Bow, receiving ‘Call Back’ nominations for both her Major and Core dance performances. Taylor is currently studying a Bachelor in Education (Primary), fulfilling both her love of inspiring and teaching children as well as assisting them achieve their own goals and aspirations in the process. Taylor’s experience and growth in teaching obtained in her young career combined with her versatile creative and educational interests has allowed her the opportunity to coach students in various fields including: English, Maths, technology, Film, Science, Visual Arts Dance and Drama. You can find her outside of work spending time with her two younger sisters, playing basketball, boxing, photographing or talking to her new pet African Grey (yes she absolutely loves birds).
Amy
Creative DirectorAmy has danced since she could walk and continues to live and breathe all things dance (just ask her husband who deals with boxes of costumes that block his view of the Sunday afternoon footy on TV).
She is a Sutherland Shire local who loves exploring new places, early rising, the beach, singing (even though she admits her passion far outweighs her talent in this area) and…. science!
Amy has a background working in forensics and completed a science degree prior to starting Groove Nation. Yes, the white lab coat is now a world away from her dance pants. Amy also holds a Bachelor of Primary Teaching, which she completed with a Distinction average and loves find ways to connect with the diverse range of students K-6 across both mainstream and special needs schools.
You can find her outside of work spending time with her husband, five and three year old kids, walking her Groodle by the name of Wally (or Walter when he’s in trouble) or attending a ballet at her favourite building – the Opera House.
Rebecca
Team LeaderSince the age of 3 Bec has not stopped dancing. Having had 3 older brothers that were only ever interested in football and cricket, Bec’s mum was relieved that she finally had a girl and she loved to dance. From the moment Bec stepped into her first Pre Primary ballet class that was it, the next 30+ years were set.
Bec grew up in the Mid North Coast towns of Wauchope and Port Macquarie where, if she wasn’t at the studio you would find her at the beach. After two years of full-time dancing, Bec made the decision to complete a Bachelor of Dance Education and made the big move to Sydney. From there, that lead her to working for Groove Nation where she has been for the last 7 years, loving every second.
Bec also has a keen interest in working with students with special needs. On Fridays you will find her in the classroom teaching at a SSP school.
Outside of work she enjoys attending the theatre as often as possible, traveling, spending time with family and relaxing by the beach.
Ashlee
Head Teacher & Parent Account CoordinatorAshlee has been dancing since she was just 5 years old. She found her love of dance as soon as she entered her first Beginner Jazz class at a local Campbelltown dance school, Breanna’s Academy of Dance. From then on, Ashlee hasn’t stopped doing what she loves.
Ashlee has performed in many events in her dance career and also picked up some acting roles as a background extra. You may spot her in a few Home and Away scenes.
Now Ashlee shares her passion for dance through teaching. She has been teaching dance for many years now. Ashlee loves to share her experiences and what she has learnt in her year of full-time at Brent Street. She completed a Diploma of Dance in 2017 and remembers this year being one of the best years of her life. So inspiring and motivating for the future.
Ashlee spends most of her time in a dance class teaching but when she is not doing this you would find her outside for a nice walk or spending time with her family. She is always finding a way to make her family laugh. If you asked them, they would say she is the funny one in the family. You may also find her painting terracotta pots as this is another hobby she has found herself to be really good at.
Ashlee loves being part of the Groove Nation team!
Teaghan
Head Dance Teacher Nicolette
Head Dance TeacherNikki started dancing at the age of 3 and since that day she has love dancing and knew she wanted to be a dance teacher when she grew up. Nikki loves sharing her passion and love of dance to her students, inspiring them and growing their love for dance as well.
Growing her teaching skills Nikki has completed a certificate in ballet teaching and loves teaching all styles of Dance and performing professionally whenever she can.
Away from dancing and teaching Nikki spends her time down the coast learning to surf, working on her car and exploring new beaches with her two dogs Tyson and Lulu who love being in the water more than her.
Lucia
Head Dance TeacherRachel
Dance Teacher
Tanya
Dance Teacher Taylor
Casual Dance TeacherTaylor has been dancing since the age of 2, with training and performance in a versatile range of styles including Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballet and Tap. Taylor’s dedication to inspiring her students and devotion to their love for dancing helps create an exhilarating environment for all those she teaches. Taylor completed a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Management at the Australian College of Dance in 2019, proceeding to choreograph various group, solo and duet routines for Regional Dance & Local Shire Eisteddfods. In 2020, Taylor completed her Dance HSC with Ev & Bow, receiving ‘Call Back’ nominations for both her Major and Core dance performances. Taylor is currently studying a Bachelor in Education (Primary), fulfilling both her love of inspiring and teaching children as well as assisting them achieve their own goals and aspirations in the process. Taylor’s experience and growth in teaching obtained in her young career combined with her versatile creative and educational interests has allowed her the opportunity to coach students in various fields including: English, Maths, technology, Film, Science, Visual Arts Dance and Drama. You can find her outside of work spending time with her two younger sisters, playing basketball, boxing, photographing or talking to her new pet African Grey (yes she absolutely loves birds).
Ange
Casual Dance TeacherMiss Ange is what most call her! Students, friends & family. As she began teaching at 16 and took on this name with such pride. Growing up in the ‘Shire’, Miss Ange started out as a freelance teacher before opening her
studio in 1999 to present. Joining Groove Nation in 2017 has been a joy teaching in a school environment giving all children the opportunity to dance.
Ange is also a qualified early childhood educator, although not in a centre anymore she loves teaching her pre-schoolers at her studio. In her spare time Ange loves to spend time with her family, supporting & driving her kids 18,
16 & 14 to their dedicated sports – football, motorbike & dance. Weekends are just as full as the weekdays! There is always time to head to the Theatre with her daughter to watch the latest musical.
Courtney
Assistant TeacherThe Five Pillars of 'Grooviness'
Our team of Primary School dance teachers is picked using our Five Pillars of Grooviness, so you can be sure your students are in good hands.
Passionate
They must live and breathe all things dance and love sharing their passion for dance.
Role Models
We only hire the best! All of our teachers must be exceptional role models for kids.
Experienced
An obvious requirement, they need a super strong background in dance!
Sense of Humour
This may be THE most important pillar; we love to have a laugh with the kids and teachers in our classes.
Unique
We’re so grateful for our diverse team & each of their strengths. They bring the best versions of themselves every time.
Ready to join the fun?
We've been on quite the journey since our humble beginnings...
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Amy Tasker (Groove Nation’s owner) decided (after seeing another daggy bush dance performance where the kids didn’t know the steps), that all schools deserved access to quality dance programs. So, she set out to change the status quo of school dance.
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After much research (and sifting through mountains of curriculum paperwork), Groove Nation began with its very first school.
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With growing positive feedback, the Groove team grew, as did the number of happy schools, Principals and parents (thankfully, bush dance rates continued to decline).
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The first ever ‘rural’ program took place in Lithgow! This further fuelled a passion to help schools in need... with free dance programs.
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Groove officially became ‘Created by Teachers’, as Amy Tasker graduated from her Bachelor of Primary Teaching degree with a distinction average.
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We delivered our first free dance program to a school in need – this was a major goal of ours from the start (cue major celebrations!).
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The biggest number of schools ever are now experiencing Groove Nation and we continue to offer more programs, train more staff and get more feet grooving than ever before. We have also reached over 800 primary students for free this year thanks to our ‘Help Project’.
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We continued to develop and improve our online teacher resources to ensure that our programs, communication and professionalism are of the highest standard. Our new motto also came into play… support teachers, foster diversity and inspire creativity!
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From day one, we have mainly worked with schools in the Sutherland Shire and St George areas.. but this was the first year we expanded our horizons and ventured into the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs and what a year it was!! Wow.. absolutely loved exploring new areas and meeting such wonderful new people.
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This was the year set to break all records.. until.. Friday the 13th of March. Schools shut their doors and we momentarily had no work for the first time in 8 years. Until that is, Groove Connect was born! Our online dance program was put together and distributed quickly and not without support from some AMAZING people. We will be forever thankful for this year. We also won two national business awards and became an approved Creative Kids Provider. Onwards and upwards into 2021!
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Just when we thought the pandemic was behind us, disaster struck again. Thank goodness for Groove Connect which enabled us to keep grooving throughout computer screens!
We've even scored some awards along the way!
Get in Touch
Dance Programs for Schools in NSW
We’ve worked with primary schools and learning centres across Sydney, Illawarra, Central Coast and South Coast for well over a decade. We are proud to have an outstanding reputation for nurturing diversity and providing an equitable learning environment for all students.