Julia Fox began the Academy of Ballet & Movement in 1989 in the Uniting Church Hall Spring Road, Malvern. A few years later the name changed to Academy of Dance & Movement, as more dance styles were incorporated.

In 1995, the Academy of Dance & Movement began using the Australian Dance Assessment Programme learning strategies, which includes assessments not only in Classical Ballet but Jazz and Tap as well.

In 2001, after 12 years in Spring Road, the Academy moved to two venues, St.John’s Hall, Finch Street, Malvern East, and Southern Cross Ministries, Dandenong Road, North Caulfield.

In 2004, we moved to our current residence as part of St. John’s Community Hall, in Clarence Street, Malvern East, with two permanent studios, an optional third studio, office and reception area.

In 2007, The Academy is now an accredited ADV school, which means the students can receive VETAB accredited certificates, recognized in the Australian Qualkifications Framework.

The Academy is proud to be associated with ADV (Australian Dance Vision) who are the RTO (Registered Training Organization), which enables the Academy to offer the VETAB accredited Certificate I – IV in Dance Performance Studies 91249 - 91252NSW qualifications.

It is through being 'in training partnership' with Australian Dance Vision and using their adap (Australian Dance Assessment Programme) syllabi that we are able to offer such high quality training, allowing students to reach their fullest potential.

Unlike many other overseas run training associations they are a 100% Australian owned and run company so all of the proceeds from the assessment programme stays in Australia and provides jobs in the arts for Australians. Also unlike other overseas training associations the qualifications achieved are in line with the Australian education framework allowing our students to get additional credits towards their other studies.

Assessments for Classical Ballet, Jazz and Tap are held annually in June. The assessments give the students, teachers and parents valuable feedback as to how the students are developing and to ensure that students have gained competency in the level they have studied before moving onto the next level. See Australian Dance Vision at www.adv.org.au