02/02/2026
Dear Dance Department Teachers,
We’re thrilled to announce that The Australian Pinnacle Dance Challenge is coming to the Northern Territory in 2026 giving local schools the opportunity to be part of one of Australia’s most inspiring and inclusive dance events.
Dates: 17th: – 19th May 2026
Venue: AANT Centre
Since launching on the Sunshine Coast in 2017, this Challenge has grown to include over 100 schools nationwide, celebrating creativity, performance, and connection through dance. Our mission is simple — to provide equal opportunities for every school, student, and community to experience the excitement and professionalism of a national dance competition.
With an experienced adjudicator across all genres, cash prizes, and video critiques for every performance (included in the entry fee), this event is designed to support, develop, and celebrate dance in schools.
Competition Genres:
Cheerleading, Jazz, Lyrical, Classical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Student Choreography (as part of assessment), and Special Needs.
Age Divisions:
Primary: Prep–Year 3, Year 4–Year 6
Secondary: Year 7-9, Year 10-12 and Opens (Year 7-12)
(Year divisions may be revised based on entries.)
This Challenge provides a supportive and uplifting environment for dancers of all levels — from first-timers to full-time students — and can also be used as part of your students’ assessment or grading.
With over 25 years of combined experience directing dance eisteddfods, we’re passionate about creating a safe, professional, and encouraging platform that nurtures confidence, creativity, and growth.
About the Directors:
Maryan Pass trained in Sydney and the U.S., studying EDTA, RAD, and Cecchetti before specialising in contemporary and modern dance. She successfully ran her own dance school for 20 years, wrote a contemporary syllabus for IDTA, and led Australian teams to international success in Prague and Italy. A respected adjudicator for over two decades, Maryan is dedicated to developing young dancers through encouragement and expert critique.
Susan Thatcher has over 20 years’ experience in event coordination, working alongside Maryan to direct prestigious festivals such as the Noosa Spring Dance Festival and The Australian Pinnacle Dance Challenge. Her background in arts administration and communications ensures each event is organised with care and excellence.
We’re excited to partner with Northern Territory schools to make 2026 an unforgettable year for students and educators alike.
We’d love your school to join us for this incredible celebration of dance, creativity, and community.
For more information or to register your interest, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Cheers,
Susan & Maryan
Maryan Pass & Susan Thatcher
Directors
The Australian Pinnacle Dance Challenge
E: [email protected]
W:
