Hinterland Dancing Academy was established in 1978 at Nerang by Annette Ashenden with a small group of students which grew rapidly to encompass one hundred students, all of whom were taught classical ballet, contemporary dance and jazz. It was during this first year that Annette took over from (our patron) Patricia Macdonald at St Hilda's teaching ballet and jazz within the school curriculum, which she has continued to do for 30 years. The school grew rapidly as word spread throughout the local community of its reputation, that of personalised attention, disciplined but fun classes and the retention of family atmosphere.
Robert
Coddington joined HDA in 1988 as a principal dancer in the end
of year production of Nutcracker at the Arts Centre. Enjoying
working with the students he accepted work as a teacher assisting
Annette the following year, during which HDA spread its wings
to a second studio at Pindara Sports Clinic. The opportunity to
use such a wonderfully equipped studio encouraged numbers to grow
and necessitated more staff, developing the schools further within
the four years that HDA was in residence. Unfortunately as the
hospital area grew the sports clinic was taken over so HDA had
to find another "home" (except for the original Nerang
Studio which was working very well). Arrangements were then negotiated
with St Hilda's School to refurbish an area for teaching ballet
in school but also to house HDA after school hours. All things
became final only weeks before Pindara closed with all requirements
being realised from sprung floor to ceiling fans etc etc.
At the announcement of the brand new studio
Robert added the news of his intention to marry Miss Annette!
This started off a wonderful 1994, followed by the opening of
the Ipswich studio in 1996 developing the studio even further.
During these successful years many students have gone on to a
professional life as dancers, teachers and actors, but even those
who have chosen a different path have been affected by becoming
focused, disciplined, obtaining goals and working with professional
people in a professional setting. The motive for HDA starting
is what keeps it successful today... to share the love of dance
with its students.
2005 saw a new beginning for HDA with teaching commencing in the brand new studio at Trinity Lutheran College, Ashmore Road, Ashmore. Annette Ashenden will still be affiliated with St Hilda's School teaching both preparatory and Grade 1 levels within school. HDA also took over Gold Coast School of Performing Arts in 2005 to establish a permanent base in Nerang to provide singing lessons
and encourage drama.
