Tahlia Winton started dancing in her bedroom at the age of eight years old. Fast forward 17 years and she's now the proud owner of her very own dance school; Winton Dance Academy. She sat with Danielle Wilcock to discuss where her unwavering passion for the arts originates, and spoke of her business journey as well as the teaching philosophy she swears by. Picture: Ben Gross

A LITTLE encouragement is sometimes all it takes to succeed. 

In Tahlia's case, it was her mother's overwhelming support that first introduced her to the world of dance. 

"I started doing jazz and tap at nine years old but before this I would always be the best dancer in my bedroom," she says.

"It was Mum who said to me, 'I need to get you into dancing'. 

"She said 'I think it would be good for you to learn from a professional'. 

"At first I refused, I turned a blind eye." 

After much persistence, Tahlia agreed to sign up to her first tap and jazz lesson and, soon after, the dance bug well and truly kicked in.

Tahlia's passion for dance and the arts only enhanced from this point. 

Up to this point, Tahlia had what she regards as a typical childhood.

Born in Mildura and one of three siblings, she grew up playing in the outdoors with her two older brothers, among the dirt and the bush. 

"I grew up with my brothers – I loved being on the motorbikes, in the dirt and riding horses," she says.

This had an overriding influence on her as a child and she admits to being quite the tom boy growing up, an image far removed from her theatrical, bubbly, arts persona she presents today.

But thanks to her mum, Tahlia found her calling at a young age, she found dance.

She went on to study the arts in Mildura up to Year 12, then spent the following four years in Melbourne at APO Arts Academy. 

"I think moving away really opens your mind and it broadens your horizons," she says.

"I loved studying in Melbourne, I met lots of people but it really made me appreciate Mildura and where I came from.

She admits to being extremely grateful for her parents' support throughout the entire process.

"I had the kind of parents that supported me regardless of what I wanted to do in my life," Tahlia says. 

"Having that unconditional support was amazing."

Upon returning from Melbourne with her qualifications in dance, Tahlia was offered an exciting opportunity at the Ballet Guild in Mildura.

From January 2016 to August 2018 Tahlia was the Guild's resident hip-hop teacher.

"In 2016, they held a workshop trial for hip-hop," she explains.

"I had 35 kids rock up, which gave me the drive and the passion to go ahead and let my voice be heard to those kids.

"To have children come up to you and ask for your feedback was incredible.

"I felt as those I had planted myself somewhere and left my footprints.

Tahlia's work ethic and passion for competition brought about much success. 

Each year, Tahlia took teams representing the Ballet Guild away to Bendigo, Melbourne and Adelaide competitions.

"The first year the team won, which was an amazing achievement for them. It's not all about winning but it provides them and myself with a sense of achievement and recognition for all the hard work," she says.

"The second year we went away to a competition in Bendigo, which was extremely hard, the competitors were very tricky."

Tahlia explains the team she took for this particular competition excelled.

They topped first place above full time dance groups, which was no easy feat.

It was these successes that served as a driving force behind Winton Dance Academy's establishment.

"The kids at this competition really knocked it out of the park," she explains.

"But I was doing a lot of things for myself off my own back which was great for me, but I felt as though it was maybe time to go out on my own and start taking the credit for myself.

Establishing Winton Dance Academy was an organic next step for Tahlia.

To navigate and manage her own students was something she was not only open to but ready for.

The academy offers hip-hop, jazz, tap and technique and she talks about a desire to provide a safe space for her students, one that promotes acceptance and self-appreciation. 

"My school is open to everyone, we welcome all shapes and sizes, abilities and ages," Tahlia says.

"I wanted to provide that safe space with a positive vibe for students to be themselves.

In August 2018, Tahlia made a quick yet somewhat smooth transition from teaching at the Ballet Guild to establishing Winton Dance Academy.

Within a matter of weeks, Tahlia had rented the space she still occupies on Ninth Street in Mildura and set up her very own dance academy – a pipe dream she admits to always having. 

"I'm very grateful to the Guild for what they did for me and the people I met there," she says.

"But it was always a dream to one day own my own dance school."

Typically business ownership is not without its trials and tribulations. 

Tahlia was asked if she had encountered any drawbacks in the setting up and maintaining of her new business.

"Is it okay to say that it's been too good to be true?" she responded.

"I never had any doubts. It was a big risk but I was incredibly chilled about it." 

She talks about the acquisition and setting up of her studio.

"The building was vacant for a while, but as soon as I walked in I knew it was right," she says.

Her thrifty ways helped cut costs and minimise startup expenses.

"It was a dance school prior, so I just had to replace mirrors and buy myself a speaker," she says.

"I tried to be as smart as I could be and deck it out as best I could. 

"It was already a great space with a real urban vibe to it."

In all Tahlia has been teaching dance for four years.

Her teaching style and philosophy is very much based on her open minded approach to life and promotion for self-acceptance.

"When the students walk out the door I want them to feel better than when they walked in," she explains.

"Confidence really is why I do what I do. I want to teach dance but ultimately I want my students to love themselves and be confident.

"In today's society it's very hard, there's a lot of labeling and pressure.

"We often have five minutes in each class to be appreciative of what we are and what we're capable of."

Many of Tahlia's students spend the majority of their extracurricular time in her studio, something she values.

"Some of my students dance here 15 hours a week. It's a big part of their life.

"Dance is a way of life for me. As cliché as it sounds, my students are my family.

"I feel a connection with my students and parents. I take on roles as a sister, friend and mentor, which is something I'm comfortable with." 

When it comes to her aspirations for the future, Tahlia admittedly has many.

"I have too many plans, I'm living in 2024 right now. Sometimes I need to remind myself to slow down," she explains.

"But one of my many aspirations is to offer a program for students to get their dance certificates."

 Despite the many goals she's set for herself, including dreams to one day venture overseas and learn from international dance teachers, it's Tahlia's passion and appreciation for dance's therapeutic effects that serves as a catalyst for her business success.