Get to Know Our Dance Studio
Step inside our story and see what sparked the vision for Gumnut Dance. From the very beginning, we’ve been guided by heart, creativity, and a passion for making dance a joyful and inclusive experience for every mover.
Where It All Started
The Gumnut Dance Story
Gumnut Dance is a leading professional dance studio based in Mitchell, Canberra, offering creative and age-appropriate classes that inspire a lifelong love of dance.
Founded in 2013 by Justine Lennane, Gumnut Dance was born from a desire to create something different a joyful, inclusive space where every child could feel free to explore, imagine, and shine. When Justine couldn’t find a local class that captured that spirit for her young daughter, she decided to build it herself, drawing on her extensive background in dance education.
After a decade of extraordinary leadership, Justine passed the baton to Emily Lawrence, her long-time Assistant Director, who proudly continues to grow and nurture the Gumnut Dance community today.
With two professionally fitted studios and a dedicated team of experienced instructors, Gumnut Dance is a welcoming, supportive environment where children aged 2 to 18 years can discover the magic of dance, from their very first steps to their most confident performances.
What Guide Us
Our Mission and Vision
At Gumnut Dance, everything we do is guided by our mission to nurture creativity, confidence, and community that offers creative, inclusive dance experiences. Our values are the foundation of each class, each connection, and every step forward.
Passionate for Every Dancer’s Success
We strive to make every dancer’s experience in our studio to be positive, not competitive. That’s why we focus on creativity, connection and confidence over exams or trophies. Our classes are filled with imagination and room for kids to truly enjoy moving their bodies in a way that feels fun and freeing.
Caring Mentors
Meet Our Dedicated Teachers
Our team blends technical skill with genuine warmth. Every teacher at Gumnut is handpicked not just for their experience, but for their ability to connect, encourage, and celebrate each dancer’s progress.
Emily Lawrence
Leads Gumnut Dance with warmth, expertise, and a deep passion for creating joyful, inclusive dance experiences for every child.
Sarah
Sarah brings a vibrant mix of experience and energy to Gumnut Dance, inspiring young dancers with her passion for movement and creative teaching style.
Jahna
Jahna is a dynamic and passionate dance teacher with many years of experience in the industry.
Abby
Her enthusiasm and well-rounded dance encourage students through her passion for performance and nurturing teaching approach.
Olivia
Shares enthusiasm and a love for dance to her role as a junior assistant teacher, supporting classes and programs with energy, creativity, and care.
Sofia
Sofia has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary, and brings her stage experience in dance and musical theatre to every class she assists.
Bethany
Bethany is the warm, welcoming face of Gumnut Dance, always ready to support students and families with care, enthusiasm, and a friendly smile.
Amelia
Amelia brings her vibrant background in ballet, singing, and musical theatre to every party she hosts, lighting up the studio with positivity and energy.
Josie
Josie brings both her dance training and elite athletics experience to her role as a junior assistant, supporting classes and holiday programs with energy and enthusiasm.
Isla
Isla infuses her love of dance and team spirit to her role as a junior assistant teacher, supporting classes, holiday programs, and parties with enthusiasm and care.
Lacey
Lacey contributes both her diverse dance training and athletic discipline to her role as a junior assistant, supporting classes, holiday programs, and parties with enthusiasm and care.
