Canoru Dance School Logo

Our Story, Our Passion

The people and vision behind Canoru Dance School

The Canoru Journey

Founded in 2018, Canoru Dance School emerged from a simple vision: to create a space where contemporary dance could thrive as both an art form and a community experience. Our founders, having trained across Australia and internationally, recognized a need for a dance school that balanced technical excellence with artistic freedom.

The name "Canoru" derives from the Latin word meaning melodious or harmonious, reflecting our belief that dance is a symphony of movement, emotion, and connection. What began as a small studio with a handful of passionate dancers has grown into Lake Krystelville's premier contemporary dance institution.

Today, we serve over 200 students annually, from curious beginners discovering movement for the first time to advanced dancers preparing for professional careers. Our curriculum draws from diverse contemporary techniques including release-based movement, improvisation, contact work, and somatic practices.

We're proud to be part of the Lake Krystelville arts community, regularly collaborating with local theaters, hosting performance showcases, and providing our students with opportunities to engage with visiting artists and choreographers.

Meet Our Team

Our instructors bring diverse backgrounds, professional experience, and a shared commitment to nurturing each dancer's unique potential.

Team member 1

Isabella Harrison

Artistic Director & Principal Instructor

With over 15 years of professional dance experience across Europe and Australia, Isabella founded Canoru to share her passion for contemporary movement. She holds a Master's in Choreography from the Victorian College of the Arts and has performed with renowned companies including Chunky Move and Sydney Dance Company.

Team member 2

Sophia Nguyen

Senior Contemporary Instructor

Sophia specializes in release technique and improvisation, bringing a somatic approach to her teaching. A graduate of Queensland University of Technology's Dance program, she has choreographed for independent theater productions and teaches workshops nationally on embodied movement practices.

Team member 3

Marcus Thompson

Advanced Technique Instructor

Marcus trained at the Australian Ballet School before transitioning to contemporary dance, giving him a unique perspective on technical precision and expressive artistry. He has performed internationally and brings rigorous training methods combined with creative exploration to his advanced classes.

Team member 4

Amelia Rodriguez

Beginner & Youth Programs Coordinator

Amelia's warm teaching style and patience make her beloved among new dancers. With a background in dance education and developmental psychology, she creates welcoming environments where students build confidence alongside technique. She develops our youth curriculum and community outreach programs.

Team member 5

Oliver Kim

Guest Choreographer & Composition Instructor

Oliver joins Canoru as a guest artist, bringing expertise in choreographic composition and performance creation. His work has been presented at festivals throughout Asia-Pacific, and he guides our advanced students through the creative process of developing original choreography.

Our Core Values

Inclusivity

Dance is for every body. We welcome students of all backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels into our community.

Creativity

We nurture individual artistic voices, encouraging exploration and personal expression alongside technical development.

Excellence

We maintain high standards in teaching and performance while supporting each dancer's journey at their own pace.

Community

Dance connects us. We foster supportive relationships among students, families, and the broader arts community.

Our Facilities

Canoru's purpose-built studio in Lake Krystelville features professional-grade sprung floors, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, high-quality sound systems, and natural lighting. Our 250 square meter main studio accommodates classes of various sizes, while our smaller rehearsal space provides intimate settings for private lessons and creative development.

The facility includes comfortable changing rooms, viewing areas for families, and a student lounge that serves as a gathering space for our dance community.