About Toepaz Academy
A Community Like No Other
Toepaz Academy in Melbourne's Whitehorse community offers top-notch facilities and training, with an Excellence in Business Award from the City of Whitehorse in 2020/2021.
We provide a safe, joyful environment, nurturing life skills. Our diverse classes cater to all ages and abilities, and we're continuously innovating.
Join our welcoming community for high-quality training and the joy of dance and the performing arts at Toepaz!
Our Story
Featuring Toepaz Dancers 2023
Moomba Parade - Opening - The Parade
Toepaz Academy: Your Pathway to Your Success
Toepaz Academy (previously known as Toepaz Dance Studio) has become one of the City of Whitehorse’s most recognised and respected performing arts institutions.
Our state of the art facilities and modern studios serve as a second home to children and teens from across Melbourne. We were honoured to be nominated for the City of Whitehorse Excellence in Business Awards in 2019 and 2020/2021 and thrilled to take home the winner’s title in 2020/2021, presented by the Whitehorse Board Members.
Toepaz has been invited to perform at many prestigious events such as Whitehorse Festivals, Galas and the Moomba Parade, including the honour of opening the televised event in 2024, an unforgettable experience for our students and community.
At the heart of Toepaz Academy is a commitment to developing not only performers but confident, well rounded individuals. Whether students dream of a professional career in the performing arts or simply love to dance, act, and sing, we offer a nurturing environment where they can thrive emotionally, socially, and creatively while receiving the highest quality professional training. Innovative Programs for a Changing Industry.
Toepaz Academy continues to innovate and tailor its programs to reflect the needs of today’s performing arts industry. Our programs supports a wide range of performers and is updated annually to remain industry relevant and forward-thinking.
In 2025, we launched several exciting programs, to support Dancers | Singers and Actors including:
Rising Star Program – For elite-level dancers seeking focused, advanced training.
Industry Program (Years 10–12) – Designed for students preparing for careers in dance and the performing arts.
Performance Pathway – For aspiring Triple Threat performers, offering specialised training in Dance, Singing, and Acting, including private vocal coaching and AMEB vocal examinations.
Toepaz Academy is more than just a school, we are a community built on kindness, support, and connection. We welcome students of all skill levels, backgrounds, and aspirations. Whether recreational or career focused, beginner or advanced, students benefit from a wide range of classes offered six days a week, delivered in a structured, fun, and inclusive environment.
Our students have gone on to perform in a variety of professional settings, including:
Moomba Parade
Dreamworld Parade (2026)
Gala Events, Festivals, and TV Performances
Professional Musicals and Youth Dance and Theatre Companies
NRL Live Events
TV Commercials, Series, and Modelling Work
We are also proud to see our students accepted into prestigious full-time dance institutions, such as: Victorian College of the Arts, Brent Street, Patrick Studios Australia, Transit Dance, and Spectrum Dance.
At Toepaz Academy, we prepare students not only for the stage but for life. Through our training, they develop not only technical excellence but also resilience, discipline, and lifelong friendships..
FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF TOEPAZ ACADEMY , STEPHANIE NELSON
Our Mission Statement
At Toepaz Academy we strive to provide high-quality dance and performing arts training to students of all ages.
Students are taught with passion and enthusiasm in a friendly, organised and disciplined environment whilst practising safe dance practice and improving dance technique, ability, dance artistry, life skills and physical fitness.
This is demonstrated through the exceptional and highly skilled Teaching Staff and Administration Team.
Our students are encouraged to become technically skilful and at the same time build valuable skills that can be applied to all aspects of life such as self-esteem, teamwork, and leadership skills whilst having fun and developing strong friendships.
All students are encouraged to experience the love, joy, confidence, creativity and freedom that dance and the performing art brings. Each student is unique and Toepaz will nurture each student’s journey recognising that every student has its own.
Toepaz was so honoured to be presented the WINNER of the Small Business Award Category for the 2020/2021
Whitehorse Excellence Business Awards as well as was nominated for the award in 2019!