Introducing Our Principal...

Miss Lynda

Apart from her many professional qualifications and experience, Lynda is a mother and relates to all the students in her care in a very natural and nurturing manner.

Lynda began dancing at 5 years of age with her favourite style being Tap. Like most of her students, she enjoyed participating in exams and performing, and successfully completed her Jazz and Tap exams. She became involved in pantomimes run by the Two’s Company, Billo Theatre, and then spent two years performing in cabaret style floor shows, commencing as an assistant teacher at the age of 13.

As a member of the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (C.S.T.D.), she has held her full Teacher’s Tap Diploma since 1986.
Lynda established Eastern Districts Academy of Dance (EDAD) in 1990, and the school has enjoyed great success in competitions and exams with many students going through to Teaching Diplomas.

From 2000-2007, Lynda also taught Jazz, Tap, Classical & Modern at St Peter’s Collegiate Girls’ School, forming an extra curricular dance program in the Junior School from pre school to Year 6. 
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In 2008 Lynda was appointed CSTD State Organiser for South Australia.

Our Teaching Staff

Stephanie Searle

Stephanie has been involved with Eastern Districts Academy of Dance for over 20yrs, starting as a student at age 5. 

Stephanie has completed all of her CSTD exams in Tap, Jazz & Classical at Eastern Districts Academy of Dance and has since gone on to complete both her Tap & Classical Teacher’s Diplomas.  Stephanie is a member of The Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing and remains up to date with regular professional development.

In addition to teaching at Eastern Districts Academy of Dance, Stephanie is also a qualified Occupational Therapist working in in-patient rehabilitation.  She has also completed a Soft Tissue OT course and uses her combined knowledge and skills to promote safe dance practise.

Elyse Purkis

​Elyse has been a student at EDAD for over 20 years. Over these years, she has completed all C.S.T.D Tap and Modern Jazz exams, including the Dorothy Gladstone Award (Tapping), Gwen Mackey Gold Cross and Modern Jazz Shield performance exams. Elyse has also completed most C.S.T.D Classical exams, including the Elementary level major exam. In 2009, she was one of two students in South Australia to achieve a perfect score of 20/20 for her SACE dance.

​Elyse has been teaching at the school since 2006, and she hopes to continue doing so for many years to come. In 2013, Elyse received her C.S.T.D Teacher’s Certificate in Modern Jazz.
​At EDAD, Elyse predominantly teaches Modern Jazz exams, and has led the school in the C.S.T.D Jason Winter’s Contemporary Technique syllabus. As well as teaching exam classes, Elyse has a real passion and skill for choreography, and so is heavily involved in choreographing and teaching routines for competitions and the EDAD end of year concert.

In 2014, Elyse completed her Bachelor of Science (Space Science and Astrophysics) with a major in Physics, and in 2015 went on to complete a Graduate Diploma of Education (Senior Mathematics and Physics), both at the University of Adelaide. Elyse now works as a full time secondary school teacher, teaching Mathematics and Science.
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Maddi Barrett


​Maddi has been with Eastern Districts Academy of Dance for over 15 years. Over these years she has
completed all C.S.T.D Modern Jazz Exams, most C.S.T.D Tap Exams, and C.S.T.D Classical Exams,
including the Elementary level major exam.

In 2017 Maddi received her C.S.T.D Modern Jazz Teacher’s Certificate and is a member of The
Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing. 

Maddi enjoys teaching Modern Jazz exam classes as well as choreographing dances for the EDAD
end of year concert. ​

Our Student Teachers

Jai                                                                               Renee                                                                                  Lana

Our Assistant Teachers