Effie Saloniklis

As a young child, I would stand in front of the mirror, copying the dancers I saw on Young Talent Time, a popular TV show from the 70s. It was then, I knew, I wanted to dance. My training began at Theaterama, a dance school in CBD Adelaide, where I immersed myself in a variety of dance styles, including Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Tap, and National. After dedicating 28 years to perfecting my artistry and passion for dance, I completed numerous examinations, reaching Advanced 2 level, and earned an Associate and Associate Diploma in teaching from the Imperial Modern Society, London.

As the years passed, I pushed the boundaries of choreography, striving to create stage shows that showcased large, dynamic casts—35+ dancers vying for prime spots in productions like West Side Story, Moulin Rouge, and Grease. These performances were a feast for the eyes!! During this time, I also learned the art of costume making and performance/stage craftmanship under the guidance of my beloved dance teachers who made their mark as professional dancers in the UK.

Simultaneously, I reached the pinnacle of my teaching career by preparing Advanced 2 dance candidates for examinations—a remarkable achievement while balancing a newly married life, raising two wonderful children and having achieve two University Tertiary Degrees. Teaching dance filled me with incredible "exhilaration”, and it was through these years that I developed the patience, kindness, and fierce commitment to mentor and coach students. Many of my students went on to build successful careers in both professional dance and teaching, which has been one of my proudest accomplishments.

Driven by the desire to share more of what I had learned, in the 2000s I branched out, establishing Direction Dance Academy. Over the next 10 years, the school grew into a formidable and respected institution within the dance community.

During my career, I further took on roles as a guest teacher in other community dance schools, educational schools and colleges. As a highlight, I had the privilege of working with elite specialty groups, including national and world-level skating and gymnastics teams.

As a passionate advocate for the performing arts, I have played a pivotal role in preparing individuals and groups for community performances, equipping them with the confidence, stage presence, and technical expertise to engage and captivate an audience. My teaching philosophy goes beyond simply imparting dance skills; I aim to foster a deep appreciation for theatrical expression, nurturing creativity, discipline, and a well-rounded performance repertoire.

Recognised in the prestigious Who’s Who of Australian Women awards, I am deeply committed to inspiring generations of dancers to embrace the transformative power of movement. For me, dance is not just a form of expression—it’s like flying!