Andrea began her dance training at the age of 8 after a move from Townsville to Brisbane. Whilst studying education at university in order to become a primary school teacher she also continued her dance training and completed her teachers examinations in dance.
In 1981, after a twelve month working holiday in Europe, Andrea returned to Australia to start her own dance studio, Andrea Dalton Dance Dynamics, which in 2010 celebrated its 30th year of operation in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast. It has become one of the most successful dance schools in the area and has trained countless young dancers. Many former students are now performing in Australia and overseas and are also teaching dance in private studios and government schools. Students have also been successful in each genre and level of the ATOD scholarships at both State and Australasian level.
Andrea was elected to the ATOD Board of Directors in 1995 and in 1997 became an Examiner. She served as Company President for 7 years from 1999. Among the tasks that Andrea was involved in with ATOD was the development of the initial preschool dance syllabus (the current Pre Jazz 1) and the current Teachers’ Diploma Courses of which she was a core committee member.
Many voluntary tasks were undertaken during her time as a member of the Board, including the organisation of the original tap syllabus music (which is still in use in the current syllabus) and working on the original International Committee with Mrs Pam Broadbent and Mrs Jennifer Powell. In the latter capacity Andrea represented ATOD in teaching seminars in Indonesia, Beijing, Canton, Singapore and Hong Kong and established strong ties with these areas that continue today. As an Examiner, Andrea has travelled throughout Australia and abroad to encourage teachers in the use of the wonderful resources of ATOD.
In 2010 Andrea received a Life Membership from ATOD. She also received an Australia Day award from the Sunshine Coast regional council for her work in the field of Arts and Culture and a Rotary Award for Excellence in Vocational Business.
