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Anny Salerni has been teaching same-sex dance classes for over 30 years. In fact, she has spent most of her life in dance studios rather than out of them.  The journey began, with her starting lessons at the age of 5 at May Down’s Dance School in Melbourne.  the teachers were tough, but she couldn't get enough, she danced on.

Anny spent her childhood and adolescence, performing in paid pantomimes, song and dance/ or theatrical competitions, being an extra for the Australian Opera Company, and odd gigs whenever they came up.  Her training included styles such as:  

Jazz & Classical Ballet, Tap and Contemporary Dance until the age of 18, when Anny hung up her theatrical dance shoes for greener pastures, she was seeking something a little different.

An opportunity arose, so Anny then took up Ballroom & Latin-American Dancing as a Professional at the age of 19 yrs.  This was a full time position at Rio Dance Studio in Prahran.  Within a few years Anny become a professional member of the Australian Dancing Society (ADS), the biggest society of its kind at the time, in Victoria.  

After a several years teaching for Rio Dance Studio, and then freelancing at Granada Dance Centre and Essendon Dance Academy, among others, Anny decided to branch out on her own, in around the mid 1990’s.  

Anny's first studio was named Dance Cats Studio (yes she loves cats).  This studio took many years to build and develop, but was a success after lots of hard work, determination and sheer stubborn-ness.  Against the odds, this tiny studio in the heart of Fitzroy in Melbourne, became the only full-time dedicated/ 6-day-a-week space for the LGBTQI+ Community, in Australia (and possibly the world at the time).  This was something Anny was always very proud of.  And they said it couldn't be done.... 

Success came in many forms with this little studio, such as the many budding couples participating in various key international LGBTQI+ Dance Events around the world; winning Bronze, Silver and Gold medals.  Another very proud achievement for Anny and the studio.  The peak period for this studio (in regards to student numbers) was when the Gay Games went to Sydney and Dance Cats Studio had 27 couples represented at the time.  We were a force to be reckoned with! 

In the late 90's came the start of a long tradition, with Anny organising the first of the now well established Midsumma Festival event – The Australian Same-Sex DanceSports, held in Melbourne annually, for almost 20 years when the studio was sold. 

In 2011, an ABC documentary was made about Dance Cats Studio with Anny as its protagonist, all thanks to Nick Bird and Eleanor Sharpe at Waterbyrd Filmz.  The documentary ‘Ballroom Rules’ aired as part of the ArtScape Series by the ABC.  This film showcased 3x couples in their training and exploits, highs and lows, on their way to the Gay Gaymes in Cologne, Germany.   

Dance Cats was sold in 2012 due to Anny planning on retirement from the dance industry, but as with many things in life, things changed.  Her love of dance was too strong and drove her back to the dance floor.  Hence, the inception of Queer as Foxtrot in 2016.

Anny anticipates that she will continue to contribute to the LGBTQI+ Community's dance scene in Melbourne, for the foreseeable future.  She loves what dancing brings to the party - including its many, many benefits (such as exercise and social benefits, etc.), and always hopes to see new students arriving to her beginners' classes to share her enjoyment of this wonderful artform and the dancing adventure.

Anny and the many friendly and welcoming members of Queer as Foxtrot, look forward to seeing you on the dance floor soon.  New and returning members are always welcome!