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About Us

After 19 years under the banner of Burdekin Celtic Dancers and the retirement of Cheryl Medley, the Townsville studio is continuing under a new name.  As we are BCD at heart we felt we needed to continue the BCD name which is where Bella Celtic Dance has originated from. Our love of Highland and Irish dancing will continue through our new studio along with new and exciting adventures.

Bella Celtic Dance has found its new home at the Bella Dance Affairs studio after losing our studio in the monsoon in 2019. We love our new home and love the new direction the school is moving towards in supporting our sister studio with the inclusion of adult classes for Highland and Irish dancing and refocusing on traditional and modern forms of Highland and Irish dancing.

Bella Celtic Dance offers a range of classes that include:

• Competition classes
• Street dancing & performance classes
• Celtic Kids (for under 7 years)
• Ceili classes

Please see our Classes page for further information.
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Meet Our Teachers

Renee O'Farrell

NDA Advanced Highland Dancing Teacher
ADCRG Adjudicator (Irish)
TCRG Irish Dancing Teacher

Originally raised in the Burdekin region, Renee started learning Highland and Irish dancing under her mother Cheryl Medley. Renee successfully competed in both dance forms to the top level of Premier in Highland and Open in Irish and placing as high as 2nd at the Queensland State Irish Dancing Championships. In addition to her competition winnings, Renee also completed all of her NDA Highland Dancing exams up to her Advanced Teachers and all An Commisiun (CLRG) Irish Dancing exams before leaving home for university.  While continuing to dance throughout university, Renee was choreographing her own dances and starting to teach while home on holidays. Renee completed her TCRG  for Irish Dancing in 2000 being the first North Queensland dancer to pass all exams up to the teaching certificate. Renee opened a school with her mother under Burdekin Celtic Dancers in 2001 in Townsville, where she has inspired many dancers over the years and has seen some also complete their TCRG. In 2010, Renee completed her ADCRG exam and has enjoyed judging in New Zealand, North and South Queensland and New South Wales. 

Justine Milanovic

NDA Teacher
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Keeley Alexander

​NDA Student Member
NDA Trainee Teacher 
Premier Highland Dancer
Primary Irish Dancer

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Rebecca Edwards

NDA Student Member
Trainee Irish Teacher
Premier Highland Dancer
Intermediate Irish Dancer

Rebecca is a late starter in the world of dancing, having spent much of her youth pursuing music and theatre interests.  Rebecca finally entered the dance community, bringing her daughters as toddlers to classes, in 2012. She decided, at this time to take the step to try something new and hasn’t looked back. For the last 10 years, Rebecca has competed in Highland and Irish dancing working her way through the competition levels. She has also worked to complete NDA Highland dance exams and CLRG Irish dance exams with an aim to complete Teacher exams in the future. As a qualified high school teacher and past musician Rebecca is able to bring her skills onto the dance floor to assist with her own and others’ growth and love of dance.