ABOUT US
Destructive Steps Dance Association was established to support, develop, and elevate street dance culture in Australia. What began as a grassroots event has grown into a nationally recognised organisation delivering festivals, youth initiatives, professional development programs, and public outcomes for street dance artists.
At the heart of DSDA is a commitment to community. We work closely with dancers, choreographers, educators, councils, and arts organisations to create inclusive spaces where street dance is respected as both cultural practice and professional pathway. Our programs prioritise representation, skill development, leadership, and long-term sustainability for artists working within street dance forms.
DSDA is best known for producing Destructive Steps, Australia’s largest street dance festival, which brings together local, national, and international artists in a celebration of freestyle, competition, and exchange. Alongside the festival, we deliver year-round initiatives that nurture emerging talent, support established practitioners, and strengthen the street dance ecosystem.
Built from the underground and guided by lived experience, DSDA continues to advocate for street dance as culture, career, and community.
CORE VALUES
COMMUNITY
We place people and collective care at the centre of everything we do, building spaces where street dance communities can connect, grow, and lead together
cultural integrity
We honour the roots, practices, and lived histories of street dance, ensuring culture is respected, represented, and passed on with integrity.
access & inclusion
We create pathways that remove barriers, prioritising access, representation, and opportunity for dancers across backgrounds, identities, and generations.
Excellence
We commit to high standards in artistic practice, event delivery, and professional development, supporting street dancers to thrive at every stage of their journey.
sustainability
We work towards long-term, sustainable futures for street dance artists through fair opportunities, skill-building, and sector partnerships.
VISION
Our vision is a future where street dance is recognised, resourced, and respected as culture, career, and community, with dancers supported to work, lead, and thrive across Australia and beyond.
our Team
alice ‘arisse’ tauv
President/Executive Director
Arisse Tauv (she/they) is a multi-faceted professional DJ, street dancer, teacher, community leader, event producer and curator of TeoChew decent, based on Gadigal Land, Eora Nation. Drawing upon street dance’s core values of collaboration, adaptability, and authenticity, she infuses these principles into every facet of her work across all disciplines.
amelia duong
Vice-President/Creative Director
Amelia (She/Her) is a street dancer and event director/organiser at DSDA Inc., with a deep appreciation for various street dance styles, particularly Locking and Waving. Her approach emphasizes personal expression, style, and contextual understanding as she continues to evolve and experiment in her practice. Amelia is an active member of the local street dance community, participating in battles, showcases, and jams, while also teaching, mentoring, consulting, and directing various community initiatives and dance events.
Josephine maltese
Secretary/Volunteer Coordinator
jp lee
Treasurer/Operations Manager
JP has been breaking since 2014 and currently represents his crew, 143 LSF. An active member of the street dance community, he supports and helps run events as part of the DSDA team.
sabrina tang
Marketing Coordinator
matthew Tsang
Community Engagement Manager
Matthew, also known as Bboy Confusion, is a breaker from North West/Inner West Sydney, representing 143 LSF and Technical Difficulty. With over 12 years of experience, he has competed locally and internationally, while also teaching, organising events, and facilitating weekly Monday breaking sessions at 143 Liverpool Street. A long-standing member of the DSDA team, Matthew has grown from intern to Community Engagement Manager and continues to support the Sydney dance community through leadership, mentoring, and ongoing practice spaces.
beatriz fernandez
Design Lead
Beatriz (b) Fernandez is a Filipino-Australian graphic designer based in Sydney. She’s a house dancer and waver and first got involved in the street dance community in 2020 through the UNSW Hip Hop Society. Since then, she has designed designs branding and promotional materials for local street dance events and organisations.