Berthalia is a proud Torres Strait Island woman from the Peidu and Samsep tribes of Erub, Darnley Island. Growing up in a family with a strong Torres Strait Island cultural heritage, Berthalia has practiced her cultural dances from a young age which today shows through her passion for cultural dance and knowledge.
Berthalia began her technical dance training at National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) Dance College where she has successfully completed her Diploma in Professional Dance Performance and her AusDance Victoria Safe Dance Practice Certificate. Since graduating from NAISDA, Berthalia has been in the production of Stolen directed by Vicki Van Hout for National Theatre of Parramatta (NToP), worked with Force Majeure where she performed in Ghenoa Gela’s work Mura Buai and currently is the cultural sessional trainer at NAISDA Dance College. Berthalia is also currently studying for her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Newcastle where she aims to expand her knowledge within the performing arts sector.
Through dance and cultural knowledge, Berthalia plans to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth across Australia inspiring
confidence and pride in their respective cultural heritage.
2019/20 Season: CAMINOS 2019— Mura Buai