Dance Academy

- Season 2

(2012)

After a perfect summer holiday with her boyfriend Christian, Tara returns to the Academy to begin her second year. On her arrival is the news that the Prix de Fonteyn - a prestigious ballet competition - will be hosted in Sydney.

Tara finds a new mentor to admire in Saskia Duncan, the youngest principal dancer in the Company's history.

First-year student Ben Tickle is put in second-year classes because of his talent, but gets off on the wrong foot with the students, namely Sammy and Christian, for being judgemental and self-absorbed

Tara's ecstatic when her mentor, Saskia, is appointed to teach the Second Years at the Academy while she recovers from an ankle injury. But she rapidly discovers that 'perfect' Saskia may not be the supportive teacher she hoped for.

Showcase, a breakout event in the commercial dance calendar, is fast approaching. When Sebastian questions the impressiveness of Ethan's piece, a solo with Abigail, Ethan rushes to include a chorus of dancers, including Grace.

Sammy's brother Ari arrives at the Academy, throwing his hectic schedule into havoc. Meanwhile Tara is having self esteem issues when it comes to the looks department.

Tara's concern about the time she spends with Christian is impacting her dance study leads her to suggest they 'pause' their relationship.

Tara decides to take action after realising that Saskia's continual critique of her dancing could jeopardise her mid-year exams.

The Bensta uses his "new tattoo" as a tool to impress Kat. Sammy insists they all get one and he convinces a reluctant Christian. Ben finally admits that his tattoo was a fake.

Sammy returns home for his Grandpa Morrie's funeral and to ask his father to support his Academy tuition. While an act of sabotage severs frenemies Tara and Abigail, Kat auditions for the Moulin Rouge.

Grace encourages Tara to take action against Saskia's treatment of her; Kat commences training for the Moulin Rouge which leads her to a big realisation, and Sammy is assigned a Third Year, Ollie, as a tutor to get him through his exams.

Saskia's bullying of Tara results in a painful injury. Kat convinces Miss Raine to grant her an audition to return to the Academy but has to let Abigail train her.

Determined to prove Saskia wrong, Tara risks serious injury and possible expulsion to compete in the Prix de Fonteyn Preliminary Round. Kat is on top of the world when she's allowed back into the Academy.

Whilst recovering from her broken back, Tara discovers a hidden side to Ben who is volunteering in a hospital leukaemia ward performance. Back at the Academy, Kat struggles with the culture shock of First Year.

Tara negotiates her return to the Academy after being expelled. Meanwhile, Ethan's search for ongoing employment leads him to a position choreographing a fringe musical.

Sammy and Ollie's friendship heads into unchartered territory when they go on a road trip so that Sammy can compete in a Prix de Fonteyn regional round, while Christian joins them to reconnect with his estranged father, Raf.

The escalating conflict between the first and second year students results in a hip-hop dance battle to determine which year has the greatest talent, and Tara becomes unhinged when Grace entices her to become less serious.

During an excursion to the circus, Christian's dad makes promises he's unable to keep. Tara tries to repair her friendship with Kat and Sammy goes public about his new romance.

Tara opens herself up to love again and hunts for a new crush. Finn, the director of a fringe musical, tries to convince Abigail to be the star of his new show, and Grace goes to extreme lengths to get Zach's attention.

Abigail's best efforts to balance her ballet commitments with the fringe musical splinter when a leaked staff email discounts her chances in the Prix de Fonteyn.

The Academy students experience stinging prejudice from the judges during the National Round of the Prix de Fonteyn, just as Sammy's father visits the competition to watch his son dance for the first time in years.

Grace's father retracts a promise to visit her at the Academy, her self-assurance spirals. Grace continues to make a play for Zach's attention, leading her to manufacture a serious accusation.

During rehearsals for 'Peter Pan' Ben tries a variety of tactics to prove to Tara that he's a leading man, while Kat's efforts to research her character in the production lead to a realisation about her relationship with Christian.

Christian is persuaded by Kat the declare his feelings in case she wins and transfers to Moscow.

After a sudden tragedy, the Academy students must find a way to come together and help each other out in this time of darkness.

Abigail and Tara join forces to go head-to-head with a formidable enemy. Christian has to choose between the girl he loves and his desire to escape and Ben is offered an opportunity of a lifetime.