Tessarna Cora is a proud descendant of the Dhungutti people on the New South Wales Mid North Coast and the Minjungbul clan of the Bunjalung nation. She’s been blessed to grow up learning, practising and performing traditional dances from the Nunukal Yuggera peoples of Minjeribah (North Stradbroke Island) since she was young. Through practising traditional dance she has had the opportunity to perform in events as part of dance troupes Bunjalung Kunjiel and Biren Cultural Group including small community events, Bleach Festival, Kinship Festival and the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner in Los Angeles, California in 2023. In the past year she’s been furthering her training and experience at NAISDA and has trained under industry artists such as Thomas E.S. Kelly, Deon Hastie, Kerrie Smith and Chima Valavanis. She has also been able to experience and practice other cultures from around Australia including dances from NSW with Jo Clancy and Stu McMinn, Yolngu dances from North East Arnhem Land under Aunty Heather Mitjangba Burarrwanga and Uncle Tony Mudalyun Ganambarr and Torres Strait Islander songs and dances from Moa Island under Uncle Dujon Niue and Aunty Jeanette Fabila. Tessarna’s goal is to further her dance training, cultural knowledge, and build her professional networks to shape a prosperous career in the Australian dance landscape.