Develop life skills to achieve your goals!
Located in Bundoora, Victoria, IPA supports people of all ages and abilities to build real-world skills, increase independence, and gain confidence to participate in the community. We focus on each person’s individual goals—whether you’re an absolute beginner or an experienced professional looking to refine your abilities. Build confidence through meaningful skill development and achieve what matters most to you.
Our focus
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Expressive skills including gestures, tone and body language
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Clear articulation and vocal projection
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Repairing communication breakdowns
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Turn-taking and reciprocity
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Self advocacy skills and building self esteem
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Executive functioning skills including memory
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Task initiation, receiving instruction and providing instruction to others
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Qualifications
With more than a decade as a VIT-registered teacher, Matt McFarlane has seen how targeted skills training can strengthen the abilities people rely on every day—communication, emotional regulation, social interaction, problem-solving, and confidence.
He created Inclusive Performing Arts to offer a personalised, goal-focused approach that supports individuals of all ages and abilities in building the practical skills needed for daily life.
Drawing on over 20 years of professional experience in education and the creative industries, Matt has shaped IPA into an evidence-based program designed to develop real, functional skills for everyday living.
General structure of classes:
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Goal setting and management
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Skills-based warm ups
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Use of scripted and improvised scenarios to develop skills
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Refinement of training based on individual needs of participant
The use of recording equipment plays an important role in refining essential skills. By reviewing their recorded scenes and scenarios, participants can visually identify strengths and areas for improvement. This process provides immediate, meaningful feedback, helping individuals track their progress and work more effectively toward their short and long-term goals.
Consistent practice of these life skills supports neural plasticity, which contributes to increased confidence and improved self-esteem.
NDIS participants:
Inclusive Performing Arts proudly provides evidence-based skill development and training for all ages and abilities - it does not discriminate. NDIS participants are welcome.
Services
Next step...
Whether you’re a beginner or a working professional, simply complete the form below or contact info@inclusiveperformingarts.com to book your first session.
Your initial session will be a one-on-one lesson where we discuss your goals and preferred learning style. From there, you can choose to continue with individual training or transition into small-group sessions, depending on what best supports your development.
Individual Classes
Individual classes are ideal for anyone looking to develop specific goals, build skills, and gain confidence in a private, one-on-one setting. Suitable for both beginners and experienced participants, each session is tailored to what you want to achieve.
(Contact for pricing.)
Group Classes
Developing new skills is often most effective when collaboration, social connection, and teamwork are part of the process. Our group classes provide the opportunity to practise and refine skills in a supportive small-group environment, guided by personalised coaching. Each class is capped at just five participants to ensure an inclusive atmosphere where every individual’s goals, learning style, and pace can be accommodated.
(Contact for pricing.)
Additional services...
Matt is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and a professional Singer/Dancer/Actor of over 20 years, and also offers performance mentorship for professional and pre-professionals looking to embark on a career in the Performing Arts. Services include:
Self taping and Audition coaching for Drama Schools
First impressions are everything. Consider professional audition coaching to really nail that self tape or in-person audition. Many current and previous students have achieved selection for WAAPA, VCA and NIDA, as well as roles in Australian film and television.
Showreel Production
Showcase your talents on a professional performer showreel, crucial for landing an Agent or building a profile. Write, film and edit your new showreel that showcases your best qualities.
School/Organisation workshops
Inclusive Drama, Dance or Musical Theatre workshops offer your school/community a tangible value add. Developing confidence, controlling performance anxiety and building trust and ensemble are skills we need to take our artistic endeavours to the next level. As a qualified and experienced VCE Drama and Dance Teacher, all of the schools-based workshops I do aligns with current VCAA Curriculum.
Workshops for organisations can be tailored to accommodate the varied ages and abilities of your community!
Matt McFarlane - Teacher
Qualifications:
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Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registered Drama, Dance and Music Teacher for over ten years.
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Graduate of WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) with Bachelor's Degree.
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Current working with children check (WWCC) First Aid, Anaphylaxis and Asthma training.
Fun facts: I have performed in the professional musicals 'CATS', 'Love Never Dies', 'Guys and Dolls' and 'Into the Woods', and my very first television job was on 'Kath and Kim'! Recently, you might have seen me on Episode 3 of Season 5 of 'Utopia' on the ABC!
Testimonials
"Matt oozes entertainer from the moment you meet him. His genuine love for all things acting and coaching children is inspiring and impressive. Matt advertises that his program 'provides a safe, unique and highly personalised learning environment', I wholeheartedly agree with this, however he has given my son so much more than that. Matt has ignited a passion and engagement he hasn’t gotten anywhere else.
Our son now has an agent, auditions and best of all a solid role model who has helped to instill a strong sense of self and purpose."
Ashley