Tonia joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet at the beginning of 2008. Originally from Australia, she trained at The Australian Ballet School and last year performed in the school's production of Coppelia. She first came to the attention of the RNZB when she appeared as an extra in the Melbourne season of Dracula in 2000. In 2007 Tonia was awarded a scholarship to train with the School of American Ballet in New York and Toronto's National Ballet School. Tonia made her debut as a RNZB member in RED and was described by one critic as a dancer to watch. "Her exuberance and dynamic line is noticeable amongst the ranks."