S.H.A.K.E Teachers
SENIOR TEACHERS
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Nikki began ballet training with Shirley McMahon at age 7 and then Jazz and Tap at age 13 with Sandra Breen, later moving to Qld Ballet School with Mary Heath. She worked part-time in various theatre and club shows professionally from the age of 15 and then switched to a 9 to 5 office job after realizing she was 7 inches too short for Moulin Rouge! After working for a number of years part-time dance teaching & performing at random events , she began S.H.A.K.E. in 1998 and her dream of wearing lycra and legwarmers and enjoying every day of her life has been fulfilled.
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It all started when she was 3 years old: Georgia Pierce was cast as the role of Number 3 in the Number Rumba for S.H.A.K.E. Dance School’s 1999 concert. With the help of Miss Nikki and the other S.H.A.K.E. teachers, Georgia went on to complete her CSTD exams in modern jazz, contemporary, tap and ballet, including being the first person in Queensland to pass Premier Danseur. She has completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance Performance) at QUT and is the resident contemporary teacher at S.H.A.K.E. Choreographically, Georgia pursues dynamism facilitated by contrast. She predominantly develops dances from a single movement concept, quirk or aesthetic to present a holistic work that flows, intersects and loops with itself. Georgia performs professionally as a Contemporary Dancer in various productions in South East Queensland.
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Jo began her dancing career at the tender age of 4 years in New South Wales. Her family moved to Brisbane when she was 9 and this is when she joined the Southern Academy of Dance under the guidance of Miss Sandra Breen OAM. Jo has been a part of the Southern Academy of Dance for over 40yrs where she completed the theatrical, jazz and tap syllabi and achieved her full tap teacher’s Diploma at age 21. Jo’s choreography skills were honed with a certain Miss McIntyre on her parent’s unit roof top when they were 14 to Lady Bump. Jo joined S.H.A.K.E. many moons ago teaching tap and continues to, whilst also teaching at Southern Academy of Dance.
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Jasmine began dancing at S.H.A.K.E in 2013 studying a multitude of genres including Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Tap and Ballet. Very quickly she found her true passion in the style of Jazz and after the completion of her CSTD Modern Jazz exams she went on to achieve her Modern Jazz Teachers Certificate. She trained part time at RAW Dance Company for three years under the tutelage of Industry professionals including Jack Chambers and Vanessa Frisca, and in this time completed her Certificate III in Dance and Diploma of Musical Theatre. Jasmine has been a part of many projects, shows and productions within the Brisbane Dance community such as VIBE Creative Brisbane, Lorna Jane Move It Crew, Dancing for Ellen Reed and performing at Gold Coast Industry night. She is very passionate about dance and loves sharing her knowledge with her students. Jasmine has completed a Diploma in Dance (Elite Performance) at Dynamite Studios.
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Kate has been dancing since age 4, learning ballet with Shirley McMahon School of Ballet (one of the schools Miss Nikki danced at!). Since then, and moving to Shake, she has received distinctions in all her exams with the Royal Academy of Dance and Comdance exams. She auditioned for Ballet Theatre of Queensland at age 10 and performed in their company for 5 years. Kate received her Comdance Classical Teaching Certificate in 2019. She is the second person in Queensland to have passed the Comdance Classical Premier Danseur exam (after Miss Georgia from Shake!) and attended Sydney Dance Company for a secondment in 2020. Kate teaches ballet, contemporary and jazz at S.H.A.K.E. and loves to see her students achieve. She really enjoys the friendship and support that S.H.A.K.E. Dance School provides.
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Aurélie has been formally trained in voice since she was six by some of Kansas City’s most prominent vocal coaches, as well as dance and theatre since she was 8. She majored in Vocal Performance at the UMKC Conservatory, and began teaching private lessons immediately after.
She made her directorial debut last August with Theatremaker’s bimonthly concert MUSIC THEATRE JAM (‘Birthday Bash’ and ‘Halloween Edition’). Just recently, she wrote and performed her 5th cabaret show, ‘Ruby Slipper Chronicles’ back in the States, which will make it’s international debut here in Brisbane at the beginning of June. Aurélie is also stepping up for the first time as choreographer in the ’24 HOUR MUSICAL PROJECT’, to be performed on April 9th, 2017.
Some of her reviewed performances include Joanne in RENT at the Brisbane Powerhouse, Christine Colgate in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, Morticia Addams in the Brisbane premiere of THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL, Roberta in ZANNA, DON’T!, Leading Player in PIPPIN, Linda in EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL (2 seasons), and Kathy in COMPANY.
Aurélie has an intense zeal to bring her knowledge and experience to each and every student.
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Anneka began her dance training at the Queensland Dance School of Excellence, combined with the Queensland Ballet & The Australian Ballet School Extension Program. At 17 years old she continued her dance training with The New Zealand School of Dance. Her first professional contract at 19 brought her to the U.S to perform Production Shows for Princess Cruises Entertainment, RCCL Entertainment, NCLH Creative Studios & CCL Entertainment. Styles including theatre jazz, tap, lyrical, pa de deux, adagios & aerial flying acts.
She then continued her dance career in Asia for CPG Agency, credits include performing with Leona Lewis (Beijing), UK pop artist RAYE (Singapore), Resort World Singapore, Swarovski, Tiffany’s & Co. (Shanghai) & Kpop legend RAIN Concert Tour (South East Asia).
Anneka has more recently been based in Europe, working as Show Installer for Jean Ann Ryan Productions Inc, Choreographer & Installer for Cirque Du Vegas Production Show Tours in the UK, Austria, Italy & Germany. She has recently been touring through Germany for audiences of 25,000 with rock legend, Udo Lindenberg. Anneka has come back to Australia, very inspired from her journey overseas & is looking forward to sharing her passion & knowledge with students of SHAKE.
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Ashton began his professional dance journey just over 4 years ago, primarily focusing and developing on an authentic movement style. During his first year of dancing, he was independent and spent almost every day/night dancing or free-styling in his garage, all for the joy of moving.
He has taught multiple classes from beginner to advanced levels. He takes great pride in his authentic style and choreography, but also believes his passion for teaching will have a positive impact and make a real difference to the word.
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Joelene’s dance journey began at the age of three, and her love for movement has only grown since. Her infectious energy and enthusiasm made her a natural fit for the stage, but it is her quiet dedication and thoughtful teaching style that truly shine in the studio.
Over the years, Joelene has beautifully transitioned from performer to teacher, bringing her deep love of dance to the next generation.
Joelene specializes in Acrobatics and Hip Hop. With her passion for both disciplines, she is eager to pass on her knowledge to dancers of all ages, helping them develop strength, flexibility, rhythm, and self-expression. Her calm, yet motivating presence in the studio ensures that her students feel safe to explore their potential while enjoying the process of learning.
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Miss Georgie has been at S.H.A.K.E. since 2010. During this time, she has achieved outstanding results in all her exams. Georgie has recently been awarded her Comdance Teaching Certificate in Modern Jazz as well as completing Grade 9 Jazz, Classical Advanced and Tap Grade 8 exams. Georgie loves to teach little people and is a patient, caring and sometimes amusing teacher.
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Georgina discovered her passion for dance over a decade ago when she joined S.H.A.K.E., immersing herself in tap, jazz, and acrobatics. From the beginning, she felt at home within the S.H.A.K.E. family, and her enthusiasm for helping others quickly became evident. Now, as a teacher, Georgina is thrilled to continue sharing her love for dance—especially tap—as the next generation of students discover the joy of tap and making LOTS OF NOISE!
Georgina will be completing her Tap Teaching Certificate in 2025.
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Maxine started dancing with the Theatre royal in Brisbane at age 14 and was on the first Variety Television show produced in Brisbane in 1961. She then became resident choreographer for QTQ9. Maxine at one stage had dancers in 5 different states across Australia and has worked with some of the best known names in show business from the 60s onwards. She continues to stick her nose into all aspects of S.H.A.K.E. Costumes are now her forte and some of the more exquisite (and brief) ones come from her collection.
GUEST TEACHERS
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From the age of 8, David grew up dancing in Brisbane learning from the one and only Sandra Breen OAM at the Southern Academy of Dance. He trained in CSTD tap and jazz, voice and acting.
Professionally, David’s career has been diverse across musical theatre, festival and corporate performances in Australia and abroad. He has worked with various tap companies including Raw Metal, Red Hot Rhythm, Three Feet of Beat, and most recently with Those Tap Guys. A highly sought after “tap technician”, David has taught across Australia, New Zealand and USA, for both amateur and professional dance studios.
Living away for 15 years in Melbourne he recently relocated his family to Brisbane and looks forward to bringing his passion for dance to the students of S.H.A.K.E!
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Jess has been dancing at S.H.A.K.E for over 15 years, starting back when she was in the Tinies class. Growing up dancing, Jess has completed her CSTD Modern Jazz exams, and has done multiple tap and ballet exams (always achieving outstanding results). In 2019, Jess was awarded her Modern Jazz Teachers Certificate and will complete her Tap Teachers Certificate in 2025. Jess is now a backup teacher for jazz and tap classes at S.H.A.K.E. You will rarely find Jess without a smile on her face and she is a wonderful teacher for our little S.H.A.K.E.rs.
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All about the booty, Anthony gets his tips and tricks from only the best… JLo. Since starting at S.H.A.K.E in 2002, he has developed his own style and no one can move their body quite like the original sexy, himself. Taking part in CSTD exams, Anthony has completed his modern jazz exams and is currently training to complete his final tap exam. In 2016 he was one of the first students at S.H.A.K.E. to complete their Modern Jazz Teaching Certificate. Anthony has been dancing for 15 years and therefore not only brings the technique but also the flavour. As one of our Jazz and Tap teachers, his choreography demonstrates a crisp, explosive and sleek style, to bring together a polished performance.
Anthony also teaches and choreographs at various other school in Brisbane.
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Emilia has been at shake since 2015 and has absolutely fell in love with the dance school. After swapping from gymnastics, she started her journey just doing ballet twice a week. She eventually added jazz to her repertoire and has completed most of her jazz exams with an Honours Plus. She has recently completed her COMDANCE Modern Jazz Teaching Certificate with the help of Miss Nikki so she can teach kids and inspire them to continue dancing throughout school. When not at Shake she is studying her Bachelor of Science at UQ. Emilia teaches Ballet, Contemporary and Modern Jazz and she loves to see the friendly faces and smiles that Shake always has in its doors.
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Mateja, was a grand finalist on The Voice s10 in 2021, as part of the pop group G Nation. This was followed in 2022 placing in the top 5 of the SBS production of Eurovision – Australia Decides. Despite that, her passion has always been musical theatre where the journey began at the age of 8. last year Mateja was a vocalist in the original, professional One Eye Open production of Express at the Festival Theatre, in Adelaide. Mateja finished her year 12 at the Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2022 where she had studied for the past 3 years prior, and is currently studying a Bachelor of Musical Theatre at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University.
JUNIOR STUDENT TEACHERS & ASSISTANTS
Vivienne Shaw, Mali Connell, Ella Jennings, Matilda Crawford, Holly Bell, Siri Connell, Chilli Connell, Lucie LeSaveant, Lucy Butler, Amelie Ballantine, Bridget Crawford, Obi Ali & Khloe Dall.
ADMIN STAFF
Claire LeSaveant & Terry McIntyre