S.H.A.K.E Teachers

SENIOR TEACHERS

Nikki McIntyre
Nikki McIntyrePrincipal
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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 teaching dance, she began S.H.A.K.E. in 1998 and has never looked back.

Georgia Pierce
Georgia PierceContemporary, Classical Ballet & Jazz (and everything in between)
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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.

Jodeen Hassall
Jodeen HassallTap specialist teacher
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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.

Jasmine Vanderbyl
Jasmine VanderbylJazz, Tap & Performance Teams 12 & Under, 15 & Under
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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.

Kate Gibbons
Kate GibbonsClassical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz
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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.

Emma Holgate
Emma HolgateClassical Ballet, Jazz & Performance Team 10 & Under
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Emma Holgate has been dancing for over 10 years and has been with SHAKE the whole time. She has completed numerous CSTD jazz, ballet, contemporary and tap exams over the years. Alongside SHAKE, Emma trained with Queensland Dance School of Excellence (QDSE) for 2 years (2014 – 2015). She also completed a Certificate III in Dance through dancing at RAW dance company (2016). Emma received her Comdance Classical Teaching certificate in 2019. Emma teaches jazz and ballet at SHAKE and loves being able to share her love of dance with students. She really loves the embracing, safe atmosphere that the SHAKE studios have and how it allows for dancers to grow. Emma particularly loves to collaborate with friends and make creative dance videos.

Laura Greenhalgh
Laura GreenhalghMusical Theatre and Singing specialist
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Laura is a professional Singer, Dancer & Actor (a triple threat). In the last 10 years, she has worked all over Australia and overseas in various Musicals and theatre shows including a stint as the lead in Legally Blonde with MadAboutTheatre. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts (Musical Theatre). Laura loves teaching the ropes to young and enthusiastic students and is loving teaching at SHAKE between her professional gigs.

Ashton Gyde
Ashton GydeHip-Hop
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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 my authentic style and choreography, but also believes his passion for teaching will have a positive impact and make a real difference to the word.

Patrick Hassall
Patrick HassallTap
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Joelene Hood
Joelene HoodAcrobatics
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Cecilia Maza
Cecilia MazaVariety
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Cecilia is a professional dancer, with a dance career that started at 3 years of age, studying RAD Ballet,
Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop. While growing up in Italy, her passion for Hip Hop and Contemporary exploded and led her to take on the roles of both dancer and Art Director of an entertainment team which toured professionally in
many countries including Egypt, Spain, Kenya and Greece. Having fallen in love with Australia, Cecilia has been living in Brisbane since 2015 where she has
continued to develop her career as a dance teacher and choreographer for many dance videos, and where she created her own group specialising in Pop Funk, Contemporary and Hip-Hop dancing. Her teaching experience extends through the years too, teaching children from 2 years of age Ballet, Acrobatics, Contemporary dance and Rhythmic Gymnastics. Cecilia loves that her passion for dance can continue alongside her passion for teaching children and adults at S.H.A.K.E.

Karlos Velasco
Karlos VelascoCommercial Jazz
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Karlos’ interest in performing was piqued in high school. He started classical ballet with Jillanne Reynolds. Soon he was in Brisbane and spent time with the Queensland Dance School of Excellence and Brisbane Dance Centre. That same year Karlos joined Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines were he spent the next 18 years travelling the world doing production shows, musicals and aerial circus shows. Karlos has been lucky enough to have not only held the position of a performer, actor, dancer, aerialist, company manager, aerial coordinator and rehearsal assistant/ teacher.

Maxine McIntyre
Maxine McIntyre Costumes
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Maxine started dancing with the Theatre royal in Brisbane at 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.

Emilia Krek
Emilia KrekCertificate Teacher
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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.

Georgie Herring
Georgie HerringCertificate Teacher
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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.

GUEST TEACHERS

Mateja Sardelis
Mateja SardelisMusical Theatre and Singing specialist
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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.

Anthony Strollo
Anthony StrolloCommercial Jazz, Tap
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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.

Jessica Bagnall
Jessica BagnallJazz, Tap
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Jess has been dancing at S.H.A.K.E for over 10 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 now teaches 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.

David Fien
David FienTap Technique & Dad's Dance specialist
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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!

Sarah Lagerroth
Sarah LagerrothModern Jazz
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Sarah has been dancing with S.H.A.K.E FOR OVER 15 years, since age 4. She has successfully passed her Modern Jazz Teaching Certificate and excelled in her completion of the CSTD tap syllabus.
Sarah has been teaching with S.H.A.K.E for many years, starting at the age of 13 assisting Nikki and many of the great teachers in the formation years of the dance school.
Sarah is a very positive and enthusiastic person who loves teaching children dance of all ages and loves being a part of the SHAKE family. Her vibrant and engaging personality, coupled with her terrific sense of humour, makes her a great fit for S.H.A.K.E.

JUNIOR STUDENT TEACHERS & ASSISTANTS
Vivienne Shaw, Mali Connell, Georgina Hawkins-McCarthy, Ella Jennings, Matilda Crawford, Jasmine Smith, Holly Bell, Siri Connell, Sienna Holland, Chilli Connell