Teachers

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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!