Dance Matters Podcast

Yvette Lee is a choreographer, creative director and creative producer who has become renowned as one of the most versatile creatives in Australia. She is renowned for her work in television, theatre and live touring events. 

Yvette’s television credits include Dancing with Stars , Asia’s Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, Australian Idol, Neighbours, The Masked Singer, Dance Boss, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards and the ARIA Aw...

Shannon grew up in the Central Queensland town of Gladstone which is where her love of dance began. At the age of 15 she moved to Brisbane where she studied ballet full time at Queensland Dance School of Excellence before completing a Diploma of Performing Arts at ED5 International in Sydney. She has since obtained a diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction through PITC. 

A versatile performer, Shannon has had the privilege of wo...

 At the age of 15 Shannon Burns moved to Brisbane where she studied ballet full time at Queensland Dance School of Excellence before completing a Diploma of Performing Arts at ED5 International in Sydney. 

A versatile performer, Shannon has had the privilege of working with many of Australia’s leading choreographers including Kelley Abbey, The Squared Division, William Forsythe, Keith Hawley, Matt Lee, Leanne Cherny, Marko Panzic, J...

Zoe Ioannou grew up immersed in the world of dance. It seems that dance was in her blood with her Nan, Aunt and mum all working as professional ballerinas. Originally Zoe’s goal was to follow in their footsteps but at the age of 12 she discovered her vocal talent. From that day on her trajectory changed. Zoe found a passion for musical theatre and jazz. 

She appeared in her first amateur theatre role at the age of 11 when she was ca...

Zoe Ioannou grew up immersed in the world of dance. It seems that dance was in her blood with her Nan, Aunt and mum all working as professional ballerinas. Originally Zoe’s goal was to follow in their footsteps but at the age of 12 she discovered her vocal talent. She found a passion for musical theatre and jazz. 

She appeared in her first amateur theatre role at the age of 11 when she was cast in Les Miserables. Zoe then landed her...

Liana Blackburn is a professional dancer and long-time health and wellness enthusiast. Her versatility is what makes her such a valuable teacher, choreographer, and dancer.  

She has been honored to dance with so many incredibly inspiring individuals including Britney Spears, Nick Jonas, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Jason Derulo, Talyor Swift, Ricky Martin, and Kylie Minogue 

She has also worked on shows such as Glee, Dancing with the Star...

Liana Blackburn is a professional dancer and long-time health and wellness enthusiast. Her versatility is what makes her such a valuable teacher, choreographer, and dancer.  

She has been honored to dance with so many incredibly inspiring individuals including Britney Spears, Nick Jonas, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Jason Derulo, Talyor Swift, Ricky Martin, and Kylie Minogue 

Join Charlie as she asks the hard questions in this pe...

Luca Dinardo is a musical theatre performer, dance captain and choreographer. She grew up training at Patrick Studios and completed her full time training there. Luca was drawn to the world of musical theatre and her professional credits include; Bring It On – The Musical,  Billy Elliot ,NINE, RENT , Kiss of the Spider , West Side Story  and Hamilton.

Luca’s career has also seen her assist some of Australia’s finest choreographers, ...

Luca Dinardo is a musical theatre performer, dance captain and choreographer. She grew up training at Patrick Studios and completed her full time training there. Luca was drawn to the world of musical theatre and her professional credits include; Bring It On – The Musical,  Billy Elliot ,NINE, RENT , Kiss of the Spider , West Side Story  and Hamilton.

Join Charlie as she asks the hard questions in this performer profile.

Soraya Zapata’s love for dancing started when she began taking classes at Sher's Studio of Modern Dance at the young age of 3. She continued her training at WHSPA (Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts) as a dance student. During her time there Soraya was thrilled to be given the role of a featured dancer Schools Spectacular.

She was also company member of The Forge Tap Project and is a member of ‘Girls on Tap’. In Janu...

Soraya Zapata’s love for dancing started when she began taking classes at Sher's Studio of Modern Dance at the young age of 3. 

She was a company member of The Forge Tap Project and is a member of ‘Girls on Tap’. In 2019, whilst completing her CERT IV in dance at Village Nation Soraya was given the opportunity to be a featured Dancer in Guy Sebastian’s hit single ‘Choir.

Soraya was successful in gaining a contract with Royal Car...

Dominique Kelley is an incredible dancer and choreographer. He may not have started his formal dance training until he was 9 but by the age of 12 he was already on his first Broadway tour. 
At the age of 16, he co-choreographed his first musical named “Wild Women Blues” in Germany.
Dominique combined his love of musical theatre and commercial dance in order to become a highly sought after dancer and choreographer. 
He h...

Dominique Kelley is an incredible dancer and choreographer. At the age of 16, he co-choreographed his first musical named “Wild Women Blues” in Germany. He has worked on film including; “The Princess and the Frog”, “The Smurfs Movie”, “Bring It On: Fight to the Finish”, “Jump The Broom”, and “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special”.
His television credits include; “So You Think You Can Dance”, “Dancing With The Stars”, “The M...

Angelique is a true triple threat performer, excelling as an actor, singer and dancer with an extensive list of Australian stage and live theatre credits. Angelique began training for a performance career with The Dance Works in Brisbane, Australia and furthered her studies at The Australian Dance Performance Institute. She made her professional musical theatre debut in Annie in 2000.
She recently starred as Cassie in A Chorus ...

Angelique is a true triple threat performer, excelling as an actor, singer and dancer with an extensive list of Australian stage and live theatre credits. 
She recently starred as Cassie in A Chorus Line (Darlinghurst Theatre Company) for Sydney Festival and the Sydney Opera House and is freshly back in Australia after appearing in the disco cabaret extravaganza, Velvet for its Hamburg, Germany season.
Join Charlie as she a...

James Maras is an incredible choreographer whose star is on the rise. At 7 he attended a summer camp which ignited his passion for dance. By the age of 12 he started taking his training seriously and had the opportunity to work on Candy man the Musical. At 15 James moved to Brent Street to study in their BSA program. But it wasn’t all a straight projection into consistent work as a professional dancer. James found the inconsistenci...

James Maras is an incredible choreographer whose star is on the rise. At 7 he attended a summer camp which ignited his passion for dance. By the age of 12 he started taking his training seriously and had the opportunity to work on Candy man the Musical. At 15 James moved to Brent Street to study in their BSA program. James found a deep passion for teaching and choreographing. He now works at a range of studios and is highly sought ...

With an International Career spanning over a decade, James Maxfield is one of Australia and the UK's most versatile creatives. Starting his career as a Musical Theatre performer and Touring with International Artists, James has established himself as a highly sought after creative across all platforms of entertainment .

 Since graduating full time at Brent Steet, James has performed in numerous productions including; Wicked, Gr...

With an International Career spanning over a decade, James Maxfield is one of Australia and the UK's most versatile creatives. Starting his career as a Musical Theatre performer and Touring with International Artists, James has established himself as a highly sought after creative across all platforms of entertainment .
Join Charlie as she asks the hard questions in this performer profile.
Find out all the things you h...