SDS TEACHING FACULTY
Shannon Maree Hart
Principal
Shannon began dancing at the age of 9 and never looked back. Training under the guidance of Di-Salvatore Dance Academy in Leeton Shannon studied jazz, hip hop, tap, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, pointe and national character. At the age of 13 she began teaching and quickly found a passion for choreography that later became her career. In 1994 Shannon moved to Sydney to pursue her love of dance auditioning and attending Brent St School of performing arts full time course.
After completing her course successfully Shannon went on to have a long career teaching, choreographing and performing around Sydney until 2005 when she moved to Kuwait to become the head of dance faculty for the British Academy of International Arts (BAIA). Shannon held this position for 3 years and successfully grew the dance faculty from
30 to 360 students during this time.
In 2010 Shannon moved back to Sydney and after teaching for numerous studios around Sydney she ended up working for Australia's largest dance competition "Showcase", travelling all across Australia and New Zealand finding a
passion for adjudicating.
From June 2012 till July 2013 Shannon went back to study and completed her Certificate 3 in Fitness and Certificate 4 in Personal Training at Randwick Tafe Campus. During this time she also worked on becoming accredited with the British Dancing Association to teach and offer exams in Ballet, Jazz, Hip hop & Tap.
In August of 2013 Shannon decided to take some time off after having her precious daughter Alani and in 2014 was very excited to be starting her own dance studio, SDS Griffith, back in her home town.
Within 4 short years SDS Griffith grew so much that in 2018 Shannon had to relocate from the single room CWA hall to their brand new built studio's at 13 Altin St, Griffith. Following her dreams Shannon designed and developed the two dance studios (with a third one under construction starting June 2020) inside the Indoor Sports Centre with assistance from Peter Piccolo.
As a life long learner with a want to stay on top of dance education in 2019 Shannon completed her Certificate 4 in Dance Teaching and Management to refresh her certification she received at Brent Street School of performing Arts. In 2020 Shannon started working on obtaining her Diploma in Dance teaching and Management, Shannon feels that as the industry is constantly evolving and as more is known about physiology and anatomy it is the dance teachers duty to stay educated to ensure students receive the benefits of their experience and knowledge.
With 35 years experience in the dance industry as a student, professional dancer, teacher, guest teacher, choreographer, adjudicator and studio owner Shannon is always looking for ways to continue to educate and open doors for the next generation of dancers offering a city studio experience for our regional kids.
After completing her course successfully Shannon went on to have a long career teaching, choreographing and performing around Sydney until 2005 when she moved to Kuwait to become the head of dance faculty for the British Academy of International Arts (BAIA). Shannon held this position for 3 years and successfully grew the dance faculty from
30 to 360 students during this time.
In 2010 Shannon moved back to Sydney and after teaching for numerous studios around Sydney she ended up working for Australia's largest dance competition "Showcase", travelling all across Australia and New Zealand finding a
passion for adjudicating.
From June 2012 till July 2013 Shannon went back to study and completed her Certificate 3 in Fitness and Certificate 4 in Personal Training at Randwick Tafe Campus. During this time she also worked on becoming accredited with the British Dancing Association to teach and offer exams in Ballet, Jazz, Hip hop & Tap.
In August of 2013 Shannon decided to take some time off after having her precious daughter Alani and in 2014 was very excited to be starting her own dance studio, SDS Griffith, back in her home town.
Within 4 short years SDS Griffith grew so much that in 2018 Shannon had to relocate from the single room CWA hall to their brand new built studio's at 13 Altin St, Griffith. Following her dreams Shannon designed and developed the two dance studios (with a third one under construction starting June 2020) inside the Indoor Sports Centre with assistance from Peter Piccolo.
As a life long learner with a want to stay on top of dance education in 2019 Shannon completed her Certificate 4 in Dance Teaching and Management to refresh her certification she received at Brent Street School of performing Arts. In 2020 Shannon started working on obtaining her Diploma in Dance teaching and Management, Shannon feels that as the industry is constantly evolving and as more is known about physiology and anatomy it is the dance teachers duty to stay educated to ensure students receive the benefits of their experience and knowledge.
With 35 years experience in the dance industry as a student, professional dancer, teacher, guest teacher, choreographer, adjudicator and studio owner Shannon is always looking for ways to continue to educate and open doors for the next generation of dancers offering a city studio experience for our regional kids.
Rebecca Hyde
Snr Teacher
Rebecca (Beck) Hyde has enjoyed an exciting and varied 30 years in performance and dance.
Rebecca’s personal dance journey began as a Primary student with Gymnastics training and School Dance. She trained classically in Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus with Di Salvatore Dance Academy and also completed the ADAP Tap Syllabus. Rebecca workshopped with a number of companies such as LA Dance Force and The Australian Ballet. She focused on Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern and National dance styles, performing at various venues, including Disneyland, USA.
Teaching became Rebecca’s focus upon leaving Year 12. She completed a Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching, majoring in Physical Education Studies. During this time she also continued studying dance at a Canberra dance studio and competed in the National Aerobics Championships. On returning to take a permanent teaching position at Barellan near Griffith, Rebecca returned to studying dance and teaching dance classes from beginners to adults with DiSalvatore Dance Academy until 2001. She was fortunate to work with founders of Ausdance and leaders in Dance Safety and Physiology.
Rebecca’s love of dance and dance teaching continues. This includes teaching K-12 Dance at a number of schools; co-ordinating performance groups for eisteddfods, concerts and competitions and directing performance events and concerts, including an Australian musical “The Min Min”. Rebecca has enjoyed over a decade of involvement in the Riverina Dance Festival. She has been on the auditioning panel, organising committee and the RiverinaCreative and Performing Arts Committee.
Rebecca is currently employed at a local high school. She remains actively involved with Dance education and performance in the local area and is committed to providing high quality Dance and movement experiences to her students.
Rebecca is thrilled to be a part of Shannon’s exciting and innovative Dance studio.
Rebecca’s personal dance journey began as a Primary student with Gymnastics training and School Dance. She trained classically in Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus with Di Salvatore Dance Academy and also completed the ADAP Tap Syllabus. Rebecca workshopped with a number of companies such as LA Dance Force and The Australian Ballet. She focused on Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern and National dance styles, performing at various venues, including Disneyland, USA.
Teaching became Rebecca’s focus upon leaving Year 12. She completed a Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching, majoring in Physical Education Studies. During this time she also continued studying dance at a Canberra dance studio and competed in the National Aerobics Championships. On returning to take a permanent teaching position at Barellan near Griffith, Rebecca returned to studying dance and teaching dance classes from beginners to adults with DiSalvatore Dance Academy until 2001. She was fortunate to work with founders of Ausdance and leaders in Dance Safety and Physiology.
Rebecca’s love of dance and dance teaching continues. This includes teaching K-12 Dance at a number of schools; co-ordinating performance groups for eisteddfods, concerts and competitions and directing performance events and concerts, including an Australian musical “The Min Min”. Rebecca has enjoyed over a decade of involvement in the Riverina Dance Festival. She has been on the auditioning panel, organising committee and the RiverinaCreative and Performing Arts Committee.
Rebecca is currently employed at a local high school. She remains actively involved with Dance education and performance in the local area and is committed to providing high quality Dance and movement experiences to her students.
Rebecca is thrilled to be a part of Shannon’s exciting and innovative Dance studio.
Matt Benson
Hip Hop Teacher, resident Choreographer & Guest Teacher.
MATT BENSON is definitely one to keep an eye on. Celebrating a decade in the industry of dance he hints that the journey is really just about to begin. Throughout his time as a teacher, Matt has taught, choreographed and assisted with creation for over 50 schools around the Sydney, Newcastle and Illawarra regions, now also including Melbourne.
Outside the studio Matt has played the role of creating and performing for artists from around the globe including UK artist Luciana, American drag star Adore Delano and Australian artists such as AVALONIA and Kid Mac.
Matt has created stages for several nightclubs, entertainment for corporate events and charities, entertained crowds for sporting teams, added to performances of fashion shows but most importantly Matt inspires and encourages creative teens to chase their dreams
Outside the studio Matt has played the role of creating and performing for artists from around the globe including UK artist Luciana, American drag star Adore Delano and Australian artists such as AVALONIA and Kid Mac.
Matt has created stages for several nightclubs, entertainment for corporate events and charities, entertained crowds for sporting teams, added to performances of fashion shows but most importantly Matt inspires and encourages creative teens to chase their dreams
Zac Brazenas
Britney Spears back up dancer & Guest Teacher
Born and raised in Australia Zac began dancing at the age of 7. At 15 Zac began his professional career performing on stage and on TV for the next 9 years. He then was offered a scholarship to The Edge in Hollywood USA where he completed the one year program and quickly established himself as one of the
most sort after dancers in town.
He has toured with artists such as JLo, Katy Perry, Celine Dion, Kylie Minogue and can be seen on shows such as Glee, House and every awards show from the European music awards to Grammys, Oscars,
AMA's just to name a few.
Zac has been the assistant choreographer on Cirque du Soleil's show "Viva Elvis" and Britney Spears "Work Bitch" Video and Britney's Las Vegas residency "Piece of Me".
His work can be seen on the documentaries "Aphrodite" and Celine's "Through the eyes of the World" and most recently Britney Spears "I am Britney Jean" with whom he is currently performing with in the biggest gig in town the Britney Spears "Piece of Me" residency at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
Zac has a wealth of knowledge of the industry he has now been working in for over 20 years and looks forward to passing this onto the students he teaches.
most sort after dancers in town.
He has toured with artists such as JLo, Katy Perry, Celine Dion, Kylie Minogue and can be seen on shows such as Glee, House and every awards show from the European music awards to Grammys, Oscars,
AMA's just to name a few.
Zac has been the assistant choreographer on Cirque du Soleil's show "Viva Elvis" and Britney Spears "Work Bitch" Video and Britney's Las Vegas residency "Piece of Me".
His work can be seen on the documentaries "Aphrodite" and Celine's "Through the eyes of the World" and most recently Britney Spears "I am Britney Jean" with whom he is currently performing with in the biggest gig in town the Britney Spears "Piece of Me" residency at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
Zac has a wealth of knowledge of the industry he has now been working in for over 20 years and looks forward to passing this onto the students he teaches.
Willie Gomez
Back Up Dancer for Britney Spears & Guest Teacher
Willie Gomez is one the Worlds most sort after commercial Dancers who is currently performing alongside Britney Spears in Las Vegas "Piece of Me".
Not only has Willie supported some of the world’s greatest artists through the years, proving that he is an insanely talented Dancer, but he is also quickly becoming famous for his many magazine covers as a model!
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the city of Miami, Florida USA – Willie, only at the age of 15, after watching Britney Spears’ music video “I’m a Slave for You” was so inspired he began taking dance classes at ‘MDA Studios’. By the age of 17, he had already appeared with Latin artists such as: ‘Thalia’, ‘Paulina Rubio’, ‘India’, ‘David Bisbal’, and many others. Willie went on to dance on some of the biggest Latin award shows such as: “The Latin Billboards”, “Latin Grammys”, “Premios Juventud” and “Premios Lo Nuestro”. At the age of 22, Willie made the move to Los Angeles with high hopes to someday dance for ‘Britney Spears’ herself. Three weeks later, he booked the “Womanizer” video and several months later he was cast as a
principal dancer on her “Circus World Tour”.
Willie has also toured the world with artists such as Kylie Minogue “Aphrodite Les Folies”, ‘Kesha’ "Warrior", ‘Chayanne’ "Gigantes". He can also be seen in ‘Britney Spears’’ "Womanizer", "If You Seek Amy" and "3" music videos. He has been appearing with artist ‘Erika Jayne’ at performances all over the USA. Other appearances include: ‘Christina Aguilera’ on her “2010 American Idol” performance, ‘Mary J Blige’ on “DWDS 2011”, was a principal dancer on the “XFactor USA season 1” in 2011, Has also shared the stage with ‘Katy Perry’ on her “2011 Grammy Awards” performance and “Billboard Awards” in 2012 & just recently in
Las Vegas 2015. This mega talent with a massive social media pull and fan base,
Willie truly is a colossal role model to Dancers across the Globe.
Not only has Willie supported some of the world’s greatest artists through the years, proving that he is an insanely talented Dancer, but he is also quickly becoming famous for his many magazine covers as a model!
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the city of Miami, Florida USA – Willie, only at the age of 15, after watching Britney Spears’ music video “I’m a Slave for You” was so inspired he began taking dance classes at ‘MDA Studios’. By the age of 17, he had already appeared with Latin artists such as: ‘Thalia’, ‘Paulina Rubio’, ‘India’, ‘David Bisbal’, and many others. Willie went on to dance on some of the biggest Latin award shows such as: “The Latin Billboards”, “Latin Grammys”, “Premios Juventud” and “Premios Lo Nuestro”. At the age of 22, Willie made the move to Los Angeles with high hopes to someday dance for ‘Britney Spears’ herself. Three weeks later, he booked the “Womanizer” video and several months later he was cast as a
principal dancer on her “Circus World Tour”.
Willie has also toured the world with artists such as Kylie Minogue “Aphrodite Les Folies”, ‘Kesha’ "Warrior", ‘Chayanne’ "Gigantes". He can also be seen in ‘Britney Spears’’ "Womanizer", "If You Seek Amy" and "3" music videos. He has been appearing with artist ‘Erika Jayne’ at performances all over the USA. Other appearances include: ‘Christina Aguilera’ on her “2010 American Idol” performance, ‘Mary J Blige’ on “DWDS 2011”, was a principal dancer on the “XFactor USA season 1” in 2011, Has also shared the stage with ‘Katy Perry’ on her “2011 Grammy Awards” performance and “Billboard Awards” in 2012 & just recently in
Las Vegas 2015. This mega talent with a massive social media pull and fan base,
Willie truly is a colossal role model to Dancers across the Globe.