Ali Phillips has been a dancer since the age of 4; she has been teaching dance since leaving high school; and in 2009 Ali began her own business leveraging her skills in dance to create an inclusive dance troop for teens and young adults with special needs. Ali has successfully blended her passion for dance, her skills in performing and her awareness of inclusive communities to build a fulfilling and inspiring career as a dance teacher.

Ali believes everybody on earth can dance whether they’re trained or not. For this reason she supports those who aren’t traditionally considered ‘talented dancers’ by giving them a chance to explore their potential as movers, story tellers, performers, team mates and athletes

Ali takes her skills seriously and is in the process of completing a bachelor of fine arts majoring in both Dance and Education at the Queensland University of Technology. Alongside her studies Ali teaches all around Brisbane including local dance schools, high schools and community centers.

Ali’s most significant contribution to the Brisbane dance community thus far has been the creation of her program “Bust A Move”. Bust A Move is Brisbane’s first inclusive dance program for teens and young adults with disabilities. The once weekly program incorporates hip hop, free style and ballet techniques into a one hour class focused on improving student’s skills in performance and dance co-ordination as well as team work, self efficacy, creativity and social emotional skill building. Ali has led Bust a Move through performances including Special Olympics, community Open Days and charity events. Bust A Moves most significant performance to date has been the MAD DANCE HOUSE Hype night for 2011.

Ali is a very energetic, passionate and fun person! She loves meeting new people,

collaborating and sharing her passion of Dance with the world!

What do you love about teaching?
Teaching feels so natural to me. I never thought id find myself going down this path however now that i have i can’t imagine doing anything else. I think what i love the most about teaching is the satisfaction when a student improves. The counts, the choreography, or the flexibility don’t matter, as long as there’s enthusiasm and commitment my job is easy On top of that i love the leadership i have to exert. Especially owning my own business i love the communication with parents, having the freedom to choreograph and choose music, and building a special relationship with my students.

What can people expect in your class?
Teaching teens and young adults with disabilities is just as new to my clients as it is to me. It was my first teaching opportunity – i was never taught through a textbook as to what i can and can’t say so we learn together through movement. From my classes you can expect a challenge. I don’t dumb things down. I believe everyone is capable of extraordinary things so that’s what i’ll expect. On top of this you’ll come to a classroom with no judgment and lots of passion. You can express yourself however you feel necessary and everyone will except that. Although dance is a social event, my classes are for hard work. You can’t expect results from not putting in an effort. I believe 100% that people with disabilities have the same capabilities as myself so when you come to my classes – expect to be sweating after  

What type of students inspires you?
My students inspire me every day. People with disabilities never take life for granted – they live it to the fullest. They come to class as if it’s their first and give it 100% everytime. On top of that the dancers around me inspire me. I take class every day just to experience new styles so as to inspire my own students. I listen to corrections and take constructive critism. I learn from the peers in my class and use that inspiration to better myself as a dancer. 

What is the best advice you could give to other dancers?
The best advice i could give to other dancers is to commit. The industry is hard. You have to have thick skin. Be persistent, follow your dreams and don’t be a sheep. Don’t sit on your backside and talk about it, get up, take action and make your aspirations happen. 

Janessa hopes that she can share her love of dance and classical music through her teaching and hopes that she can create the type of class where you can forget all of your troubles from busy life and escape into the wonderful world of dance.  You can expect some hard work and technique but the most important thing is to learn to dance with your spirit.
I enjoy helping others explore their passion for dance and I like to share little tricks that I have discovered along the way.  I accept the fact that every body is different and believe dance is about discovering what works for your body and enjoying the challenges along the way.
Janessa began dancing when she was 4½ years old and hasn’t stopped since!  During her school years she danced at the Toowoomba School of Ballet then moved to Brisbane and went on to study Optometry at QUT.  After two years of full time study she deferred to join the Queensland Ballet’s Professional Year and pursue her dream of becoming a dancer.  Janessa danced as part of the Queensland Ballet Company for 7 years until 2010 when unfortunately injury made it time to return to her studies.  She has now completed her Bachelor of Vision Science with distinction and is currently completing the Masters of Optometry Program at QUT.  Janessa loved her time with the Queensland Ballet especially touring which included three European tours, Singapore, Japan, Annual Regional Queensland Tours, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmanian Tours. Career favourites include; Swan Lake – Cygnet (2008 & 2010); Romeo and Juliet – Juliet’s Cousin (2010 & 2006); The Little Mermaid – Mermaid Sister (2008), The Nutcracker – Butterfly/Mirliton (2005 & 2007).  Other Repertoire includes François Klaus’ Carmen, Sleeping Beauty, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Alice in Wonderland, Cloudland, Concerto for Didgeridoo, A Thousand and One nights, Taik Oz, Rite of Spring, Back to Bach, Paquita, Peer Gynt, Passions of Christ, Misa Tango, Don Quixote Excerpts and, numerous With Attitude, International Gala and Vis a Vis programs.  She has also danced Natalie Weir’s Orpheus and The Gathering, Nils Christie’s Purcell Pieces and SYNC, Gareth Belling’s Step’s Travelled: Mumbai and, Loiuse de Leur’s Infinite Heartbeat.

Wendy is a respected and experienced contemporary dance teacher.  Her contemporary technique is eclectic, highly functional and produces strong, versatile dancers.  She has taught at secondary, tertiary and professional levels nationally (QUT, Victorian College of the Arts, Centre for the Performing Arts and internationally (France, Tahiti, USA, New Zealand and Canada)

In addition to a successful career as a contemporary and commercial dancer in Australia and France Wendy has held the positions of Artistic Associate – Black Grace, Associate Director/ Head of Contemporary Dance – New Zealand School of Dance,
Artistic Director – Dance North and Assistant to the Artistic Director – Australian Dance Theatre (ADT)
Wendy looks forward to meeting as many dancers as possible!
We welcome Wendy to Mad Dance House teaching faculty!

Seraijah fell in love with dance at age eight.  Beginning her journey with Jazz Ballet and Latin American styles (Lambada, Bolerio, Bossa Nova, Zouk, Meringue, Salsa, Forro, Gafiera, Samba and Afro-Cuban), Seraijah then turned to hip-hop and jazz funk at age 11. Since then she has trained with the dance industry’s best (Shaun Evaristo, Tony Czar, Kumari Suraj, Anti Fischer and many more) both in Australia and during her travels to Los Angeles’ elite schools: Millenium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds Studio and IDA Hollywood.  Additionally Seraijah has worked on music videos and live shows for both Australian and international artists such as: Brian McFadden, MizChelle (Assistant/Dancer), Killbot Kindergarten (Choreographer/Dancer).

Seraijah’s style is constantly in a state of flux – ever changing and undefined. Influenced by every style of music; charged by the urge to experiment with movement; an agglomeration of street, hip-hop, waacking, Latin, jazz funk, African, lyrical, contemporary and modern. Her passion springs from dance’s lack of limitation. Her dreams involve travelling back overseas along with developing SEEING SOUNDS. SEEING SOUNDS was co-founded by Seraijah and sister, Sheridan, in October 2010 as a means of equipping the Australian dance ‘family’ with support and knowledge that is generally inaccessible. The company brings internationally renowned instructors down under to tour dance studios nation-wide and in effect, helping to nourish, inspire and sustain the community in a way that encourages creativity, individualism and success.

Seraijah began instructing a vast spectrum of students from age 13 (from absolute beginner to advanced, children under 10 to adults, private to budiding professionals to open classes) at various academies. Today Seraijah has a passion for teaching and holds personal interest in the experience of her students. An Idealist; Escapist; Creator; Destroyer; Hallucinogen. Seraijah continues to train, work (perform, choreograph, instruct) and watch others, in hopes of growing in her art; to inspire and be inspired.

Click below to meet Jean and see a class!

Jean Chritz is a well-established performer in many areas of dance. Known for his versatility and adaptability, Jean’s character and charisma, brings flair and personality to his teaching.

Started out as freestyler, with a unique style and creativity Jean’s style fuses old, mid and nu skool styles of hip hop, including an essence of break, popping, locking and house. On numerous occasions Jean has represented in the hip hop scene at Australia’s biggest competitions as well as winning countless street dance competitions throughout Australia.

Jean’s knowledge has been influenced by some of hip hop well known artists, including Shaun Evaristo, Keone Madrid, Mariel Martins, Mr Wiggles and many more… He is also currently a member of Australia’s most well established Hip Hop crew, ZENITH, who have represented Australia internationally in Las Vegas.

Jean Chritz loves to dance, teach and perform. He has true swag that turns heads everywhere he goes! : )