OUR DANCE TEACHERS

Miss Shilleena

Shilleena Collins began her dance training at the age of 5 and since then has studied ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, character, cabaret, singing and musical theatre. Having successfully completed an Advanced Diploma of Arts (Dance) and a Full Teaching Certificate in RAD (Royal Academy of Dancing), Shilleena continues to update her skills by attending regular seminars and workshops. In 2014, she completed her training through SFD (Southern Federation of Dance) and is now a fully qualified examiner in Ballet, Jazz and Tap.

With experience on both an amateur and professional level, Shilleena has choreographed for musical and children's theatre productions, danced extensively in competition and performed in professional and corporate productions. Having recently choreographed and helped develop the updates to the higher levels of the SFD syllabus. Shilleena began her teaching career coaching and choreographing in private studios and musical theatre groups in 1999. Then early in 2005, she took over Suzanne Beames School of Dance as Principal and the school was renamed Shilleena's Dance Academy. From then on she has strived to build the school to what it is today constantly adding new styles and hitting new heights as a school focusing on quality dance training, hard work and fun.

Qualifications

• Advanced Diploma of Arts (Dance) - Australian Dance Performance Institute
• Full Teacher's Certificate - Royal Academy of Dance
• Examiner - Southern Federation of Dance (Ballet, Jazz & Tap)
• Member - Southern Federation of Dance
• Theatrical Grade 1 Examination completed - CSTD
• Senior Gold Star Tapping Examination completed - CSTD
• Grade 10 Jazz Examination completed - SFD (honours with distinction)
• Grade 10 Tap Examination completed - SFD (honours with distinction)
• Advanced Ballet Examination completed - SFD (pass with distinction)
• Advanced 1 Ballet Examination completed - RAD

Miss Alanah

Miss Alanah has been learning dance since she was 3 years old, and after dancing with SDA for many years became a teacher in 2012. She has completed the highest level of examinations in all three styles (Advanced Ballet, Level 10 Tap & Level 10 Jazz SFD). She travelled to Los Angeles with SDA's Performance Group and performed in and around Brisbane. Alanah loves to dance, and wants to pass that love on to other people. She would love to dance Clara in The Nutcracker, her favourite ballet since she was a little girl.

Dance Styles Studied

Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Cabaret

Examinations Completed

SFD Level 10 Jazz, SFD Level 10 Tap, SFD Advanced Ballet (pass with distinction), RAD Intermediate Ballet, Imperial Level 5 Ballet

Miss Eden

Miss Eden comes to SDA from Noosa Professional Dance Academy where she has been dancing since 4 years of age. She holds Advanced 1 qualifications from the British Ballet Organisation, and a Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance) from ED5 International. She has danced with Australia's musical theatre elite in Sydney, and has taught at various dance schools in Sydney, Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast. Miss Eden would love to be an acrobatic performer in a circus and be able to work with all the animals! Her favourite dance step is Russian Fouettes!

Dance Styles Studied

Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Acrobatics, Commercial Jazz, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Hip Hop

Miss Zoe

Miss Zoe started dancing at SDA when she was 5 years old. She began as a student teacher in 2014 and now loves to teach all ages and dance styles in her own classes.  She continues to develop her dance and teaching skills and performs on a regular basis.

"The discipline and teamwork that young dancers develop is so important and being able to watch students grow in both skill and enthusiasm makes it so worthwhile."

Dance Styles Studied

Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Irish, Cabaret

Examinations Completed

SFD Level 10 Jazz, SFD Advanced Ballet, SFD Level 8 Tap

Miss Lily

Miss Lily comes to SDA from the Royal Ballet School and the English National Ballet School, graduating in 2013 with a Diploma in Dance. Her early training was here in Brisbane at ARDA, and she has danced with the English National Ballet and at Universal Studios in Osaka. She works for the Queensland Ballet as well as teaching at SDA. She loves allegro exercises, classical ballets, but The Phantom of the Opera is a personal favourite. “I love being able to share in people’s passion for dance and to contribute to their learning experience.” 

Dance Styles Studied

Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Irish, Character

Examinations Completed

RAD Advanced 2 Ballet

Miss Edie

Miss Edie has been dancing since she was three years old and loves being able to share the beautiful gift of dance with her students. "I have always enjoyed imaginative and thought-provoking disciplines that allow me to learn more about myself and the world around me. Seeing the students embrace movement as a form of self-expression and create the most special friendships with their fellow dancers, is truly a gratifying experience." She has been a member of SDA since 2009 & started out as a student teacher for 3 years before taking on her own classes.

Dance Styles Studied

Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Commercial Jazz

Examinations Completed

SFD level 10 Jazz, SFD level 10 Tap, SFD Advanced Ballet (honours with distinction)

Miss Alessandra

Miss Alessandra has been dancing since the age of 4 and has recently performed with Those Tap Guys. She was a student teacher at SDA for 2 years and an assistant acrobatics teacher, and her favourite steps are jumps and leaps. “To be able to share my love for dance with others and see their excitement and joy as they learn new skills and improve is so rewarding.”

Dance Styles Studied

Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Commercial Jazz, Acrobatics

Examinations Completed

SFD level 10 Jazz (honours with distinction), SFD level 10 Tap

Mr Joseph

Joseph Stewart A.R.A.D has performed with leading Australian and European dance companies and is a proud alumni of Ballet Theatre of Queensland.

Joseph fell in love with ballet at age four through the nurturing from Czechoslovakian ballerina Vale Eva Kohout. Joseph continued his training with Queensland Dance School of Excellence and the Queensland Ballet Professional Year. Following this, Joseph was a Queensland Ballet Company Artist under directors’ François Klaus and Li Cunxin AO, performing a myriad of classical and contemporary repertoire. Internationally, Joseph was in the cast of Andrew Lloyd Webbers’ Phantom Of The Opera and a dancer with Oper Halle, Germany. Joseph is also a choreographer, having created choreographies for Queensland Ballet and Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater, along with independently producing, directing and choreographing the Australian Dance Award nominated production Sweet Meniscus.

Since hanging up the tights in 2018, Joseph enjoys applying his professional experience throughout many facets in the dance community as a teaching artist and is currently a development and philanthropy manager across arts and education sectors.

Dance Styles Studied

Ballet Contemporary, Cabaret, Character

Examinations Completed

RAD Solo Seal Ballet

Miss Emma

Emma has been dancing since the age of 6 and been with us here at SDA since 2016. She has done student teaching the past year and taught in a few casual classes in Commercial Jazz. Emma studied full time dance after school however was unable to continue her course due to injury. Now she keeps her passion alive by sharing her love for dance.

"My favourite style of dance is anything sassy or upbeat! It’s so liberating channelling an alter ego whenever I’m performing. I hope to share this love for dance with the little ones. It’s so special seeing them grow as dancer and come out of their shell."

Dance Styles Studied

Jazz, Tap, Commercial Jazz, Hip Hop, Cabaret

Examinations Completed

Level 8 Tap & Level 8 Jazz

Miss Lilias

Lilias have been dancing since age 3 and joined the SDA family in 2009. She has completed many examinations and performed in competitions and charity everns in and around Brisbane. She was a student teacher at SDA for 4 years and progressed to full teacher in 2024.

"The joy I receive from watching young children grow into the most beautiful dancers and people is a true privilege. From learning to point toes to exploring self expression and confidence, SDA is a community that I have been so fortunate to grow up in. Now having a part in helping others to grow and develop, I am truely grateful to experience something so rewarding."

Dance Styles Studied

Intermediate Ballet, Grade 9 Jazz, Grade 8 Tap

Examinations Completed

Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Commercial, Contemporary, Lyrical