Our teachers make our dance world go round
Nic Maguire
At age 4, Nicholas began his journey towards a professional career in dance. Passionate about Contemporary & Lyrical Dance his impressive work ethic and athletic skills have seen him develop into a powerful Artist. After many years of general practice in various genres he was accepted into the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts secondary School (VCASS) in Melbourne where he studied 2010-2012. At age 17 he was awarded 1st place at the Australian Choreographic Competition for a contemporary work he developed and choreographed on 3 peers.
After additional 2 years of full time, Nic continued his pathway into contemporary dance by participating in the Transit Dance Professional Finishing Course where he was hand selected by Artistic Director Paul Malek to be a founding member of Transit Dance Company. During this appointment he worked with Amy Hollingsworth, Two Bars of Isolation, Daniel Jaber, Under and Paul Malek, Every Inch of Me.
Nic was selected by MASTERS OF CHOREOGRAPHY’S Jennifer Peric and Milorad Peric to be part of the Beats on Pointe Australian Tour and Raise The Barre Australian Tour. Here he will work with ballet choreographer Emma Vaiano and street choreographer Phill Haddad.
Nic is a well-rounded performer in the Melbourne dance scene working on various productions and events over the past 8 years.
Nics passion to pass on his knowledge and develop his choreographic prowess with schools and companies around Australia.
Sheru Bharadwaja
Sheru was born in Berlin, Germany, and moved to Australia in 1983. He grew up living an active lifestyle filled with sports and music, before finding his real passion for dance in 2015. Sheru has trained under some of the world’s teachers including Electric Boogaloo legends Mr Wiggles, Suga Pop and Poppin Pete.
In 2012 Sheru was chosen to star in Southern Comfort’s television commercial where he plays ‘Mr Pop’. In the same year, Sheru and his crew Swagamama were contestants on the popular television series Everybody Dance Now. In 2013, Swagamama reached the grand finals of Australia’s Got Talent, making Sheru a two-time Australia’s Got Talent grand finalist.
Recently, Sheru has been focusing more on corporate dance work with Swagamama. Since its inception in 2012, Swagamama has grown to a lineup of 15 dancers, and is one of Australia’s most successful street dance based acts. Sheru also regularly judges national and international level events such as Hip Hop Internationals and World Supremacy Battlegrounds.
Kate Woods
Kate competed competitively in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) growing up, and began coaching WAG in grade 6. She retired as a level 6 gymnast, however began coaching at local studio’s and here she learned to use her gymnastics skills in a dance context. It was also at this time that she began, and subsequently fell in love, with dance.
Kate studied at The University of Queensland, completing her undergraduate Bachelor with an Extended Major in Psychology and Minor in Criminology. While studying at uni, Kate never lost her passion for dance and began learning from renown performers with a focus on ballet and contemporary. After graduating from university, Kate decided to pursue dancing and completed a versatile dance course the next year. During the past 9 years, she continued to coach acro at studios and after 13 years of teaching, she still loves being able to help others gain new skills and fall in love with acro as she has.
Kate continues to train across a wide range of styles and remains passionate about dancing.
Denzal Van Uitregt
Denzal aka Denz or “Michael Jackson” is a street dancer and teacher based in Brisbane. He is also one of the key dancers in our performance group. Denzal started dancing at a very young age, teaching himself by watching videos of Michael Jackson. His trademark is his smooth moves and fedora hat!
After graduating from high school, he trained full-time at Raw Dance Company. That same year he competed in his first ever Just Dance competition and won the Australian Championships in Sydney. in 2017 he flew to Paris to compete in the Just Dance World Cup and placed 3rd. Again competing for the world title in Brazil 2019, he placed 8th putting him in the top 10 Just Dance players in the world. Denzal still holds his Australian title 5 years still standing. In 2018 he took part as a cast member in the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony .
At a young age Denzal was diagnosed with Autism – which has never stopped him from dancing. Dancing not only helped him to be a better performer/entertainer, but taught him self-confidence, respect and helps reduces stress and negativity. Throughout his dance career Denzal has made numerous connections with friends, teachers, mentors, fans and famous people. He loves being able to bring joy to all who watch him perform – it’s what he loves the most about dancing.
Alex O’Connell
From across the seas in Jolly old England, Alex is a trained actor now living it up in Brisbane. He has a passion for teaching and loves to bring lots of energy and silliness to his classes through games, voices and engagement.
Alex graduated from East 15 acting school in 2016 and has performed many times since then, including a UK theatre tour of Wizard of Oz, working at multiple theme parks, hosting children’s parties and larger theatre productions, most recently in a one act play back in march and is currently rehearsing for PUFFS at Spotlight theatre in September.
Alex believes life should be fun and you should always love what you do no matter what.
Jackson James
Coming from a self-taught street dancing background, Jackson has the privilege of facilitating 150+ dance workshops across five countries. As a professional dancer, he has performed for non-profit organizations, festivals and bands.
Jackson is combining transformation & dance to get people results in his 10-week transformational masterclass series.
He also currently teaches dance at Noosa Steiner School, The Kaizen Movement, InsideOutside Dance and Genesis Dance Society.
Nadia Milford
Since graduating with distinction from a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Dance Performance, at Queensland University of Technology Nadia has worked with key leaders within the arts industry on professional projects and created various independent works. She previously performed for Expressions Dance Company in 2013 and 2014 as well as choreographed for Blue Roo Theatre Company in collaboration with the Queensland Opera. She created her first independent work in 2015, for Fresh Blood Festival, which was performed again in 2High Festival 2016. Nadia has since choreographed works and performed for multiple Brisbane arts festivals (DIY, Nexus, Festival of Australian Student Theatre, CreateX, IndepenDANCE, The Gallery of Modern Art’s 10th Anniversary and Angry Mime), as well as the Beijing Dance Festival in China. An active member of the arts community, Nadia also performed as a part of Supercell’s Index program in February 2017 and performed this work at the Empire theatre again in December 2017.
Last year Nadia was awarded Arts Queensland’s Individuals Fund for a professional development project spanning nine European countries including master classes, workshops and festivals. During this time Nadia also performed in Surge Collective’s work ‘Enough’ in Belcampo Cafe Amsterdam and ‘@_WHY’ at Supercell Dance Festival in 2018. In conjunction with her performance commitments Nadia holds regular contemporary workshops in regional areas and teaches in Brisbane. Nadia has been on the Phluxus2 Dance Collective team since 2016.
Lauren Sherlock
Lauren is a dance artist, choreographer and dance teacher based in Brisbane. In 2016 she graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance Performance) and a Royal Academy of Dance Teacher’s Accreditation. In 2017 she completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours (Dance) at LINK Dance Company in Western Australia, and performed in “Ad Infinitum” by Michael Whaites and Sue Peacock and “Skinless” by Carmelo Segura nationally and internationally on tour in France.
In 2018 she performed a Mario Schroder work at the International Contemporary Dance Prix in Brisbane and “DESIRELINES” in China with Collusion Music and Dance. In 2019 Lauren performed in “angel-monster” on tour nationally with Phluxus2 Dance Collective, performed in “Repeat” choreographed by Louis-Phillippe Demers and Stephanie Hutchison at the Elektra International Digital Arts Festival in Montreal, Canada and at Robotronica Brisbane, choreographed and performed in “Quantum Entanglement” at Supercell Festival of Contemporary Dance and in “Nothing” with LOcREaDo Dance Company Brisbane.
In 2020 she performed in “MORT” with Phluxus2 Dance Collective as a part Supercell Festival of Contemporary Dance.
Jade Brider
Jade began her dance training in Perth, Australia at age 3, and began tertiary classical ballet training at age 12, at the graduate College of Dance. At age 17 Jade moved to Sydney to train at Brent Street Studios under the direction of Jason Winters, Lynsey Waugh and Rani Luther.
After completing her studies at Brent Street, Jade moved to London to begin training at London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS). Whilst at LCDS Jade had the opportunity to train under esteemed teachers and choreographers such as James Cousins, Jeannie Steele, Kate Price, and Wayne Parsons. During her second year she also had the opportunity
perform in Beijing at the Beijing Dances’ 60th Anniversary celebration with choreographer James Wilton.
After graduating LCDS Jade had the privilege to be an apprentice, then young dancer, with Yorke Dance Project.
As a performer some of Jades career highlights thus far include: dancing in the Cohan Collective 3 years running; dancing for choreographer Cameron McMillan; dancing in the SS19 Charles Jeffrey Fashion Show; clowning for Compare the Market; dancing for choreographer Malcolm Sutherland; Acting as Rosie for ‘Things I know to be True’ by Centenary Theatre, dancing for musician Paloma Faith; dancing for musicians ‘Choomba’; and dancing for Sketch London.
As a collaborator, choreographer and movement director, some current career highlights include: choreographing the music video “Sultana” by Krista Papista; collaborating two short films “Virtual Lovers’ and “Logging onto Love” with director Kate Davis; and assistant movement director for the AW16 Paul Smith Fashion Show.
Sheree Fitzgerald
Sheree Fitzgerald is a performer, choreographer and teacher of many styles of dance and the performing arts. As a performer she has worked in Children’s Entertainment with The Entertainment Store, and has also been a part of contemporary company performances with both the Dark Horse Theatre (2016) and Outcast Performing Arts (2014). More recently, however, she has become a part of Candy Shop Show Australia as a Cabaret performer. With Candy Shop, Sheree performs as a singer, dancer and actor as part of their original cabaret shows; The Jazz Age Dance Cabaret, Sugar Sugar! And Up, Up & Away! As well as singing and dancing with the company, in corporate gigs around Brisbane.
Having studied at Village on Broadway in Sydney, Sheree holds a Cert IV in Dance Performance. She also trained from the age of seven at Sharon Alback’s Dance Centre in many styles including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop and Contemporary.
Sheree was given the opportunity to be an assistant teacher from the age of 14 at Alback’s, and greatly values the experience and the knowledge that she gained in her time there. However it wasn’t until Sheree took on her own project, choreographing for Clairvoux Mickillop College’s production of “The Addams Family Musical”, that she really found her love for teaching and choreography.
Pursuing that love has found her teaching school workshops, facilitating Kindergarten Dance programs, and as Dance Coordinator at Red Music Centre, teaching Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. Sheree is keen to continue expanding her teaching experience and is very excited to work with Inside Outside this year!
Louise Best
Louise has been teaching a variety of classes since the age of 16. She has taught children to adults and has also worked in schools as a teacher aide and educational interpreter for deaf children. Louise Best has been dancing and teaching professionally for 11 years. Some of the highlights are: Placing 1st at HHI, Australia to then Compete at Worlds in Vegas (State of Play – Hip Hop 2014), Perform professionally overseas and interstate- Egypt, Soloman Islands, PNG and Hamilton Island, Open for Snoop Dogg, Guy Sebastian and Eve and have been part of the following professional performance groups: State of Play (Hip Hop), Silver Bullets (Urban Cheerleading) and Paradizo (Samba). Louise has also made an appearance on our TV screens dancing in Film Clips, TV shows, Sports Events and even the News.
Louise has been teaching a variety of classes since the age of 16. She has taught children – adults. Louise has also worked in schools as a teacher aide and educational interpreter for deaf children.
Kala Bailey
Kala is one of our relief teachers and dance supporters in various classes. Kala is an example of what people can do with disabilities. Even though Kala is legally blind, she has been dancing since 2015. During this time she has spent 3 years volunteering and being mentored by Sheru Bharadwaja.
Kala has traveled to LA to dance at the special Olympics world games. She has also performed in Melbourne and Bundaberg along with many more destinations including working with the Royal Ballet at QPAC in 2017. In 2018 Kala was a cast member for the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony held on the Gold Coast.
Along with dance, Kala has spent the last 7 years learning and perfecting the art of Pole fitness, winning her first competition in 2016. She is currently training as a pole fitness instructor.
Kala is also one of the key dancers in our performance group and mentors alongside Denzal Van Uitregt at the Ashgrove class. She absolutely adores each student she comes across and loves to be able to see each person grow not only in their dance skills but self-confidence. If someone’s having a bad day a hug, funny face or a silly dance move will always cheer them up. Making everyone feel happy and accepted is one of the best things being a part of InsideOutside Dance.
