Send us a text Michaeljon Slinger has had a phenomenal career. He was the first Australian to be accepted into the prestigious Julliard School in New York. From there he performed in many Broadway hits before moving into directing and choreographing for shows on Broadway. Throughout his time living and working in New York he has worked with some amazing performers including; Ricky Martin, Daniel Radcliffe and Bette Midler. Get to know the man behind this amazing career as Charlie asks the tough ...
Jan 26, 2021•5 min•Season 1Ep. 73
Send us a text Starting out as a young gymnast who just wanted to dance with her friends. Paris Cavanagh quickly found that her true passion lied in dance. At 13 she headed off to the talent development high school at Brent street where she trained extensively. Since graduating Paris has become a highly sought after choreographer. She has worked with Guy Sebastian, Samantha Jade, Delta Goodrem, TLC, Little Mix, Jessie J just to name a few. Paris is highly sought after for her teaching and choreo...
Jan 22, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Send us a text Alex Dunlop is a Professional Dancer who started when she was only 2 years old. Throughout her childhood she trained in all dance styles and competed Nationally and Internationally. Alex went on to have contracts with Opera Australia and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Now Alex enjoys choreographing, teaching and being a mum. You can check out Alex's full interview on episode 46 of Dance Matters Podcast. This episode was recorded live at Shire Dance Workshops. In this interview our ...
Jan 20, 2021•5 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Send us a text Growing up as a young boy in a small town in launceston Tasmania Locky followed his sisters into the dance studio and never looked back. Despite years of traumatic teasing by the local boys Locky knew dancing was what made him happiest and so he peservered. Moving to Sydney to train at Brent St studios Locky completed his full time training and moved straight into a role in Wicked the musical. But after a long stint in the show he knew there was other opportunities out there that ...
Jan 15, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Send us a text Locky Brownlie is an Aussie Dancer living in LA. He has danced for many amazing dancers including; Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears. In this preview of our full interview, to be released Saturday, Charlie asks the tough questions. From what he would cook her for dinner to his go to singing song in the shower. Join us for a hilarious insight into this incredible dancer....
Jan 13, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Send us a text The baby of Dance Matters Podcast where host Charlie delivers a short, sharp, quirky and funny profile of some of your favourite people in the dance and performing arts industry. Charlie will preview our feature length interview by asking those questions you’ve always wanted to know about your favourite dancers. Find out their favourite foods, places to travel and movies. Check out this episode to find out more of what you can expect from Chatting with Charlie and a little more ab...
Jan 12, 2021•3 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Send us a text Season One of Dance Matters Podcast was massive. Now we are back with a bang for Season Two. Join us for a preview of what you can expect to hear in what is destined to be an epic season. In this preview we reveal our first guest for Season Two. My Diva Squad The WORLD'S best rolling dance bags, dance suitcase, and dance luggage system ever developed. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you....
Jan 11, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Send us a text As 2020 comes to a close and we sit on the edge of a new year it’s time to reflect, refocus and achieve results. Every year people set new years resolutions in the hope of changing something about their lives but most people don’t have the tools to set up goals that they may actually achieve. Did you know that 95% of New Years resolutions are never actually achieved. Don’t be one of the statistics. Check out this episode to find practical and realistic ways to set goals that are n...
Dec 30, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 66
Send us a text You won’t find a more dedicated and hardworking dancer then the incredible Holly Doyle. Since staring dancing at the age of 3 she has never looked back. Attending Newtown Performing Arts High School, Holly took out first in the state for classical ballet during her HSC and was also awarded the prestigious dedication to dance award. From there Holly threw herself into chasing her performance dreams. She worked hard in open classes where she was noticed by Rafael from Sydney Dance C...
Dec 25, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Send us a text Katie Ortencio is a Professional dancer and actress. She is best known for her role as Lilly in The Next Step. Beginning dancing at the age of 4, it wasn't long until Katie found herself in the competition team. She danced competitively for years, winning numerous awards . Katie is trained in all styles of dance and continues to further her training in both dance and acting. We talk all things The Next Step including behind the scenes information. Katie shares her training, experi...
Dec 18, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Send us a text It’s no secret that it takes years of hardwork and determination to become a successful dancer. However, we often overlook the role that good nutrition plays in supporting that journey and in helping dancers achieve their goals. We chat with Holistic Nutritionist and Professional Dancer, Meg Cartwright to find out how to best fuel our bodies. Meg grew up dancing competitively and gave it away when her struggle with body image and food outweighed the joy dance brought. Determined t...
Dec 11, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Send us a text Ben Zammit has the world at his feet. He is a talented dancer, teacher and choreographer. As a young dancer he was extremely successful winning national titles and even a scholarship to train at Broadway Dance Centre in New York. After completing full time training at Ev and Bow, Ben went on to perform as part of the Dream Dance Company. He has also worked with Opera Australia and danced on the Australian leg of the Hugh Jackman tour. In this episode we talk all things performance...
Dec 04, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Send us a text Will Sanchez is proof that dance can be so much more than a hobby or sport. By his admission it is dance and the people who brought it into his life that changed his pathway dramatically and saved him from the slippery slope he was on. Growing up in the Bronx he discovered dance through his mentor the legendary Crazy Legs. Under his guidance Will managed to travel the world dancing at festivals and competitions. Will has travelled the world as a professional break dancer represent...
Dec 01, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Send us a text Kaylie Yee is proof that hard work and determination leads to success. From a shy child growing up dancing in Sydney at her parents dance school to performing in Las Vegas with Britney Spears, Kaylie shows that dreams can come true. Starting her career touring Australia with Nikki Webster as a preteen, Kaylie has gone on to work with artists such as Kylie Minogue, Taylor Swift, Nick Jonas, Ke$ha, Sam Smith, Katy Perry and J Balvin. Her musical theatre credits include Miss Saigon a...
Nov 27, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Send us a text In this episode we join forces with Mille Slennett from The Dance Pod to chat all things dance and Dance Matters Podcast. In a role reversal, Kali and Charlie are put in the hot seat to answer questions. Get to know a little more about your host, cohost and how Dance Matters Podcast came about.
Nov 22, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Send us a text This episode features a very special double interview with two absolute superstars from The Next Step. You might know Liam Mackie as Finn on The Next Step. Liam began dancing competitively at the age of 6 and was a part of Team Canada at the World Hip-Hop Championship. Apart from The Next Step he has also appeared in Disney Descendants 3. Liam continues to dance, act, teach and choreograph as well as pursuing his new interests of DJing and working behind the scenes on film and tel...
Nov 20, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Send us a text Shannon Atkins is an Australian success story. From directing and owning a leading performing arts school on the Gold Coast and working at the Queensland Conservatorium in Brisbane, Australia, Shannon has made the transition to successfully working in New York City. Since the move, her talent and passion for dance has led her to travel throughout the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Australia regularly judging and setting award-winning choreography and company repertoire. She i...
Nov 13, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Send us a text Dr. Lisa Ellis holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (Hons) and is currently working as a doctor in Melbourne, Australia. She has over 15 years of experience as a dance coach with expertise in jazz technique, classical ballet and ballet conditioning. She holds her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management and an Associate Diploma in Cecchetti Ballet. She also holds her Advanced II Cecchetti Ballet Certificate, attained with Honours. As well as running her DANCE PRESCRIPTI...
Nov 06, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Send us a text Sage Linder is a Canadian dancer and actress best known for her role as Summer in The Next Step. Sage’s career in entertainment developed from an early age when she attended the Professional Program at her Dance Studio, and the program for gifted children at her high school. Sage booked her first stadium performance as a guest dancer with Janet Jackson on her Unbreakable World Tour in 2016 at the age of 15. She has also appeared on Riverdale, Motherland: Fort Salem, and Disney’s D...
Oct 30, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Send us a text Katie Sanchez is a highly sought after Australian commercial dancer and model. After completing her full time training at Brent Street Katie went on to have a very successful dance career. Katie has worked across Stage, TV, Film, Fashion and advertising over the past 13 years - both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. As a dancer, Katie has travelled around the world, performing alongside artists including Pink, Jason Derulo, Kylie Minogue, Flo Rida, Ricky Martin, Zara L...
Oct 23, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Send us a text Lauren Kate Seymour is one of Australia’s most sought after commercial and contemporary dancers who has found success both in Australia and the UK. In season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance, she was crowned Runner Up. Landing roles in films including Happy Feet 2, Goddess and Rocketman, Lauren has experienced great success in her career. She has also performed with Kylie Minogue, Liam Payne, Jessie J, Zara Larsson, Robbie Williams, Lunchmoney Lewis, Delta Goodrem and Kelly Rowland...
Oct 16, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Send us a text Milaina is a Canadian dancer and actress best known for her role as Zara in The Next Step. Milaina has been dancing for more than 18 years and has trained in all styles. In addition to her role in The Next Step, you can also find her in Freeform's Motherland, Descendants 3, Riverdale and Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. She has performed for Harlem Globe Trotters, the Briar Cup, Continental Cup, Sharing Dance, WE Day, BMW's Cabriolet Gala and Family Channel's Big Ticket Summer Conce...
Oct 09, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Send us a text Charlie Powell, is an Australian born actress and dancer from Sydney. Charlie grew up with a passion for performing. Prior to pursuing acting, she trained as a dancer for seventeen years. Charlie attended high school at Newtown Performing Arts and was accepted into the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School. She was also awarded the Broadway Dance Professional Scholarship in New York City and received the Highest Female Scholarship to Point Park University. Charlie is a recent graduate...
Oct 06, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Send us a text Jack Chambers launched his Professional Dance career in Australia as the inaugural winner of So You Think You Can Dance Australia. He started dancing at the age of three at the Julie-ann Lucas Dance school, where he stayed till he was 17, learning all styles and taking his CSTD exams. Following his success on SYTYCD Jack followed his dreams to New York. Unfortunately visa and union struggles made the move harder than expected. Eventually Jack found his breakthrough Professional ro...
Oct 02, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Send us a text Ellie Ashe grew up dancing and competing. From her early days competing to her time spent at Brent Street’s Talent Development High School, we discuss all of her training and experience in the dance industry. Now as Owner and Principal of one of NSW leading dance studios we talk all about running a studio and how Ellie’s passion, knowledge and choreographic skills have led to her students many achievements. Elite Performance Studios boasts an array of National Champions and numero...
Sep 25, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Send us a text Noah Zulfikar is a professional dancer and actor. He has been dancing since he was seven and has trained extensively in all styles. Landing the role of Kingston in the hit television series The Next Step changed Noah’s life and put him on a new career path. We discuss Noah’s training and dance experience. He also shares his behind the scenes insight into filming for The Next Step and discusses what the future holds for him....
Sep 18, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Send us a text 2020- what an absolute crazy ride it has been. If I have learnt one thing, it is to never take for granted all of the opportunities we have. This episode we celebrate everything to do with the dance and performing arts industries. Take a little moment to celebrate and enjoy what dance brings to our lives. "The world is a complicated place and there is a lot of division between people. The performing arts tends to unify people in a way nothing else does." David Rubenstein...
Sep 15, 2020•15 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Send us a text Alex is a Professional Dancer who started when she was only 2 years old. Throughout her childhood she trained in all dance styles and competed Nationally and Internationally. She then attended Brent Street Full time. On completion of that, Alex went on to have contracts with Opera Australia and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Alex also danced for Kelly Rowland, Olivia Newton John and The Potbellez. Now Alex enjoys passing on her knowledge and passion to the next generation of dancer...
Sep 11, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Send us a text Alex Mac is a renowned DJ and Music Producer. He works throughout Sydney as a highly sought after DJ. He has even been awarded DJ of the year for the Merivale group. Alex has created many music edits for dancers performing at national and international level competitions. He has also created them for television show appearances. Find out the importance of a quality music edit. Alex shares with us all of the amazing changes and edits he can make to your music tracks to make them so...
Sep 05, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Send us a text Alexandra Chaves is a dancer and actress. Through dancing, Alexandra has won numerous national and international competitions. She landed a spot in a program for the National Ballet of Canada, as well as membership on the Toronto Raptors junior hip-hop crew. She shot to fame as Piper on the hit television series The Next Step. She has also had roles in Anne with an E and the Good Witch. Join us as we explore her achievements and the challenges she has faced along the way. Alexandr...
Sep 04, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 44
