ABOUT THE TEACHERS:

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SHANNON

Shannon Atkins moved to New York City 8  years ago from Australia and since then her talent and passion for dance has seen her travel throughout the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Mexico and Australia regularly judging and setting award winning choreography and company repertoire. She has appeared in Lifetime TV’s dance moms and has taught on famous conventions all over the world including Move It in the UK and Australian Dance Festival. Recently Shannon choreographed for the opening of New York fashion week Spring 2023. Shannon is a faculty member at the world famous Broadway Dance center and also The Joffrey Ballet School in NYC. She has toured the world on faculty with the Star Dance Alliance WILD convention as a master instructor. Prior to her worldwide career Shannon had a successful dance school and was a faculty member at the Queensland Conservatorium musical theatre instructing and choreographing musicals. Shannon has performed in musicals including 42nd street and Oklahoma along with choreographing broadway style shows including High School Musical 2. Fun fact: Shannon also has a law/psychology degree.

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AARON

At 17, he left home in Australia to chase his dream to be a professional ballet dancer. Since then, he has been a company member with the American Ballet Theatre II In New York, The Royal Ballet in London and The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago as well as being an original cast member in London's West End production of An American In Paris choreographed and directed by Christopher Wheeldon. He has danced for royalty, the Obamas and beautiful people like you as he now travels the globe as a guest principal artist. He's also danced on TV, appearing on two series of the Got Talent franchise, coming third in Australia and making the quarter finals in America. He is also featured on the Netflix ballet documentary First Position. He won the Gold Medal and audience choice award at the prestigious Genee International Ballet Competition and have won 5 X medals at other International Ballet Competitions. He recently received the Special Jury prize for Best Performer at the Shanghai International Ballet Competition. He is the founding director of his company Dance For Humanity and he recently played the role of the Snow Cavalier in Disney’s The Nutcracker in the Four Realms feature film dancing with Misty Copeland. Aaron currently finished performing in Billy Elliot the Musical as Older Billy in the 10th anniversary tour of Australia.

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