Dance Matters Podcast

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Simone Barry (Doulaveras) started her dancing at just three years old. She grew up with a strong focus on ballet in her training. 

Simone completed her full time training at Brent Street. When she completed that course though Simone realised how difficult it was to find work as a dancer. Her fear of auditions was the first big hurdle she had to overcome. Simone’s first professional job was working with Encore productions around Sydney where she learnt the ropes of Professional Dancing. She then headed to India to perform in Bollywood movies. A contract in Las Vegas followed. After that Simone completed more corporate gigs in Australia before heading over to Germany where she danced for 3 contracts before deciding to hang up her dancing shoes in search of a family. Having felt the benefits of pilates training whilst she was a dancer, Simone decided to embark on a career sharing that passion with others. After completing a range of certifications she opened her own Pilates studio Loft Barre and Pilates. 

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Simone Barry started her dancing at just three years old. She grew up with a strong focus on ballet in her training. 

Simone completed her full time training at Brent Street. Simone’s first professional job was working with Encore productions around Sydney where she learnt the ropes of Professional Dancing. She then headed to India to perform in Bollywood movies.  A contract in Las Vegas followed. After that Simone completed more corporate gigs in Australia before heading over to Germany where she danced for 3 contracts before deciding to hang up her dancing shoes in search of a family.  After completing a range of certifications she opened her own Pilates studio Loft Barre and Pilates. 

Join Charlie as she asks the hard questions in this performer profile.
Find out all the things you have always wanted to know about your favourite performers, but never had the chance to ask.

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Kiana De Van Der Schueren trained from a young age at Dance Force studio. She completed 3 Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship contracts before landing her dream job. Kiana secured a job performing with Cirque Du Solei in their Las Vegas Residency. When covid forced the closure of the show Kiana found herself back in Australia. As luck would have it she managed to land a role in Magic Mike Australia and performed with them until she got the word that Cirque would be reopening. Kiana continues to live in Las Vegs and enjoy her run in this iconic show. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing though. There have been moments of; self doubt, home sickness, questioning her body shape and ability. Kiana credits her support system with helping her get through these tough times. She now focuses on living in the moment and trying to be present.

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Kiana De Van Der Schueren trained from a young age at Dance Force studio. She completed 3 Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship contracts before landing her dream job. Kiana secured a job performing with Cirque Du Solei in their Las Vegas Residency. When covid forced the closure of the show Kiana found herself back in Australia. As luck would have it she managed to land a role in Magic Mike Australia and performed with them until she got the word that Cirque would be reopening. Kiana continues to live in Las Vegs and enjoy her run in this iconic show. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing though. There have been moments of; self doubt, home sickness, questioning her body shape and ability. Kiana credits her support system with helping her get through these tough times. She now focuses on living in the moment and trying to be present.
Join Charlie as she asks the hard questions in this performer profile.
Find out all the things you have always wanted to know about your favourite performers, but never had the chance to ask.

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Through a diverse career spanning almost her entire life, Greta has refined her skills as a vocalist, dancer, actress, acrobat, director, choreographer, adjudicator, examiner and as an educator, allowing the experiences through her own career to compliment her coaching.
 Greta has worked throughout Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the USA both performing, coaching and adjudicating. After working as a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher Greta decided to take her passion for acrobatics and share it with others. 

In 2020 she released her acrobatic exam syllabus ACROLINK by Greta Brinsley presented by IDT (The International Dance Technique). 

With a Certificate 4 in Dance and Performance, Advanced Dip in Music Theatre, The Acrobatic Dance Association Teachers Certification and a Certificate 4 in Dance Teaching and Management, Greta’s dedication to excellence has ensured Greta is a sought after coach for acrobatics and dance, repeatedly and competitively setting the industry standard for her profession.

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Through a diverse career spanning almost her entire life, Greta has refined her skills as a vocalist, dancer, actress, acrobat, director, choreographer, adjudicator, examiner and as an educator, allowing the experiences through her own career to compliment her coaching.
 Greta has worked throughout Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the USA both performing, coaching and adjudicating. After working as a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher Greta decided to take her passion for acrobatics and share it with others. 

Join Charlie as she asks the hard questions in this performer profile.
Find out all the things you have always wanted to know about your favourite performers, but never had the chance to ask.

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Caroline Liviakis has always held a clear vision for herself in dance: that of a creator. She brings large-scale productions to life: blending dance with film; mixing concert and commercial styles.

She began her journey as the Founder and Executive Artistic Director of the Caroline Liviakis Dance Company (CLDC), choreographing and producing live performances and interactive experiences. Now she brings her creative visions to digital form as a choreographer and director of film, music videos, and commercials.

Caroline is currently in pre-production for her debut feature-length film: Lessons In Love. She has also written two other feature-length, dance-musical scripts: Alternative Chick and Welcome To My Runway.

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Stephen Perez is one of Australia’s most exciting and dynamic male performers! Stephen has been dancing and acting since he was just 7 years old. He completed his full time training at Brent Street. From there Stephen appeared in Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance Australia. Some of his early career highlights include; a role in the group of core dancers for Baz Lurhmann’s The Great Gatsby, performing with Taylor Swift at the ARIA’s under the direction of ‘The Squared Division’ and performing with Kylie Minogue and Sam Sparrow at the Sydney Mardi Gras. In 2013 Stephen was also cast in Carmen, The Opera staged on Sydney Harbour and choreographed by industry legend Kelley Abbey. Stephen has also performed with Artists such as Marcia Hines, Ricki-Lee and Angus and Julia Stone and been featured on television’s X Factor and Australian Idol. 

Despite all the success there were times in his career when he was struck down with self doubt and the fear that he may never quite make it. Regardless of these setbacks Stephen has now found the love for the art of dance again and is enjoying the greatest success of his career. He recently landed the dream gig of performing with Katy Perry throughout her Las Vegas residency. 

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Stephen Perez has been dancing and acting since he was just 7 years old. He completed his full time training at Brent Street. From there Stephen appeared in Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance Australia. Some of his early career highlights include; a role in the group of core dancers for Baz Lurhmann’s The Great Gatsby, performing with Taylor Swift at the ARIA’s under the direction of ‘The Squared Division’ and performing with Kylie Minogue and Sam Sparrow at the Sydney Mardi Gras. In 2013 Stephen was also cast in Carmen, The Opera staged on Sydney Harbour and choreographed by industry legend Kelley Abbey. Stephen has also performed with Artists such as Marcia Hines, Ricki-Lee and Angus and Julia Stone and been featured on television’s X-Factor and Australian Idol. 

Join Charlie as she asks the hard questions in this performer profile.
Find out all the things you have always wanted to know about your favourite performers, but never had the chance to ask.

Send us Fan Mail

Deirdre Barnes is a dancer and choreographer from Ottawa Canada. From a young age she showed incredible talent and dedication to dance. Her passion led to an incredible amount of awards as a competitive dancer Including; Dancer of the Year, Miss Teen Candance, 2007 Starpower’s Dancer of the Year Scholarship, Miss Starpower and Miss Capezio. Deirdre booked her first job at 18 at cirque du soleil in Las Vegas as part of the Criss Angel believe show and never looked back. She then went on to take the stage with a range of artists including; Nicki Minaj, Nick Jonas, Gwen Stefani, Backstreet Boys, Pitbull, J Lo and Gloria Estefan. Deirdre toured the globe alongside Empire of the Sun and Justin Bieber and even did a 2-year Vegas residency alongside Britney Spears. She has also worked extensively in film and TV. Deirdre has been featured on Dancing With The Stars, Disney: Descendants, the Ellen Show, Glee, Shake it Up, The Voice, Black Eyed Peas, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance and multiple award shows. She is now making the journey into choreography and recently choreographed for her first feature length film.