Dance Matters Podcast

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Deirdre Barnes is a dancer and choreographer from Ottawa Canada. From a young age she showed incredible talent and dedication to dance. 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. 
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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Joshua Arkey is a Dancer, Singer, Actor, Acrobat and Aerialist from Sydney, Australia. He is a graduate from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) where he has received his Bachelor of Arts (Dance) and Certificate IV in Music Theatre. Since the age of 3 years old, Josh has trained in many styles and genres including music theatre, classical ballet, singing, character, pas de deux, jazz, tap, conditioning, acrobatics and aerial circus. At the age of 8 years old, Joshua was cast in the World premiere of Tony Award winning musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert. He has performed around the world on cruise ships including the Disney Cruise Ship Line where he enjoyed playing Tarzan. 

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Lilly Jackson (Lilly Jay) is a young dancer who is making her mark in the performing arts industry. ​
Lilly trained at Newtown Performing Arts High School and Brent Street. She also completed her full-time dance training at Brent Street. 
 Lilly experienced her first breakthrough role in Stephen Tannos’ We are Dance Project. 
You can also find Lilly in Guy Sebastian’s ‘Choir’ and ‘Love on Display’ music videos, choreographed by Alex Miedinski.
 Most recently she has worked professionally in Dream Dance Company's ICON, choreographed by Paris Cavanagh and is looking forward to travelling this show around Australia.
With her proven background in Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Tap and Ballet she has already begun making her mark on the dance industry.

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Lilly Jackson (Lilly Jay) is a young dancer who is making her mark in the performing arts industry. ​
Lilly trained at Newtown Performing Arts High School and Brent Street. She also completed her full-time dance training at Brent Street. 
 Lilly experienced her first breakthrough role in Stephen Tannos’ We are Dance Project. 
You can also find Lilly in Guy Sebastian’s ‘Choir’ and ‘Love on Display’ music videos, choreographed by Alex Miedinski.
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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Leslie was born in Tennessee, into a musical family. She moved to Sydney from New York City in 2000 leaving behind an extensive Broadway career spanning nine Broadway musicals, and five National touring Broadway productions.
 She was last seen on Broadway in the Tony award winning musical “Chicago” where she played “Mona” featured in the show stopping Cell Block Tango. She has had the privilege of working for many award-winning choreographers including Susan Stroman, Rob Marshall, Randy Skinner and Jerome Robbins.
 In addition to theatre, she has worked in film and television and can be seen in the new feature film, Anything but Love just released in America. Since moving to Australia, she has worked in commercials, television, and stage. She recently appeared in the Australian production of Pippin.
 Leslie is mum to three children and continues to share her love of dance through performing and teaching. 

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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 favorite performers, but never had the chance to ask.

Leslie was born in Tennessee, into a musical family. She moved to Sydney from New York City in 2000 leaving behind an extensive Broadway career spanning nine Broadway musicals, and five National touring Broadway productions.
 She was last seen on Broadway in the Tony award winning musical “Chicago” where she played “Mona” featured in the show stopping Cell Block Tango. She has had the privilege of working for many award-winning choreographers including Susan Stroman, Rob Marshall, Randy Skinner and Jerome Robbins.

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Daniel Wijngaarden is an incredible young dancer who is definitely making his mark on the professional dancing world.
He began his training at 6 with all styles of dance. Daniel attended Newtown Performing Arts High School before heading to TNSPA to complete his full time training.
Upon graduating he was cast in the international touring production of West Side Story. Daniel then went on to appear in Opera Australia’s La Traviata.
Daniel is signed with Jeep management and working both as a professional dancer and choreographer.
 

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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 favorite performers, but never had the chance to ask.

Daniel Wijngaarden is an incredible young dancer who is definitely making his mark on the professional dancing world.
He began his training at 6 with all styles of dance. Daniel attended Newtown Performing Arts High School before heading to TNSPA to complete his full time training.
Upon graduating he was cast in the international touring production of West Side Story. Daniel then went on to appear in Opera Australia’s La Traviata.
Daniel is signed with Jeep management and working both as a professional dancer and choreographer.
 

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Kim Gingras is a  professional dancer, public speaker and passionate educator. Her dancing training may not have started until she was 15, but once she entered a studio she never looked back. Winning a gold medal at the world hip hop championships was just the beginning. Being selected for SYTYCD Canada Season 2 led to her creating some lifelong connections within the industry and gave her the courage to head over to the bright lights of LA.
Throughout her time in LA Kim danced for a range of incredible music artists including; Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Trainor, Ariana Grande, Gwen Stefani, The Backstreet Boys, N Sync, Madonna, Nicole Scherzinger, Pharrell Williams, Nick Jonas, Pitbull, Xtina Aguilera, Nicki Minaj, John Mayer, Chris Brown, Dua Lipa, Bebe Rexha, Jason Derulo, 50 Cent, Ne-Yo, Karol G, Jamie Foxx, Hilary Duff, Boyz II Men and more.
During the pandemic Kim took the opportunity to create an online dance mentorship program. The Kim Gingras experience offers you personalized mentoring where you can find out all the tips and tricks to help you reach your goals.
 Find out more information; 
https://kimgingras.com/

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Kim Gingras is a  professional dancer, public speaker and passionate educator. 
Throughout her time in LA Kim danced for a range of incredible music artists including; Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Trainor, Ariana Grande, Gwen Stefani, The Backstreet Boys, N Sync, Madonna, Nicole Scherzinger, Pharrell Williams, Nick Jonas, Pitbull, Xtina Aguilera, Nicki Minaj, John Mayer, Chris Brown, Dua Lipa, Bebe Rexha, Jason Derulo, 50 Cent, Ne-Yo, Karol G, Jamie Foxx, Hilary Duff, Boyz II Men and more.
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 favorite performers, but never had the chance to ask.