Introducing The Dream Dance Company

These dream girls are movers and shakers, that’s for sure. Introducing Shivawn, Katie and Cat from The Dream Dance Company, the stars of our latest campaign. Read on to find out more about them and their inspiring lives.  

Why do you love dancing? What made you start?

SJ: Mum enrolled me when I was 3 years old, so I’ve been dancing for 18 years now! When I was 12 I realised I was really serious about it and I wanted to make a career out of it.

Career highlight?

SJ: Dancing for Beyoncé! I did two videos for her self-titled visual album back in 2013, Mine and Ghost. For one of the videos, the crew asked me to do just one more scene towards the end of the day and during hair and makeup they painted me from head to toe in white paint!

Would you do anything differently? What tips do you have for anyone who wants to get into dancing?

SJ: I wouldn’t do anything differently! I think my tips for other dancers would be to commit to your training. Also, do your research and know what is happening in the industry. If you want to dance with a particular artist you need to know where they are touring, who their choreographer is, what their style is all about. 

How do you stay energised?

SJ: I make sure I get enough sleep and drink a lot of water. It’s important to eat well and eat the right foods to support my lifestyle. I eat a lot of protein and vegetables, which helps! 

Have you found social media has helped you with your career? Any advice for girls wanting to up their ‘gram game?

SJ: Social media has been a great help with my career. Once I gained a bit of a following I found that a lot of opportunities came through with different people wanting to collaborate. I love that I can post dance videos and people can see what I’m up to. What happens in LA has a big influence on the global industry and so social media makes it really easy to follow my favourite dancers overseas and  see what the trends are, just on my phone!

It’s really important to represent yourself in a positive manner on social media and know that there is a time and a place to post certain things when you’re trying to maintain your image.

If you could only dance with one more artist who would you choose?

SJ: Beyoncé again! And also Rihanna.

Why do you love dancing? What made you start?

KS: It’s cool to be able to have a career doing something I love. A lot of people don’t get that opportunity so I feel really lucky that this is my living. I grew up in Byron and had a very chilled childhood but I went to watch my sister’s dance class when I was four and begged my mum to let me do it.

After school, I did get into university and it was my choice as to whether I should go to university or continue training. So I deferred uni and moved to Sydney to dance full time.

Career highlight?

KS: I love different jobs for different reasons. Most of my career has been based on “artist work” which is dancing behind musicians and in music videos. I love being on set, not only being in front of the camera but also how it all works! I did the Beyoncé video with Shivawn, which was obviously a highlight! I also loved dancing with Kyle Minogue – that was an amazing experience. Kylie has a wonderful choreographer!

Would you do anything differently? What tips do you have for anyone who wants to get into dancing?

KS: I wouldn’t do anything differently. You always have moments when you think, “should I have moved to America?” but I love where I’m at now. I’m also really passionate about helping other dancers advance their careers. 

My advice to others would be, take your time! We live in such an age where we want things immediately but it’s important for kids to have normal childhoods and take their time because things will always happen when they’re supposed to. 

You are both a model and a dancer – do you like being able to combine the two together?

KS: The modelling came from dancing actually. I was on DJ Havana Browns music video set years ago for “We Run the Night” and the director who was also a photographer asked to photograph me when we wrapped!

I don’t get to combine them often but for some commercial brands I get to dance and model, as the shoots are usually quite up beat and happy.

 What do you look for in a great shirt?

KS: I love shirts with ruffled sleeves! I don’t like tight things and I need to be able to move in what I’m wearing. I like light, breathable fabrics that are easy to dance in too.

Why do you love dancing? What made you start?

CS: When I was 3 years old, my older sister made up routines and my mum noticed that I could learn the routine just by watching her. After realising my love for dancing, she put me in a class. However, due to the dramatic nature of the dance world industry, she took me out after just one year.

I missed it so much though so when I was 12 years old I decided I had to go back. I’ve been dancing and teaching ever since and now here I am today!

Career highlight?

CS: There’s so many awesome moment’s that I’ve had for different reasons so this is a hard question! Two artists that I loved dancing with were Ricky Martin and Nick Jonas. I got to take Nick’s jacket off him on stage which was pretty awesome! I’ve also recently performed in Carmen for Opera Australia, choreographed by Kelley Abbey and she is someone that I really look up to.

What’s on the horizon for you?

CS: A lot is going on! I am touring in New Zealand with the Dream Dance Company so that’s exciting! But for me, personally, I’m going on holiday to Bali in August with my partner (who is also a dancer) and I’m so excited, I just can’t wait!

Would you do anything differently? What tips do you have for anyone wants to get into dancing?

CS: Fall in love with what you do first because it doesn’t matter how good you are, how popular you are or how much people want to use you, if you don’t love what you do then it’s not worth it!