THIS week we chat with Liam Sheppard, an amazing dancer ready to set the world on fire.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What initially motivated you to become a dancer?<\/strong><\/p>\n From a young age, I wasn\u2019t sure what I wanted, and where I belonged. I knew sports wasn\u2019t my thing, especially after passing out by being hit by a soccer ball. Through watching dance movies like Burlesque<\/em> and the Step Up<\/em> movies, that’s when it all first started.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How would you describe your dancing style and how did you develop it?<\/strong><\/p>\n Since year 7 I have re-thought my style as I\u2019m definitely no hip hop dancer. I have developed my own feminine, confident, and emotional dancing style by listening to the advice of \u2018dancing for yourself\u2019 and discovering that I can break the stereotypes of genres and make them my own.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Which other dancers inspire you?<\/strong><\/p>\n I think it\u2019s obvious that Brett Beckhurst is the biggest inspiration. Being independent since 15 and joining the Queensland Ballet is inspiring to say the least. He has motivated me to hold onto goals of success and opportunities, which are beginning to be real thanks to his guidance and mentorship.<\/p>\n Melbourne-based, Beckhurst is a national and internationally experienced performer and choreographer, with expertise across a wide range of dance genres, including jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, singing, musical theatre, acrobatics, hip hop, commercial and circus performance.<\/p>\n He has worked with a range of international artists and performers including Du0, Lorenzo, Nat Ho, Kris Wu, Jolin Tsai, Yoga Lin, Wilber Pan, Fatai, Jessica Mauboy, J Williams, Zoe Badwi and Jason Dy, as well as corporations such as SONY Music.<\/p>\n He is also a mentor for Bendigo\u2019s performing arts supporting body, the Ulumbarra Foundation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What are some highlights or fond memories you have from your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n Growing the confidence to perform as a soloist, which I never imagined for myself. I was pinching myself when I got into Newsies<\/em> the musical in Melbourne, but the biggest highlight has been being accepted into Patrick School of The Arts in Windsor, Melbourne in 2023, my dream finally fulfilled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How has your dance practice been affected by COVID? Has there been little change or has it had a substantial effect?<\/strong><\/p>\n I might be strange for saying that although lockdowns were horrible, they had positives. My teacher\/mentor Brett gave me the opportunity to meet other dancers not just nationally but on an international scale and I was able to learn from them. I think this inspired me even more coming back to class and it improved my technique immensely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n