Shannyn Kelly teaches lyrical, jazz and hip hop dancing at the Keilor Jazz Centre in Keilor Park. 75318 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Alesha Capone
SHANNYN Kelly is following in the dancing footsteps of her mother, who established the Keilor Jazz Centre more than 25 years ago.
Shannyn teaches lyrical, jazz and hip hop at the Keilor Park studios, founded by her mum Jennifer in 1986.
Shannyn said she began dancing at the age of two, but studied a double degree in Law and Creative Arts from the University of Melbourne.
She has just finished a legal traineeship – known as ‘articles’ – but is undecided as to whether to pursue a career as a lawyer, as she enjoys teaching dance.
“It’s always been really recreational for me, it’s something I really love, that’s why I do it,” Shannyn said.
“It’s a hobby more than anything, but I love teaching and that’s why I do it.
“It’s really rewarding to put choreography together and see kids do a really good job performing it.”
Shannyn said the highlight of her dancing career has been performing with the urban dance company Dance Virus Productions and winning the national hip hop title at the Australian Hip Hop Championships during 2010.
“I was a bit surprised when we won, it’s a long process and it’s very competitive,” she said.
“I took up hip-hop when I was 23 and I really loved it, I started it because I was getting lots of injuries from ballet and jazz.
“I love performing, it’s just like a big adrenaline rush.”
She has also trained at overseas dance studios, like London’s Pineapple Dance Studios, and spent three months studying urban dance in Los Angeles.
Shannyn said she has kept in contact with many well-known dance figures in the United States, and often arranges for famous dancers and choreographers to teach in Melbourne.
So, far she has organised workshops with the dancers from Missy Elliott, Usher and Justin Beiber’s shows.
The Keilor Jazz Centre will hold summer workshops this week, from Monday until Friday, including lyrical, jazz, acrobatics, music theatre, hip hop and contemporary styles.
Contact keilor_jazz@yahoo.com.au or see http://keilorjazzcentre.com for more information.
