What’s this all about?
Brianna Shahin is an Egyptian-Australian contemporary dance artist, performer, and teacher based in Nipaluna/Hobart. She began training on Gadigal Land/Sydney, studying at Ev & Bow’s Full-Time Dance Training Centre and Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year. Brianna’s artistic practice is rooted in regional research, exploring diverse movement methodologies and multidisciplinary exchanges, and is passionate about sharing foundational concepts with the Lutruwita/Tasmanian community.
Brianna’s diverse movement practice draws from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, soft acrobatics, improvisation, yoga, floor-work, and animal flow. She is interested in how dance explores cultural identity, and its role in storytelling and human expression across different regions. Brianna’s practice seeks to understand how dance shapes and is shaped by its environment, emphasizing place-based influences and how they impact the stories we tell. Her curiosity also extends to the subtleties of the human body, focusing on energy flow, sensory experiences, and dynamic movement that captures the essence of contraction, expansion, and flow.
An avid collaborator, Brianna has worked with many of Australia’s esteemed dance makers and directors, including Stephanie Lake for the iconic ‘Colossus’ at Sydney Festival and Nick Cave’s vibrant ‘Heard-Syd’ at Carriageworks. Her performances have graced other renowned festivals, such as Party in the Paddock, Ten Days on the Island, and The Mona Gala. Brianna is also a core member of Silikil, an experimental, multi-disciplinary band that merges music, art, and theatre. Through Silikil, she has performed at events including ‘Gather Together’ at The Long Gallery for Dark Fringe 2023, Penny Contemporary Art Gallery’s concert series, and Mona’s ‘Mona Foma’ 2024. Additionally, Brianna has been commissioned as a Movement Director, Choreographer, and Performer for music videos, including Cathy Diver’s trilogy – ‘Holden CX7349’, ‘Getaway’ and ‘Sylvia’ – and Electrolyte Orchestra’s ‘Where I Am.’
Brianna’s teaching philosophy is anchored in personal freedom, independent thinking, and the cultivation of agency. She encourages students to explore their power, softness, and creativity through floorwork, soft acrobatics, and improvisation. Her sessions include movement meditations, body scans, and creative tasking that enable those to delve into both internal and external stimuli. Through these practices, she nurtures a holistic understanding of the body, focusing on building strength, mobility, and a conscious connection to one’s environment. Brianna believes that dance can be a path to healing and self-discovery, creating new pathways in the brain and expanding the body's expressive potential.
Beyond the studio, Brianna has served as a creative associate for DRILL Performance, where she assisted in directing and facilitating educational programs like ‘Dance Nexus,’ and leading regular classes. In 2024, she played a crucial role in ‘Kaleidoscope,’ which premiered at Moonah Arts Centre with the youth ensemble. She continues to mentor young dancers, instilling in them the values of creativity, resilience, and self-expression. Brianna also teaches at pre-tertiary training facilities, including Eternal Performing Arts, and complements her dance practice with academic studies. She holds a Bachelor of Anthropology with a minor in Indigenous Studies and is currently pursuing a Diploma of Remedial Massage.
Brianna’s diverse experience extends to events, having worked as an Artist Liaison for the Clarence Jazz Festival and Glenorchy 60th Anniversary Celebration, where she coordinated logistics, managed communications, and facilitated smooth event operations.
