Our Team

Nadiah Idris

Sammie Williams

Sammie Williams choreographs, performs and teaches across a variety of dance styles from contemporary to hip hop and has worked across Brisbane for Elements Collective, Mad Dance house and as a freelance artist. She is extremely passionate about working in arts education, previously working for community program Street Dreams, in the VET sector and now as a High School dance teacher. Sammie has been an artist in residence at Metro Arts and the inaugural recipient of the Mad Dance and Laboite Grant to present a the debut of Hip Hop Theatre work ‘One Way’. She wrote and directed ‘Goldie and the 3 B-bears’ a hip hop theatre work for children, partnering with Elements Collective to tour the work to Logan, North QLD and the NT. 
Sammie has performed with Vulcana Women's Circus for Impact and worked as movement director for hip hop theatre show Brothers Book Club with Mama’s Boys, La Boite show IRL, Queensland Theatre’s Young People’s company and many more. You can also find her MC’ing dance battles, events and to get the party started you might even catch her drop a few rhymes on the odd occasion.

Georgie Baumann

Nadiah “NfuZion” Idris is Australia’s first internationally recognised freelance dancer, educator and choreographer specialising in Dancehall, House and African diaspora styles, working across Australia, Europe and the US. Born in Naarm and raised in Kuala Lumpur in a South African–Malaysian household, she began her professional career in 2008 and has since performed in over 30 countries, sharing stages with artists including KOFFEE, Major Lazer, Robin S and Kanye West. A passionate culture keeper and creative entrepreneur, she is the founder of Nfuze Events, Rhythm & Roots Movement and NFZ Fitness, an emerging DJ, and a member of Paris-based crew Paradox-sal and Johannesburg’s Via Vyndal Pantsulas — continuing to inspire, educate and empower communities worldwide.

Georgie Baumann is a Butchulla woman, Gubbi Gubbi descendant and South Sea Islander (Tanna Island) from Hervey Bay. Georgie has over 15 years experience in the Creative Industries, with highlights including being a Brisbane Broncos Cheerleader, and dancing on an International Stage in the opening ceremony at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games with the Island Home dancers.

In the last few years Georgie has taught over 100 dance workshops throughout Queensland and Northern NSW. She is currently part of the Proudfoot & Friends show, sharing her culture through a fun and interactive environment to kids. Additionally, Georgie is currently working at Brisbane 2032 in the Sustainability, Impact and Legacy Team where she collaborates to create inclusive and sustainable outcomes for The Games. Georgie is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Drama and Performance)/ Bachelor of Business (Management) part time.

The TranscenDance Dance Festival Advisory Committee brings together a dynamic group of artists, educators, and industry leaders who share a passion for championing dance as a powerful form of expression and connection.

With diverse expertise spanning performance, choreography, community engagement, and education, the committee provides strategic guidance to shape the festival’s vision and ensure its relevance, inclusivity, and artistic excellence. Their collective insight supports the festival in celebrating bold voices, nurturing emerging talent, and creating meaningful experiences for all.

Tamara Zurvas

Tamara Zurvas was a professional ballet dancer for over a decade with the Queensland Ballet, Australia, and internationally. Since stepping down from the stage in 2015, Tamara has worked closely with Queensland Ballet to deliver programs across broader community ballet and arts health contexts. Noteworthy among these are the Dance for Parkinson’s Australia program, Dance Moves for Arthritis Qld, and Queensland Ballet’s Ballet for Seniors program.
 In 2025, Tamara completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree with Queensland University Technology exploring how ballet teachers can use embodied methodologies to foster more constructive ways of striving among students. In 2023, she presented a TEDx talk on the powerful impacts that ballet can bring to individuals and communities through the development of embodied awareness. Tamara envisions a future that includes more expansive outreach and participation in dance across diverse communities.

Charmaine Idris

Charmaine Idris is a passionate advocate for the arts, her focus being on diversity and disability. She believes that without the arts, her soul would shrivel up and die because the arts allow her the freedom of being present in the present. As a freelance arts writer/journalist, Charmaine's articles have been published in ArtsHub, Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane, The Advocate and several disability magazines. Charmaine has been a mentor and invited speaker at the Women of the World Festival, and been nominated for a Woman of Innovation Award, as well as Australia's Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs. Given her mantra for living life to the fullest, Charmaine believes in nurturing the mind, body and spirit so you'll find her pumping iron at her local gym, swimming to infinity at several pools around Brisbane, checking out the latest in theatre and on the visual art scene, spending time in dark cinemas, and never, never leaves home without a book! Charmaine is continuously nurturing her journey of self worth armed with wisdom, insight, patience, humility and gratitude to guide her. 

Bridget Fiske

Loïc Robillot

Loïc Robillot is the Mad Dance House Manager and an experienced producer of large-scale events within Brisbane’s hip hop community. Through both his independent work and his role at MDH, he has helped deliver major dance events, including producing QLD's largest dance battle event, the BrisAsia Dance Battles, as part of BRISASIA Festival.

Bridget is a Director, Choreographer, Movement Director, Writer and Mentor with 25 years’ international experience across dance, theatre, film and interdisciplinary practice. She was Choreographic, Movement and Rehearsal Director with Belarus Free Theatre from 2012, contributing to major productions including Burning Doors, Counting Sheep and Trash Cuisine, and has recently choreographed and performed in Iron Butterflies (Sundance and Berlinale, 2023). Her work has been presented at leading festivals, galleries and public spaces internationally, and she has directed youth and community projects ranging from site-specific performances to large-scale productions. As a mentor and educator, Bridget has supported emerging artists and delivered training with companies and institutions across the UK and Australia. She is also experienced in curation, producing and strategic development, and is a founding Director of Project Auske.

Meg Cooper

Meg Cooper founded Mad Dance House in 2003 and is a Royal Academy of Dance–qualified Ballet Instructor. A finalist in the 2019 Telstra Women’s Business Awards, she leads a team of 40 teachers and staff, delivering over 60 weekly adult classes in the heart of Brisbane. Meg regularly hosts interstate and international guest teachers, takes workshops to regional communities, and provides in-school programs across Queensland. She oversees the creative direction of the charity event Dancing CEOs supporting Women’s Legal Service QLD, and advocates for independent dance artists’ rights and fair pay through her committee role with Dancers Australia under MEAA — remaining a dedicated and passionate supporter of dance and dancers.

Renee Place

Renee Place is a seasoned producer, arts education consultant, and advocate for arts and health, with extensive experience in various educational roles. They served as a dance educational consultant at Queensland Ballet and Expressions Dance Company, and were a dance and drama teacher at the Queensland Academy of Creative Industries and Brisbane School of Distance Education. As Head of Department for The Arts at Brisbane South State Secondary College from 2020 to 2023, they championed arts education. Currently, Renee works as an educational consultant for the Brisbane Festival and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, while also producing for Sprung!! Dance Theatre. Renée holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education in Dance and Drama from QUT.