Sharlene Ponzo

Director

Sharlene has been dancing since she was 3 years old and has trained in Jazz, Tap, Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Commercial Jazz and Hip-hop. She began teaching and choreographing for groups, solos, duos and trios at the age of 14, danced both competitively and professionally throughout her career and went on to complete and achieve the highest results in her ADA Advanced teaching qualifications in Modern Jazz and Tap.

Her highlights as a Principal at Universal include taking the students to the USA in 2015 to perform at Disneyland in LA, Universal Studios and Madame Tussauds on Hollywood Boulevard. Venturing onto New York was breathtaking, especially taking class at Broadway Dance Centre and then being taken backstage after the ‘Kinky Boots’ show to meet the cast. In 2018, Universal took students to Europe, dancing at studios in Singapore before stopping in London to dance at Pineapple Studios, see shows in London’s West End and then venture to Paris for more classes and shows, including the famous Moulin Rouge. These spectacular trips are definitely stand outs - but there have been many amazing moments at the studio that are just as memorable. From outstanding examination results across RAD and ADA syllabi, numerous Eisteddfod placings across the state, having students being accepted into prestigious programs ranging from scholarships to the QLD Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC, graduating students securing professional contracts at Disneyland, to our Petites students mastering skipping for the first time. Every day is a day of celebration at Universal.

I am delighted to see Universal Dance Company become a reality. It has been a dream of mine, for many years, to create an establishment where students can receive quality dance education in an environment that is encouraging, warm, friendly, professional and feels like home. I’m committed to providing the best for all Universal students, not just as dancers, but as individuals who are growing into the next generation of adults in our world.