INSTRUCTOR

HIP HOP

Shaniece Phillips’ first experience with dance was at a ballet class at a community centre in grade 2. While it didn’t stick at the time, dance was something she loved to do and fantasized about performing on stages. Her older sister was a dancer and teacher. Shaniece spent most of her time playing sports, specifically soccer. She rediscovered dance in high school, joined the dance club, and through inspiration of America’s Best Dance Crew and the Krump scene joined a crew with her brother and other friends. She continued to play sports, and went on to study Psychology at the University of Guelph-Humber. But dance always had a place in her life. After experiencing a brain injury while playing sports and it sidelining her for months, she decided to step away from sports to make sure that nothing could take her away from dance that long, ever again.

Shaniece has performed at various shows in the city such as Fever After Dark and Dusk Dances. She has been a member of Culture Shock Toronto since 2015, which has given her the opportunity to perform on stages in Ottawa, Las Vegas, LA and Chicago. She is now the artistic director of Culture Shock Toronto’s adult troupe. She is currently studying Expressive Arts Therapy at the Create Institute. Her main styles are hip hop and dancehall. Her hope is that in teaching, she never forgets to share the true essence of dance, to pay homage to those who came before her and to always acknowledge the powerful role that art plays in society today.