Debbie Linnert is one of Australia’s most renowned contemporary dance teachers and choreographers and is well known for her dynamic and inspirational work. For the past 20 years, Debbie has been a popular guest teacher for many industry workshops and teacher conventions and has imparted her wealth of experience both as an international and residential teacher/ choreographer. During this time Debbie has developed not only as a choreographer but has been committed to enhancing the technical skill of students at an elite level.
Debbie started dancing from the age of 4 and followed her passion of dance to complete a Full time Performing Arts Course at Brent Street Studios, Sydney and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree [University of Newcastle], Australia. She also holds a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. After travelling the world teaching mainly in London, UK she set down roots here in Australia.
Debbie’s choreography attracted the attention of the producers for So You Think You Can Dance, Australia, the dance reality television hit. Debbie was invited to choreograph for the 1st series and became a regular contemporary choreographer for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th series. She worked side by side with Australia’s greatest choreographers and dance leaders, such as Kelley Abbey and Jason Gilkison, bringing the art and grace of dance to mainstream audiences. Debbie choreographed duos and group routines over those years with standing ovations and highly acclaimed critiques. Following one of her many outstanding routines, Paula Abdul through a stream of tears, remarked “the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”
Debbie has also been engaged by other well-known television productions such as Dancing with the Stars [Channel 7] and the ABCs Dance Academy [ABC TV]. She was lead choreographer for High School Musical directed by Jonathon Geraghty [director of High 5]. Debbie has also been engaged to share her expertise with organisations including Link Financial Services, Lions Club Australia, Toys R Us, Joop Perfume Convention and the Australian Hair Expo.
On stage, Debbie has choreographed for The Australian Dance Awards and also created a revised production of the 7 Deadly Sins. Debbie choreographed KLASH to live percussion with Michael Askill, newly composed music of Cyrus Meurant and Matthew Hindson, which was performed by Nexus Quartet. Debbie worked in a collaboration of Lord of the Rings, accompanied by Newcastle Wind Orchestra. With Debbie’s broad and diverse experience she has also become a well-respected judge and adjudicator in the dancing world. One of Debbie’s deepest delight is in teaching, mentoring and inspiring dance students. This in hand with a gift for contemporary choreography has been the foundation for a long and successful career where she has contributed to 1000’s of aspiring dancers. “Seeing a young person develop their technique and then loose themselves with passion, raw emotion and precision on the stage, where the audience becomes emotionally mesmerized means so much for me. Even more though is when I see the growth of my students. It keeps me inspired”.