Explore, connect, and grow through dance
Dance artist Briana Cohen combines technical training with personal development, creating spaces where dancers can excel through mindset and movement.
Briana Cohen has always been interested in dance and while it was a hobby at first, by the age of around 16, it became an obsession. “I knew I wanted to take it more seriously,” she told The AJN.
The dance artist who specialises in choreography, movement direction and teaching explained that her work blends high-level dance training with personal development tools that support dancers creatively and mentally.
“When dancers build a stronger relationship with themselves, it shows up in their movement,” she said. “Their ability to approach choreography, retain detail, and perform at a higher level improves when their mindset is in the right place. A big part of my work is helping dancers become aware of their internal dialogue, what’s happening for them while they’re learning or rehearsing and whether it’s helping or holding them back.”
Cohen uses tools to help her dancers stay focused and present in training. She believes it helps them reflect on ways they may be hindering their physical potential.
“The personal development side isn’t separate from the dance, it helps unlock it. And it works both ways. What dance demands – discipline, vulnerability, adaptability – often calls people to grow in ways that naturally carry over into other areas of their lives,” she explained. “While I work with dancers training or working at a high level, I also love teaching beginners and people who are simply curious about dance. I take a thoughtful, tailored approach depending on each person’s experience, helping them feel more at ease and supported as they step into the space.”
Cohen told The AJN that her Jewish heritage always finds ways to weave through her dance work, with her identity central to how she both sees the world and connects with it. “It’s shaped the way I hold space for others, with a strong focus on care, curiosity, and community. My work centres on creating environments where people can explore, connect, and grow through dance,” she explained.
Cohen has worked extensively in the creative space, including as creative director and choreographer on RuPauls Drag Race Down Under which toured across Australia and New Zealand. She has also choreographed for recording artists Banoffee and Alaina Castillo. And she said that along the way, her appreciation of dance has changed depending on what she is doing.
“It’s always been a central part of my world, something that allows me to be creative, to push myself, and to grow. It’s a very freeing experience, one that brings presence and a deep sense of connection,” she said.
“What I love is how full-bodied the experience is, not just physically, but mentally too. There’s a focus required that often goes unnoticed: remembering choreography, attaching specific dynamics to each movement, understanding musicality, sequencing, texture, and timing. It’s a blend of structure and intuition, discipline and expression. To do it well, you have to be completely present, there’s no room to drift. I love being in that space, whether I’m creating choreography, learning it, or dancing it. It keeps evolving with me and continues to offer something new.”
Next stop for the dance artist? The USA where she’ll be expanding her work. For Cohen, she’s excited about making dance accessible for everyone, and while she acknowledges that it can be daunting at first for those who haven’t done it before, she reminded The AJN that dance is absolutely for everyone.
“You’re not being judged, most people are focused on their own experience. I aim to create a space that feels supportive and low-pressure, where you can explore, make mistakes, and enjoy the process. There’s a lot to gain from simply showing up,” she said.
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