Claudia Rodino

Hola everyone!!! My name is Claudia and I am an Argentinian-Aussie woman, full of passion and gratitude! I came to Australia 7 years ago with my gorgeous man Leonardo and my incredible 2 sons Ignacio and Gonzalo. We were looking for freedom and a better future… and we came to this lucky country! I am a qualified Physiotherapist in my country, and worked for many years in Aires, the Argentinian capital. Since arriving in as permanent immigrants, I qualified as Remedial Massage Therapist and Kinesiologist. My love about the physical and emotional wellbeing has always been my priority. I am also passionate about music and dance… In my country we learn how to dance probably before we walk. I have always believed that all of these things combined are the best recipe for wellbeing.     Considering how many and how different things I love doing all the time, I came to think that my passion changed too often. For a long time it was very hard for me to “stay focused”, until lately… when I discovered that my biggest passion is Life itself, in every way, with all its colours and shape.  After going through my own dance fitness business experience a few years ago, I have finally found the place where I want to be:

Suddenly Rise and Shine came into my life… sharing moments of dancing, singing and happiness… and what I enjoy the most… helping others in many different forms on how to focus on enjoying the present moment and on living this extraordinary life in full! Rise and Shine is now my ultimate goal: We love to help others to see life in a different light, focusing on the needs of the human beings to find our unique rhythm, to find our inner song playing in tune with nature and time. Other Interests: I love so many things that it will be impossible to write it in this small piece of paper. Having Fun in many ways and meeting new people are my main driving force!

Adrienne Marlow

My name is Adrienne Marlow and I am married with 4 children. Originally from North Queensland we moved to Brisbane when I was 4 and have been here ever since. From a small child I always loved children and so I became as a primary school teacher. I stopped teaching to raise my family and went back doing relief work for when my own children went to school. This became very unsatisfying over time and I recently began working doing admin and reception work for a friend who is a naturopath in Samford. I always swore I’d never do office work because I hate to be stuck inside but I love this job and the people I work with and Samford is a beautiful place to work. I first met the Rise and Shine girls when I started doing the latin dance fitness classes at Arana gym with Claudia. I had been looking for something to get me fit and to use the rhythm (that I thought I had) and also to broaden my horizons as far as friends and activities go. I am always dabbling in something whether it be painting, sewing, decorating, geneology and photographs (have thousands of them) gardening, – “jack of all trades but master of none” that’s me. I love to entertain and so enjoy cooking and have a tendency to be the ‘organiser’ of gatherings and outings because I love to share good times with friends and family.

How I bless the perserverence that was required of me to ‘get the rhythm’ when it came to Latin dancing because it led me to meet a truly wonderful and special group of people who are Rise and Shine. If you are looking for inspiration in your life, if you like to have a good time, if you want to try something new, if you’d like to meet new people, this is the place to go. This organisation though still relatively small has brought so many new and wonderful people into my life that I sometimes have to pinch myself at my good fortune. My hope for the future is that all people should be able to experience feeling this good about life. Everyone has heartache, everyone has bad times, but living life to the fullest even in the simplest ways is the most important thing of all. Love your family, love your friends and be good to them.

Deanne Scanlan

I am at the stage of life now where the parameters have changed. My family have grown, Joshua is married and 26, Lyndon is 21 and forging a career with plans of travel . So now is the time for fulfilling some of the dreams that I had as a girl that most women put on hold while they raise their family. Meeting the girls of Rise and Shine has given me the confidence to go out and chase those rainbows. I dance, I sing, and now I am acting (a little) in a local production of BRIGADOON. All of this has been as a result of my associations with the girls and their belief that we all have that something inside us that makes us special. I have my own business importing Latin and Ballroom dance shoes called “DANCE DIVAS “. I have expanded the range to include a range of fitness and dance wear called “DEVOTION “. This will be released in November. I grew up with a strong love of music. My father always turned on the player the minute he came home and would love to sit and be carried to a far off place of solitude with magical music.

I have inherited that love and as a result have had a strong desire to move body and soul through dance and song. Add to that the fact that fitness becomes harder the older you get, I just love combining the two and helping others to do the same. I love the saying “ IF YOU DON’T USE IT YOU LOSE IT “ . But the best part is not only the fun , but the wonderful friendships that we make along the way . These are the ones that will endure through the rest of your life . What inspires me ? I will tell you that it is something so simple . When I leave this earth , I want to know that I have done it all . What ever all is , I have done my very best to fill my life and my families with wonderful memories . Travel with my husband John , more musicals to come and more fun times with Rise and Shine . We are never promised a tomorrow , so go out and “ get em “ NOW !!!!!!

Debbie Denti

Hi my name is Debbie and I have been a member of Rise and Shine management committee since its beginning of May 2007. I was born in the UK and moved to Australia in 1995 where I met my husband and now have two beautiful children. My biggest achievement is my children and moving countries. I love to travel and meet people from diverse cultures, I am a travel agent by trade and I am passionate about dance. I enjoy all types of music, anything with a beat. Over the past years I have tried Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Tap, however since being a member of Rise and Shine I have learned that it’s not all about perfecting the right dance steps. By getting together with like minded people in a supportive and fun environment I have gained confidence and I am having lots of fun which has allowed me to dance freely. Learning new things always inspires me whether it’s a new skill or just a new fact and it’s great to see others at Rise and Shine use there talents to help other people. The performance group and helping others in need is my passion.

I always loved the idea of performing but was never confident or felt good enough but since being a member of Rise and Shine I can’t wait till our next performance, especially when we put it to good use to help others ….lifes not a rehearsal, go for it !!

Elissa Maclean

For as long as I can remember dance has always been a passion of mine, quickly followed by my love of music. For me they both go hand in hand. As a young girl I wanted to be a dancer and had visions of being in the Sydney Dance Company. Life didn’t take that path and after travelling extensively, I fell into a career in Natural Therapies. Alongside that dance and music were always a big part of my life. For many years in my 20’s, I could be found lurking in Latin dance clubs until the wee hours of the morning. In 1998, I moved from Sydney to Brisbane with my family. After adding another little girl to our brood (already consisting of one girl Ella and husband Gary), I decided that I desired a change from Natural Therapies. At some level, I returned to my first love, dance and started to do a few dance classes. Around this time I met Claudia Rodino and together we developed Latido, Latin Dance Fitness classes. From this Rise and Shine was born. For me the pinnacle of being involved in Rise and Shine is to get to the end of teaching a dance fitness class and seeing the absolute joy on the faces of the participants.

I also love being part of a group of dedicated women who are focused on the goal of assisting other likeminded individuals to reach their creative self expression and joy. As long as I can put music on and dance to it, I will always feel joy. Other things that inspire and thrill me…….. special times with family, long languorous lunches with friends, working with my class at school in my day job, Saturday market morning with my best friend, reading biographies, crafting, beautiful art, classical music, holidays in the Blue Mountains, doing someone else’s dance class, doing my own dance class………….. The list can go on forever. My biggest inspiration would be if someone commented “I want what she’s got” about any of us in the organization, I know we are getting the message out there.

Jacqui Cain

Position: Secretary What do I love about Rise & Shine? The friends, fun and laughter I have every time we get together. I’ve also learnt lots of great stuff and found out so much about myself. I didn’t realise what I had inside me just waiting to be discovered. Rise & Shine has helped me to believe that anything is possible and to just give things a try. You never know what you are capable of, until you stop being afraid and take that first scary step or in some cases, a ‘push’! That’s what’s wonderful about the women in Rise & Shine, they are so supportive and will give you all the encouragement you need. We all have such a good time when we get together that we all want to share this with other women in the community and make a difference to how they feel about themselves. Dancing and singing are fabulous ways in which to express yourself and it always makes you feel great.

Judy Day

I have always loved dancing, though have not found many opportunities to enjoy it over the years. When I first started in Claudia’s class, I was so nervous but oh, so excited! It was a dream come true, to be learning to move to latin music, to many different music!... It made me feel totally alive and it has become the highlight of the week for me. I love the strong friendship that I gained with all of the girls from Rise and Shine, the fun of doing new styles of dancing, the freedom of not having to worry about partnering to still be able enjoy dancing! It truly refreshes my spirits, and after the class, I feel my week has been lifted onto a different plane! If you are looking for friendship and good time… don’t hesitate… join us now, we would love to have you in our group!

Judy Lulan

Hi All, My name is Judy Lulan, I'm 50 years young, have two boys 21 and 24 and I've been married for 30 years! Wow! Where did that time go??? I am a mechanical draughts person by trade, and my real job is helping my husband, Nic with our building company. Between you and me I do as little as possible on that front because my real passion is having fun! Singing, dancing, and indulging in the odd party or drinks with friends......We all deserve to let our hair down now and then and what better way than joining a group of like minded people to do it with. I run a Dance Fitness Class and I enjoy doing that so much!

Sharon Kemp

As a child I spent my playtime dressing up, singing into skipping ropes and creating dance movements for my audience in the mirror . I was shy and not confident enough to share my passion with a live audience besides my beautiful mum. The dream was there though, someday I would be brave enough, and I would be a famous enterainer! Well, the passion never died, and although I didn’t make celebrity status, I did brush shoulders with a few during my years in Sydney as a cabaret performer. I have tasted the vocal delights of jazz, pop, classical and musical theatre, and music generally has been a powerful source of inspiration and healing in my life. Although I became a nurse, and a mum, I have never lost the devotion to music that lives inside us all and its ability to open the heart and transform how we feel. Rise & Shine for me, is born out of gratitude. It is a celebration of the happiness music and freindship brings to my life. It’s also an opportunity to share with others my passion and my gift for singing and performance.

My goal as a class facilitator and founding member of our wonderful organisation is that everyone – no matter what age or background, leaves our classes, workshops and events with a spring in their step, a smile on their face, and sense of freedom that fills their heart. I just want every person, little or big to Shine in their lives like they were born to do.