By Danielle Brown
From an early start at Brent Street through to touring internationally and major commercial campaigns, Max Simmons’ journey reflects both versatility and drive. Training at Brent Street from the age of eight and later earning a scholarship in his final two years, laid the technical and artistic foundation that continues to shape his career today. That training, coupled with milestone experiences such as being featured in Prime Video’s Dance Life and performing for Katy Perry at the AFL Grand Final, has fuelled a path that balances stage, screen, and commercial work at the highest level. Whether performing in theatre, touring nationally, or collaborating with brands like Netflix and Vogue, Max brings a unique combination of discipline, artistry, and authenticity. Now, as both a performer and teacher, he is committed to sharing that knowledge with the next generation while continuing to push his own boundaries in the industry.
“I’ve been part of Brent Street since I was eight years old, and I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship in my final two years of training there,” Max explains. “The training, across so many different styles, gave me the strong technical foundation I needed and transformed my love for dance into real drive and determination. Brent Street has always had such a high standard, and being around so many insanely talented dancers pushed me to level up every single day. It really set me up for the career I have now and introduced me to choreographers I’m still lucky enough to work with today. One of the biggest takeaways from my time there and something I still live by, is that if you put in the work and stay committed to your craft, success will follow.”
That commitment became even clearer when he was featured in Prime Video’s Dance Life. “Being featured in Prime Video’s doco-series Dance Life was honestly such an incredible experience and a big milestone in my career. At first, having cameras on you all the time was definitely a bit nerve-racking, but it ended up giving me so much more confidence to just be myself, both as a dancer and as a person. I’m super grateful for everything that’s come from the show, from teaching and running workshops, to connecting with amazing brands and building a solid presence on social media. It’s been such a privilege to share my personality and work ethic as a performer on an international streaming platform.”
That visibility soon led to one of the defining highlights of his career, performing alongside Katy Perry at the AFL Grand Final. “Being one of the featured stage dancers for Katy Perry’s AFL performance was such a pinch-me moment. Dancing in front of 100,000 people to the most iconic songs from my childhood gave me literal chills, it was pure joy. Working with The Squared Division was beyond inspiring, and being surrounded by so many talented LA dancers really took the whole experience to the next level. We trained hard for two weeks, drilling the choreography until it felt like second nature. Honestly, the rehearsal process was just as fun as the show itself. I got to dance alongside some of my closest friends while also building new connections. One of the most surreal parts was rehearsing right next to Katy Perry herself. You could feel her passion and love for performing, it was contagious and lit a fire in me.”
Theatre work has also played a significant role in Max’s career, with productions such as GODE at Sydney Town Hall and The New Era tour with Dream Dance Company testing him in different ways. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be a featured member in two productions by The Dream Dance Company, under the creative direction of Marko Panzic. Performing in live theatre, like in the production of GODE at Sydney’s iconic Town Hall, felt like second nature to me. Weeks of rehearsals all built toward a one-night-only performance and just like that, it was over in a flash. In contrast, when I toured around Australia with The New Era production, the experience was entirely different. I had to stay sharp and keep rehearsing even throughout the tour. I pushed myself to outdo my last performance every single time. That meant putting in the work, staying focused, and constantly reflecting on where I could improve.”
Commercial work has taken Max into yet another arena, with collaborations for some of the world’s biggest brands – such as netflix, vogue and amex. “Honestly, working for major international brands across various jobs has been a huge highlight of my career. These roles feel very different from performance-focused work, at the end of the day, I’m dancing to promote or launch something new on behalf of the brand. Performing in these settings always feels slick and polished. As a dancer, you’re there to bring an elevated sense of luxury and refinement to a general consumer audience. In these environments, I’ve had to fully rely on my technique, performance quality, and overall presence to deliver exactly what the brand needs.”
Just as important as performance have been the opportunities to assist some of Australia’s leading choreographers. “It’s been such a privilege to be trusted by some of our top choreographers, whether that’s through teaching opportunities or assisting them on the job. To be the best, you’ve got to learn from the best. Every time I assist, I soak up everything I can, how they teach, how their creative minds work, and how they approach dance as an artform. These experiences have really shaped my own style and the way I move. I’ve taken inspiration and knowledge from each choreographer and blended it with my own training and personal experiences. Assisting has especially influenced how I teach, it’s helped me become a more confident, thoughtful, and effective teacher.”
That adaptability was tested once again when Max joined the Metaverse of Magic International Tour. “Being part of this tour really pushed my versatility as a performer. While I was one of the lead dancers, I also took part in the acting and magic elements of the show. As dancers, we’re not just movers, we’re storytellers. Each character and role requires a different approach, and it’s up to us to fully embody that. Versatility is super important in today’s dance world. Not every gig is going to ask for the same style or energy. To really grow that skill, you’ve got to throw yourself into things that might feel a little uncomfortable, like trying a new style or stepping into a character that’s totally different from you. For me, I want to do as much as possible in this industry, so I’m always pushing myself to level up my versatility.”
Alongside his performing work, Max now teaches at Brent Street, where he continues to give back to the next generation of dancers. “Since graduating from Brent Street, I’ve been lucky enough to jump straight into teaching there. My own professional experience and training are the backbone of my teaching approach. I love passing on the hidden gems of industry knowledge that were once shared with me, and my teaching style is inspired by the amazing mentors who helped shape me. Because I’m always working on my own craft and staying active in the industry, my teaching keeps evolving too. I’m constantly learning new things, whether it’s in rehearsals, on jobs, or in the studio and I bring those lessons straight to my students to help them grow not just as dancers, but as artists.”
Looking back on his career so far, Max is proud of the highlights and honest about the challenges. “A few moments that stand out as the most rewarding in my career would definitely be dancing alongside Katy Perry at the AFL Grand Final, and getting to share who I am and my passion for dance with the world in the Prime Video doco-series Dance Life. Another incredibly special highlight was being a featured dancer and face of the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras campaign. I wasn’t just in the video, I was on buses, trams, and posters all over the city. As a gay dancer, being part of something that celebrates and lifts up the LGBTQIA+ community meant a lot to me. It was such a proud and powerful moment. One of the toughest things about this industry is dealing with all the uncertainty and rejection. When I was just starting out, there were definitely times when I wasn’t getting the gigs I dreamed of. But those times taught me to be resilient, patient, and to trust that what’s meant for you will come, just when it’s supposed to. During the hard times, I kept pushing, training, and growing. Even when things slow down, there’s always a way to keep moving forward.”
With so much experience already behind him, Max is generous with his advice to the next wave of dancers. “If I could give any advice to full-time performing arts students, it’d be to soak up everything while you’re training. Work hard, stay focused, and really use this time to sharpen your skills. Chances are, you won’t get to dance or train this intensely once you’re in the industry, so make the most of it. It’s easy to take it for granted or have those days when all you want to do is stay in bed, but just push through. Also remember: the teachers you have during full-time training are often the same people who will be hiring you or working alongside you in the industry. Make a good impression now, it can open doors later on. Lastly, everyone’s journey to success looks different. When you graduate, don’t expect things to happen overnight. Keep training, stay curious, and don’t wait around for opportunities to come to you, create them for yourself.”