Sabrina McCarthy

Published in Print May 2025 order now!

By Danielle Brown

In 2022, Sabrina McCarthy made the bold move from Sydney to the UK after relocating from Queensland to Sydney in 2019. This year, Sabrina is taking her next big leap to the US, having been headhunted by McDonald/Selznick Associates (MSA) in LA, a significant milestone for any artist. At just 27 years old, Sabrina has been working professionally as a hip hop artist since she was 18. Her journey from Australia to the UK and now on her way to LA has been nothing short of extraordinary.

We had the privilege of speaking with Sabrina to gain her unique perspective on hip hop, from its origins to her distinctive approach in teaching and sharing her craft with aspiring students. Alongside her extensive training outside of school in jazz, tap, and ballet, Sabrina also studied Dance which contributed towards her ATAR at Sunshine Beach State High School in Queensland. She has always been driven, and her move abroad is a reflection of her desire to push boundaries and take her career to the next level.

Sabrina’s decision to move abroad wasn’t one she took lightly. “I moved because, in Australia, I had reached the point where I’d done most of what I could do,” Sabrina reflects. “I had been getting training in the US since I was a kid, so I looked up the quickest visa option. Within two weeks, I was on a plane and moved to the UK.”

The move had a significant impact on Sabrina’s career. “It’s been amazing. My life has changed so much,” she explains. “Of course, Australia is far from Europe and the US, so when I got to the UK, it was a wild journey. I started getting approached by companies and camps in Europe, and I began travelling every weekend—new flights, new cities. It was crazy and life-changing.”

For Sabrina, the move to the UK was about expanding her horizons. “I had my own style, and over here, hip hop is much more appreciated. In Australia, there’s no industry for hip hop as a professional career, but in the UK and Europe, it’s huge. Hip hop is the most sought-after style—more than commercial or ballet. It’s been amazing to do what I love and feel it fully appreciated.”

While Sabrina is a hip hop artist at heart, she knows the value of training in other genres. “You can tell when dancers have formal training. It just makes you more versatile,” she says. “I did ballet, jazz, and contemporary. That training helped me develop control and versatility. Ballet and contemporary dance helped me with control the most.”

Moving away from home to pursue her dreams wasn’t easy, but Sabrina knew it was necessary. “I’ve always been a bit of a black sheep,” she shares. “Since I was young, I would commit to competitions and training, but I also saved up money and travelled on my own to places like New Zealand and other states for more training. I used to attend conventions like The Pulse on Tour in the US,” she recalls. “I also travelled to LA every year since I was a kid, training at the Palace Dance Studio with Parris Goebel and others. I learned from every workshop available in Australia and had great mentors and teachers locally. A lot of people told me I should stay within my studio, but I knew I had to do it my way. I moved to Sydney in 2019, and then, in 2022, I moved to the UK. My dreams and aspirations didn’t align with staying in Australia, so I made the sacrifice. Of course, I miss my family, but you have to do what’s best for you.”

For Sabrina, performing is an energising experience and teaching nourishes her soul. “Every time I step on stage and hear the live band through my in-ears before going on, I get this surreal feeling—it’s hard to describe,” she explains. “Also, teaching gives me great joy. When I taught in Ukraine, for example, I had people come up to me after class, telling me that I inspired them. It’s moments like that that make it all worth it.”

Sabrina’s passion for teaching comes from her desire to share not only technical skills but also the rich history of hip hop. “As a teacher, I encourage freedom in students’ choices and self-expression,” she says. “But you also need to honour the style you’re teaching. You can’t just learn the steps; there’s history, meaning, and feeling in every movement. I create an environment where people feel safe to work hard and explore their own style while keeping the integrity of the dance style intact.”

For Sabrina, storytelling through dance is an essential part of the art form. “Storytelling is something that comes naturally to individuals,” she explains. “It’s about the human connection and individuality in dance.”

When it comes to group choreography, Sabrina focuses on balancing individuality with cohesion. “I start with freestyle and then refine it,” she says. “When putting it on other people, I make sure I’m clear about what I want, but I also allow room for flexibility in the moment. You have to be able to adapt and make adjustments as you go along.”

Sabrina sees a few common mistakes in young hip hop dancers, particularly in today’s climate. “A lot of dancers limit themselves to hip hop and get comfortable with the freedom it offers,” she observes. “They shy away from trying other styles or developing their full range as a dancer. They also tend to follow trends and focus on copying choreography without learning the fundamentals first. It’s important to stay true to the basics and then incorporate your own personal style.”

Hip hop’s universal appeal across cultures and genres is one of its greatest strengths, and Sabrina believes this is why it resonates so strongly with young people. “Hip hop was never created for performance. It came from street culture—competing, representing where you’re from, and having fun,” she explains. “It’s not about fitting into a box or being judged on how you look. Hip hop is much more inclusive than the commercial dance world, which has a much more rigid standard.”

Sabrina also addresses the topic of over-sexualisation in dance, which is often seen in commercial settings. “The world has definitely become more sexualised, especially with the influence of social media,” she acknowledges. “For the jobs I do, it’s just part of the industry. But for children, I think it’s wrong. Kids should be allowed to be kids without being exposed to that pressure.”

Sabrina credits much of her physical health and longevity to the importance of recovery. “The key is recovery. It’s not about injuring yourself while dancing; it’s about what you do to recover,” she explains. “Going to physiotherapy, getting massages, and looking after your body outside the studio are all essential.”

As social media continues to play a major role in the entertainment industry, Sabrina reflects on how dancers can use it to their advantage. “Social media is a huge part of my business,” she says. “You don’t always have to audition—sometimes people book you just by seeing your content online. It’s important to maintain a professional image and use social media as a portfolio, but you don’t need to share everything. You have to put your best foot forward and be smart about it.”

Sabrina’s next career leap takes her to LA, where she has already signed with MSA, a leading agency in the US. “I’m moving to the US in the next couple of months,” she says. “A lot of the artist work I want to do is there. The industry has changed, and now the prime age for a working dancer is around 30 because you have the life experience and business sense to handle it. I’m looking forward to what’s next!”

Finally, Sabrina offers some heartfelt advice to aspiring dancers: “Don’t be afraid to follow your own path. It’s okay to be different,” she encourages. “A lot of dancers in Australia follow the same route, but your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Be versatile, stay true to your craft, and don’t be afraid to be confident. Aussie kids are incredibly talented, but sometimes they hold back because of tall poppy syndrome. Be proud of what you do.”

Sabrina’s journey, from Queensland to Sydney, the UK, and now heading to LA, is a testament to the power of following one’s passion, no matter the sacrifice. As she continues to inspire dancers around the world, her message remains clear: stay true to yourself, embrace versatility, and never stop learning.