The Muse School of Burlesque is the Illawarra’s original burlesque school, and recently expanded to Sydney’s Sutherland Shire in 2019.

Established by Sofonda Blackmen in 2010 as the Risque Bizniz School of Burlesque, Sofonda instilled an amazing love for burlesque in the Illawarra region, and grew the local community with inclusive classes. She also began the steadfast show, Uncultured Chaos, now known as The Burlesque Basement.

Mae de la Rue took the reins in late 2017, and launched a new range of courses in a local studio, and began reinvigorating local opportunities. With a new collection of students, both beginners and experienced, and with a couple of student group performances under their belts, in mid 2019, Mae renamed the school to the Muse School of Burlesque.

Our aim is to inspire people – all ages, shapes, sizes, genders, and experiences – whether they take one class, attend one show, as long as we inspire people to feel good about themselves, their bodies, and their abilities, then we welcome all people to the Muse family.

In the past, we have had people feel they were not young enough, fit enough, pretty enough, thin enough, or good enough to do ‘burlesque’. However, our Head Muse, Mae de la Rue never accepts these self depreciating reasons and instead aims to imbue a sense of pride and self love in every student through her love and joy of burlesque. Muse School of Burlesque aims to help people just like you feel great and love the skin they are in, discover your own personal abilities and inspire you to express yourself in a safe and supportive environment. And there is no requirement to have any dance experience at all. Burlesque is not a type of dance; Burlesque is an attitude to life.