“Nothing lives up to the incredible standard set by Helen and the team.”
I joined Top Jazz at 19 as the tap and acro teacher. Little did I know the impact Helen and Top Jazz would have on my life. Helen's passion and drive for the students soon rubbed off, and I found myself very involved on stage and off.
I had so many wonderful experiences at Top Jazz. I was part of the USA touring group, Ash and I competed in Strictly Dancing on the ABC, I won national titles at Showcase, and I won both the Dance Quest State Championships and Most Outstanding Dancer at the Mandurah Festival two years in a row. Above all, I'm most proud of the lifelong friendships and the achievements of the students I had the joy of teaching.
After leaving Top Jazz to chase my circus dreams, I've travelled the world and worked professionally for more than 15 years as a contortionist, acrobat and aerialist. I spent many years full time with Circus Oz, performing across Australia and internationally in "But Wait, There's More", "Twenty-Sixteen", "Rock Bang" with Die Roten Punkte, and "Tutti" with the Melbourne and Perth Symphony Orchestras. I've performed in sold-out, award-winning shows at the Edinburgh, Adelaide and Perth Fringe festivals, entertained thousands aboard P&O Cruises, and performed at most major arts festivals in the country.
Now I've stepped back from performing and work full time making dance and circus costumes for my own business, GlitterFart, another skill nurtured in the Top Jazz family.
I'll forever be grateful for my time at Top Jazz, the opportunities it created and the friendships it formed. The only downside? Now that I'm a mum, it's very hard to find a school for my little one, because nothing lives up to the incredible standard set by Helen and the team.