JA Performing Arts

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June blog- Being nosey part 2 

How is it June already? 

Sunny days, longer evenings and beach days are calling- we made it! 

I’m this months blog, we get to know Miss Zoe & Miss Jackie a little more and get a bit nosey! 

So, here are Miss Zoe’s answers to our “getting to know you” questionnaire. 

What is your job title at JA? 

Dance/ Drama Teacher 

What is your favourite thing about your job? 

Being able to have fun with the students! Playing lots of drama games! 

How did you begin your chosen career?

I’ve always grown up dancing from a young age much like many of our JA students and I loved going to dancing as my escape I made so many friends from dancing and theatre and I want to be the teacher that helps our student have fun and make friends! Helping create those lifelong memories! 

Apart from the career you have now, what was your first job?

I worked in sports direct selling sportswear and trainers (which meant discount on stuff I could wear to dancing)

Name a highlight of your JA career so far although I’ve been here a very short time I’ve loved every week! I don’t currently have a specific hightlight but I love the drama lessons because the juniors and upper juniors make me laugh so much! They’re so creative! 

When you performed/ trained yourself, what was your favourite genre of Dance?

I did my degree at University Centre Colchester training in Musical Theatre! My favourite style is tap but jazz is a close second! 

Tell us something about yourself that we may not already know…

I have an arty side and like to spend my free time creating art! I’ve actually sold a few pieces! 

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take?

A knife so I can cut things for wood/ food etc 

A net so I can catch food like fish! 

And a phone so I can call for help of course! ( or so I can play a game if I get bored!) 

Last one! If you could only choose one, what one song would you play on repeat? 

100% don’t stop moving by S Club 7 big fan of 90s/00s music and I grew up blasting this song it’s just such a feel good and you can’t help but dance!! 

Thank you Miss Zoe! Keep your eyes (and ears!) peeled for the Mini Hip Hop students in our next show… we think you might like their performance ????

Now, onto Miss Jackie… let’s see what she has to say! 

What is your job title at JA?   

Adult Ballet teacher

What is your favourite thing about your job?  

As a teacher being able to pass on everything that during my career I have learnt and experienced from my peers, training and professional development to now pass onto my students.

How did you begin your chosen career?   

I commenced dancing at 9 years of age and instantly knew that a career in dance was all I wanted to pursue.

Apart from the career you have now, what was your first job?  

Working as a Saturday girl in a hairdressers.

Name a highlight of your career so far!

Performing on stage and eventually becoming Principal of my own school.

When you performed/ trained yourself, what was your favourite genre of Dance? 

Ballet!

Tell us a funny story from your time at JA 

Finding out during a session of Ballet exams the examiner had been a soloist with The Royal Ballet along with his very famous wife Leslie Collier! And sharing a cup of tea together at the end of the day when he told me how much he liked the life size cardboard cut out of Patrick Swayze that was currently in the loos! What a day!

Tell us something about yourself that we may not already know…   

I am passionate about every genre of Dance to the point that I eat, sleep and breathe it! Luckily I have a very supportive husband!

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take?  

My Husband!  Michael Baryshnikov autobiography and a photo of Cliff Richard!

Last one! If you could only choose one, what one song would you play on repeat? 

I will always love you Whitney Houston

Well, well, well Miss Jackie, we are SO surprised you’d take a picture of Cliff to a desert island- actually, we are surprised you put our wonderful Dad first on the list and not “Cliffy” himself! ???? 

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know our teaching team…. Next up Miss Gem & Claire- keep your eyes peeled.  

Have a wonderful June everyone xx