• Bachelor of Education (Primary)

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• Artist in Process - Undergraduate Dance Education

       - Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance (SEAD), Austria

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• Advanced Diploma of Dance

       - Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)

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• Victorian College of the Arts, Secondary School

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Jessica Murray’s love of dance began whilst taking classes in her hometown of Yarram. Within a short period of time Jess was encouraged to take additional lessons in Melbourne to support her developing skills. Eventually her family found a wonderful teacher in Sale who taught life skills in between sequences at the barre, gave anatomy lessons whilst dissecting movement, instilled in each student the strength and capabilities of their bodies and minds and passed on pearls of wisdom as the students twirled throughout the studio. Jess will be forever grateful to her teacher, Su Bernays and to her parents for the many hours they spent driving to and from these captivating lessons.

 

At 17, Jess was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. After a year of dancing full time whilst completing Year 12 in Melbourne, Jess was accepted into the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Five years later, Jess had completed her Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Dance), met her future husband and was once again ready for the next adventure.

 

With very little money and some pretty exciting dreams, Jess and her husband to be set off to Austria where Jess auditioned for and was accepted into the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance (SEAD). After just over a year of dancing with some extraordinary dancers and learning from world renowned teachers and choreographers, Jess and her partner returned to Victoria to the delight of their families.

 

In Melbourne Jess picked up a variety of dance teaching jobs in both primary and secondary schools and worked for the National Institute of Youth Performing Arts Australia (NIYPAA) as a teacher and choreographer. A highlight during this time was a two and a half year appointment at Wesley College where she taught Creative Movement to all students from Prep through to Grade Four and choreographed school musicals for over 180 students in each production. For seven years Jess was a leading teacher within the dance department at the Goulburn Institute of TAFE (now closed), teaching dance units (primarily ballet, choreography and dance teaching methods) to students ranging from Certificate II to Advanced Diploma of Dance courses.

 

Jess is married to Andrew, has three children in kinder and primary school and is continuing to juggle family life, primary teaching and running a dance studio at the same time. She's still working out the balance!

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Welcome to the Naturally Dance community.