Fiona Jopp
Why do you teach Dance?
I love to be in the studio. Helping and witnessing people learn and grow is so rewarding. I love the penny drop moments when corrections sink in, having a laugh, being creative and improving ourselves.
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Qualifications?
I am what is called an 'industry professional'. I have a lifetime of experience dancing, teaching and creating dance professionally.
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Professional Achievements?
I had my first job dancing at age 16 on the Gold Coast and at 18 I was cast in Disney's The Lion King where I toured Sydney, Melbourne and Shanghai. After this I moved to London and freelanced as a contemporary dancer, doing musical theatre, commercial and film work in between. I danced with Michael Clark Company, Bonachela Dance Company, Emanuel Gat Dance, and Javier De Frutos. I was a zombie in the film World War Z by Marc Forster (and met Brad Pitt) and a court person in Anna Karenina by Joe Wright. I moved back to Sydney to work with Rafael Bonachela at Sydney Dance Company and performed in numerous works by him and many guest choreographers. I have also rehearsal directed at Sydney Dance Company, taught company class and remounted works by Rafael Bonachela. I started choreographing my own work in 2015 and continue to do so in Maleny!
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Training?
I was awarded my RAD Solo Seal when I was 16 under the Ransely Ballet and Dance Centre. I then spent a short time at the Palucca Schule in Dresden before moving to the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. To reiterate my great friend and colleague Miss Andrea (who also taught me at Sydney Dance Company) we are in a constant state of learning, from every angle and from everyone we come into contact with. I have learnt an incredible amount from my peers and my students teach me things everyday. I have learnt from the choreographers I danced with, much more than the steps they may have taught, but ideology, creativity, patience and skill.
Favourite Style of Dance?
This is really too hard to answer. I have always been an all rounder and have worked in many fields, I honestly couldn't say!
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Favourite Food?
I have a big vegetable garden, source ethically produced food and I love to cook and eat almost everything! Japanese is probably my favourite to eat though!
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Favourite Show?
I think my favourite show i've seen live might be 'can we talk about this' by DV8 Physical Theatre. I really love to watch incredibly crafted contemporary work.
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Anything else we should know about you?
I love to have a nice glass of red wine with dinner! Tobias, my husband is an amazing singer, composer and singing coach and we are working on creating performances together. My cat Furgie is the cutest unhelpful helper doing house chores. I'm also co-founder of Eat Art, a food and performance art pairing project here on The Sunshine Coast.