CONTEMPORARY DANCE ARTIST, CHOREOGRAPHER & TEACHER
Born and raised in Naarm/Melbourne now based in lutruwita/Tasmania, Jenni works as an independent dancer, performer, teacher and award winning choreographer across regional, remote and metropolitan Australia. Driven by the personal, political and transformational forces of embodiment, Jenni seeks joy and connection through the various limbs of her practice. Her vast geographic network and experience in diverse contexts and roles has deeply informed her practice, inspiring her to facilitate safe spaces for creation and learning.
A 2010 graduate of WAAPA and TNUA/Taipei exchange program, Jenni has performed extensively in independant and company environments, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Notably, Jenni was a formative ensemble member and rehearsal director with Kyle Page & Amber Haines at Dancenorth from 2015-2020 where she performed a plethora of works by renowned choreographers and toured throughout Australia, America, Mexico, Canada, Japan and Europe. Including the multi-award wining work ‘Attractor’ by Lucy Guerin and Gideon Obarzanek, ‘Dust’, ’Rainbow Vomit’, ‘Communal Table’ and ‘Spectra’ by Amber Haines and Kyle Page and ‘One Infinity’ by Gideon Obarzanek and Amber Haines. As well as works by Ross McCormack, Stephanie Lake, Lee Serle, Alisdair Macindoe and Jo Lloyd.
Independently, Jenni has performed in works by Ashleigh Musk (Fertile Ground, From Infancy & SUB), Aimee Smith (Wintering & Borderline), Sue Peacock (Reflect), Isabella Stone (Mouseprint), Leigh Warren & Dances and was a founding member of The Dance Makers Collective, NSW. Recently, Jenni performed in THAW by Legs On the Wall and she regularly collaborates with GUTS Dance, Central Australia.
Jenni is currently a Creative Associate at Tasdance under the directorship of Adam Wheeler where she continues to develop her practice as a performer, choreographer and producer. Jenni also worked for Tasdance (2012-2013) under the directorship of Annie Greig performing and touring works by Larissa McGowan, Anton, Francis Rings, Tanja Leidtke and Byron Perry.
Jenni’s choreographic work is a cross section of dancing, performance/endurance art, object and sculpture. Often centering materials and costuming (such as; foam, plaster, water, netting, 8 inch heels, gloves) to explore relationality, body politics and socio-political issues that impact women. Her works are known to push the limits of the body and confront audiences, utilising the tropes of popular culture, horror and comedy to shake stigmas and celebrate feminine resilience with a contemporary sensibility.
Choreographic works include:
‘All Expenses Paid’ (Co-choreographer) - Stompin, Mona Foma 2021 (TAS)
‘Trio for Harp, Musician & Dancer’ (Choreographer & Performer with Emily Sanzaro) - Tasdance, Ten Days On The Island 2021 (TAS)
‘Faux Mo House Party’ (Choreographer & Performer) Mona Foma 2022 (TAS)
‘Wet Hard’ (Choreographer & Performer) Winner of the 2022 Keir Choreographic ‘People’s Choice Award’ (NSW/VIC)
‘Flesh Net’ (Choreographer) WAAPA 2022 (WA)
’S U C K E R’ (Choreographer) Sydney Dance Company’s New Breed 2022 (NSW)
‘Body Body Commodity’ (Choreographer & Performer) Mona Foma 2023 (TAS)
‘Phantom Femme Fatale’ (Choreographer & Performer) Redline Productions, The Old Fitz 2023 (NSW)
Jenni’s work and practice has been supported by residencies, organisations and funding bodies throughout Australia including; Dancenorth, Tasdance, Lucy Guerin Inc, Metro Arts, Phluxus2 Dance Collective, Guts Dance, Judith Wright Centre, AsiaLink, Regional Arts Fund, Arts Tasmania, RANT Arts, The Australia Council for The Arts and she was the recipient of a Chloe Munro Fellowship.
She has acted as rehearsal director for Dancenorth and Australasian Dance Collective and regularly teaches for professionals, companies and tertiary institutions across the country.
Fundamental to Jenni’s teaching practice is the principle that positive self-esteem is essential for creative flow and group harmony. Utilising trauma-informed approachs that prioritise agency, care, reflection and collaboration, Jenni’s classes/workshops focus on increasing ease, flow and strength by gradually building the complexity of movement that traverses in and out of the floor. Translating her psychological and physical interests including; Body Mind Centering (Bonnie Bainbridge-Cohen), Yoga, Gymnastics, Pole Dancing and Contemporary Dance Techniques.
This website was made possible by the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.
