Our Acting Head of Dance & Drama: Jessica Wynn

Jessica Wynn is our Acting Head of Dance & Drama. She replaces Amanda Huxtable who is on maternity leave. We asked Jessica some questions about her passion for dance and how it led her to teach dance and now to her new role at Santa Maria College.

What is your role at the College?

Acting Head of Dance and Drama

How long have you been at Santa Maria?

This is my third year at the College.

What was your career path to Santa Maria?

I grew up in Perth and completed high school at Mercedes College and received dance training at Terpsichore Dance Centre.

I moved to London in 1999 and performed for various independent choreographers and artists and in my own contemporary work.

I completed my teacher training at the Institute of Education in 2007. I taught ballet, contemporary and movement to actors at City and Islington College, Birkbeck University and the Royal Academy of Dance for many years. I also had wonderful opportunities to teach ballet in China and Singapore.

I co-directed Rouge, a London-based youth dance company, for seven years.

In 2018 my husband and I decided to relocate to Perth to give our children the opportunity to connect with my family and enjoy the Australian lifestyle. Fortunately, I saw a dance position advertised at Santa Maria and here I am.

What do you love about Santa Maria?

The welcoming atmosphere is very special. Staff and students alike make an effort to say hello, smile, and look out for each other. I work within a team of awesome performing arts teachers who support each other and set high expectations for our students.

Tell us about your passion for dance?

I love the fact that dance is such an expressive medium. As a choreographer I can use dance to tell stories, explore ideas and comment on issues in society. I’m passionate about the creative process, improvising, refining movement, and problem-solving to create something of value.

Collaborating with other dancers and artists to create performance work is incredibly rewarding. I also love the discipline of dance training and taking on feedback to improve and develop new skills.

What do you do to relax?

I enjoy walking, spending time outside with my two small boys, and yoga. I also love baking elaborate cakes for my family members’ birthdays.