Who’s Who in 2022, Music & Arts: JAM Performing Arts

JAM Performing Arts was one of the first dance schools to open in North Lakes – and it is still going strong 15 years later.

From the age of two to adults, dancers – known as Jammers – train and go on to perform and compete at events across this region and beyond.

In fact, ‘Jammer’ Eden Scrimgeour recorded the highest score in the state of Queensland for a Grade Two Ballet exam in October.

The JAM Performing Arts 12 and Under Hip Hop squad also won its category in the Ipswich Eisteddfod five months ago.

At the same eisteddfod, the JAM Eight and Under Lyrical team dancers finished third in their competition, at the end of the January-July competition season.

By contrast, last year a group of 15 ‘dance dads’, who had children at JAM Performing Arts, formed their own dance troupe, The Ballretas, for a parody of the original 1980 Top Gun movie!

JAM Performing Arts also gives students a chance to perform and attend interstate and international workshops, according to its website.

For those looking for professional careers in dance, JAM offers a chance to privately audition for performance companies, master classes and elite training.

The centre can also be a stepping stone to dance contracts with the JAM Facebook page posting details from cruise and theatre companies.

About JAM Performing Arts

JAM Performing Arts, based in Flinders Parade, North Lakes, provides training and instruction for dancers of all ages, levels and ambition.

Its website says JAM offers CSTD (Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dance) exams in ballet, jazz and tap from primary (five years) to diploma level.

There are solo and group competitions available , however auditions are not held for the centre’s eisteddfod teams to ensure “all students share the passion of being on stage and dedication to their craft”.

JAM Performing Arts ends the year with concerts by different age groups. This year all were held on the same day at Redcliffe Cultural Centre.

There was also a free workshop week which included a visit by performers Zoe Komazec and Matt Patterson, who are both cast members for the musical highly-acclaimed musical Mary Poppins, which is at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC until mid-January.