2024 Women to Watch
This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.
Jessica Lillian is the Owner and Director of JL Dance Productions. An inclusive and encouraging dance studio where we cultivate a love for the Arts in our next generation. ‘Miss Jess’ doesn’t remember a time in her life without Dance and Music. Growing up with the ambition to be a Performer, Jessica’s love for theatre has always been strong.
After training in Adelaide and Melbourne, Jessica travelled the world for 17 years working as a Lead Dancer, Dance Captain and Company manager onboard Cruise Lines and in Shows on land… visiting over 40 countries. After starting her own little family and returning home to Adelaide, Jessica and her Husband Dane opened JL Dance Productions.
Over the past 3 years, the business has bloomed into the wonderful space it is today.
// Favourite inspirational quote
I often find myself quoting – “Dance like no one is watching”
Here’s the full quote:
Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching, and live like it’s heaven on earth. – Mark Twain.
// Let’s get to know you
JL Dance Productions is constantly growing and evolving, which in turn means my position within the company is also growing and evolving. My journey to where I am today started with my first dance class at 4 years old, but my love for teaching began when I worked as a student teacher as a young teen.
Before moving away to peruse training, and throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and passion to young performers and I always knew teaching would be something I would come back to. Retuning to Adelaide, I took a position as a Social Ballroom and Latin teacher with a fabulous Adult Dance Studio. Through this job, I was reminded of my passion for teaching.
Of course, Teaching and Business Ownership are two very different ball games. I have always been a leader, organising the neighbourhood kids to perform on the street growing up. This continued throughout my Professional Dance Career, where I continued to find myself in positions of leadership and management. I’m extremely lucky to have a wonderful Business Partner who is also my Husband. We’re a great team and doing what we do comes naturally.
// What makes you a Woman to Watch for 2024?
I’m passionate about nurturing a new generation of confident kids who have a love and appreciation for Dance and the Arts. I’m so excited to see our students come in to the studio week and after week with growing confidence. Setting goals and then smashing them!
We have students come to us who are terrified of stepping onstage, and watching them out there at our Mid-Year and End Of Year Concerts, with a huge Smile on their faces is so rewarding. I can only hope that Myself and the team I lead continue to nurture these little souls.
// What is your goal or intention for the year ahead? And how are you going to achieve it?
With the continued growth of our studio and our wonderful community, we hope to expand our class offerings throughout the year. Bring on more teachers and eventually expand to larger studios.
// What would being a Woman to Watch mean to you?
I love the idea of sharing my story with other women in the community. Empowering someone else to take the leap of faith and start something they may be hesitant about. For all of my little dancers, who look up to ‘Miss Jess’, I would love the opportunity to show them I am a role model not just in the studio, but also in the wider community.
// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
From my viewpoint, there is a fabulous amount of support out there for empowering woman and girls in South Australia. We have many strong Female role models in the public eye and I feel there is a great sense of ‘I can be whatever I want to be’. I hope this continues.
Get in touch with Jessica:
LinkedIn: Jessica Durski
Website: www.jldanceproductions.com.au
Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.
To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.
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