Shirley Jarrett, Founder 'Mum's & Bub's Classes'
Originally an education in dance for children including a
mother's keep fit class, 1963.
Shirley Jarrett's career as Dance Teacher, Choreographer, Writer and Director in the world of Performing Arts spans five decades. Born in a small town outside Wellington, New Zealand in 1931, Shirley moved to Napier, Hawke's Bay with her family in 1936. Shirley co-owned and operated the highly acclaimed 'Shirley Jarrett & Anne Bradley Academy of Dance' from the mid 1970's mastering the English dance syllabuses 'Imperial Society Teachers in Dance' (ISTD) and the 'Royal Academy of Dance' (RAD). Shirley was awarded her Examiners Associate in London 'Associate Examiner I.S.T.D' in 1980.
Studies in Los Angeles California with Hollywood Choreographer Roland Dupree saw Shirley introduce American Tap to the Hawke's Bay region along with the '80's Disco era' when Shirley bought 'Disco - Partner Dancing' to Napier in 1981.
A resident choreographer with the Napier Frivolity Minstrels and the Napier Operatic Society for over two decades. Shirley choreographed productions such as Cabaret, Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma and Annie to name but a few.
Shirley wrote the manuscript and stage play for 'An evening with Gerswin', protraying the musical genius of Composer George Gerswin from a series of Gerswin's musical scores she found in London. Directing and producing the show after six years in the making, Shirley's production won the award for 'Best NZ Operatic Production' in 1988.
Shirley also wrote the 'Story of Jerome Kern' staged by the Napier Operatic Society in 1992. Recognised for her contribution to the performing arts and for her teaching attributes Shirley was awarded runner up 'Sufferget of the Year' in 1994. Shirley went on to choreograph for the Hawke's Bay Opera. Operas such as 'Tom Jones' and 'The Pearl Fishers' in 1991 and 'Carmen' in 1993 with Director Richard Campion (Jane Campion's Father).
Shirley retired in 1995 after a long career teaching many students to reach excellence in Contemporary Dance, Moder and Jazz Dance, Classical Ballet and Tap Dance.
Since February 2008, Shirley has assisted her daughter, a Sydney based producer with the development of Shirley's 1963 design for children's early education in movement.
The program now titled, 'Mum's & Bub's Classes' was trialed in Sydney, June 2009 and introduced into the schools educational departments, operating on site at Schools and in Community Centres in New South Wales, Australia.
