Ashley Jack

Dance Lecturer

Edinburgh-based hip hop dancer and choreographer www.ashleyjackdance.com

Trained at Edinburgh’s Telford college (now PASS), where she completed an HND in Professional Stage Dance, as well as by hip hop and house dance pioneers in New York, Paris and Holland, Ashley has nearly a decade of experience in both performing and teaching.

Ashley is a popular teacher in the community, teaching many classes each week to adults and children under her brand, House of Jack, as well as in studios, dance colleges and schools around Edinburgh.
She also organises regular workshops by international and local dancers. She has a love of hip hop culture, imparting its history and foundations to her students. Ashley has a passion for outreach and is very active in projects working with youth and community groups, and is keen to engage and involve young people.

Ashley has a strong interest in Hip Hop theatre, founding company Jackin’ the Box in 2010 and youth company the MiniJackers in 2014. In her theatre works, she often explores the dark or difficult elements of the human psyche, including sociopathy, social anxiety, OCD, insomnia, and effects of modern technology on young people, producing thought-provoking and gripping pieces. She also produces upbeat pieces for events, showcases and club nights. She was recently shortlisted for the 2017 Creative Edinburgh Independent Award, for her creative choreography and valuable work with young people.

Ashley was the only female to be picked as one of five choreographers to take part in Breakin’ Convention’s inaugural ‘Back to the Lab’ project in 2012, travelling to London to be mentored by Jasmin Vardimon and Jonzi D to choreograph a piece shown at renowned venue Sadler’s Wells.

Performance credits include numerous hip hop theatre performances, including at: Breakin’ Rules, Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, company, 2018; The Unknown plus guests, Galashiels, duet, 2017; Breakin’ Rules, Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, duet, 2017; NordDance, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, duet, 2015; Jam’n’Juice at Just Jam, Dance City, Newcastle, solo, 2014; Breakin’ Convention, Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, solo, 2014; Breakin’ Convention, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 2012; Breakin’ Rules, Dundee Rep Theatre, 2011 and 2012; Jam’n’Juice at Just Jam, Dance City, Newcastle, 2011; several pieces at Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival; on-stage appearances with artists Kelly Rowland, David Guetta, U2 and more; a wide variety of club nights and events, including the MOBO awards.

Her youth companies also regularly perform at prominent events, including Breakin’ Convention (2017), Breakin’ Rules (2018, 2017, 2015), the Audacious Women Festival (2017), the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (2016), and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2018, 2015).