About PPA

Pose Performance Academy (PPA as we are now called) was started in 2006 by Fiona Jurd-Smith after a successful career herself as a professional dancer, actor and choreographer. Fiona’s dream was to open a school that had something to offer to everybody – for the person who wants to come once a week for fun and fitness to the dedicated performer who wants to learn a variety of performance styles and be pushed to an elite level.

From the first year, the word spread that PPA was the place to be and enrolments have grown from a small handful in 2006 to just over 300 in 2011. In 2009 PPA moved from school halls in Matraville and Maroubra to our current factory in Botany which undertook a renovation to include two studios equipped with fully sprung floors, mirrors and Barres. And as the studio grew so did the classes that were offered. Pose now offers classes in RAD Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Acrobatics, Acting, and Singing and in 2009 PPA took Randwick Physical Culture Club under their umbrella. Along with dance her whole life, Miss Fiona was also a champion of Physical Culture many times over and was thrilled to combine her passion for both at the studio. Miss Fiona has worked with many of Australia’s top choreographers and her professional career took her around Australia and the world performing in theatres and entertainment centres. It is the policy of PPA to only employ professional, dedicated teachers, most of which have worked or are still working in the industry.

PPA is a family affair, with Miss Fiona’s husband, NIDA graduate and professional actor Russell Smith as the head of Acting and partner in the studio. You will often see their two small children, Mackenzie and Charlie at the studio and they encourage all parents to become involved, and love thinking of all who teach and take classes as part of the PPA family. We offer great discounts for students who do more than one class as all are encouraged to become all-round performers. We also offer family discounts and have the POSE COUNT ME IN CLUB which means you can have UNLIMITED classes for only $65 a week. This year, Miss Fiona and Russell will be adding to their family with their third child due in March.

PPA is fast becoming one of Sydney’s most reputable dance schools and whether you are part of the GREEN stream doing one or two classes a week for fun and fitness, PINK stream for the more dedicated dancer or BLACK stream elite dance program doing unlimited classes per week, there is something for everyone, taught by professionals at reasonable prices.