FROM STARRING IN STRICTLY TO TEACHING FUTURE STARS: AUSTRALIAN DANCE CHAMPION’S DOUBLE LIFE
A former professional dancer in Australia turned Strictly Come Dancing UK star has revealed how he juggles the limelight of TV with the dance school he helped set up in Hong Kong.
Joshua Keefe, the co-founder of Move For Life, says that joining the Strictly cast last year was a no-brainer as it coincides with his own mission: “The Strictly model is one of the most positive things on TV. It focuses on overcoming challenges and creating positive outcomes within relationships through working together – something that many modern reality shows demonise.”
The ex-Latin dancer landed the role in the hit BBC show after creative director Jason Gilkison asked him to assist with choreography on the show after he left Australian TV’s Dancing with the Stars.
“Jason was my teacher when I was younger and in the ballroom and Latin world, he is the best ever dancer in Australia,” said Joshua, “It was kind of like fate how it happened; I landed in the UK after initially retiring from dancing and he messaged me to ask if I’d come to the BBC studios and met up with the dancers.”
Joshua, who was to be a part of the Strictly Professionals tour until it was sadly cancelled, balances his role as a star of the stage and screen with his teaching role at the dance studio organically – with one naturally complimenting the other.
“Though they both deal with the same thing, it’s kind of like living two separate lives,” he adds, “Strictly is fast-paced and full-on, while returning to Hong Kong and working with kids ages anywhere between 2 and 12 years is much more intimate and controlled.
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“It may sound like it’s impossible to handle, but I’ve found that one nurtures the other. At the dance studio, I learn to be a better person, while at Strictly I learn to be a better dancer. In everything, I’m growing and watching someone else grow – learning my craft better while I use what I’ve learned to turn a complete beginner into someone that excels in some way – whether that be in dancing itself or in their confidence.”
Joshua founded Move For Life in 2015 with Declan Taylor, and Victoria Akhurst, using their combined 50 years of dance experience to promote social and emotional development, creative expression and physical intelligence in children through dancing.
The studio provides a wide variety of dance-based courses and workshops for kids of all ages – with over 20 schools now involved in their programs.
