‘We can share a language that is universal; felt from the heart and the soul.’
- Nina Jeftic, Director of Funky Moves Dance Studio
In the unassuming atmosphere of her local supermarket, little Nina Jeftic would dance from aisle to aisle, relishing in that freedom of childhood to express without thought for surroundings; knowing without knowing that dance was not about the peripheral but a joyous universe within. It was a sensation that Nina never wanted to let go of and with the encouragement of her mother and her mother’s Jazz ballet teacher, that internal universe would become – and remain to this day – the world in which Nina Jeftic would live.
By the age of 11 she had graduated from the condiment aisle to Sandra Deacon’s studios in Richmond, NSW where she studied Classical Ballet in the Cecchetti style. During this time she completed her standards 1- 5 and at aged 15 went on to full-time dance, obtaining honours in her elementary exams, before moving into scholarship classes with Valerie Tweedie.
Nina’s desire to continuously learn, lead her to a new Cecchetti teacher – Jane Cameron, who instilled in her the true tradition of the Cecchetti method and also saw her complete her Intermediate and Associate exams.
In 1986 Nina’s childhood world of dance saw a coming of age when she successfully auditioned for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance at UWS Nepean.Classical ballet, modern dance, jazz ballet, African dance, post modern, music, anatomy and physiology, choreography, Arts in Context, drama, stagecraft & makeup and Laban Notation filled Nina’s days and nights for the next three years. In 1990 she completed her degree, beginning her Masters in 1994.
Nina Jeftic’s commitment to movement has taken her onto stages all over the globe, from big season productions, to tours with celebrity illuminati such as – Madonna, Kylie and Whitney Houston! And teaching has always been an enormous part of Nina’s holistic passion for dance, becoming her fulltime focus in 2001, after the birth of her second child. An opportunity for Nina to beginning fully sharing a lifetime’s worth of knowledge and helping others retain that childhood desire to express rapturously through movement.
Since 2003 Nina has been teaching at Funky Moves, the dance school she established immediately after her arrival into Northern NSW. Contributing also to Nina’s continuing thirst for knowledge and greater teaching methods, is fellow dance teacher Susan Flinn, who has further helped Nina understand the pureness and beauty of the Cecchetti method.
During the past 5 years Nina has studied Hip Hop with Nacho Pop, Travers Ross, Tony Czar and Ramon Doringo from the Sydney Dance Company. Her Studies have also led her to collaborate and experiment with dancers such as Michael Hennessy, (Sydney Dance Co) and Natasha Middleton former Director of Tas Dance and Principal Ballerina with the London Festival ballet.
‘I love how dance can take you away to another world where expression is physical & emotional; how it can move people and make them feel something special!! The power and beauty of movement can bring to many a life long happiness. Without dance in my life I would not be complete.’
- Nina Jeftic, Director of Funky Moves Dance Studio
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Cats the Melbourne Season
- Whitney Houston “Album launch”
- Choreographer for the Opening of “The Joan Sullivan Arts Centre”
- Madonna “Australian Tour”
- Kylie Minogue “Asian Tour”
- Platinum “Australian and Asian Tour”
- Diva Awards – Dancer and Choreographer
- Delicious Dance Group – Dancer and Lead Choreographer
- SBS Television “Sunday Arts Program”
- 42nd Street
- Hair” – London Tour
- Norpa Production 4 Seasons- Dancer Choreographer
- La Danse Fantastique – Dance Company
- World Theatre Dance Captain – Europe & Asia
- “The Matrix” Action Double for Belinda McLorey
- Moulin Rouge – Can Can Scene (Dancer)
- Mardi Gras – Choreographer and Dancer – Sydney
- 2007 Big Feet Little Feet – Solo
- Trio with Natasha Middleton & Yvonne Hall
- Discombobulate – Norpa Production (Big Feet Little Feet)
- 2008 Duo with Mia Cuyler Fragile – Choreographed by Susan Flinn, duo danced with Philip Keith
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
1997 – 2004 – Funky Moves Dance Studio – Northern Rivers Region (5 locations). Primary, Gr 1-6 and Elementary. Contemporary Dance, Funk and Hip Hop, Latin and Funky Tap. Funky Moves Dance Studio has had over 600 students in the past 4 years and the study of Cecchetti Ballet has played a wonderful role in developing good sound technique among Nina’s Students. Students of Funky Moves have gone on to further their studies in dance at WAAPA, Victorian College of the Arts, The Queensland Conservatoire of Ballet, Queensland Dance School of Excellence, Brent St and one touring with SYTYCD Dancers!! Others have enjoyed performing in companies such as Bangarra Dance Theatre, New York City Ballet, Sydney Dance Co.
1994 – 1997 – Nina’s School of Dance – Grade 1 & 2 all styles of dance.
1992 – 1994 – Castlereagh School of Ballet, Major Students only. Students at the time included Simon Beckett who went on to the New York City Ballet and Stacey Flewyn who went on the Sydney Dance Co. Peta Strachan who went on to become a member of Bangarra Dance Theatre.
1987 – 1990 – UWS Nepean – Cecchetti Major Syllabus (Elementary and Intermediate) Collaborative teaching at the Aboriginal and Islander Dance School in Redfern (Ballet & Contemp)
1987 – 1995 – Jane Cameron School of Ballet (Primary and Standards)
