JOANNA
HANDLEY
UK
Born in West Sussex England, Joanna began dancing at the age of three. After early success in local competitions and festivals, she gained a place at the prestigious Elmhurst Ballet School where she trained full time for seven years in all aspect of dance. Her professional career began whilst at school when she was 14, with a small role in the BBC play of A Frost in May and Spanish Flamenco dance performances at The Duke of York Theatre and The Royal Festival Hal in London.
Upon graduating Joanna embarked upon a career in the commercial dance and contemporary sector as lead dancer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines based in Miami, before returning to London and securing representation at several top agencies. Tours and music video contracts followed with The Erasure world tour, Elton John, Take that, The Pet Shop Boys, Mick Jagger, (for which she was also assistant chorographer), Bonnie Tylor, Gina G and many more.Â
Theatre work has included Russ Abbotts Madhouse at The London Palladium, Spring Loaded with Jacob Marley and Man Machine Interface with Pat McGarrett at Royal Sadlers’ Wells and as lead dancer or the National Tour in Copacabana. Multiple television appearances have included BBC Top of the Pops, Viva Cabaret for Channel 4 and Montraux Rose award winner Bedlam Britannica and The Shane Ritchie Experience for ITV, Studio Canal and ZDR in Germany.Â
Over the last ten years Jo has taught dance and Pilates as a guest teacher at various leading international schools. She now lives in Dubai with husband Simon who is a musician.