Adjudicator for 2020

JILL BALDOCK

LIDTA, ARAD

Jill is an adjudicator for The British & International Federation of Festivals and the All England Dance.  She trained at The Hylton Bromley School on Merseyside, where she gained several scholarships from the International Dance Teachers Association.  She also trained at The Royal Academy of Dance and The Place (London's Contemporary School of Dance).  During her training Jill entered The Sunshine Competitions (All England) and gained seven gold medals in the London finals.  Her first professional dancing job was with the famous ‘Top of The Pops’ dance group ‘The Go-Jos’, working in TV, Film, Cabaret and West End.  Shows include "Kiss Me Kate", "Carousel", "The King and I", "Oklahoma", and "Fiddler On The Roof".  Jill went on to become an International choreographer, director and producer of theatre and cabaret shows.

Jill returned to her love of teaching for the Italia Conti School, the Arts Council and running her own theatre school.  She then diverted her career into the music business, producing for EMI, Virgin, Carlton and recorded artistes such as Shirley Bassey, Ruthie Henshall, Bonnie Langford, Marti Webb, Toyah Wilcox and many more.  During that time, she also ran her own music publishing business.

“My entire family have been firm followers of the Festival world …..,  my brother Chris (Director/choreographer etc), my sister Wendy (West End/Film performer),  niece Lucy (an IDTA Miss Dance winner & ISTD teacher), niece Isabella (appeared in Billy Elliot and Move It); they have all enjoyed progressing through the Festival ranks!”

I am looking forward to adjudicating your fabulous festival!