PERFORMER BACKGROUND STARTING POINT
Before working in film, Jay spent a number of years as a performer.
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Jay's journey in the entertainment industry began at the young of 7 when he signed to a talent agency. He quickly landed commercials for brands like Verizon and Coca Cola, and modelled in catalogues for Kmart and Toys R Us.
Starting out as a dancer, Jay trained at the Johnny Young Talent School and was accepted as a student in the Australian College of Entertainment in Parramatta during its inaugural year. At the same time, Jay studied music (saxophone, piano, singing and theory). Diving in early in the professional aspect of performing, Jay was contracted to a number of show commitments throughout his school years. He worked in theatre productions directed by award winning film directors Mauro Bolognini (whose movies starred the likes of Sophia Loren, Richard Harris, Liv Ullmann, Jean-Paul Belmonte, Max von Sydow, Isabelle Huppert and Anthony Quinn), and Australian auteur, Baz Luhrmann.
Jay was a member of a live entertainment production featuring 8 performers aged between 11 and 16 called Teamwork. Led by Australian TV personality and singer, Jane Scali, Teamwork toured extensively in the club and corporate arena scene and produced several promotional music recordings as session singers. Later, Jay performed in the commercial dance arena in shows starring a number of celebrities, which include Seal, Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman, Kelly Clarkson, Michael Bublé and Ricky Martin, amongst others. ​
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Music wise, Jay won a music scholarship at St. Josephs College in Hunters Hill, Australia. Accepted as one of a handful of music students throughout Australia, Jay was in the Symphony Services International's Jorma Panula orchestral conducting Masterclass.
Jay has performed with many music ensembles, including the Sydney Symphony and SBS Radio and TV Youth Orchestra, and
jazz bands led by Johnny Hawksworth, Bob Johnson and Rory Thomas. Performance venues include Carnegie Hall, the Emirates Palace Hotel, Le Caveau de la Huchette, the ancient Vienne Roman Theatre, Disneyland (Anaheim, Tokyo and Paris) and
JW Marriott Las Vegas.
Gigs include Bureau International des Expositions World Expo, opened by Queen Elizabeth II, starred Cher and guest appearances by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tony Curtis; Copenhagen Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazzfest Berlin, Montreux Jazz Festival starring many music artists - Prince, Mariah Carey, David Bowie, Sting, Chaka Khan, Diana Krall, k.d Lang,
Eric Clapton, Patti LaBelle, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Lionel Richie, Alicia Keys, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Liza Minnelli, Adele,
Charles Aznavour, Herbie Hancock, Carole King, Tom Jones, The Crusaders, Tony Bennett, Sheryl Crow and Quincy Jones.
During his time in high school, Jay was nominated in the running for the Young Australian of the Year Awards.
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Professional theatre credits include The King and I starring Hayley Mills, The Force of Destiny starring Leona Mitchell,
Aida directed by Mauro Bolognini. a 3 night stadium production which received 120,000 in audience attendance and 10 productions at the Sydney Opera House, which includes Baz Luhrmann's A Midsummer Night's Dream, which had costumes designed by 4-time Oscar winner, Catherine Martin.
Hansel and Gretel (Sydney Opera House)
The King and I - Jay with Hayley Mills
and her son, Crispian Mills
Aida (Allianz Stadium)
Baz Luhrmann's A Midsummer Night's Dream
Theatre (Cast)
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2006
WILLIAM & OSCAR - Dir. Malcolm Frawley | Short & Sweet Festival (Seymour Centre)
2003
OEDIPUS THE KING - Dir. Stephen Wallace | Impulse Theatre Company (Burton St. Theatre)
2001
HERE'S TO THE SMALL MINDED - Dir. Matt Noffs | Troublemakers Productions (Studio One)
Aidan Fennessey's play
Chilling and Killing My Annabel Lee
Directed by Paul Stzelma
2000
NUNS IN THE HOOD - Dir. Aisling Gilhooly | Stuex Productions (Zenith Theatre)
1992 - 2002
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE PRODUCTIONS
with Opera Australia and SOH Trust
Idomeneo - Dir. Moffatt Oxembould
A Midsummer Night's Dream - Dir. Baz Luhrmann
The Princess and the Pea - Dir. Stuart Maunder
Robin Hood - Dir. Howard Neil
Otello - Dir. Harry Kupfer
The Pearl Fishers - Dir. Ann-Margaret Petterrsson
Nabucco - Dir. Barrie Kosky
The Force of Destiny - Dir. John Copley
Hansel and Gretel - Dir. Elijah Moshinsky
Puss in Boots - Dir. Richard Hunter
1992
DON CARLOS - Dir. Francisco Negrin | Victoria State Opera (State Theatre)
1991
THE KING AND I - Dir. Christopher Renshaw | Gordon Frost Organisation
1988
AIDA - Dir. Mauro Bolognini | Jacobsen International (Sydney Football Stadium)
Here's to the Small Minded
starring Kiruna Stamell
David Hare's play
Plenty
Directed by Peta Downes
Shows, Events and Tours
Dance Works Co.
1997 - 2009
WORLD PROJECT MUSIC TOURS - (Musician / Singer)
Various Instrumental & Vocal Groups - (Intermittent basis)
Tours: Australia, USA, Mexico, France, Germany, UK, China, Myanmar, Latvia, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Japan, Malta, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Fiji, UAE, Liechtenstein, Norway, Finland, Chile, Luxembourg, Denmark, Iceland, Monaco, Estonia, Vanuatu, Belgium, Moldova, Romania, Czechia, Vietnam, Maldives, Solomon Islands, Haiti, Laos, Slovakia
ZOOO Jazz Band
1993 - 1996
JMJ MANAGEMENT - (Dancer / Singer)
Corporate Events, Promotional Events, Stadium Shows, Televised Performances
Tours: USA, Germany, France, Japan, Denmark, China
1992
TED JAMES THEATRICAL - (Dancer/Singer)
Club Shows, Corporate Gigs, Promotional Recording Sessions, Stadium Events
1989 - 1992
DANCE WORKS COMPANY - (Dancer / Singer)
Corporate Events, Stadium Shows, Televised Performances