JENNIFER READ

Jennifer Read was born in London, Canada, into an artistic family that nurtured her passion for the arts from a young age. With a mother who was a professional musician and a grandmother who owned and operated the Jo Read School of Dance, Jennifer's immersion in the arts began at birth. She started dancing at just three years old at her grandmother's studio, where she earned her first teaching qualifications through the British Association of Teachers of Dance, specializing in acrobatics, jazz, tap, and ballet. 

 

Jennifer furthered her dance education by training at the prestigious Broadway Dance Centre in New York City and Pineapple Dance Centre in London, UK. Her choreography has gained international acclaim, earning numerous awards and recognition for both her work and the accomplishments of her students.

 

Jennifer's entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of Absolute Dance in Delaware, Canada. In 2006, she moved to London, UK, to establish Absolute Dance Limited, where she partnered with Tindle's School of Dance and Drama to lead their competitive dance team. Her expertise extended to the educational sector, where she taught Drama, Dance, and PE in London state schools. In 2007, she was appointed as a PE teacher at Clapton Girls Technology College in Hackney, London. There, she founded the Absolute Dance Summer Camp and the innovative 'School Comes First' program, which was so successful that it was implemented in other UK state schools.

 

Jennifer has always sought to expand her artistic horizons. During her first pregnancy, she modeled for Grace & Galor agency, appearing in the Baby Show at the Excel Centre. Her modeling work has been featured in Practical Parenting & Pregnancy Magazine and various online pregnancy fitness websites. She also posed for internationally renowned photographer Barry Lategan for a pregnancy publication and was a featured acrobatic performer in Reebok Sports Club London's marketing campaign in 2007.

 

In 2009, Jennifer returned to Canada to be closer to her family and founded the Monarch Junior Dance Company, attracting over 120 students in its first term. Two years later, she and her family relocated to Surrey, UK, where she launched Monarch Junior Dance Company at Foxhills Country Club in Ottershaw, teaching dance and creative movement classes to children and teens.

 

December 2013 marked the birth of Monarch Studios Ltd, a performing arts training company with a mission to build confidence and charisma in youth through dance, drama, music, movement, and improvisation. Jennifer's efforts quickly paid off, with the studio growing from just 25 students to over 700 in six years. She expanded the company from three teachers to a team of 15 international instructors and choreographers across nine studios. Jennifer now hosts international workshops and work experience programs for aspiring teachers and choreographers, with the goal of making Monarch Studios a national brand. Monarch Studios is the only dance school with a Sponsorship Licence to recruit International Teachers to the UK.

 

In addition to her studio success, Jennifer launched the Mona by Monarch dancewear line for children and teens, which is now sold across the UK. After welcoming her third child, she founded Rush Dance Championships, the first North American Dance Convention in the UK, attracting over 250 elite dancers from across the country.

 

Jennifer is a BATD Registered Teacher and an Acrobatic Arts Module 3 Certified (AAC3) Instructor, the first and only one in Europe as of June 2024. Her ability to manage large groups of students and foster their success has earned her high praise, including a nomination for the Mumpreneur UK Awards in 2014, where she made the top 10 in her first year of business.

 

Most recently, Jennifer has opened a new studio location in Cranleigh, Surrey, while also celebrating the arrival of her fifth child. Her dedication to both her family and her growing dance empire continues to inspire those around her.

 

"Jennifer's ability to manage large numbers and diverse groups of students working together successfully was fantastic! I would recommend Jennifer as an enthusiastic and successful teacher who has a great deal to contribute to a school."

- Clair Buxton, Deputy Headteacher, Clapton Girls Technology College, London