Ashleigh began dancing at the age of 10 under the tutelage of Arlene Phillips and is part of a long line of Matt Mattox-based jazz teachers who studied directly with the maestro in Paris and at his studio in Perpignan, France. She has also participated in CPD programmes with Alvin Ailey, supporting the next generation of dancers with a deep commitment to technique and artistry.

A former commercial and cabaret dancer, Ashleigh toured the UK before relocating to Asia to join the Bangkok Dance Company and work internationally across theatre, film, and television.

Her performance credits include West End production Aspects of Dance with Paul Henry and Stewart Arnold, Member of Cuban Company Los Gonzales. She toured with Soul II Soul, featured on MTV Asia, and worked closely with choreographer Jimmy Locust – a renowned choreographer for Janet Jackson’s Rhythm  Nation Tour.

With over 20 years of teaching experience, Ashleigh’s unique jazz style is rooted in rhythmic flow and fuses lyrical contemporary and theatre jazz. Her technique classes are structured around isolation work and syncopation – core elements of the Mattox method.

Ashleigh has taught at leading institutions including The Place, Arts Educational, London Studio Centre, and Danceworks. In addition to teaching, she is a freelance senior arts and events producer and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

She is also the co-founder of Jazzology Dance Collective, currently based at The Place on date-specific Sundays. At the heart of Jazzology is the philosophy that ’we are dancers for life.’ Welcoming ex-professional dancers, renowned choreographers, graduates, and teachers to train, devise, and participate in performance opportunities that celebrate the longevity of a dancer’s career, with no age limit.

“I’m so excited to be teaching on the Escape Dance Weekend – it’s an inspiring space to share technique, artistry, and our love of jazz.”

@ashleightrezise