Biography

Jason Coleman has been a fixture of the Australian Dance scene for more than twenty years. Jason's engagement as Choreographer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games was a career highlight - watched by over 3.8 billion people across the globe. Following this success, Jason was chosen to choreograph the highly acclaimed handover ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Jason subsequently acted as Director of Choreography for the Opening and Closing of the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

This was one of the largest and most expensive shows made anywhere on earth. As well as choreographing himself, he was also responsible for directing an international team of choreographers for this event. Jason's musical theatre credits include Chicago, A Chorus Line, Saturday Night Fever, Little Shop of Horrors, Dancin’ Man, Dancin’ Dynamite, Sweet Charity, Fame, Hair and many more.

His TV and music credits are numerous having worked with Tina Arena, John Farnham, Chaka Khan, The Bee Gees and Chrissy Amphlet amongst others. Jason has worked as a choreographer, dance consultant and in a motion capture performance role in the animated film Happy Feet. In 2008 Jason joined the hit TV series So You Think You Can Dance Australia as judge and opened 'Ministry of Dance' - the largest Dance School in the Southern Hemisphere, located in Melbourne.

1. How did season 1 of SYTYCD change the dance scene in Australia?
Due to SYTYCD general populas are now involved and interested about our amazing dance world. Dance classes all around the country are up in numbers and involvement by 25%. A taxi driver once said to me “Hey mate… Do you know that chore I like?” I said “ I don’t care… I just like that you know what the word chore means”.

2. What do you enjoy most about working on SYTYCD?
I take a lot of pride in being a judge on SYTYCD. I take empathy and passion for the dancers as I was one of them for twenty years. I enjoy seeing the dancers grow, both emotionally and as dancers. Oh and I looovvee all the red carpet parties!!!

3. How important do you think it is for each contestant to strive to win?
WHY BE IN IT – IF YOU AINT GONNA TRY AND WIN IT !!!!! Go hard people!!!

4. How are the Aussie dancers different to those on the US version?
I don’t watch the USA version. I don’t want to be influenced by the USA judges or choreographers. I believe in us. I believe in Aussie Dancers. AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE !!! OI OI OI !!!

5. Describe the most embarrassing moment of your dance/music career!
I was the choreographer and resident director for “Hair” The Musical. On the final matinee I decided to go on stage for the nude scene. I thought that it would be very liberating to be naked on stage in front of 2000 people. I did not realise that all the theatre staff, ushers, crew, publicists, promotors and performers who were not on stage all came running into the back of the theatre to watch also. So, I was not just naked in front of a theatre full of strangers, I also had all my associates and employees checking out the size of my...SMILE!!!

6. If you were a contestant on this years show, what style of dance would be most afraid of being pulled out of the hat and why?
None. I pride myself on being a versatile dancer. I would only see them as opportunities to show that if I were young enough I would enter this show in a heart beat.

7. How important is 'personality' with regards to being a contestant on SYTYCD?
It is very important – Not just for SYTYCD but for any dance. Dance without personality is not dance at all… It is just movements.