Peter Oxford (born July 23, 1970) is an Australian dancer and entrepreneur, best known for founding the Showcase Australian Dance Championships.
Peter Oxford | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 23, 1970 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Dance industry professional |
| Known for | Founder of Showcase Australian Dance Championships (Showcase Dance), Hollywood Bound Championship |
Career
editOxford grew up in Mount Druitt, Sydney, Australia, having been adopted at the age of one. He started dancing at a young age, performing on various television and stage shows,[1] and winning international competitions in the United States[2] and Australia. He founded the Oxford Academy of Dance in Sydney in 1988, directing it until 2000.
In March 1994, he founded Showcase Dance, Australia's first national dance competition.[3] Starting with about 7,000 acts per year, it grew to 19,000 by 2016, and has been held in 20 cities in Australia and New Zealand..[1] In 1995 he founded the Dancer of the Year Pageant.[1] In 2015 he founded a second competition called Hollywood Bound, which takes place at the same time as Showcase.[4]
Outside of Australia, Oxford has judged dance competitions in the United States, Canada, Portugal, New Zealand and Singapore, and has produced shows in the US & Malaysia.[1] In 2007 he hosted the World Dance Championship in Las Vegas.[1] Oxford has worked to improve government regulations and safety requirements for the Australian dance industry. In 2014 he called a national meeting for major dance groups, studios and Ausdance representatives, to draft proposals for "establish a national governing body, a comprehensive child-safety training program and an accreditation scheme."[5]
Oxford also started Australia's first gay cruise, "All Gay Cruises", in 2007, in partner with P&O Cruise Lines. In 2009 he produced Australia's second gay cruise out of Adelaide.[6]
Personal life
editOxford lives in Rosebery, New South Wales.[3] He married Andre Sarzio on January 23, 2018 Divorced 2021.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "Peter Oxford". Stage Addiction.
- ^ McKee, Jillian (February 5, 2016). "Showcase Dance Championships creator Peter Oxford: one of Mt Druitt's biggest success stories". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
- ^ a b Morris, Cathy (May 17, 2017). "CF campaign in full bloom". Blacktown Advocate.
- ^ Francis, Rain (2016). "Peter Oxford talks Showcase and Hollywood Bound". Dance Informa. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ "Dance's dark side under scrutiny". The Australian. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
- ^ Cavander, Letea (June 1, 2017). "Hidden in the genes: Two cystic fibrosis sufferers share their fight for life, and how to make a difference". Central and North Burnett Times.
- ^ Valenta, Tom (March 2018). "First Among Equals". Community Focus. Australia: Cystic Fibrosis Community Care. Retrieved 8 October 2018.