We had the pleasure of meeting Jocasta Champion, many moons ago at Steele Element-ary. What we didn’t know about the sweet blonde Brit back then, was that she was a closet bad-ass dancer and geologist. We recently had the chance to learn more about her journey.
You are originally from across the pond, but you went to High School here and studied at CU. How did you end up making roots in Denver?
I came to America as a foreign exchange student, to Thornton High School, and fell in love with Colorado. I met my husband while I was studying at The Colorado School of Mines – we met in a Mines Little Theatre production. Then I transferred to CU Boulder and received my Masters Degree in Geology. My student visa allowed me to work for a year in my field of study, so l looked in the yellow pages under the geology section, and ended up at CTL|Thompson, a geotechnical engineering company here in Denver. Got married the following summer (which meant I could apply to be a permanent resident) and I’m still here!
You were a Geologist in the past. Do you ever miss this line of work? Do you see yourself ever going back to digging in the soil?
Field geology is so fun! My favorite position at my job was working outside with the drill rigs – directing them where I needed soil samples taken and at what depths, and then I’d log the samples. I worked outside in the heat and cold of Colorado and not sure I would want to have such a physically demanding job anymore. I enjoyed teaching the geology lab at CU for three years during grad school, and have thought of teaching again. Volunteering at the DMNS was interesting, too. I worked the dinosaur cart back in the day when the dinosaur exhibit was on the first floor, and performed the weather central skit on weekends. I’ve always wanted to work in the paleontology lab in prehistoric journey – one day!
You also happen to be an award-winning ballroom dancer. Have you always danced?
Dance has been a part of my life since I can remember. Ballroom studios in England are likely as popular as ballet studios here in the US. Though back in the olden days when I was a kid, we did some ballroom dancing – but mostly disco! I found a studio here in Colorado while in college, and have danced weekly ever since (nearly 30 years!).
How many performances do you do a year, and where can we see you perform?
Colorado Dancesport, the studio I attend in Littleton, usually does one or two showcases/team matches every year and I try to get to at least one or two local competitions. I dance Pro/Am with my instructor (he’s the pro, I’m the amateur). Similar to the show “Dancing with the Stars” where there is a professional who choreographs the routine and teaches the contestant. I also dance Am/Am with my husband.Every February (minus the last two), my dance studio performs at Cleo Parker’s Theatre for a weekend of showcase events of newcomers to veteran dancers. I also travel out of state to compete. I just got back from a competition in NYC at a beautiful ballroom in the city. I try to compete most years at the Colorado Star Ball dancesport competition every June. In the evenings you get to watch the Professionals in their events. It’s mind-blowing and inspiring to watch how fast their bodies and feet move!
How do you stay in shape for such an intense physical hobby?
I’ve always been an active person. I take lessons with my dance instructor every week, as well as a group class, and take lessons with my husband. Other activities come and go, I have run four of the six marathon majors but COVID put a stop to the Tokyo marathon in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Maybe next year? I don’t care for running and only run when a marathon needs to be completed for my goal – but I’ve noticed running does help with endurance which is highly beneficial for dancing multiple dance entries at competitions. Currently, I enjoy indoor rock climbing, and try to go several times a week. I also like the local “Hot Mamas” studio that used to be a stroller class in the park, then progressed to Logan St. and now, Colfax. Teddi B, the owner, is an amazing woman with fantastic training skills. She whooped my butt this past January in her bootcamp.
Talent runs in your family and we had the pleasure of featuring your son Tristan in our first year of publication. Is he still pursuing the dramatic arts?
Tristan still enjoys theatre every day at school (DSA – theatre major), and just performed his first live show at school since COVID. He’s also getting ready to perform at the DPS Shakespeare Festival this May, and is in an original performance at the Edinburgh (Scotland) Fringe Festival this summer. He has other pursuits now for college: aviation (he is currently pursuing his pilot’s license). Another hobby of his is rock climbing, indoor and outdoor and wants to do multi pitch climbs this summer. I think he might always keep some type of community theatre in mind. He loves being on stage performing, and I don’t see that fading anytime soon. Maybe it will just take a different form.
You and your family appreciate good food and have lived in the neighborhood for quite a while. Where are some of your favorite places to eat in or around Wash Park?
The best gluten-free pizza crust in town is at our local Blackbird Public House! We also enjoy frequenting the restaurants along Gaylord Street. Supporting local is so important these days.
When you’re not dancing, how do you spend your free time?
At home I really enjoy cooking and like to make meals and pies from scratch, and I enjoy spending time planting flowers in our small Wash Park garden. I volunteer for Tristan’s school – DSA and the theatre department. I love the escape, excitement and stories of live theatre. Climbing has become a new addiction and, of course, dancing. The last three or four years, I’ve really put more focus into my dancing and want to compete more, as I find that it’s the fastest way to see improvement. I love seeing the Rocky Mountains every day, and enjoy summer camping and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. We also like to travel as a family and I’m always thrilled to see new rock structures. The rest of the family doesn’t quite share the same level of excitement as I do in the geologic realm, but they’re now used to me squealing with delight and shouting out how I love rocks and geologic structures! We love exploring.
Thank you for sharing a glimpse into your world, Jocasta!