About Rachel

Presenter | Performing Arts | Teacher

Hi I’m Rachel Fanshawe, I’m an adventurer and presenter. ‘Dance and Travel’ is my passion, I love exploring the language of indigenous dance styles. I come from a lineage of travellers, my late father was the renowned composer, musicologist and TV personality David Fanshawe.

I grew up in the English countryside listening to sounds of music from all over the world including the rhythms of Oceania. My father’s creative work has been a huge inspiration in my life. My first project overseas took me to Hong Kong where I choreographed dance to his best-known work African Sanctus. I carried this in my heart as I went forward to graduate from SLP College, in 2011 with a Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre (Hons) where I received a Dance and Drama Award for talented students. 

In 2012, I was selected to perform in the London Olympic and Paralympic Opening Ceremonies. Thereafter I worked on various UK TV productions for networks including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 & 5, Sky, Discovery and Al Jazeera.    

In 2015, l decided to follow my birth roots back to Sydney, Australia where I continued my TV work. After the 2015 Nepalese Earthquake, my ‘pioneering spirit’ took me on a major trek to climb to Mount Everest Base Camp raising money for the Australian Himalayan Foundation where I filmed with well-known Australian Film Maker Michael Dillon AM. Along this famous trail, I taught dance to school children at Namche Bazar and Lukla.

My adventurous life has taken me to many countries where I’ve performed and taught dance including - Canada, South Africa and New Zealand and also tried some adrenaline pumping activities such as sky diving and paragliding. My public speaking work has included the Vancouver Get Inspired Talks, and several speaking engagements in Canada and the UK. 

I have recently just graduated with a BA (Hons) in Theatre Studies through the University of Surrey, Guildford School of Acting.

Instagram: @rachelfanshawe 

Twitter: @rachelfanshawe