Priscilla Tonkin (Sapphira)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | SELF
Music
Press
Melbourne's Sapphira bursts out of the musical gates with a brash "tits-out" look at porno creme with Money$hot. A track that leaves very little to the imagination. You'll play it, whip it, want to bend it over again and give it another absolute rogering as it's full of saucy goodness. - Beat Magazine
Discography
Money$hot - Sapphira (Strontium Music)
Simple Theory - Kayden & Sapphira (Independent Release)
Twisted - Ways & Means feat Priscilla Tonkin (Strontium Music)
Mistress - Ways & Means feat. Mystress (Boink Records)
Circles - Audiofly feat. Priscilla (Adrift Records)
Get with U - Keltec and Mangan feat. Priscilla (AKA Recordings)
Photos
Bio
Sapphira (Priscilla Tonkin) is a Melbournian burlesque showgirl, pianist, singer/songwriter, belly dancer and teacher with international acclaim.
The highlights of Sapphira’s performance career include posing for renowned Australian artist, Charles Billich, her flash mob appearance in the official video of Dita Von Teese’s ‘Von Follies’ fashion show, co-founding the Australian Burlesque Festival (now resigned), national TV coverage of her burlesque classes, legendary band Faithless using her song ‘Circles’ on a compilation, recording with Planet Funk in Italy, a Nuts TV episode on her scandalous London show — Shimmy Shake, performing at Ministry of Sound (UK), Pacha (UK), Rainbow Serpent Festival (AU), Burning Man Festival (USA), London Burlesque Festival and opening for legendary DJ Dimitri from Paris.
It was at the age of 5 Sapphira found her first love sitting at the keys of a piano, she wrote her first song at the age of 8 and won her first talent quest at 15. It was not until the age of 32 that she conquered her fear of ‘not being good enough’ and resigned from a 12 year corporate career in media sales to pursue her dream as a full time entertainer.
In 2012 she debuts her original songs combining burlesque with electronica and she runs Sapphira’s Showgirls — Burlesque Academy, a business based on principles of inspiration and love. Her team teaches women to embrace their sensuality, awaken their confidence and enjoy self-expression through dance, dress ups and, of course, glitter!
“A pioneer of the seductive art.” Beat Magazine
No stranger to hard work Sapphira managed 3 careers when she relocated from Melbourne to London in 2003. There she spent 6 years pioneering Australian burlesque in the UK, balancing a demanding international media sales role and sourcing top dance music producers to further her songwriting.
She performed at the first three London Burlesque Festivals and initiated her own PR, achieving ongoing front-page media attention. She started her own belly dancing and burlesque show, Shimmy Shake, a controversial event that enabled her to make her name in London’s West End receiving rave reviews as far the USA, South Africa and Russia.
From Naples to Bristol, Sapphira has travelled the globe seeking those who could develop her music, resonating with an innate need for sound that is dark, provocative, erotic and powerful. Collaborations with world-renowned producers include Audiofly, Ways & Means, Doc Moody, Tonstepa, Felony, Youthful Implants, Meat Katie, Dylan Rhymes, Paolo Mojo, Cass, Kayden and she learned skills studio skills with the Italian band, Planet Funk. Her songs have been supported Sasha, Danny Howells and Nic Fanciulli, with Faithless choosing ‘Circles’ for a Renaissance compilation.
Sapphira has successfully engineered collaborations with major companies and brands. She worked with Sony Pictures promoting the movie BURLESQUE in Australia, raised Breast Cancer Awareness with Curves Fitness Centres and now partners with Illamasqua, London’s cult make-up brand.
With a music video in production there is more to be revealed… or is there?
She’s in it for the tease.
Are you?
Links
