Stars of MK ULTRA
Shanelle Clemenson – Dancer
Shanelle started her professional training at Wolverhampton University in 2006 where she graduated and gained a BA Hons in Dance Practise and Performance in 2009. Shanelle has also trained in variety of dance styles including Hip Hop, Waacking, Vogue, and Salsa. In the past, Shanelle has worked with companies such as Faith Drama, Protein Dance and Ace Dance and Music and in 2015, Shanelle earned a place with international dance company, ‘RichFam’. Founded and directed by Rob Rich, based in Los Angeles (California).
Harriet Ellis – Dancer
Harriet trained at Bird College of Dance, Music and Theatre Performance and graduated in 2016 with a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre receiving the ‘Best Contemporary Female’ Award. Prior to this Harriet was also a member of RDC Youth Dance company and performed with the English Youth Ballet.
Whilst in training, Harriet worked with choreographers including Nikki O’Hara, Simeon Qsyea, Rachel Kay, Theo Lowe and Jack Evans. She featured in a series of short dance films entitled ‘White Girl/Black Girl & Everything In-between’ created by Simeon Qsyea for BirdGang Dance.
She has continued to explore different styles through taking regular company class with the following: Ace Dance and Music, Motionhouse, Company Chameleon, 2Faced Dance Company, Autin Dance Theatre, Dance Adventures, Alleyne Dance, Avant Garde Dance and Humanhood Dance.
MK Ultra is Harriet’s professional debut and she is thrilled to be working for Rosie Kay Dance Company.
Shelley Eva Haden – Dancer
Shelley trained at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), graduating (2014) with a first class (BA) Honours Degree. Upon graduation, Shelley became one of the first students in the history of NSDC to achieve 100% in her final year solo assessment. Shelley’s solo choreography is now part of the schools repertoire for students to study and perform as part of the ‘performance practice’ module (2015-present)
Shelley’s credits include: Trash Dolly’s Dance Theatre, Keneish Dance, Balbir Singh Dance Company, Slung Low, Gary Clarke, and Tamsin Fitzgerald.
Shelley started working for Rosie Kay Dance Company in 2015, she began touring as the single female soloist in the five star production of ‘5 SOLDIERS’. Since then she has continued work with the company on many projects and performances including two tours of 5 Soldiers, and the recent double bill tour of “Motel’ & ‘Double Points: K’.
Lizzie Klotz – Dancer
Lizzie is a dance and theatre artist based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Lizzie trained at London Studio Centre, graduating in 2013 with a First Class BA Honours in Theatre Dance as a member of Intoto Dance Company, performing works by Ben Duke, Jorge Crecis and Neville Campbell. Following this, Lizzie took part in Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company’s five-month programme and Gaga Intensive with Batsheva Dance Company in Israel.
Lizzie has worked with companies and artists across dance, theatre, performance art and circus, including Lo-Giudice Dance, Peter Groom Dance Theatre, Alys North, State of Grace, Cooking with Faye, Alice Theobald, Circus Central and Cirque Bijou.
Since 2015, Lizzie has been developing her own dance theatre work, through the support of Arts Council England, Dance City and Northumberland Arts Development.
João Maio – Dancer
Born in Porto, Portugal in 1995, João Maio started his dance career by taking different dance classes and workshops in urban dance and, later on, Contemporary Dance and Classical Ballet.
In 2009, he began the three year professional contemporary performer course in Balleteatro Professional School, Porto; where he studied Contemporary Dance and Performance Art. Following this course, João moved to England, enrolling at Northern School of Contemporary Dance where he graduated with a First Class Honors Degree in 2015.
In the end of his first year at NSCD, João was invited by Carlos Pons Guerra to play the role of the Virgin Mary in his work “O Maria”, rehearsing and touring with the DeNada Dance Theatre until 2014.
Ryan Munroe – Dancer
From a young age Ryan had an affinity dance and performance and Theatre. Aged nineteen Ryan started to harness his passion for dance, leading him to study at Lewisham College then a BA at London Contemporary Dance School. Since graduating in 2013 Ryan has performed in an array of work from choreographic platforms, music videos, theatre to site specific work. Ryan continues to push his capabilities by working across a range of dance styles and mediums.
Training also developed Ryans’ choreographic skills leading him to choreograph for two universal record artists, a solo at the Lilian Baylis Theatre, music videos and fashion shows. Ryan is a physical, musical and passionate dancer and his love for artistry shapes him as a versatile, conscientious and colourful performer.
Oliver Russell – Dancer
Oliver completed his training
at London Contemporary Dance School in July 2014 performing choreography by Sasha Roubicek, Jose Agudo and Tony Adigun.
Following his graduation, Oliver pursued his dream of intensive training in Shaolin Kung Fu, under the instruction of Shaolin Warrior Monks in Qufu, Shandong Province, China.
Oliver began working with Rosie Kay Dance Company in February 2015 during the award-winning, five star national tour of 5 SOLDIERS. Following this, he worked for Tony Mill’s ‘ROOM2MANEOUVRE’ performing ‘SquishSquared’, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Oliver then resumed working with Rosie Kay Dance Company for the grand opening of the Birmingham Mailbox and in the 2016 double bill of Double Points: K & Motel.
