Education                                                                                                                                                            

Bachelor of Arts, Dance. West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University. Graduation 1996

Diploma of Performing Arts, Dance. West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University. Graduation 1992               

Diploma of Dance Movement Therapy International Institute of Dance Therapy in Australia, Melbourne. Graduation 2003

Work Experience

Founder / Director - Proper Motion 2020-present (dance ensemble and projects for the work of Lisa Maris McDonell and invited choreographers /collaborators)

Choreographic works
Full Length Works / Major Projects  

Hyena University of Wollongong. Devised performance  with the UOW 2nd year performance students. Director. April, May 2024                                                                                                                   

Optimal Stopping Performance by Proper Motion (AUS) and La Infinita Compañia (MEX), Festival of International Contemporary Dance in Mexico City, Teatro De La Danza, Mexico City, August 2023. Wollongong Town Hall, presented by Merrigong Theatre Company. Choreographer. April 2023

Better Than… University of Wollongong. Devised performance with the UOW 2nd year performance students. Director. May 2023

The Lobster ($20 Commissions Project) Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, MerrigongX program. Choreographer, Performer. June 2022                                          

The Strangeways Cabaret Strangeways Ensemble, Merrigong Theatre, Choreographic / Movement Mentor, 2021                                                

Standing On The Ceiling Multi-disciplinary community arts project, Facilitating Choreographer, Wollongong Council, 2021           

$20 Commissions Project ongoing project supported by ReadyMade Works (Moving Ideas Residency), Create New South Wales and Merrigong Theatre Company, 2020-present

Dances From a Pandemic collaboration with La Infinita Comapañia, Mexico. Virtually created dance work. 2020

Chamber Dances Durational performance work for ensemble commissioned by Wollongong Art Gallery. June / July 2017

Bubblegum and Fairy Floss Featured Artist, IlluminARTe Festival. Video, choreographed projections, artworks commissioned by Wollondilly Shire, Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, April 2017                                                                                       

Five Kinds of Paradise Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (producer / presenter) Casula, Sydney. Choreographer, Jan 2016

Home Truths Merrigong Theatre Company, Studio Sessions program, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong. May, 2015

I Helen, I Hercules Directed by Anne-Louise Rentell. Disability Trust’s Alltogether Drama Company. Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Movement Director, 2014

Hommage to Place Collaboration with Darren Braun and Geoffrey Sykes (film / text). Produced by Playscript Theatre, Wollongong. Choreographer, Performer, 2013

Earth Bound Air Born Collaboration with Geoffrey Sykes (film) and Illir Merx hushi (cello) produced by Playscript Theatre, Wollongong. Chapel by the Sea, Bondi. Choreographer, Performer. 2012

On Earth Choreographer / performer, Collaboration with Geoffrey Sykes (film / text). Produced by Playscript Theatre. Performed at Bushchapel Theatre, Helensburgh. 2010

Playing Sane Commissioned by Western and Eastern Sydney Area Health Services in collabration with Richmond Fellowship. Performances for ensemble throughout Sydney in hospital foyers and other public spaces. Director. 2006

Short Works 5-30 min

Deepfake Sydney Dance Company Pre Professional Year, 2023

Code Red uNCOILEd, AUSTI Dance and Physical Theatre, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, October 2022

Al Verla Muerta Annalouise Paul Dance Theatre, Salon Flamenco. Sydney Solstice Festival, Stonewall, 2021

Farruca Annalouise Paul Dance Theatre, Salon Flamenco. The Flying Nun by Brand X, Sydney. IronFest, Lithgow. 2019.

Body Brutal Merrigong Theatre Company, Made From Scratch, Wollongong Town Hall, 2019

Buzz Festival of International Contemporary Dance in Mexico City, 2018. Short Sweet and Dance Festival, Sydney. 2014

After You’ve Gone Merrigong Theatre Company, Made from Scratch, Wollongong Town Hall, 2017

Absolute Vertigo Platform Shorts, for ensemble. Sydney Fringe Festival, Annandale Creative Arts Centre, Sydney. 2014.

Shambolic Resonance Choreographer / performer, created and performed at The Art Shed with visual artist, Min-Ji Kim and installation artist / set designer, Anna Tregloan, BigCi, Bilpin, NSW. 2014

Five Kinds of Paradise Australian Institute of Classical Dance, Dance Creation Competition, NSW Runner Up, Sydney, 2014

Exercise in Uncoordination The Vault Cabaret, Merrigong Theatre Company, 2014.

Living the Dream The Vault Cabaret, work for ensemble Wollongong. 2013

She walks on Fire The Vault Cabaret, work for ensemble Wollongong. 2012

De la Tierra Produced by Playscript Theatre. Work for ensemble, Wollongong. 2009

Ignition Point Khorus. Produced by Playscript Theatre. Work for ensemble, Wollongong. 2009

Cacophony NAISDA Dance College, Laycock St Theatre, Gosford. 2006

Meh Choreographed in collaboration with Vicki Van Hout, NAISDA Dance College, Sydney. 2005

Tank NAISDA Dance College, Sydney 2005

Tanguedia NAISDA Dance College, Sydney 2005

Untitled Collaboration with Saxophonist Bodies, Newtown Theatre, Sydney 2001

Shoot Performer / choreographer, Bodies, Newtown Theatre, Sydney 1999

Bitterly Twisted Nefarious season, Physical Architecture, Blue Room Theatre, Perth 1998

Approaches Slowly and Soft to the Touch Commissioned by Solo Independents European Dance Festival, Ireland 1998

Death warmed Up Commissioned by Cork City Ballet, Cork, Ireland 1998

Squeeze Commissioned by Coaliste Stiophan Naofa, Ireland 1997

Latrinalia 4Walls season, work for ensemble. Physical Architecture, PICA, Perth 1996

At the Third Stroke Options / Greenmill Festival, VCA Melbourne 1996 . Ensemble work as part of a WA representative program of works by Barry Moreland, Chrissie Parrott, Neil Adams and Lisa Cutler (Maris McDonell).

Works for Screen                                                                                                                                                               

Illawarra Dance Portraits Online video dance project supported by Merrigong Theatre Company. Individual videos presented at Desert Edge Film Festival (India, Nepal), 305 & Havana International Improv Festival (USA), Dance Days Chania (Greece), Movi|mentale Festival (Italy)  2020 / 21   

$20 Commissions Project  Flock Fest online festival, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Leeds. Made From Scratch online edition, Merrigong Theatre Company, 2021                                                                                                                                     

Approachable Screened at SzoloDuo International Dance Festival, Budapest, 2018, IlluminARTe 2016. Viva la Gong 2014 and Critical Path’s One Minute Masterpieces 2013                                                                                                                                

Softly Softly Meroogal Women’s Art Prize, finalist 2018

Bubblegum and Fairy Floss Quinzena de Dança de Almada International Dance Festival, Portugal, 2018. Commissioned purpose made video for building projections and exhibition, IlluminARTe Festival. Curator Angela D’Elia, Goulburn Regional Gallery. 2017

Coal is Dead Women Cinemakers Berlin, Biennale edition. 2018, Bideodromo Festival, Spain 2018

Women’s Work Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2016 (3rd Prize)

Performance (in projects of others)                                                                                                                      

New work development solo work choreographed by Raúl Tamez (Mexico), December, 2023, January, 2024.

Allusions development directed by Susan Kennedy, MerrigongX, 2023.

Kauyumari (Blue Deer) choreography by Raúl Tamez for Proper Motion. Performed at Festival of International Contemporary Dance in Mexico City, Teatro De La Danza, Mexico City, August 2023. Happy Hour, Readymade Works. Sydney, May 2023.

Ana Otero Flamenco 2007-2013

De Quincey Company Impro Exchange 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019

Flamenco Ruido 2008-2015                                                                                                                                 

Somewhere South dir. Geoffrey Sykes, Playscript Theatre, Wollongong, 2009

Oi ch. Jason Pitt, Sydney Opera House, 2006

Triptych ch. Neil Adams, PICA, Perth, 1999 / 2000

New Balance Dance Company ch. Adrienne Brown, Kim Brandstrup, Righting Dance Project, Firkin Crane Choreo graphic Centre, Cork, Ireland 1998 / 1999                                                                                                                                        

Wayne MacGregor Random Dance residency, Firkin Crane Choreographic Centre Cork, 1998

Femme ch. Jane Kellaghan, Cork City Ballet, Cork Opera House, Ireland 1998

Dance Offering Mixed bill, Cork City Ballet, Cork Opera House, Ireland 1997

Metropolis Dance Company ch, Marion Ribbon, Dublin Dance Festival, Dublin. Firkin Crane Centre, Cork, Ireland 1997                    

Wind to the Mountain ch. Neil Adams, Korean International Dance Event, World Dance Alliance, Seoul 1996

Duet ch. Claudia Alessi, Perth Festival 1993

Two Heads ch. Joanna Pollitt, Artrage Festival 1992

Tower Chrissie Parrot Dance Company, Perth 1992

Danza Viva Spanish Dance Company Perth 1991-1992

Teaching (highlights)                                                                                                                                                   

University of Wollongong, Casual Lecturer, Movement Studies, Bachelor of Performance, 2021-2024

Sydney Dance Company Pre Professional Year, Intensive courses, Youth Ensembles, 2023-present

Australasian Dance Collective Company Class 2024

Ankara State University, Turkey. Series of remote workshops with students of the dance degree course, 2021

Joanne Grace School of Dance Full time diploma course, Contemporary Dance, Choreography, repertoire, 2016 - present

Austinmer Dance Theatre Company Class, Audition Class, 2015-2020

Sydney Dance Company / Accessible Arts Access Dance Class, 2008 /2009

NAISDA Dance College Course Coordinator 2005-06, Sessional Lecturer, Contemporary Dance, Ballet, Choreography, Industry Studies. 2003-2007, Administrative Assistant 2004

Bangarra Dance Theatre Company class 2000-2004

Sydney Dance Company Public Classes. Stretch, Ballet 1999

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts Sessional Lecturer, Ballet, Contemporary, Pointe Work, Movement Studies. Dance, Musical Theatre Departments 1998-1999, 1996

Coaliste Stiophan Naofa St Stephen’s College, Diploma of Dance, Firkin Crane Centre, Cork, Ireland. 1997-98

Residencies / Awards / Other                                                                                                                                   

Sydney Dance Company / Create NSW Beyond the Studio Fellowship recipient 2022/23   

Ausdance DAIR Residency, Royal Academy of Dance, Sydney, 2023                                                     

ReadyMade Works Moving Ideas Residency recipient, 2021

Ausdance / Create NSW Innovating Dance Practice Grant recipient for travel to Festival de Jerez, Spain, 2020

Australian Ballet Company / Sydney Opera House / Dance Australia Female Choreographer Initiative shortlist 2018, 2019

FIDCDMX festival, Mexico International Contest for Mature Soloists, one of six international finalists amongst a worldwide competition of over 400 applicants. Special panel award, 2018

Meroogal Women’s Art Prize Finalist, 2018. 3rd Prize winner 2016

Australian Dance Awards shortlisted nominee Softly Softly 2018

Circus Monoxide Board Member 2017 - 2021

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre GRID residency inaugural recipient

Tasdance TRIP Residency 2015

Critical Path Responsive Residency 2014, Research Room Residency 2014, Mirramu residency 2017

Australian Institute of Classical Dance NSW Runner Up AICD Choreographic Competition 2014

Critical Path / Carriageworks Sustainability of Future Bodies project 2013

Merrigong Theatre Company Residency 2010, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023