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• COMPANY MEMBERS
David Waring, Artistic Director
David Waring graduated from Laban in 1987. He has performed, choreographed and taught both in the UK and internationally with a range of artists including Ricochet Dance Company, Walker Dance, Adventures in Motion Pictures and The Featherstonehaughs. In 2000 David was awarded a research and development grant from London Arts and was a participant at the PAL (Performing Arts Lab) going on to become Assistant Artistic Director (2001-2002). He continues to develop his artistic practice both with and outside Transitions Dance Company. In 2005/2006 he worked as a Movement Consultant on projects with Live Art performer Jonathan Allen, aka ‘Tommy Angel’. He has also collaborated and performed with Kate Brown for several years, most recently on 'Wanderland' for the first of the gDA cabaret series and on a new work to be presented in 2008. He performed his latest solo 'hustler' at the nottdance Festival in 2006 and is currently working on pieces 'hustler #1' and 'hustler #2', as well as a short film entitled 'he’s the greatest dancer'. David is currently studying as a practitioner in Zero Balancing.
Sara Bowen, Production Manager
Sara trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (R.A.D.A) in Technical Theatre. She has worked for many years in West End theatres both in Britain and Australia and has extensive experience in dance touring and production management, managing two site-specific pieces ‘A Mobile Thriller’ and ‘A Broken Road’ with the Battersea Arts Centre (2005) and technically stage managing for Usk Music Festival (2006). Most recently Sara managed the main stage for S.O.L.T Kids week performances in Covent Garden (2007) before returning to Transitions Dance Company Dance Company for her forth season as Production Manager.
Lisa Scott, Administrative Manager
Lisa studied for a BA Hons degree in Dance with Education at Roehampton Institute in London. On completion of her degree, Lisa travelled extensively in Asia, Central and South America, and lived in Australia before returning to the UK to take up a position at East London Dance (eventually developing and managing their programme of activity aimed at engaging young people). After just over 2 years in this role, in November 2006, Lisa took the post of Administrative Manager for Transitions Dance Company Dance Company.
David Smith, Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator
David studied Marketing at the University of Greenwich, gaining a BA Honours degree in 2004. On completion of his degree, David travelled to Greece where he worked in events promotion for the summer. Having gained Marketing experience for some prestigious organisations such as the NHS and the DfES David spent three years developing the Marketing team at Orpington College before joining Laban in November 2007.
Anna Finkel is from Toronto, Canada. There she gained a diploma in contemporary dance through a three year program at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, graduating in 2005. During her course she had the opportunity to work with such inspiring choreographers as Serge Bennethan, Christopher House, Danny Grossman and Sasha Ivanochko among others. In Europe, Anna has taken workshops with Inaki Aspillaga of Ultima Vez, Rosas, and Nina Dipla of Pina Bausch's Tanztheatre Wuppertal.
Anna's professional performance experience includes 'Loveloathing' by Susanna Hood with Dancemakers (Sept 2006), 'IRE' by Kathleen Rea (July 2006), and various works with Kaeja d'Dance. In addition to her performance work, Anna is co-founder of Neccesity Plip - a collective which creates collaborative work with emerging artists. Necessity Plip has been funded by the Toronto Arts Council.
Anna holds an interest in international development and in the summer of 2006 she travelled to St. Lucia, West Indies as a volunteer youth leadership workshop facilitator with The People's Workshop, a community development NGO.
Through the experience of Transitions Dance Company, Anna intends to continue her professional development and build working relationships in both the UK and Europe.
Daniel Luke Martin from Somerset studied at Richard Huish College in Taunton, Somerset (UK) before graduating from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance having worked with Ben Wright.
Outside dancing his interests include Fire Breathing and stilt walking. Performances include 'Censored', a performance based art piece with the Trash Dollys. This company was set up by Holly Durant and Daniel and the performances are based in abandoned buildings and warehouse environments, always to an intimate and invited audience.
Following his time with Transitions Dance Company, Daniel hopes to develop the Trash Dollys’ voice and create a place for the group in the contemporary dance world.
Emily Aiko Katsuno was born in Lewisham, London (UK) and gained a First Class BA(hons) degree in Contemporary Dance at the London Contemporary Dance School.
She has trained in Flamenco dance for ten years and studied with Eva La Yerbabuena in Spain and on intensive Contemporary Dance training courses at the Graham, Limon and Cunningham studios in New York (2004, 2005, 2006) She loves to travel and experience different cultures. Other interests include yoga and live music.
Emily’s performances have included 'Berlin' with Hofesh Schechter at The Place Theatre (July 2007), 'Caught', a collaboration between Australian Dance Theatre, CandoCo Dance Foundation and London Contemporary Dance School at Lillian Baylis Theatre, Sadlers Wells (March 2007) and 'US Melting Sharp' with Jan de Schynkel at The Place (March 2007). She toured work by Tom Dale with the LC3 touring company at venues around London in Spring / Summer 2007.
Emily cites her desire to work intensively with choreographers and to perform regularly as her motivation for joining Transitions Dance Company. In the future she plans to use her skills and experience to inspire young people in the community.
Emily has chosen to dedicate her performances to her best friend Hayli Jackson.
Hannah Louise Colombo Venet was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. She graduated from Laban gaining a First Class BA (Hons) in Dance Theatre in 2007. An intensive summer course with the Martha Graham Dance Company provided her with her first taste of contemporary dance (1997). Hannah was accepted as a member of Scottish Ballet Junior Associates (1997-1998) and Ballet West Junior Associates (2000). Other training has included a summer placement with Scottish Dance Theatre (2006). She had also taken workshops with illustrious choreographers such as Lea Anderson, Maresa Von Stockert and the Rafael Bonachela Dance Company.
Performance highlights include dancing in the short art-house film 'Pony' directed by Andy Parkman (2007). 'Aperture'; a solo piece Hannah choreographed and performed at Broughton High Theatre and the St Brides Centre, both in Edinburgh (2007). Hannah also danced in the structured improvisation piece 'Simple Beginnings Parts I II and III' by Kirstie Simson and Christian Burns and in the reconstruction of 'My Big Pants' by Jeremy James, both as part of ‘The Last Leg’ Laban third year tour (2007).
Hannah has been granted the prestigious Dewar Arts Award, to persue her postgraduate studies with Transitions Dance Company.
Hannah saw joining Transitions Dance Company as an opportunity to challenge and push herself as a performer. She is excited about having the chance to work with a variety of internationally acclaimed choreographers. In the future she hopes to continue developing and taking risks creatively, both as a teacher and performer.
Hayley Dixon was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire (UK) and first experienced contemporary dance at the age of 18. She gained her Foundation in Contemporary Dance at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (2004 - 2005) and her HND in Contemporary Dance at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance for 2 years (2005 – 2007). During her training she worked with Scottish Dance Theatre, Filip Van Huffel of Retina Dance and danced on a project with the newly established Scottish based company Moxie Brawl.
Performance highlights include 'Tear' with Laura Scott, performed at The Space, Dundee, The Tron Theatre, Glasgow and The Riley Theatre, Leeds (Dec 2006/June 2007), 'Minute Room' by Vanessa Haska at The Space, Dundee (June 2006), 'Maybe Not Me', a recreated piece by Thomas Small performed at The Space (June 2007), 'How We Feel' – a tour of schools around Dundee and Angus with Peter Royston (2006) and Fast and Dirty- a two week multi-discipline collaborative workshop process in Aberdeen lead by Ian Spink and Janis Claxton (2006).
Hayley was drawn to Transitions Dance Company because of its heritage as the original graduate dance company, the chance to work with international choreographers and the fantastic facilities of the company base at Laban.
Looking to the future, she plans to develop her creative and collaborative skills and work as a successful and versatile dance performer.
Helen Louise Walker hails from Chelmsford in Essex where she attended lessons at ‘The Weston School of Dancing’ from a young age. In 1999 she became a member of ‘The Chelmsford Ballet Company’ appearing in three shows in 2000, 2001 and 2003. Helen furthered her training at Laban, gaining a First Class BA (Hons) in Dance Theatre (2004 – 2007).
In July 2006 she assisted on a schools project called 'DansAthletic', a collaboration between Protein Dance Company and East London Dance, performed in and around Canary Wharf Tube station. Other performance highlights include Yael Flexer’s 'Groundwork', danced on The Last Leg tour at Escola Superior De Danca in Lisbon, Portugal (2007) and Charlie Morrissey’s ‘Two Hundred and Six bones’ performed at Laban Theatre and toured to colleges and universities in the UK (2006).
Having seen Transitions Dance Company in action, Helen was inspired to join the company to gain experience and confidence as a performer. In the future she plans to continue as a professional dancer as well as training as a dance teacher. She is delighted to be in the Company and would like to thanks her family and friends for all their love and support.
Karolina Kraczkowska comes from Lublin in Poland. She attended Warsaw University (2000-2005) and gained an MA in written translation from English to French with a Masters thesis entitled Misogyny, Sexism and Violence Against Women in Gangsta Rap Lyrics. She trained as a dancer at private studios in Lublin and Warsaw before joining Polish Dance Theatre (2004-2007) and receiving her Professional Dancer National Diploma (2006).
Karolina cites workshops in Chicago at the Lou Conte Dance Studio and in Bytom, organised by Silesian Dance Theatre as hightlights in her training. She has collaborated with choreographers including Jacek Przybylowicz and Istvan Puto (formerly of Kibbutz Dance Company), Karine Saporta, William Petit and Thierry Verger and has danced in pieces by Virpi Pahkinen.
Outside dance her interests include linguistics, theatre, film and music. Karolina was drawn to Transitions Dance Company for its place as part of the thriving London dance scene and hopes to continue as a professional dancer after her time with the company.
Lee Keith Harvey Robinson was born in Kingston-Upon-Thames (UK) and, having acted from an early age, joined the Rambert Youth Group in 2002. He completed the BA(hons) Dance Theatre course at Laban (2004-2007) and has worked with choreographers / teachers including, Gill Clarke, Lea Anderson, Simon Vincenzi, Marie Gabrielle Roti, Kathy Crick, Christine Tanner and Gary Lambert.
Performance experience includes 'My Big Pants', directed by Gabrielle McNaughton (Winter 2006) and 'Synchronised Coincidence' created by Joanne Fong (Winter 2006), both performed at the Bonnie Bird Theatre, 'Without Walls', created by Katy Hall for the Richmond Dance Festival and performed at Richmond Theatre (Spring 2003) and 'Living Toys' performed at Sadlers Wells with the Rambert Youth Group (2002/2003).
Lee chose to join Transitions Dance Company to further his knowledge and understanding of the professional performing world and to challenge himself physically, mentally and creatively.
He is particularly interested in the hybridisation of musical scores from different genres with contemporary dance. In the future he hopes to explore this through choreography and performance as well as revisiting his roots in the acting world.
Megan Jessica Saunders was born in Lewes, East Sussex (UK) and trained with youth dance companies Hed:Strong, Dome Dancers and Brighton + Hove Youth Dance Company before moving to London to study BA Dance Theatre at Laban (2004 – 2007).
Performances have included 'Off The Wall' with Stan Won’t Dance – a large scale multi-discipline performance on London’s South Bank (July 2007) and 'These Are Also Wings' by Dadadandy and Goshka Macuga – a dance performance/fashion show at Selfridges, Oxford Street, London, part of the ‘Surreal and the Shop’ season (April 2007). Megan also performed in Katherine Fry’s physical theatre piece 'Matin Apres-Midi' at the Camden People’s Theatre (November 2006). She toured London and the South East of England in Joanne Fong’s 'Synchronised Coincidence' (Nov/Dec 2006) and Charlie Morrissey’s 'Two Hundred & Six Bones' (October 2006), as part of her studies at Laban.
Megan joined Transitions Dance Company to develop technically and creatively while working with a variety of international choreographers. She has a keen interest in dance education with teaching experience at Laban’s Centre for Advanced Training (CAT), Brighton And Hove Youth Dance Company and Springing Kids into Life (S.K.I.L) in East Sussex. She is also a teaching assistant for Laban’s CAT. She would like her future performance career to inform her education practice.
Megan is also attracted to multi-disciplinary collaboration. She is a member of a collective of young artists - Youth in Movement, who stage events, performances and parties at festivals, clubs and pubs. They have performed at the Truck Festival (2007) and The Foundry, Old Street, London (April 2007).
Ming Hei Wong (Ronny) was born in Hong Kong where he gained a BFA (hons) degree at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), majoring in contemporary dance and choreography (2002-2007).
He is the beneficiary of several scholarships including the Ohel Lean Synagogue Charity Scholarship, The Heng Seng Bank Scholarship for outstanding academic achievement, The Coutts Bank Scholarship, The Society of Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Scholarship and the Jackie Chan Charity Scholarship.
Ronny is one of the founding members of the Hong Kong-based Artsian Dance Ensemble, with whom he presented his site specific dance 'Missing table, Missing people' in a Hong Kong underground station (2007).
Other performance highlights have included a Variety Show of Cantonese Opera, Chinese Music and Contemporary Dance by HKAPA in Berlin and Brussels (2007), a solo 'dialogue' by Hong Kong choreographer Lam Po presented as part of an Asian choreographic collaboration (December 2006) and co-choreographing the site specific dance 'Ocean 3' for the Hong Kong Dance Festival 2006.
He represented HKAPA at the Guang Dong Modern Dance Festival (2005 and 2007) and in performance tours to Perth, Australia and Paris, France. In April 2006 he joined the Expression Dance Company in Brisbane, Australia on a two-week internship.
Ronny received a grant from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund (2007) to train with Transitions Dance Company. He is using the opportunity to explore both himself and the professional dance field. He plans to take the knowledge, experience and techniques that he develops in Europe back to Hong Kong and China to inform his practice there.
Sonya Frances Cullingford was born in Luxborough, near Minehead in Somerset (UK). She studied at the Trull School of Dance in Taunton (1997-2000) before gaining a Diploma in Dance at the Arts Educational School, Tring Park (2000-2007). She has trained with Eve Pettinger MBE, Robert Cohen, Matt Skoog, Leon Baugh, Anne Went and Irek Mukhamedov. Sonya is also an accomplished musician having achieved Grade 8 in piano, violin and singing.
Memorable performances include 'Stabat Mater' directed by Robert Cohen and Anne Went, performed at the Linbury Theatre (June 2007), and 'Unfolding Layers' with Tim Blowfield, created for Resolution at The Place (March 2007) and also performed at the Cambridge Arts Theatre (July 2007).
Sonya chose to join Transitions Dance Company to gain more experience as a contemporary dancer and to work with renowned international choreographers. In the future, she hopes to go back to University after a career in dance and the arts. She would also like to travel the world using dance and music as a route into different cultures.
Taylor Benjamin grew up in Barnstaple, Devon (UK) and trained at the Doreen Bird College of Dance and Theatre Performance (2004 - 2007). He has performed in a number of musical theatre, dance and acting pieces at both the Birds Studio Theatre and at The Orchard in Dartford. Playing characters in 'The Life', 'Hands across the Sea' and a review of 'Songs for a new World'. Taylor has also danced in a number of pieces in his third year show 'Who could ask for anything more', including a Ballet choreographed by Susan town 'Platoon'. Taylor has trained with Susan Town, Andrew Wilson and Nikki O’Hara of Motionhouse Dance Theatre.
Taylor joined Transitions to further define his dance skills, increase his experience and work with top choreographers. He is interested in making dance more accessible to young people and following his time with Transitions, hopes to teach and choreograph whilst working as a professional dancer.
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