Choreographer, Dancer, Teacher
Choreographer, Dancer and Teacher Janis Claxton, is based in Edinburgh, Scotland where she is Artistic Director of the award winning contemporary dance company Janis Claxton Dance.
With more than 25 years of International experience she has worked both independently and with companies and organisations in several countries. She has performed with The One Extra Company (Australia 84-86), Michael Parmenters’ Commotion Company (NZ, 90) and her work is strongly influenced by Erick Hawkins who invited her to join his company in New York (1992).
With an on-going passion and commitment for movement research Janis’ reputation as a teacher traverses the globe. She has taught extensively in professional, community and educational dance settings including Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Beijing Dance Academy, Dance Academy Arnhem, London Contemporary Dance School and Scottish School of Contemporary Dance.
Janis has choreographed solo and company works, community projects and children’s theatre including for Janis Claxton Dance, BeijingDance LDTX, The National Dance Company of Wales, Beijing Dance Academy, Lung Has, Grid Iron and Travelling Light.
Since 2009 Janis has had an on-going artistic relationship with China and has worked with major organizations including BeijingDance LDTX, DaDao Live Art Festival,, Guangdong Dance Festival, Beijing Song and Dance Company, Beijing Dance Academy and Shanghai Expo, as well as several independent Chinese artists. Janis Claxton Dance together with BeijingDance LDTX will open the 2012 Beijing Dance Festival.