Janis Claxton Dance

Janis Claxton Dance has been based in Edinburgh since 2005 and is one of Scotland’s leading project funded dance companies. With a core team of localy based dancers the company’s training-based methodology results in a unique movement voice underpinned by Claxton’s passionate commitment to movement research. “Eloquent, gimmick free dancing at its best” (Venue)

Janis Claxton Dance has toured throughout Scotland and have taken works to Wales, England and China. The company’s works range from dance pieces for theatrical venues such as songs are sung with the Edinburgh Quartet, to the award winning durational improvised marathon Enclosure 44 – Humans set in an animal enclosure at the Edinburgh Zoo.

In 2010 Janis Claxton Dance was invited to China to perform Human Animal at the Shanghai Expo UK Pavilion and to restage songs are sung for the leading Chinese company BeijingDance LDTX (Guangdong Modern Dance Festival). In 2012 LDTX will perform songs are sung for the Beijing Dance Festival alongside a new work choreographed by Janis Claxton which will see Janis Claxton Dance and LDTX performing together to open the festival. The event will be part of The British Councils UK Now 2012 Festival in China.

With ongoing collaborations with Chinese dance, in 2011 the company invited 5 dancers from China to perform Enclosure 99 – Humans once again inhabiting an animal enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo. The company’s next touring project in 2013 will bring 5 dancers from China to collaborate on a new site specific piece.

Janis Claxton Dance is managed by Catalyst Dance Management and gratefully acknowledges support from Creative Scotland, Confucius Institute for Scotland, British Council, Scottish Government and Edinburgh Zoo and Scotland’s Dance Agencies – Dance Base, Citymoves. and Dance House

The Dancers

Core members

Tamsyn Russell

Tamsyn Russell (NZ/UK) was born in New Zealand and trained in ballet from the age of 4. She began full time training at the age of 15 at The Dance Education Centre and went on to complete a Bachelor in Performing and Screen Arts majoring in contemporary dance at Unitec (University of Technology) in Auckland, New Zealand. Since graduating in 2003 she has worked for many established and emerging choreographers in New Zealand including Michael Parmenter, Chris Jannidies , Ann Dewey and Raewyn Hill. In NZ Tamsyn has choreographed for the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra at Government House and was also a regular dance technique tutor for the dance Degree Program at Unitec. Tamsyn is now based Edinburgh and began working with Janis Claxton Dance in 2008 for the company?s Falling Light Tour. She recently travelled to China with JCD for the company?s performance of Human Animal at Shanghai expo and worked as assistant choreographer and rehearsal director for the recreation of songs are sung for Beijing Dance LDTX.

Fiona Jeffries

Fiona Jeffries began dancing at an early age at the Morag Alexander School of Dancing Edinburgh where she studied RAD Ballet, ISTD Ballet, ISTD Modern and Scottish Country Dance. From 2004-2007 she studied at The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance and has completed a Postgraduate Diploma with Postgraduate Performance Company: EDge08 at London Contemporary Dance School where she worked with choreographers including; Filip Van Huffel, Jonathan Lunn, Martin Forsberg, Rosemary Lee and Rosemary Butcher t touring throughout the UK and Europe. Fiona has been a member of Janis Claxton Dance since 2007performing in Falling Light tour, Human Animal (Shanghai Expo), Who?s Zoomin Who and the forthcoming Humanimalia.

Adrienne O’Leary

Adrienne O?Leary Born in Queensland, Australia, Adrienne studied dance from an early age at various institutions including, the Queensland Dance School of Excellence where she achieved RAD Advanced 2 (Distinction) in Classical Ballet. She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) at Queensland University of Technology, graduating with distinction in 2008. In Australia, Adrienne performed several works created by choreographers including, Natalie Weir, Shaaron Boughen, Csaba Buday, Sarah-Jayne Howard, Harold Collins and Keith Hawley. She also performed at the 2008 Guangdong Modern Dance Festival in China. Currently based in Edinburgh, in 2009 Adrienne participated in ?Who?s Zoomin Who? residency at Dance Base under the direction of Michael Parmenter and Janis Claxton and was subsequently invited to join Janis Claxton Dance for research and development of ?Humanimalia? at Tramway, Glasgow and ?Sweet Love? performance residency at DanceHouse Dublin. Adrienne recently visited China for the company?s performance of Human Animal at Shanghai expo and will perform in the forthcoming Humanimalia.

Associate Performers

Esther Kaijim

Esther Kaijim is originally from the Netherlands where she started her dance training at Rotterdam Dance Academy (Codarts). She interrupted her studies to follow an independent training programme in Paris and was later invited to study in Montpellier (EPSEdanse) where she obtained her EAT certificate. In 2002 Esther returned to Holland to finish her BA in dance at Arnhem Dance Academy (ArtEZ), where she worked with choreographers including; Antonio Quiles, Paul Selwyn Norton, Roberto Galvan and Roberto Olivan de la Iglesia. In 2005 she joins EDge06, the post-graduate performance company at London Contemporary Dance School and toured throughout the UK and Europe with works from Trisha Brown, Siobhan Davies, Sue MacLennan and Conor Doyle. Esther has collaborated with various choreographers and worked in Theatre Management (including Edinburgh Festival) throughout the years. Also she has been teaching contemporary dance at DanceEast for the CAT programme and adult education. She continues her personal development studying Yoga. Recently she has been part of the ?Bodies in Urban Spaces? performances by Willi Dorner in Brighton and Montpellier. She will join Janis Claxton Dance in January 2011

Skye Reynolds

Skye Reynolds is a physical performer and pilates teacher who also devises her own work. She has worked in the UK and abroad (Germany, Iran, China) and has previously facilitated creative dance opportunities for refugees in post-war Europe. She has trained with Janis Claxton since 1995 and since 2007 she has performed in JCD works; Sweet Love (Glasgow CCA), Human Animal (Shanghai, Scotland) and the award winning Enclosure 44 – Humans (Fringe 2008). Other company works includes: Derevo, Curious Seed and Articulate Animal.

Clive Nicholas Andrews

Clive Nicholas Andrews has 20 years of training and performance experience as a Clown, Improviser, Physical Theatre Actor, Dancer, Aerialist and Juggler. He has worked solo and with companies in the U.K. and Australia including his most recent shows for children; The Lighthouse Keeper and At The Drop Of A Hat. He has also performed as a physical theatre actor/dancer in experimental shows such as Aurora Borealis by Lazzi Experimental Arts Unit, numerous works by Angus Balbernie and with Janis Claxton Dance in Human Animal (Shanghai, Scotland) and the award winning Enclosure 44 ? Humans (Fringe 2008)

Libby Charlton

Libby Charlton (formerly MacDonnell) completed her dance training at The Arts Education School (London) and The Hammond (Chester) before going on to dance professionally for three years. She then returned to study Contemporary Dance and the Alexander Technique at De Montfort University where she gained a BA(Hons). Since 2003, Libby has been training and performing with Janis Claxton in England, Australia and New York. A Founder member of Janis Claxton & Co, she has worked with the company as a dancer, teacher and rehearsal director and has been a major influence in formulating the company’s movement style and artistic vision. Libby is a qualified teacher who has worked in a variety of educational and community settings, and is currently teaching at Cotham School (Bristol). Her other influences and interests include Aikido, Alexander Technique, and Contact Improvisation.

Angus Balbernie

Angus Balbernie has directed over 60 dance and performance pieces internationally. He is an associate lecturer at Artez Arnhem, The Scottish School Of Contemporary Dance and Dartington College of Arts, guest professor of choreography at The Korean National University Of The Arts and he has been nominated for performance awards; Isadora Duncan award in the USA, and the KolnerTanz Prize.