With the intention of combining her passion and experience in dance within a management context, Iris did a Masters degree in Arts and Heritage Management at the London Metropolitan University, for which she completed a dissertation with the title: “Programming Contemporary Dance Performances. A multiple case study”

Iris started her dance training at a young age, with the Royal Academy of Dance ballet programme and with classes/workshops in modern jazz, street dance, hip hop and salsa. Alongside her dance training, Iris performed in different shows in Lisbon, Portugal, including salsa and hip hop festivals, television programmes and dance nightclubs events.

In 2003, Iris moved to London to pursuit her dream of working in dance by studying at Middlesex University, a BA Dance and Performing Arts degree. During these years, her experience and interest in contemporary dance and choreography practice developed.

Iris is committed to work for the development of contemporary dance and its establishment as a successful dance performance style and an exciting learning subject. Iris is highly motivated and very enthusiastic collaborating with Pair Dance and supporting the challenging projects ahead.

Since completing my training at Rambert Ballet School (Diploma in Dance) 28 years ago I have consistently worked as a dancer. During this solid block of time I have developed as a performer, teacher and choreographer, working nationally and internationally. I recently left my position as soloist, teacher, choreographer and Assistant Artistic Director with Union Dance Company after 23 years and have now in the process of setting up my own dance company.

I have worked with various international choreographers and enjoyed an eclectic mix of styles and influences. Choreographers I have worked with and been influenced by include: Bill T Jones, Doug Elkins, B boys, Axé, Tom Jobe and Derek Williams. Along-side these influences I have also learnt from my work with English National Opera and various projects in the commercial video world (including Joan Armatrading, David Essex, Sinitta, Betty Boo and Kym Mazelle).

My work draws on all these experiences and fuses different styles of dance using contemporary as my base whilst incorporating Martial Arts (Tai chi, Aikido) and Brazilian rooted Capoeira together with B-boying (Breaking, Popping and Locking).

Photo Credit: Andy Bradshaw

Nic started his training in 1998 where he gained a National Diploma in Theatre Design from Northbrook College Sussex. Later, moving on to an HND in Theatre Design from Northbrook College Sussex in 2001 and in 2003 obtained his BA HONS in Theatre Design from Wimbledon School of Art.

Since 2001, he has designed, visualized and facilitated shows and events for private clients which include The Bloomsbury Theatre, The Robin Howard Theatre, Pleasance London, Mercury Theatre and The Barbican Centre together with national and international touring.

Nic has worked alongside Pair Dance since 2007.

David Gellura is born in Belgium and begun his professional training as a junior dancer in the Xebeche dance company at the age of 17. David has trained in Hip hop, Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary with international teachers: J.Beechey, D.Job, G.Gilbertus,G.Eddy, T.Couchman, A.Watkin, E.Trivett, K.Onzia, N.Vandercam, V.Descombe,T.Verger,I.Izpigella, B.Collinet, W. Vandekeybus, C.Carcatella, B.Taylor, N.Kohler, C.Lanselle, C.Tudor,D.Lesdema, M.Accard, D.Lisette, I.Becket and B.Blanchard. David has won several international awards including: choreographic competition of Charlevilles-Mézières(France), jazz competition of La Louvière (Belgium), dance competition of Thionville(France), dance festival of Lille(france).

He participated in the Avignon festival Xebeche company and has danced in Opera Royal of La monnaie (Brussels) in several productions: The Rakes Progress directed by R.Lepage,Le grand Macabre directed by La Fura del Baus .

David is also a musician and electronic music composer with “The 9th November sisters”.

Ayano was born in Japan. She trained at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Since graduation she has performed with English National Opera, Ascendance REP, Gelede Dance and C-12 Dance Theatre.

Vasiliki Stasinaki was born in Athens. She studied at the Greek State School of Dance and at the Greek National Ballet School.
She furthered her dance training in 2008 with a Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Dance at Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Vasiliki danced for three years (2004-2007) with the corps de ballet of the Greek National Opera with the staging of several ballet and opera productions. In 2008 she joined Maiden Voyage Dance Company dancing in their production “Four Quartets”(choreographers Dylan Quinn, Anne Gilpin, Jennifer Rooney, Suzannah McCreight). She continued dancing for Maiden Voyage Dance Company in their 2009 production “Best” (choreographer Andy Howitt) .She has danced for several MA in choreography projects in Laban Institute of Dance and Roehampton University. Vasiliki is a graduate student at the University of Athens (Greek Language and Literature Department).

Laetitia is a current postgraduate student at the Guildhall School of Music, with french horn her principal study. She also holds academic music degrees from Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
As a Guildhall scholar she has performed in multiple cross-arts collaborations, including performances with students from the Guildhall Drama Department, London Contemporary Dance School and the Royal College of Art (as part of the MAP/Making project, Bath Festival 2009).
Working with poets Michael Horowitz, Ian McMillan and Michael Rosen, she has performed in and led community and education projects with the Barbican Education department, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Guildhall/LSO Connect.
Recent performances include the Spitalfields Music Festival in London for a piece involving poetry and alphorn, as well as with ensemble Sezenyūm, with which she has performed both internationally and in the UK, with performances including the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, Singapore, Beit Al-Musica School, Palestine as well as The Pit theatre, Barbican and Tara Arts Studio, London.

Judith was born in Italy and trained at the Balletto di Roma. Upon moving to London she attend London Contemporary Dance School (one year certificate programme) and concluded her studies with an one year apprenticeship with Henri Oguike Dance Company.She has worked freelance with Combination Dance Company, Dance lines with Wayne McGregor and many
others.

Deborah is currently completing a Diploma in Dance Studies at Laban. She has trained intensively in Ballet and Graham technique and worked with choreographers and teachers: Fabrizio Monteverde, Bruno Collinet, Arturo Cannistra’, Gigi Caciuleanu, Alessandro Mistichelli, Susan Sentler, Cristine Dakin and many others. Deborah has performed in several cities, Udine, Triesre, Abano Terme, Willacco (Austria), Padova, Treviso Bologna and others.
In 2005 Deborah started teaching ballet for the Associazione Studianzando, Tolmezzo Italy and in 2008 she qualified as a Ballet teacher obtaining the A.I.D.A. Certification in Ballet Teaching and studying with some of the most important teachers of the Scuola di Ballo la Scala di Milano. With devotion and renewed stimuli she had 5 years of great experience in teaching.