Portobello Dance

Mark Elie, Artistic Director and Founder of the Mark Elie Dance Foundation and Portobello Dance School (PDS) announces the 25th Anniversary of this pioneering dance company that has successfully developed young talent in Notting Hill and across London for a quarter of a century. Mark is one of the UK’s most successful classically trained professional dancers having enjoyed a stellar career with some of the world’s leading companies; Rambert Ballet, Lisbon’s Ballet Gulbenkian, and legendary Arthur Mitchell of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. During his career Mark has worked alongside an array of award winning dancers and choreographers such as Nathan Geering, Brenda Edwards MBE, Noel Wallace, Mbulelo Ndaen, and Namron OBE. However, Mark has been uniquely inspired by the formidable Matriarch of British classical dance Carol Straker, award winning Choreographer, Dancer, Author and member of the Council of International Dance of UNESCO, and a Fellow of Royal Society Arts (FRSA) and an Assonate Professional Teacher Dancing. It was in 1980 when Mark set about his life-long mission to make classical ballet more inclusive. In 1994 he set up his own dance foundation in West London’s vibrant North Kensington and Chelsea. Mark believes that regardless of class or racial background, young dancers should be able to learn and enjoy the language of classical dance and have access to affordable lessons. A dream he has helped realise for the thousands of young dancers who have trained at the Portobello Dance School. Many of whom have gone on to perform in West End shows, on TV and film including the critically acclaimed “Billy Elliott” stage production. Former students now enjoying successful careers in leading UK dance companies and institutions include luminaries such as the gifted Kym Alexander, now dancing with the Rambert Company, the talented Salome Pressac-Hewitt, currently with the Rambert 2 Company and stunning dancer Rae Aslam now with Ballet Black’s Youth Company. Now celebrating its 25th Anniversary the School has faced many challenges but has survived for a quarter of a century. From the iconic Tabernacle building Portobello Dance School runs it’s busy Saturday school with classes in ballet, jazz, street dance and tap as well as outreach projects for local schools. Mark’s award-winning “Dance Showdown” (2012 and 2015) at Cadogan Hall has also nurtured some amazing young dancers and another important project is the popular Summer School during August which this year was funded by John Lyons Trust. The project engages local children aged 8 – 15 some of whom had never been able to afford professional dance classes with professional tutors who have successful roles in West End productions including Jordan Alexander who plays Michael Jackson in “Thriller Live”. The students also have the opportunity to visit West End stage performances as part of their Summer school experience. The PDS resumes in September each year with the Saturday school and the calendar culminates with the annual Christmas show at the Tabernacle, Powis Square.

Portobello Dance School, 35 Powis Sq, London W11 2AY. For school enquiries requests email: info@portobellodance.org.uk and for images or interviews call 07947 484021 website www.portobellodance.org.uk 22