Meet new Company dancers Dean Elliott & Telea Jensen

 

During rehearsals for Bonachela / Forsythe we asked them questions about their dance journey so far.

See Dean and Telea perform in Season One: Bonachela / Forsythe from 21 March — 4 April in Sydney and 12 — 16 May in Melbourne.

Q. How old were you when you started dancing?

Dean Elliott: Since I was five, I always loved dancing in my school dance performance, however I didn’t take my first dance class until I was 17.

Telea Jensen: I started ballet when I was five years old and then took my first contemporary class when I was about 14 and fell in love with the style.

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Dean Elliott

Q. What inspires you?

Dean Elliott: I am inspired by a sense of fun, collaboration and community.

Telea Jensen: I am inspired by other dancers. Their quality of movement and individual style, combined with their own personal perspectives, values, characteristics and creativity. I am also motivated to become the best version of myself that I can be.

Q. Who has influenced you most?

Dean Elliott: I have been heavily influenced by dancer Adam Blanch. He has been a huge support and source of knowledge for me during my dance training/career and has definitely influenced and inspired my movement.

Telea Jensen: Some of my teachers have had a large influence on me and helped me to become the dancer and person that I am today. Other dancers including my peers have also influenced me; by watching and interacting with them I have learnt so much over the years.

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Telea Jensen

Q. What attracted you to Sydney Dance Company?

Dean Elliott: The quality and high level of contemporary dance that Sydney Dance Company produces has always attracted me to the Company. Being able to be part of such an esteemed company is truly an honour.

Telea Jensen: I watched the Company for the first time in 2016 performing Lux Tenebris and Cacti on the Gold Coast. It was a very athletic, emotive and mesmerising show that left me feeling incredibly inspired and I knew that one day I would love to be part of something so special.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in 2020?

Dean Elliott: I am really looking forward to travelling and performing across Australia and overseas.

Telea Jensen: I am excited to be learning, creating, performing and touring surrounded by such a high calibre of dancers. Performing is always a highlight for me, so it’s particularly exciting to be doing so with such an esteemed company. Overall, I am just looking forward to experiencing life as a professional dancer!

Q. What advice would you give aspiring young dancers?

Dean Elliott: Person first, artist second, dancer third.

Telea Jensen: Enjoy the process, always keep an open mind, dance because you want to, and don’t give up!