Kompany Malakhi

Keira Martin – Contemporary and Irish Dancer

Keira is trained in traditional Irish Step Dance, which she has competed in at an international level. She graduated from Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 1999 and went on to further her studies at New School of Dance Development in Amsterdam. Keira has a vast amount of experience, having performed around the world. Keira was also in Kompany Malakhi’s Boxin. 

James Dalby – Parkour

James has been practitioner of Parkour for over 4 years and was one of the countries first ADAPT qualified Parkour instructors.

He is currently working towards a BA Hons degree as a Media Practitioner in Bristol. As well as working as a Parkour Instructor and Photographer he has experience in virtually all the technical aspects of Film Making and Theatre. He has worked with many companies including BBC Blast, Channel 4 & Canon. James has high aspirations and loves to pass his knowledge on to others.

Ollie Ellis – Contemporary Dancer and Physical Theatre practitioner

Oliver Ellis trained at Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. Since then he has worked extensively across the South West, in formal education and Community settings, delivering Contemporary dance, Street Dance, Physical theatre and elements of Breakin’ . Oliver has worked for Gloucestershire Dance, Dance South Glos, Take Art, Wiltshire Dancing and Wiltshire Council. He specialises in working inclusively with all ages and abilities. A key focus is on Boys dance and making it accessible and engaging. Oliver is a keen sportsman who is qualified in Mountain boarding, Kite boarding and Rock climbing.

Johnny Autin – Contemporary Dancer and Physical Theatre practitioner

Graduating in 2006 from the National Conservatoire (France) in Contemporary Dance and Ballet, Johnny had the opportunity to work with some of France’s greatest choreographers. He began teaching, choreographing and directing very early on in his career experimenting with a fusion of different styles: contemporary dance, ballet, street dance, modern’ jazz and parkour (free running). He has worked internationally with Hervé Diasnas, Raphael Cottin, Jean-Vincent Boudic, Bart Sluis, Tempered Body, FFIN Dance, Muddy Icon, C-12 Dance theatre, State Of Emergency, Harnisch-Lacey Dance Theatre and 2Faced Dance Company. Johnny performed with us 2007-09 for Boxin.

Georgina Pavey – Contemporary Dancer

Georgina graduated with a Dance Theatre degree from Laban in 2006. During that time she worked with Retina Dance Company and had the opportunity to perform in pieces choreographed by Stephanie Schober and Marina Collard. Since graduating she has performed in two tours with Pretty Good Girl Dance Theatre, one of which was taken to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 09. Georgina was also a dancer for Kompany Malakhi’s tour of Boxin.

Dr Joel – Konnakol (Indian voice percussion)

Dr Joel is a musician from India’s top rhythm academy, specialised in “konnakol” vocal percussion. He teaches, composes music, writes lyrics and performs. Konnakol is a language of rhythm which enables anyone to enjoy and master Rhythm. Konnakol is like the “Lego” of rhythm. It can be used to create simple patterns, or rhythmic cathedrals. Legendary guitarist John McLaughlin described it as “the most simple and yet most sophisticated system of rhythmic comprehension in the world.”

Luke Harney – Dj and Percussionist

Luke is a producer, drummer and DJ with an ear for the timeless and a dedication to music that means something. His influences range from Duke Ellington to Kode 9 and his musical output has been just as varied, recording and performing jazz, classical, soul, funk, traditional African and Latin music, reggae, rock, hip hop, broken beat, dub-step and music for contemporary dance.

Nick Sutton – Film Maker

After leaving drama school Nick worked as a professional actor and his career progressed into writing. In 2000 Nick started a video production company in London and in 2007 moved to Bristol. He’s worked for Calling The Shots, Happy Hour Productions, Aqua Vita Films, Wiltshire College, Green Lit Media and Knowle West Media Centre as both tutor and filmmaker. He also plays the drums

Carli Jefferson – Tap Dancer and Body Percussionist

Carli Jefferson was born and bred in Essex. Trained in Tap dance, Ballet, Modern Theatre, Jazz, Contemporary, Flamenco, Butoh & Authentic Movement; Carli is also a Clown, Painter & Drawer, Sculptor of found objects, creator of installation, site specific choreography & film.

After graduating with BA Hons degree from Brighton University in 2000, she toured with Percussion outfit STOMP 2001-2004. From 2005-2009 she lived in Prague, Czech Republic; involved in a diverse range of Performance, Choreography, Interactive Theatre, Visual Art, Percussion and Lyricism.

Gemma Kempthorne – Contemporary Dancer

Since graduating from London Contemporary Dance School in 2005 Gemma has taught dance in both educational and community settings to a range of ability levels and age groups. Gemma has gained experience in teaching a variety of movement styles from Ballet to Breaking and is currently developing as a choreographer and performer alongside her teaching practice, of which she is a qualified teacher.

Hayley Adams – Contemporary Dancer

Hayley has just completed 1 year training at Laban, gaining her Post-Graduate Certificate: Dance in Community. She is a freelance Dance Artist teaching and performing a range of dance. She began her career for a Dance in Education Company in North West Wales in primary and secondary schools. This was after Hayley graduated from The University of Chester BA Hons in English Literature and Dance in 2005. She trained for her ‘Professional Dance, Musical Theatre and Teacher Training’ Diploma at 344 Dance Centre in Bristol prior to her degree.

Matt Macklin – Bboy (breaker)

With a background in martial arts and acrobatics Matt formed the crew Just 4 Funk, who are the top Breaking crew in Devon, UK. Matt finds it a privilege to have the opportunity to pass some of his knowledge on and help create an even better generation of BBoys and Bgirls. Alongside working for Kompany Malakhi Matt delivers regular workshops in Exeter at arts organisations and with his crew.

Kwesi Johnson, Artistic Director

A graduate of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, he has performed with some of the most prolific international companies and choreographers from Phoenix Dance Company, Lloyd Newson, Black Mime Theatre, Company Duroure, CandoCo Dance Company, Hittite Empire and IRIE!