Lorena Otes

Faculty

Faculty

Lorena’s teaching/choreography credits include coaching medalists and finalists in Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix, Genee (now Fonteyn), Alana Haines, and Sydney Eisteddfod Junior and Senior Scholarship finalists.

Lorena began her dance training with Janece Graham, Tanya Pearson and Hassan Sheta. She attained an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance qualification (ARAD) in classical ballet. She later headed overseas to complete her professional training at London Contemporary Dance School, gaining a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance and Choreography. She worked as a freelance performer and choreographer for several years in the UK before returning to Australia in 2003 to pursue a teaching career in contemporary dance and classical ballet.

Most recently, Lorena’s teaching/choreography credits include coaching medalists and finalists in Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix, Genee (now Fonteyn), Alana Haines, and Sydney Eisteddfod Junior and Senior Scholarship finalists. She was the winner of the choreography award at the NSW Genee Dance Challenge semi-finals in Sydney in 2016. Many of her former students have had successful dance careers in companies at home and abroad.

Lorena has continued her ongoing passion for choreography. Professional credits include ‘Battlefield’ for the Short, Sweet and Dance Festival, as well as numerous project pieces. Her group choreography is creative, challenging, and award-winning.

Lorena has also spent time choreographing, performing, and teaching competition Ballroom Dance across Australia, having also achieved a Professional Associate Bronze medal in Social Ballroom and Latin Dance. She also loves her role at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, teaching movement and dance to Bachelor and Masters Degree level vocalists.

Her teaching philosophy focuses on technique, momentum, and expression. Her contemporary classes are a unique combination of her training in Cunningham, Release, and Graham techniques. She also specialises in improvisation and choreography coaching.

Lorena has recently entered the field of professional writing, where she has achieved numerous accolades and several published articles. But most importantly, she is a loving mum to Bonnie, her proudest achievement.