Paul James Rooney

Paul James Rooney in rehearsals 2011

Paul James Rooney is an English dancer, choreographer and rehearsal director, who has worked in and with various companies and choreographers around the world, including names such as; Matthew Bourne, Tim Rushton, Michael Flatley, Will Tuckett, Christopher Hampson and Marie Brolin-Tani. Paul James Rooney was also one of the ballet dancers representing the Royal Opera House in the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympics dancing with Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page.

Born in Sandhurst, Berkshire, Paul James started dancing at the age of 5, joining the Royal Ballet Associate programme and moving on to study at The Royal Ballet School, White Lodge. Paul continued his training at Elmhurst Ballet School, where his versatility was nurtured; studying Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap and Flamenco. He can be seen demonstrating Escuela Bolera exercises on The Bolero School DVD.

Since graduating Rooney has danced for many companies, including; New Adventures, English National Ballet, Danish Dance Theatre, Tivoli Ballet Theatre and Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in their Copenhagen performance of Memoria. Paul has danced Principal roles in The Royal Opera House's 'Pinocchio', 'Peter and the Wolf' in New York, and in various Bournonville productions for Tivoli Ballet Theatre. He has also danced the role of Mr. Mistoffelees in Cats in Denmark and the role of Older Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical in Malmo, Sweden.


Paul James performed in 'Wind in the Willows' at The Royal Opera House & The Duchess Theatre, in London's West End. Rooney has also been the rehearsal director for Peter and the Wolf in New York and The Netherlands.

Currently dancing the role of Fritz in Nutcracker in with Tivoli Ballet Theatre.

Choreography

Rooney has choreographed for the Tivoli Ballet Theatre, in summer of 2009 he created Polyphony. This piece was well received by audience and critics alike and he was asked to return the following year to choreograph a new piece for the company. In summer 2010 Rooney's new piece Mezclanza was premiered, alongside August Bournonville's Le Conservatoire and Peter Martins Barber Violin Concerto. Mezclanza was greatly received by critics from Danish Newspaper Berlingske [1] and Danish Dance Magazine, Terpsichore. Mezclanza was re-premiered for the Pantomimeteatret's 2011 season.

In early 2011, Rooney and Photographer and graphic designer Matti Silfer created a performance, 'Moving Art' celebrating great Nordic art and artists; including Grieg, H C Lumbye, Roslin and many more. Integrating dance film, a dance photography exhibition and live dancing all in one performance.[2]

In summer 2012 Paul James choreographed "Havets Bevægelser" - the performance was a joint venutre with Storstrøms Kammerensemble and Pantomimeteatret. It was premiered at Fuglesang Herregaard and then performed in Tivoli Gardens and re-premiered in 2013.

In 2014, Rooney choreographed two pieces for Elmhurst School for Dance for their Summer Performance and in conjunction with Oliver James Entertainment has created and choreographed, 'Big Band Dance' alongside Tivoli Big Band and Tivoli Balletteater.

In 2015 Paul James Rooney choreographed for TV series 'Vidunderbørn' produced by Nordisk Film for DR

Rooney is currently the Creative Director of production company, Oliver James Entertainment, which includes choreographing for large corporate events, award shows, and TV commercials.

He currently resides in Copenhagen working as a choreographer, dancer and dance teacher.

References

  1. ↑ "Ballet og flamenco i fusion - Scene". www.b.dk. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
  2. ↑ "Terpsichore: webmagasinet Dans ONline". Terpsichore.dk. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
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