Diane Portelli
Diane embarked on her journey in the world of dance at the tender age of three, commencing her training at the esteemed Tanya Bayona Princess Poutiatine Academy of Ballet. Here, she honed her skills in classical ballet, modern, contemporary, and flamenco, dedicating herself to these art forms for numerous years. Subsequently, her passion led her to The Dance Workshop, where she now serves as both a part-time teacher and Choreographer.
Diane's dedication and exceptional talent were recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Luisello Award for Spanish Dance and the Duke of Ellington Award for Modern Dance. Eager to refine her craft, Diane sought further training in Pavia, Italy, enriching her dance repertoire. Her commitment to excellence has taken her around the world, participating in various courses, including international workshops with renowned dance companies like Random Dance Company, Ultima Vez, and Hofesh Shechter Company. In a remarkable feat, she represented her artistry on a global stage at the World Championships for Performing Arts in Hollywood, where, under the guidance of Janet Vella, she and two fellow dancers clinched two gold medals. Diane's performances have graced international festivals in diverse locales with her latest production being selected for Teatro Nohema’s premio internazionale . She has been a driving force behind the choreography of productions , which are touring internationally .
Diane ventured into a new chapter of her career by creating her first work for Malta's National Dance Company, 'Zfinmalta. ' Her piece, Shades of perception, became an integral part of Zfinmade, which had its grand premiere in November 2020. Academically, Diane holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from the University of Malta and has achieved DDE qualifications in modern theatre. Her journey with Moveo Dance Company commenced in 2013, evolving from a dancer to a choreographer and ultimately to the role of director. Throughout her tenure with the company, she has participated in numerous productions, both in Malta and abroad. In 2017, she undertook the lead role in Moveo's contemporary reinterpretation of Carmen. Her outstanding contributions to the world of dance were acknowledged in 2018 when, alongside Dorian Mallia, she was honored with the "Artist of the Year" award at the inaugural Premju Ghal-Arti Awards in Malta. Moveo Dance Company was also presented with the "Best Creative Enterprise Award" in 2020. In the same year, her creation, "From Malta with Love, " was selected by Valletta 2018 to premiere at the Malta International Arts Festival. It was later chosen as a highlight of the official closing ceremony for the 2018 Capital of Culture celebrations in December. Diane's artistic endeavors have extended beyond borders, as her choreographic works have toured internationally and graced the stages of various theaters locally. Her creative genius reached new heights in 2021 when her choreography, "Diversely Typical, " was honored with the 'Best Steam Project Award' (People's Choice Award) in the inaugural Steam Awards edition by Esplora. Diane's journey in the world of dance is a testament to her unwavering dedication, creativity, and exceptional talent, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage of performing arts.
Diane embarked on her journey in the world of dance at the tender age of three, commencing her training at the esteemed Tanya Bayona Princess Poutiatine Academy of Ballet. Here, she honed her skills in classical ballet, modern, contemporary, and flamenco, dedicating herself to these art forms for numerous years. Subsequently, her passion led her to The Dance Workshop, where she now serves as both a part-time teacher and Choreographer.
Diane's dedication and exceptional talent were recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Luisello Award for Spanish Dance and the Duke of Ellington Award for Modern Dance. Eager to refine her craft, Diane sought further training in Pavia, Italy, enriching her dance repertoire. Her commitment to excellence has taken her around the world, participating in various courses, including international workshops with renowned dance companies like Random Dance Company, Ultima Vez, and Hofesh Shechter Company. In a remarkable feat, she represented her artistry on a global stage at the World Championships for Performing Arts in Hollywood, where, under the guidance of Janet Vella, she and two fellow dancers clinched two gold medals. Diane's performances have graced international festivals in diverse locales with her latest production being selected for Teatro Nohema’s premio internazionale . She has been a driving force behind the choreography of productions , which are touring internationally .
Diane ventured into a new chapter of her career by creating her first work for Malta's National Dance Company, 'Zfinmalta. ' Her piece, Shades of perception, became an integral part of Zfinmade, which had its grand premiere in November 2020. Academically, Diane holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from the University of Malta and has achieved DDE qualifications in modern theatre. Her journey with Moveo Dance Company commenced in 2013, evolving from a dancer to a choreographer and ultimately to the role of director. Throughout her tenure with the company, she has participated in numerous productions, both in Malta and abroad. In 2017, she undertook the lead role in Moveo's contemporary reinterpretation of Carmen. Her outstanding contributions to the world of dance were acknowledged in 2018 when, alongside Dorian Mallia, she was honored with the "Artist of the Year" award at the inaugural Premju Ghal-Arti Awards in Malta. Moveo Dance Company was also presented with the "Best Creative Enterprise Award" in 2020. In the same year, her creation, "From Malta with Love, " was selected by Valletta 2018 to premiere at the Malta International Arts Festival. It was later chosen as a highlight of the official closing ceremony for the 2018 Capital of Culture celebrations in December. Diane's artistic endeavors have extended beyond borders, as her choreographic works have toured internationally and graced the stages of various theaters locally. Her creative genius reached new heights in 2021 when her choreography, "Diversely Typical, " was honored with the 'Best Steam Project Award' (People's Choice Award) in the inaugural Steam Awards edition by Esplora. Diane's journey in the world of dance is a testament to her unwavering dedication, creativity, and exceptional talent, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage of performing arts.