Sharona D'Ornellas

Sharona D’Ornellas is a talented and experienced professional dancer, with extensive training in all disciplines of dance. Sharona’s formal dance training began in her hometown of Ajax, in Ontario, Canada at the “Susan Messmer School of Dance”. By the age of 8, Sharona was entering dance competitions all across Canada and the United States, and at 19, Sharona received early acceptance to Ryerson University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Theatre Performance Dance program. During her studies at Ryerson University, Sharona honed her technique and developed her strengths as a commercial and contemporary dancer under the guidance of Nadia Potts, Karen Duplisea, Vicki St. Denys, Robert Glumbek, Allen Kaeja and Stelio Calagias. As a professional dancer, Sharona has continued to expand her knowledge and skills: Sharona danced the choreography of Cornelius Carter in “Together We Stand”, a 2006 performance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York City.

Sharona has danced professionally on stage, on film, on television, and in advertising commercials. On stage, Sharona has danced in performances of Duke Ellington’s “Jazz Cracker”, choreographed by Roberto Campanella, and in the NBA Toronto Raptors Dance Pak, as a member and as a choreographer. Sharona performed as a dancer in the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. As backup dancer, Sharona has performed with international artists Panjabi Hit Squad from Pakistan and legendary soul artist Chaka Khan. Sharona’s film credits include dance performances in the Walt Disney movie “Ice Princess” and the feature film “The Love Guru”, choreographed by Emmy Award winner Marguerite Derricks. For television, Sharona danced in “Both Sides Now”, as part of a special musical and dance presentation. In advertising, Sharona’s dance performances can be seen in commercials for Payless Shoe Source and for Joe Fresh, choreographed by Michael Rooney.

Currently, Sharona is living in New York City and dancing in performances with the critically acclaimed contemporary dance company DRE Dance (www.dredance.com), under the artistic direction of Taye Diggs and Andrew Palermo. Sharona continues to actively audition and welcomes new opportunities to showcase her dance training, abilities, and experience. For Sharona D’Ornellas, when she is doing what she loves, dancing, each day is a new inspiration.