Sharona D’Ornellas

Sharona is a trained dancer from Ajax Ontario Canada, in all disciplines of dance. Her training began at the “Susan Messmer School of Dance” and she competed all across Canada and the United States from the tender age of 8. At age 19 Sharona received early acceptance to University and is a graduate of the Toronto Metropolitan University Theatre Performance Dance program with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. During her time at Toronto Metropolitan she worked with Nadia Potts, Karen Duplisea, Vicki St.Denys, Robert Glumbek, Allen Kaeja and Stelio Calagias who helped shape her career and develop her strengths as a commercial and contemporary dancer. In 2006 Sharona furthered her training and performed at “The Ailey School” (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre) in New York City dancing choreography by Cornelius Carter in “Together We Stand.”

Sharona has been privileged to work on stage, film, television and in commercials. Some of her credits include Disney’s “Ice Princess,” Payless Shoe Source, NBA Toronto Raptors Dance Pak (member and choreographer), “Joe Fresh” commercials choreographed by Michael Rooney, “Both Sides Now,” and Duke Ellington’s “Jazz Cracker” choreographed by Roberto Campanella. Sharona has also back up danced for international artists like the “Panjabi Hit Squad” (Pakistan) and was privileged enough to back up dance for the legendary soul artist “Chaka Khan.” You can also see Sharona in the feature film “The Love Guru” starring Mike Myers and Jessica Alba choreographed by Emmy Award winning choreographer Marguerite Derricks. In October 2008 she took her talents overseas to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) where she performed in the opening ceremonies for the “Middle East International Film Festival.”

Sharona is currently living, auditioning and working in New York City dancing with the critically acclaimed contemporary dance company “DRE Dance” (www.dredance.com) under the artistic direction of Taye Diggs and Andrew Palermo. Everyday is a new inspiration for Sharona when she is performing and doing what she loves.