LAUREN O’KELL
Currently residing in Vancouver, Lauren is a freelance dancer and teacher in the Lower Mainland. Most recently she was apart of the Performance Research Project, led by Lesley Telford. Since joining PReP, Lauren has had the opportunity to perform works and workshop with Lesley Telford, Noam Gagnon, Idan Cohen, Serge Bennathan, David Raymond and Vanessa Goodman. Previously, Lauren danced with Ballet Edmonton performing works by: Francois Chevennement, Laurence Menotti-Chevennement, Heather Meyers, Jorden Morris, Alysa Pires, Solveig Desilets and Waldemar Bartowski.
Born in Edmonton, Lauren’s early training included Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) examinations in ballet, tap, modern at the Art of Dance – trained by her godmother, Sherri Urkow, and mother, Jacqueline Pooke. Later, Lauren additionally danced at Edmonton Dance Centre trained by Deborah Morgan, where Lauren achieved her R.A.D graded and vocational examinations, as well as receiving her Solo Seal Award in 2012. In 2011, Lauren competed in the Genée International Ballet Competition hosted in Cape Town, South Africa where she advanced to the finals representing Canada.
Lauren has attended summer intensives at the National Ballet School of Canada, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet School, as well as Boston Ballet’s Choreographic Intensive lead by Jorma Elo and Helen Pickett. In 2012, Lauren continued her training at Miami City Ballet School learning from faculty members Geta Constantinescu, Carter Alexander and Artistic Director of MCB, Lourdes Lopez.
Alongside her professional endeavours, Lauren has taught over 9 years in ballet and contemporary classes throughout numerous dance schools in the greater Edmonton and Vancouver areas. She is a Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance completing her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) in 2021, and is also qualified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). Lauren also holds a diploma in Arts and Cultural Management from Grant MacEwan University including an internship with The Dance Centre in Vancouver, BC.