Elliana Martelli (she/her) is an emerging contemporary dance artist from Naarm (Melbourne), with a rich background in classical ballet. Raised by immigrant Italian parents, Elliana began her dance journey at the age of 5, as she was put into the local dance school in her area. Initially exploring a variety of dance styles before specialising in ballet at the age of fourteen. She trained at The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet under the guidance of Christine Walsh, completing Vaganova levels 4 and 5 and earning both a Certificate IV and Diploma in Ballet. During this time, she performed with The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet Company as a corps de ballet member in The Sleeping Beauty at the playhouse theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne.  

Currently in her third year at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Elliana is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, having transitioned from classical ballet to contemporary techniques. At VCA, she has expanded her expertise in a range of styles, working with various choreographers such as Gregory Lorenzutti in creating ‘PLANT NATION’, Melissa Toogood in staging ‘Ocean (an arrangement)’ and currently in development with choreographers David Prakash and Sarah Aiken and performing in numerous works over the years. She has also taken on opportunities to choreograph and collaborate within the university’s vibrant artistic environment.

Whilst at the VCA she was given the opportunity to travel to Vienna Austria to participate in ‘ImpulsTanz’ International Festival of Contemporary Dance. This experience sparked her interest in the European contemporary dance scene, and she has plans to travel post-BFA to explore this further. In Vienna, she was able to take part in many informative and transformative workshops that assisted her in building her practice. Workshops such as Akram Khan Repertoire with Joy Ritter, Axis Syllabus with Kira Kirsch, Power Sources with Laura Aris, and Dynamics and Afro-Fusion with Alleyne Dance.  

During this time at ‘ImpulsTanz’ there was a pivotal moment in Elliana’s dance ethos when she witnessed the show ‘Through the Grapevine’ by Alexander Vantournhout, this show proved to be what Elliana had been looking for in her artistic fulfilment and, at the time, was the epitome of what she wanted her practise to look like. “A pas de deux with constant mutual bodily contact that re-examines the meaning of touch as an irreplaceable form of intimacy. Playing with the differences in physical characteristics, the synergy between touching and being touched unfolds like a basic melody.” (Vantournhout, ImplusTanz, 2023) This was where her love and passion for pushing artistic boundaries began and why she is particularly drawn to a virtuosic, formalist movement style that combines strong visuals with athleticism.  

Other works such as Antony Hamilton’s ‘4/4’ for Chunky Move have also deeply inspired her creative practice as her love for the work led to a 5-day workshop with Antony Hamilton at Chunky Move in which it explored the choreographic mind and technique behind Antony Hamilton as Elliana is thoroughly interested in precise technical movement due it showing practice, skill and rigour.  Elliana’s appreciation and desire for pure dance and movement can be seen as this has heavily inspired her technical and choreographic practice.

As she approaches graduation Elliana is eager to continue to develop as a dance artist and to gain further experience in the industry. Known for her dedication and drive, Elliana aspires to deepen her knowledge and skills and to make her mark in the contemporary dance world.