Projects
Here's some of the major projects I've been involved in ... from community work, to dance intensive workshops, to performances, and collaborations!
Special Olympics Invitational Games Malta 2022 - Opening Ceremony
Participating in the Special Olympics Invitational Games Malta 2022 Opening Ceremony as a dancer with Malta's National Dance Company, ZfinMalta, and with the community project with over a 100 participants!
Choreography by Paolo Mangiola and Rehearsal Director Anna Nowak.
Wearing an interstellar costume by Louie Noir Malta, during the Narrative Performance.
ELEMENTI - Hiphop Weekend
ELEMENTI is an International Collaboration Hiphop event organised by Street Elements funded by Arts Council Malta which was held at City Theatre, Valletta, between the 22nd and 24th April 2022.
This event included Dance workshops, All Style Battles, Breakdance/Breaking Battles and also a Solo Showcase Competition.
Kayleigh Gelfo placed 3rd in her Solo Showcase, and also qualified to the semi-finals in the All Style Battles!
REMEMBERING OPERATION HUSKY - 80th Anniversary
The Band of the Armed Forces of Malta performed a concert consisting of music related to the era of Operation Husky, whilst also celebrating its 80th Anniversary. The concert opened with the well-known “Fanfare for the Common Man” by American composer Aaron Copland, and other music related to the theme will follow, taking the audeince on a journey back to the 1940s. The concert also included music from renowned artists such as Glenn Miller, Jacob de Haan, and Ilio Volante and world premieres by Maltese composers such as Bombardier Peter Cini, who is also a member of the AFM Band, and Mro. Anthony Mercieca. The musical part of this concert will be accompanied by more local talent, including Bombardier Georg Zammit, a children’s choir from Centrestage, and dancers from SUN.FLOW Dance & Entertainment.
BRILLANTI Dance 2022
Kayleigh auditioned for the first ever edition of BRILLANTI Dance in 2022.
"I chose to dance a choreography that I choreographed myself, that reflects what I was going through personally and mentally over the past two years - which eventually led to suffering from anxiety. I lost myself for a while, and had to seek professional help to mend myself and find who I really am again!
This dance shows EMOTION, FEAR and HEARTACHE, but most importantly it portrays RESILIENCE, PASSION and SELF-AFFIRMATION!
My vast experience and knowledge in dance helped me to create this piece of ART, that is maybe not understood by everyone on the same level. However, I am SURE that everyone that watches (even on a screen) FEELS what I have inside of me and what I can offer.
This dance was not only about showing my dance capabilities (as a dancer, choreographer and performer), but also showing the professional level of my artistry - that is DANCE - in a way that many dancers are not capable of doing!
I will NEVER stop doing what I love. I will keep pushing boundaries and expressing feelings that many other human beings experience day to day, but are maybe scared to express and show to others. I will keep learning, teaching, and sharing my ART."
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Link to full video:
NOX International Dance Camp 2021
The 4th Edition of NOX International Dance Camp, was held in Pozzallo, Italy, from the 7th till the 9th December 2021. Workshops varied from Modern Contemporary, Urban, Jazz Funk, Latin Funk, Commercial, and Choreography. These classes were conducted by International Dance Practitioners from Italy, Malta and around the World with an attendance of over 200 dancers. Kayleigh participated in the Dance Camp with a group from DanceLabMT, and was awarded two separate scholarships for her performance.
"Tikka"Â Summer Intensive Dance Workshops Final Sharing - 2021
Tikka is the final outcome of Summer Intensive Dance Workshops with Lunatria Dance Collective. Over the period of 8 days, we have been sharing our dance experiences and different dance teaching methods with our participants. By exploring diverse choreographic approaches we created a piece which combines individual styles of the movers with our aesthetic preferences, and emphasises the connection between the dancers as a whole group.
Malta's Got Talent - 2020
Participating in Malta's Got Talent 2020.
Kayleigh joined DanceLabMT in 2019, attending classes on a regular basis, and considers this place as not just a school, but more of a community. Every dancer is so passionate and expressive, and the energy is out of this world.
17th Edition Dance Hybrid Malta - 2018
An Intensive week of masterclasses, choreographic collaboration for professional dancers and serious dance students age 15+ (subject to application). A five day study platform including an informal sharing of the work produced during the weeks intensive, demonstration of classes, and choreographic collaboration, including some guest showcasing performances. This sharing is supported by the Malta International Arts Fringe Festival 2018.
Ä aħan18 - 2018
Led by the dynamic music group, Tikka Banda, this initiative explores Mediterranean musical heritage, neighbouring cultures and environmental issues through interactive music, fun and games.
Tikka Banda have been in high demand ever since they launched the successful initiative #barralklassi. Now, #Ä¡aħan18 invites children and young people to take part in several performances happening in diverse localities in Malta, including BaÄ‹ir and Mellieħa. Together with the show’s central figure – the traditional Maltese folk character named Ä aħan – schoolchildren are encouraged to accompany Tikka Banda on a journey of cultural discovery that explores the musical heritage of twenty-two Arab countries.
Prior to the show, Tikka Banda also visits participating schools to conduct workshops about creating musical instruments from recycled materials, which will be used in Niftħu l-Bieb ma’ Ä aħan.
SENSE.5 - 2015
A site-specific walk-through performance exploring the five senses through movement with relation to five rooms in an old house in Valletta. Through interactivity, the characters present these senses to stimulate the audience, who will follow through the various rooms of the house. Choreographed and directed by Ellipsis Dance, in collaboration with ŻfinMalta, for the Żigużajg Children's Festival.
Il-Mudlamin - 2014
The piece, titled Il-Mudlamin, is part of this year’s ŻiguŻajg International Children’s Festival and promises to take children on a wondrous magical adventure underneath the streets of Valletta to meet the mysterious Mudlamin.
The work features the titular mudlamin, literally the dark ones, a subterranean civilisation living under the Maltese capital.
The project is a collaboration between Zahra and Il-Kumplament, a group of young actors who are handling the performance nature of the play.
Zahra explains that with this piece he wants to take children on a magical journey. Rather than adopting the traditional storytelling approach where he narrates a story with children gathered around him, Zahra envisioned a more immersive approach.
Malta Military Tattoo - 2014
The Military Tattoo, previously known as the Malta Military Tattoo, is a yearly event which features military bands and other elements which come together to provide a spectacular show for audiences of all ages.The music played combines popular tunes, with the more classical and are all performed in the context of a Military March parade to provide a spectacular experience for everyone to enjoy. The music chosen appeals to all ages.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - 2014
Between 1 and 23 August, the Band of The Armed Forces of Malta made its first appearance at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2014, with 45 musicians on parade, under the baton of Director of Music, Major John Ivan Borg. They were accompanied by 8 dancers from the dance company Ellipsis Dancers.
Against the spectacular backdrop of Scotland’s top tourist attraction, the Band of the Armed Forces of Malta provided entertainment at this year’s 65th Tattoo, on the floodlit esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. During Malta’s performance, the Maltese cross, lace motives and other symbols of Malta were projected onto the Castle façade to further set the ambience.
WhOuMAN# - 2014
Choreographing "WhOuMAN#", forming part of the Bachelor (Hons) Dance Studies, Final Year Choreography assessment in 2014. This choreography was performed on 18th May 2014 at MITP, Valletta. A video version of this choreography can also be found in my channel, a project created together with a local media house.
inFragments - 2014
The University of Malta's School of Performing Arts performance, "inFragments", that took place in March 2014, at the Valletta Campus Theatre.
B(Hons) Dance Studies Final Year Tour - 2013
For most Bachelor’s students, the Dance Tour in the third year is one of the highlights of the programme. Students experience increased mastery in dance technique, understanding of professional practice in dance making, the rehearsal process and performance. A number of professional choreographers are invited to make new works with the third year group, who work full-time as an ensemble company during ten weeks culminating in a production week and première in Malta. They tour abroad giving performances and workshops, and on their return to Malta they offer performances in theatres and schools. The students experience the life of a professional touring company and document their experiences in a personal portfolio.
L-Imħalla - 2013
The University of Malta, School of Performing Arts, present "L-Imħalla". This was the official launch of the School of Performing Arts held on 22 February 2013 at the MITP Theatre, Valletta.
Big Dance - 2012
The Big Dance Schools Pledge 2012 was created by Wayne McGregor | Random Dance for young people in the UK and around the work to take part in a simultaneous dance performance as part of the London 2012 Festival for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.