Performing Pink Elephants

Artistic Director of Pink Elephants (Burlesque, Rock-a-Hula Baby and Circus Performer/Practitioner)

Sophie Armstrong

Hereford

I originally trained as a dancer and was heavily influenced by my Aunty Celeste Dandeker, who set up the famous CanadoCo Dance Company. CandoCo have always crossed over into physical theatre and due to being a mixed ability professional company, I was brought up very open minded. CandoCo began around the same time as another famous Physical Theatre Company DV8, who were also inspirational to my work and practise. Other influences include not only theatre stage performance but also from the tent; Cirque de Sole, who are a world known as well as taking the world by surprise with their perfection and theatrical/physical theatre edge to their performance. Other influences include; National Welsh Contemporary Dance Company, Legs on the Wall Physical Theatre Company, Pheonix Dance, 2faced Dance Company and many more. After Completing my Degree in Performing Arts I worked locally with the community, both through the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford's outreach team, as well as DanceFeast Dance Company based in Worcester. Last year I completed my teacher training in The Life Long Learning Sector, while lecturing in the Performing Arts Department, at the Hereford College of Arts. I have worked with a wide range of age ranges (6mths-90yrs) and abilities, both physical and mental. Recently I set up Pink Elephants while continuing to work for both the Courtyard and The Hereford College of Arts. Pink Elephants is a new and exciting Performing Arts Company, that specialises in high quality Circus workshops and classes. We focus not only on developing circus skills but also performing them.

Musical Elephants Manager

Leo More

Hereford

The Mores Biog: Leo More - Guitar, Vocals and Production – Leo is a music producer, musician and music lecturer who lives in Hereford in the West-Midlands. Previously, he grew up and lived in Hackney, East-London for most of his life. He has produced music with members of Roots Manuva (Ninja tune, Mercury prize nominee’s), Estelle (V2), Clor (EMI), Acoustic Ladyland (V2), Polar Bear (Leaf, Mercury prize nominee’s), the Invisible (Accidental, Mercury prize nominee’s) and Librarian (Forte). He released two vinyl records in 2003 and 2004 as the artist L.A.Moreboy with the Krypton records label distributed through Cargo (UK) and Possible (Germany). He was a recording engineer at the Dairy studios and has recorded as a guitarist at the Strongrooms and the Premises all in London. Jenny-May While - Violin and Vocals – Jenny-May is a violinist who also lives in Hereford. She was born in London and grew up in Herefordshire. She has performed with the national youth orchestra and the Parisian artist tcharlz. She has played at the Royal Albert Hall. The duo have performed at the Dublin Castle, the Bull and Gate, London Metropolitan University Union, the Hope and Anchor, the rhythm factory, the Metro, Catch 22, On the Rocks and the Electricity Showrooms in London. They have also featured at Bradford University Union, Farmageddon in Cambridgeshire and the Liverpool Biannual Art festival. Leo More has recorded at the Fortress and the University of Westminster. Their band - Librarian were formed at Brownswood Library in Finsbury Park, North London in 2005. They recorded their first album - 'the Words' in the library itself in the summer of 2006 and it was pressed on CD at the beginning of 2007. The album aimed to capture the low fidelity atmosphere of their rehearsal space and they played live at the 142 project, the O2, the Skolt Head, the Cross Kings and the Fiddlers Elbow. Librarian released a 7” titled ‘Cloven thumb/ill prepared’ in 2009 and this was realeased through Forte distribution. The Mores have performed through Nightjar, live at the chapel and the Barrels Beer Festival. They are now joined by a vocal/strings group and keyboard player.

Burlesque Performer, Circus Practitioner and Musical Elephants Artist

Jenny May While
Hereford

Circus Practitioner

Ian Smith

Hereford

10 years ago I ran a circus skills and juggling entertainment business called Fiddlesticks Jugglers. We performed all over the country, at various events from small children's parties to large corporate shows. At present I work for a local charity called Aspire, who provide services for people with learning disabilities. As well as this I work as a technician for The Music Gym, an interactive sensory environment, enabling communication through sound and visuals. My job for the charity for the previous 6 years has been as a day support worker in a day centre. My role involving organising arts, craft and music projects, as well as personal care and support.I run workshops in circus skills and performance with Pink Elephants.I also work for Carnival Arts Group who run many various craft workshops. Form home I am a music producer with own studio. The band Sproatly Smith have released 4 albums. I’ve been playing music for 25 years in different bands, and play most stringed instruments and some keyboard.