Chimene Steele-Prior
Chimene is a Melbourne based Performer, Choreographer and Teacher. She studied at the New Zealand School of Dance (Diploma of Dance Performance) and at WAAPA as a member of LINK Dance Company (Bachelor of Performing Arts).
In 2013, Chimene was the inaugural Choreographic Secondment recipient at Chunky Move during the creation of ‘247 Days’. She was awarded an Ian Potter Cultural Trust Grant to travel to Impuls Tanz Vienna as a participant of the intensive ATLAS program for young choreographers in 2014. Upon return she performed her solo work In Formation II (Melbourne Fringe Festival Hub), which was later nominated for a Green Room Award for Concept and Realisation in 2015. Her other choreographic explorations include dance film A Busy Lonely Mind (Supported by the City of Melbourne - Young Artists Grant), Kristy’s World (Commissioned by Banyule City Council – Winter in Banyule Festival), Blue Poles and Archway (National Gallery of Australia), Filling Up Empty (Melbourne Fringe Festival/Short and Sweet Dance) and In Formation (Melbourne Fringe/Dancehouse). Chimene has been granted choreographic residencies through Dancehouse, Dirty Feet, Liquid Skin Studio and Window 99.
Chimene has worked with artists including Sheridan Lang (Icemilk, The Frailty of the Human Heart), Shaun McLeod (The Weight of The Thing Left its Mark), Shian Law (Psycho), Melissa Jones (Disquiet), Rob McCredie (Who Knows What?), Luke George/Bec Reid (Special Mention) Restless Sleepers (UK)/Nat Cursio Co. (A String Section). She has worked with Opera Australia over several years in productions of Turandot, The Ring Cycle, La Boheme, Eugene Onegin, Rigoletto, Faust, Macbeth, Madame Butterfly and HANDA opera on Sydney Harbour 2016. Last year she also performed works by the Late Choreographer Eleo Pomare as part of an independent production celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Australian Dance Theatre.
Chimene has ten years dance teaching experience. At present, she is a regular teacher of the public and professional contemporary dance classes at Chunky Move Dance Company in Melbourne. In 2016 she became one of only 28 Certified Counter Technique Teachers in the world. She is also a trained STOTT Matwork Pilates instructor. Chimene enjoys teaching all ages and is excited to share her knowledge and passion for dance.