Fusion Facilitators

Aisha Z Abdullah

Aisha Z. Abdullah is the Founder and Principal of the Children's Playhouse Group (established in 2000) which manages 2 preschools and one primary school in Shah Alam, Selangor. The Group also provides consultancy work for setting up preschools as well as teacher-training.

She volunteers as a trainer or facilitator with local child-centred initiatives. She is currently also a partner of a law firm in the city.

She created history by being the first Malaysian delegate to be given a brief plenary session during the World Forum on Early Childhood Care & Education, attended by 748 delegates from all over the world. She is also currently the protem President of the Montessori Association of Malaysia.

Theatrical Credits :- From 1992 till 1997 Aisha appeared as an extra in Kee Thuan Chye's version of MacBeth, as Mastura in Kee Thuan Chye's We Could **** You Mr. Birch, Dayang in Datuk Rahim Razali's Jebat in English and the main chorus in U-Wei Hj. Shaari's adaptations of Euripedes' Bacchaeus in Bahasa Melayu "Bakai". She set up the Children's Playhouse Speech & Drama School as an extra-curricular activity for her preschool. Speech and drama is integrated into her schools' music and movement classes till today.

Alexandra Jay

Alexandra Jay, our fusion UK patron is hosting this exciting Musical Theatre Workshops.

As established Fusion pupils already know, she is a brilliant singer, sweet, funny - and incredibly inspirational. She enjoyed giving a Master class in the UK so much that she asked Ben Douglas, Fusion's founder, if she could come back and teach - soon!

For those of you who are less familiar with her story, it is truly the stuff of show business legend. After being chosen by Trevor Nunn and Cameron Mackintosh to understudy the role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at the National Theatre, she was catapulted into the spotlight when its star, Martine McCutcheon, was unwell. An ecstatic standing ovation later and the 18-year-old from Devon had arrived! By the time the show reached the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, she had become the alternate Eliza. Since then she has played Sally Bowles in Cabaret at Chichester and Sophie in Mamma Mia!

If you wished you could learn from a true West End star, this is your chance!!!!

She will put you through your vocal paces, helping you find your range and build your confidence. Who knows, you too could embark on a career as glittering as Alexandra's!

Amina Jindani

Amina , from the tender age of seven studied the arts of Acting and Creative Writing. After completing her A-levels in Theatre Studies, English Literature and Fine Art, she earned a scholarship from Lord Sainsbury to study with the Royal Court Theatre in London's West End where she was given expert tuition in Acting, Script Writing and Theatre Directing by some of the countries leading theatre role models such as Howard Brenton, Max Stafford Clarke, Hanif Kureshi and Harold Pinter. Amina went on to write, direct and act at the theatre's famous Young Writers' Festival as well as perform in plays at The Theatre Upstairs. In 1991 Amina took up the role of Hani in the award winning film "Selubung" and was nominated for Best New Comer and Best Supporting Actress by FINAS.

Amina travelled back and forth opening drama classes for children. She combined her martial arts skills with her stage abilities to teach children the art of fight choreography for the stage and adapted famous pieces such as Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet to suit children.

Since 2000 Amina has been combining drama with environmental education to teach Malaysian children about saving endangered species. Amina also writes scripts for television, radio, theatre and the corporate sector.

Sometimes she will present her own scripts as a television host as she did for Ramadhan World Delights and The Morning Glory Show. She has also written a collection of songs with the artist and musician, Farihin, in collaboration with Cinematic Productions. Amina has also started writing a series of eco-books for children which is planned to become a series of animations for children all over the world.

Carly Hainsby

Carly trained at the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts where she graduated with her teaching qualifications and a national diploma in Musical Theatre.

Theatre Credits include The Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Annie in which she played the role of Lily St Regis, Crazy for you in which she played the role of Patsy, Arms and the Cow for Opera North, Calamity Jane, Anything Goes, La Traviata for Grange Park Opera, Chess in which she played the role of The White Queen and The Wiz.

She was also a featured singer and dancer for the Jean Ann Ryan company onboard the Norwegian Wind and a member of the Moulin Rouge Company both in Paris and for their touring productions all over the world.

Carly teaches at many Performing Arts Colleges and runs her own company providing theatre workshops and masterclasses.

Chris Jacobs

Over his forty-three year career in the theatre industry to date, Chris has been involved in numerous theatrical productions and performances on four continents, from Shakespeare to Sartre, Opera, Vaudeville, and Circus. He has never been to Australia.

After his college years, Chris initially served his apprenticeship in the demanding world of the British Repertory Theatre system, where he earned his laurels progressively as an Stage Manager, Actor, Lighting and Stage Designer, Production Manager, Assistant Director, and Company Manager, working with many distinguished actors including Sir John Gielgud, Sir Ralph Richardson, Oliver Neville, Sylvia Syms, Harold Pinter, Jack Watling, Doris Hare, Earnest Clarke, Roger Hume, Elizabeth Seal, amongst others. For the last 25 years, he has worked predominantly as a freelance Director, Playwright, and Acting-Coach; work which continues to take him to many parts of the world ... except Australia.

Chris first came to Asia as a logical progression of his exploration and study of the works and philosophy of the legendary Russian theatre director, Vsevolod Meyerhold, which has taken him as far afield as Moscow, Berlin, Paris, New York, and now the Far East, where many of the origins of Meyerhold's unique actor training techniques can be traced; elements drawn from Chinese Theatre, Noh, Kathakali, Barong, Wayang, and other Asian theatre forms as well as Commedia del Arte, and the Spanish Theatre, influenced Meyerhold in developing his Theatrical Biomechanics training techniques.

Chris became fascinated with the work of Meyerhold, when he witnessed the firstever performance of Steven Berkoff's stage adaptation of what is perhaps Kafka's most celebrated nightmare 'Metamorphosis' at the Roundhouse, London in 1969. Since that profound experience Chris' interest in abstract physical-theatre, symbolism, and emotional dynamics grew over the years and evolved to the extent that it now dominates many of his productions, which feature abstract, intensely dynamic, anti-realistic and non-representational action, aimed at creating a unique and independent reality on stage.

Chris' understanding of the philosophy and physical craft of Theatrical Biomechanics has been built and guided by some of the foremost theatre directors and choreographers of the British and European stage. Most notable of these are Michael Bogdanov, founder of the English Shakespeare Company, past assistant director to Peter Brook and associate director of the Royal National Theatre; David Carson, director of the film 'Star Wars 7', Robin Midgely, Richard Cotteril, Carol Todd, Dymphna Callery, the legendary George Baker, and of course the inimitable Steven Berkoff.

Currently, Chris is working on a number of projects which includes; developing a stage adaptation of Edward Fitzgerald's celebrated interpolation of 'The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam' in collaboration with the American composer Dr. John Sharpley; preparing a written work for general publication in the near future which demonstrates his own philosophy on Theatrical Biomechanics, and it's application in the rehearsal process and in performance; and developing a series of enrichment programs for schools, aimed at introducing Shakespeare's works to young Asian students.

Claudine Gabriel

Irish born Claudine has been involved in performing arts since she was 7. She trained in Ireland and in the UK. She studied at Newcastle Unniversity and Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. She has worked with choreographers, David O Garr, David Massingham, Neville campbell, Simon Birch and Janet Smith to name but a few. She works both nationally and internationally as a performer, choreographer, musician and teacher and currently resides in Malaysia.

Debra Tennant

After training at the prestigious 'Dance City' in Newcastle, Debra graduated from The University Of East Anglia with a (BA Hons) in Performing Arts. This included performing at 'The Tyne Theatre' and 'Newcastle Playhouse', as well as choreographing and producing a number of dance shows in the North East of England.

She then went on to train at the internationally acclaimed 'East 15 School of Acting' in London.

This led her to perform in major London and UK theatres, as well as being a part of many educational and community projects.

A few of her credits include Irina from 'The Three Sisters', Lady Anne from 'Richard III', Rita from 'Educating Rita' and Louise in 'La Goulue' BBC Radio Production.

Debra has vast experience in Theatre In Education and has toured nationally with many UK theatre companies including 'Kinetic Theatre', 'Impact', 'Gibber' and 'Scene Productions'.

She is an experienced facilitator and has worked both nationally and internationally with young people on a variety of projects.

Debra is excited about coming to Kuala Lumpur and is honoured to be working with Fusion this summer!

Doppo

Having obtained his LLB from Nihon University, Japan, Doppo turned his attention onto the arts scene by taking part in stage dramas such as Woo! That is a Problem, Want to be a Wind, As long as the Sky does, The Story of Yoshiko Kawamura, Island Between, Woyzeck/ Trauma, Tea for Two, Antigone, and most recently in Mann ist Mann. Doppo's theatrical debut in Malaysia was through the play Pulau Antara, directed by Jo Kukathas. He entered the prestigious University of Tennessee, United States of America, studying Performing Arts (Theatre), in 1994.

He has also acted in movies, most notably being The End of Days, Net, Take on Bride, and Border Line. His credits in television series include Apa Dosaku by Bernard Chauly. Doppo also worked with Singaporean visual artist and director Tzu Nyen Ho in his film Endless Days. Doppo studied in Singapore for one year from June, 2002 as an overseas trainee of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Government of Japan and studied Asian composite art including Chinese opera, Taichi, Indian dance, etc. at TTRP that was established by Kuo Pao Kun. He also has worked with Liminal Theatre & Performance, Australia as an actor and researcher.

Dylan Turner

Dylan is thrilled to be making his "debut" for Fusion Academy of Performing Arts Malaysia. He has just literally finished performing in London's West End in "Life Is A Dream". Dylan trained in acting at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy, LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art). Upon finishing training, he walked straight into the award winning production of "CHICAGO". He has since appeared in several west end productions including SWEET CHARITY, OH WHAT A NIGHT, GREASE, FOOTLOOSE, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and MAMMA MIA. He has also starred in Universal's worldwide phenomenon "MAMMA MIA" in which he worked alongside Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Julie Walters. The film has broken all box office and dvd records. Dylan has studied at the Talent Ventures Inc. Actors Centre in Los Angeles. For more information check out his website: www.dylanturner.com

Glamorique Arshad

Glamorique graduated from The Academy of Contemporary Music, Guildford, UK majoring in Music Business Studies and Sir Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) majoring in Popular Music & Sound Technology.

While in the UK, he attended short courses in musical theatre & acting at Arts Ed, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Drama Centre London and Central School of Speech and Drama and also Pineapple Dance Studios for jazz.

Glamorique is vocally trained under Siti Hajar Ismail and had his training for jazz & tap under Farah Dato'Sulaiman.

His first musical production was "Stand And Deliver" in 1990 with the Philharmonic Society of Selangor at the age of 9 under the direction of Mervyn Peters.

He served as a vocal coach in Farah's musical revue "Dance Hysteria" (2000).

He appeared on our very first English soap opera "City of The Rich/House of Conflicts" (2004) for RTM2.

This baritone "triple threat" is one of the original cast member of "Broadway Parodies Lah!" and the 2009 Boh Cameronian Award-winning "Broadway Parodies Lagi Lah!" under the direction of Brian McIntyre.

He was an ensemble member of "Tunku - The Musical" under the direction of Joe Hasham in 2007.

In 2008, he scored the Best Actor Runner-Up in Jerome Parisse-Brassen's "Love and Light" in Short+Sweet Malaysia.

He was last seen as a finalist in "The Junction" for Short+Sweet Malaysia 2009.

Besides singing, dancing and acting, he plays the saxophones & latin percussions.

Grace Warner

Grace who hails from Swansea started her professional training with a scholarship at Doreen Bird college of Performing Arts, where she was part of the college touring company and gained her teaching ISTD Associates in Tap and Modern alongside a Degree in Dance Theatre in performance.

Since graduating, her professional career has been heavily in Musical Theatre where she has toured the world as a singer and dancer on cruise ships and Musical Theatre touring companies such as "Crazy for You", "Annie", "Oliver!" Working alongside the famous Gillian Lynne in Principal roles of Bombalurina in "Cats", and assistant children's director, dance captain and understudy Baroness Bomburst in the UK tour "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". Most recently Grace directed and choreographed a successful run of "A Chorus Line" for Bridgend College's Final performance project.

Whilst nipping around the country Grace has always been an active freelance teacher and choreographer for many schools, colleges and companies across the UK working with children, students and professionals from all back rounds of performing.

Gunasegeran Selvadurai

Guna is a graduate of the prestigious Kalakshetra School of Dance in South India. He is a well known exponent of Bharathanatyam and Odissi. His solo dances every year in India are sell-out performances. He also trained in contemporary dance.When not dancing with the Sutra Dance Theatre troupe, Guna who has several Boh Cameronian awards under his belt, teaches at the Sutra Academy. A much sought after choreographer he is kept busy working at pageants, corporate events and television productions.

Guna has over 30 years of dance experience. His dances have thrilled audiences in Paris, Washington, New York, Florence, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and London.

Jamie Matthewman

Jamie Matthewman is an actor, director and teacher. He trained at London's prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he enjoyed such diverse roles as The Duke in Measure for Measure, Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night and Trigorin in The Seagull. He graduated in 2006. Since then he has played in numerous touring productions in the UK including King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest and Abigail's Party, and The Royal Court's 2006 production of Live Like Pigs. He has also directed and taught at the Guildhall and worked independently as an acting coach.

Joanna Bessey

Joanna recently hosted the BBC World News travel documentary, "Exploring Malaysia" airing worldwide. Her television career began with the award-winning TV show "Kopitiam" (Highly Commended 'Best Actress in a Comedy Role' - Asian Television Awards) which aired for seven seasons.

She has just completed directing a successful run of the play 'Wacky Bar' at the PJLA theatre, raising funds for Assunta Hospital's 'Passionately You', Breast and Cervical Cancer treatment campaign. This being her second time directing, her directorial debut won her a 'Best Director' nomination in 2008, for Ibsen's 'An Enemy of the People' at KLPAC.

Joanna has accomplished a wide range of work in the theatre, film and television. She has always enjoyed teaching as an addition to her acting career, in order to encourage and discover young talent.

Judimar Hernandez

Of Spanish and Latin American heritage, a multi-talented and passionate dancer, choreographer and teacher, former member of the Venezuelan Contemporary Dance Companies, 'Danzahoy' and 'Rajatabla' and Malaysian Dance Company 'Shakti Dances'.

Her philosophy is to 'dance from inside-out'.

Judimar started her dance training at a young age, with Ballet, Jazz Dance, and Music in her hometown Caracas. Graduated from the Danzahoy Contemporary Dance School, where she studied Ballet, Contemporary and Modern Dance techniques (Martha Graham, Merce Cunnigham and Jose Limon), Choreography, Contact-improvisation, Tai Chi, Yoga, Gymnastics, Music and Capoeira. While residing in Asia, she studied Indian Classical Dance, Malay Traditional Dance, Thai Dance, Balinese Dance, Creative Dance and Movement, Acting, Singing and Yoga for adults and children.

Judimar has participated in International Arts, Theatre, Dance Festivals, Workshops and Conferences in Singapore, Australia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Germany, Philippines, Hong Kong, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Venezuela and Malaysia.

Her choreographic scope includes a variety of dances from theatrical to commercial works in dance styles such as Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary Dance, Latin Dance and Musical Theatre genres. Winner of the Malaysian Boh Cameronian Arts Awards 2002 (Best Dance Ensemble) and Audience Choice Award 2008 (Best Dance) and nominee in 2003, 2007, 2008 as Best Choreographer and Best Solo Dancer.

She was a judge and choreographer for the US Television Reality Show 'SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE' MALAYSIA, (Season I (2007) and Season 2 (2008), produced by 8TV.

Judimar is currently Head of Dance of CPAC (Cempaka Performing Arts Company) at Cempaka Group of Schools, Apart from teaching, she has been Chief choreographer for CPAC Musical Theatre Productions of 'Simba, King of the Jungle' (July 2005), 'We Will Rock You' (July 2006), 'Witches of Oz' (August 2007) and 'West SIde Story'(November 2008) and co-directed 'FAME, The Musical' (July 2009).

She is a member of International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO).

Julia Mayer

Julia studied Theatre Arts at the Australian National University and has taught drama in secondary schools in Australia, UK, Indonesia and more recently Malaysia, where she has resided for the past six years.

Theatre credits include Popova in Antonin Chekov's "The Bear", Dunyasha in "The Cherry Orchard", Diaphanta in Thomas Middleton's "The Changeling" and "Julius Caesar" for Papermoon Productions (ANU Arts Centre Theatre). With Splinters Theatre Company, Australia's longest surviving independent performance troupe, Julia performed 'Furore' at the Performance Space, Sydney and 'Thirst is a place...' at Exhibition Park, Canberra. Musicals include Calamity Jane, The Boyfriend and Salad Days with the Phoenix Players.

As a presenter at the National Film and Sound Archive, Julia was selected to join the Travelling Film And Sound Show, a performance and accompanying exhibition about Australia's film heritage. Six months after playing Daisy, an ageing vaudeville actress, in regional towns throughout Australia, Julia landed her first television credit, a presenter for Network Ten's children's program "Totally Wild".

Julia's passion for drama and dance has more recently seen her engaged in Odissi workshops at Sutra Dance Theatre, and Kathakali and Mohiniyatam at Vijnana Kala Vedi (Kerala). She is also writer of feature articles focussing on Asian cinema with '15Malaysia: Democratic, Diverse and Daring' to be published in the academic quarterly journal Metro Magazine (Australia) in March.

Llew Marsh

Llew Marsh is a multi award winning Music & Creative & Casting Director, Producer and Performer. He is well known for his musical & creative direction on live cabaret shows, concerts and musical theatre projects including Broadway Duets, Don't Tell Mama: All Male Cabaret, Taming Of the Shrew: A Bollywood Cabaret, Pygmalion, Cinderella, Romi & JooLee, and Souvenir!

Having started performing when he was 10, he conducted his first musical at 18 and has worked with such companies as Universal Studios Singapore, Her Majesty's Theatre, West Australia, The London Touring Opera, The Actors Studio, dramaLab, Gardner & Wife & Instant Cafe Theatre.

He started the Musical Theatre Programmes at The Actors Studio & KLPAC Academies & Has been a Judge on Music & Music Theatre Panels of the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards.

Lorna Henderson

Lorna Henderson is an Arts facilitator from the UK with over ten years of experience in creating and running workshops in music, art and the performing arts for children (and even adults too if she is asked nicely enough). She now lives in Malaysia where she teaches Performing & Creative Arts at various schools and arts venues in and around KL, and is a member of the Cameronian award winning gamelan group Rhythm in Bronze.

As a musician and performing artist Lorna has performed with the London Philharmonic Choir, the Lorelei Quartet, the Phoenix Orchestra and numerous Dance companies on a variety of platforms including the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican, the Royal Albert Hall, Chichester Festival Hall, Riverside Studios and The Place. As a community arts worker and teacher she has been lucky enough to have worked on a wide range of projects, teaching music, dance, art, theatre and even carnival and circus skills to children and adults of all ages.

Marissa Dunlop

Marissa has just finished creating the role of Chilli in the original pantomime "Santa Claus and the return of Jack Frost" at The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. Marissa made her first TV commercial aged 3 and her west-end debut at the age of 8 as Young Co sette in Les Miserables (Palace Theatre).

As an adult, Marissa's west-end credits include Ruby in "Shout" (Arts Theatre), Sandy in "Grease" (Cambridge Theatre), Pearl in "Starlight Express" (Apollo Victoria Theatre), Serena in "Fame" (Cambridge and Aldwych Theatres), Martha Berelli in "The Rat Pac k" (Strand Theatre) and Young Jenny in "Aspects of Love" (Prince of Wales Theatre). Marissa can also be seen as Martha Berelli in the DVD "The Rat Pack- live from Las Vegas" and plays Young Cossette on the Complete Symphonic recording of Les Miserables.

Marissa originated the role of Alma in "Summer Holiday" at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool and played Truly Scrumptious to great acclaim in the first UK tour of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and also at The Esplanade Theatre, Singapore. Marissa's film credits i nclude Mary Ingram in Zefferelli's "Jane Eyre" (Rochester Films), the lead girl in "Wiper" (Independent) and Charlotte in "Duck" (Channel 4 Films).

Television credits include Margaret in "Jeeves and Wooster" and Heather Harper in "The Upper Hand". Marissa has appeared in numerous commercials including campaigns for Nescafe, Clarks and Macdonalds.

Marissa has taught singing, dance and drama for Stagecoach (Tunbridge Wells, Oxted and Maidstone), Associates Theatre School (Tonbridge and Southborough)) and Yew Tree Theatre School. She has created and taught numerous children and adult musical theatre workshops including Hairspray, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Les Miserables, Little Shop of Horrors, Grease and High School Musical. Marissa is also a private vocal coach and holds audition technique classes.

Melvin Ho

Melvin is a music graduate of the Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA), formerly known as Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (ASK). He performed in Rhythm In Bronze's Monkey Business, produced by Five Arts Centre which earned him a nomination for Best Composition in the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards 2005. In 2006, he was in the original casts of Saidah Rastam's creation M! The Opera. In October 2007, he conducted Circlesong in Actor Studio Bangsar, a choral improvisation performance produced by The Philharmonic Society of Selangor.

In December 2007, he designed the sound for Tarap Man, produced by Kuali Works & Dramalab. All the sound was created organically by the actors' voice and body. His last theatre work was sound & music design for RACE, produced by Rather Peculiar Theatre. Melvin has work as a choir coach for various schools & groups, kindergarten music teacher, freelance music arranger & composer, pianist at various hotels & Genting casinoes, freelance theatre performer, backup singer for various artistes, vocal & piano instructor, singing competition judge, children storyteller and Reiki healing therapist.

Michael Voon

MXV (Michael Xavier Voon) advocates the celebration of life in all aspects of the arts. Graduated with degrees in Fine, Graphic and Performing Arts from the US, MXV continues to lecture, facilitate, design, direct and choreograph. For the past 31 years, he has created works for stage, print, TV, film and media.

He has just recently facilitated workshops nationally as well as in New South Wales, Georgia, Colorado and Brunei. Having just directed 3 musicals for the KL Children's Choir, Michael is directing the off-Broadway hit Shout! The Mod Musical with an all-Malaysian celebrity cast in KL. MXV's recent dance work 'Diaries 09' (Diaries in Black) won an award and was chosen to perform in Sydney April '10.

Past credits include performance coaching on Malaysian Idol, One in a Million and So You Think You Can Dance. Performances include Snoopy, A Chorus Line, HipHopera, Storyteller and The Merchant of Venice. Michael has served as a judge for Kakiseni BOH Cameronian Awards, reality TV shows, national arts competitions plus he is also a trained counselor, NGO volunteer and church dilettante.

Natalie Edmunds (BBO DTLLS QTLS, ARAD, AISTD, Ass IDTA)

Training: Natalie trained at the English National Ballet School London, Elmhurst Ballet School and was the first British student to be awarded a place at the prestigious Australian Ballet School, Melbourne. During this time she worked closely with the Royal Academy of Dance London headquarters, demonstrating their major vocational syllabus on video. Upon graduation, Natalie worked with the English National Ballet, performing in The Sleeping Beauty (Royal Albert Hall) and Romeo and Juliet (Royal Albert Hall and Australian tour).

Theatre includes: Hunyak in Chicago (original UK tour), understudy Peggy Porterfield in On Your Toes with Adam Cooper (Royal Festival Hall), Cassandra, Bombalurina, Jellylorum and Victoria (the white cat) in Cats (UK tour), Annie and on many occasions playing Velma Kelly, 'Mama' Morton and Liz in Chicago (Adelphi and Cambridge Theatres), Bombalurina in Cats (UK tour and touring Italy and Germany), and ensemble and understudying and playing Hannah Owens, Jazmin and Miss Wilde in Flashdance the musical (original cast, Shaftesbury). Natalie played Liz at the Chicago West End 10th Anniversary Charity Gala Celebration in 2007 (Cambridge Theatre). She has also performed with Sir Elton John and Sir Ian McKellen in 2006 at the Royal Albert Hall. Natalie has recently appeared in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies (Adelphi Theatre).

Natalie was Head of The Urdang Youth Academy and all part-time courses, as well as teaching vocational students at Urdang, and various performing arts schools across London and has been a guest teacher at International and National Summer Schools. She has also taught many successful masterclasses at MOVE IT. Natalie has choreographed extensively all over the country, including The Lord Mayor's London Celebration 2010, televised live on BBC from St Paul's Cathedral London.

Film and television include: The Importance of Being Earnest, The Infinite Worlds of HG Wells and various daytime television appearances.

Natalie Francis

Natalie who heads Junior Fusion in the UK began her career at the age of 17 when she was plucked out of drama school by film director Tony Richardson and cast in his film Joseph Andrews, a performance which won her a nomination for the British Film Awards.

The success of this led to many appearances on television including: Little Nell in The Old Curiosity Shop; Lydia Bennett in Pride and Prejudice and Agnes in David Copperfield. Other costume dramas include: Poirot, Time and the Conways, The Master Builder, The Miser and The Importance of Being Earnest a performance that she repeated in London's West End. As a drama teacher Natalie has guided pupils through LAMDA examinations and coached students to gain places at several leading UK drama academies.

Nell Ng

NELL NG is a multitalented performance artist who is accomplished in a variety of media. An actor, drama teacher, emcee, voice-over talent, choreographer, scriptwriter, producer & director, she has been described by the Press as a creative genius & an artistic chameleon with a portfolio that is both extensive & impressive. Nell was recently named the top 5 Malaysian female role models alongside Datuk Nicole David, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah binti Haji Mohamad Ali, Yuna & the late Yasmin Ahmad. In recognition to women's achievements & contributions to the nation at-large, MSN Malaysia proudly presented this list of women whom they believe have distinguished themselves from all others in ambition, passion, & compassion.

Nish Tham

Nish Tham In 1988, at the tender age of 4, she enrolled into the Yamaha Music School and successfully completed her music education there in 2001. At present, she is a graduate of ICOM's Berklee Transfer Programme and she holds a BMus Degree in Performance and Arranging Summa Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music.

Even while studying in ICOM, she was active in the local music industry performing for well-known singer-songwriters, Shelley Leong and Zalila Lee, bass extraordinaire, Rozhan Razman and finger-style guitarist, Az Samad. In the past two years upon graduating from the prestigious Berklee, she has worked with Zalina Lee, Ida Mariana, Mia Palencia, Najwa Mahiaddin, Ernesta Dunbar, Elvira Arul, Gina Panizales, Maria Angela, Zailan Razak, James Baum, and One Buck Short, among others. Recently, Nish was involved in the production of Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical, Season III as their repetiteur. Nish has also played in various notable jazz festivals and events such as, the Sunrise Jazz & Rhythm Fest, the Penang Island Jazz Festival, the Kancil Awards Night, and Hennessy Artistry 2009.

Payal Vashist

Payal has been a performer from her younger days in Delhi and took this up professionally in 2007. Bollywood is in her blood, and since childhood, dancing and acting has been her true passions. She uses every opportunity to develop her skills in this area and has studied at NIDA, Sydney following a degree in English Literature. Having a daughter of her own she knows too well how important exposure to music, dance and role play is for the young kids. She gets immense satisfaction from leading and sharing experiences with children. Payal's most recent appearance was in The Lesson, KLpac.

Shane Capri Chin

Shane Capri is an energetic individual who is always on the go and keen for knowledge. She graduated from the University of Tasmania, Australia with a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts in 2008. Capri loves and indulges in music, photography, extreme sports, fa shion and dance.

She is spiritually driven by the dynamics of extreme sports. Having come from a family that moves a lot, Capri adapts to change steadfastly. She has been involved in various theatre productions; holding various job scopes, from being on the team of Front of House to on stage. One of the most rewarding ones was an Australian production called the Female Factory, directed by Peter Hammond. Recently, she was involved actively in Helena Foo's "A Grimm Fairytale" where she played roles of a wolf from Little Red Cap, and Hansel from Hansel and Gretel. She was also the official videographer for the production.

Sophia Ragavelas

Sophia trained at London studio Centre, graduating with a BA ( Hons ) Degree in Theatre Dance, following which she made her West End debut in The Lion King. Her first principle role was Eponine in Les Miserables and she went on to play, Sophie in Mamma Mia! Chloe in Never Forget and returned to Les Miserables to as Fantine. Other Credits include Witches Of Eastwick, ( London )The Perfect Wife Road Show, ( UK tour ) Lovebites ( Sydney, Perth ) Babes In Arms ( Chichester ) Brighton Rock ( London ).

Sophia has devised her own 'One Woman' show, which has recently premiered in several London cabaret venues.

She joined Fusion last year for the summer workshops in Thailand and is thrilled to be a part of the company again this year for Kuala Lumpur.

Ungku Melissa Suleiman

Melissa started performing with the Miri Amateur Dramatics Society at a tender age of 8. Midsummer's Nights Dream and Rama and Sita are just two among many productions that she has been involved in. Melissa brings her enthusiasm and her love for children and the performing arts, to the numerous drama workshops that she has facilitated with The Jumping JellyBeans, a well established children's theatre company in Malaysia. She facilitated 'puppets tell stories too' workshops at Petronas Gallery for about 20 students of various ages

She has participated in costume and prop making workshops as well. She also assisted The Jumping JellyBeans with their theater training for a group of young men and women who call themselves 'The Creative Stars'.They are students with learning disabilities who have 'shined' and taken on the challenge of doing theatre full time.

She assisted them in their production "the dead cat" - two performances at the KL Convention Centre in October last year to an audience of 4000. She has helped teach drama to young pre school orang asli children in the outskirts of Ipoh. Over the years Melissa has organised events for children and teenagers' for the residents and friends of Sierramas West, the most recent one being the successful Halloween Party for over 100 children on Oct 31st 2009.

Zoe Harrison

Zoe trained at The Guildford School of Acting. Whilst there, she played a variety of roles including Bunny Byron in Babes in Arms and Carol Drayton in Weird Romance.

Zoe most recently appeared in the London Palladium production of The Sound of Music, covering and playing the role of Maria Von Trapp. Other recent stage appearances include Blondette in Tim Rice's revival of Blondel at The Pleasance Theatre and Necessity in What a Wonderful World with Lyngo Theatre Company. She spent a year at Shanklin Theatre where she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Ann in Half a Sixpence and Alice Fitzwarren in Dick Whittington. She has also toured with Somerset Maugham's play The Circle with the Oxford Stage Company.

Roles on screen include The Traveller in Night Shift (Maverick Television) and Kerry in Pete's House. Zoe has also appeared in several television commercials.