COMPANY ARTISTS
FRANCO
NIETO
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR // 2020 - PRESENT
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Princess Grace Award winner Franco Nieto was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. He made the unconventional switch from football to ballet in his teenage years and has now taught and danced in over 10 different countries and performed with the likes of Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John. He spent 10 years as a principal dancer with NW Dance Project in Portland, Oregon, where he toured the world and worked hand in hand with the leading minds in choreography to create and bring to life countless original works. His early training came from the Vancouver School of Arts & Academics and Columbia Dance, and his formative line of choreography was born from his mentorship with Tracey Durbin. He graduated with his BFA in Jazz from Point Park University. Franco brings his big heart to every class at Open Space.
dust: Noelle Kayser
ELISE
GONSALVES
COMPANY ARTIST // 2021 - CURRENT
Elise Gonsalves is a movement artist originally from Portland, Oregon. After graduating, she trained in Los Angeles for five years, deepening her craft. Elise is currently a company member with Open Space, under the direction of artistic director Franco Nieto. In addition to her work with Open Space, she regularly performs with her LED family, appearing in works such as Kid Lighting, Over the Moon, and Arm and a Leg, choreographed by Lauren Edson.
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Her performance credits include collaborations with renowned choreographers such as Ching Ching Wong, Gianna Burright, Mike Tyus, Outrun the Bear, Keelan Whitmore, Elijah Labay, and Noelle Kayser. She has had the privilege of performing at the Palm Desert Choreography Festival and Union PDX Festival, including in Confetti Head, choreographed by Franco Nieto.
When she’s not in the studio or on stage, Elise is most at home in the mountains!
Annie is from Seattle, Washington, where she trained at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School and went on to earn her BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona. After graduating, she moved to Portland and collaborated with talented artists, including Katie Scherman and Shaun Keylock.
At Open Space, Annie is delighted to be part of an incredible team of dancers and choreographers, including Noelle Kayser and Franco Nieto. She has had the pleasure of performing works by Lauren Edson, Ching Ching Wong, Elijah Labay, Keelan Whitmore, Megan Doheny and Ilya Nikurov.
She looks forward to this upcoming season and is excited to bring joy to Portland through dance!
ANNIE
BORDEN
COMPANY ARTIST // 2022 - CURRENT
Ariel Clarke is a dancer, educator, model, and a member of Open Space, Ballare Carmel, and Gianna Burright & Artists. Through an unconventional path, she has accumulated a wide range of educational and performative experiences through national and international programs, including Springboard Danse Montreal, GAGA Labs, and more. She has spent much of her journey within her own research and creative endeavors, both in live performances and films. She finds great joy in sharing her passions for dance and has taught for many years to a variety of different ages and levels at numerous institutions, with many students attending top universities and dancing for internationally renowned companies.
Drawing inspiration from all aspects of her life, her hunger and curiosity for new information and understanding propel her to constantly question and step beyond her own boundaries within her pursuits and explorations. Ariel Clarke is a dancer, educator, model, and a member of Open Space, Ballare Carmel,and Gianna Burright & Artists. Through an unconventional path, she has accumulated a wide range of educational and performative experiences through national and international programs, including Springboard Danse Montreal, GAGA Labs, and more.
Kylee Killian (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer, and dance educator originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned her BFA in Modern Dance from Point Park University, where she also performed with improv- dance company, The Pillow Projects. After graduation, she joined SALT 2 Contemporary Dance in Salt Lake City, Utah, performing works by celebrated contemporary choreographers and debuting her own original choreography.
Now based in Portland, Oregon, Kylee is excited for her second season at Open Space, as well as teaching and choreographing at The School at Open Space, and other local dance establishments. Kylee also dances with LED, under the direction of Lauren Edson, where she recently performed in the premiere of their evening length work, “My Strange Darling”.
Kylee has had the privilege to perform in works by renowned choreographers such as Nicole von Arx, Alice Klock, Noelle Kayser, Ching Ching Wong, Martha Graham, Keelan Whitmore, Outrun the Bear, Penny Saunders, Norbert De La Cruz III, Courtney Mazeika, Garrett Smith, and many others!
Ellie Thomas (she/they) grew up in Portland, Oregon. They trained at Sultanov Ballet Academy and as a Jefferson Dancer before completing their BFA in dance performance and composition with a minor in arts management from SUNY Purchase. At Purchase, Ellie performed works by Eve Chan, George Balanchine, Jenelle Figgins, Lauren Edson, and many others. Additionally, they have furthered their artistic training at organizations such as London Contemporary Dance School, Open Space, Big Kids, Whim W’Him, Vim Vigor, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet.
In 2024, they joined Open Space as an apprentice and was promoted to company artist in 2025. Ellie has performed works at Open Space in collaboration with choreographers such as Ching Ching Wong, Keelan Whitmore, Noelle Kayser, and Outrun the Bear.
Ellie teaches and choreographs across the Portland area and is thrilled to share their passion for dance at Open Space!
