OUR TEAM

Caleena Sansbury - Ngarrindjeri, Narungga and Kaurna woman. Caleena’s interests as a performance artist draws from cultural and contemporary dance, theatre, storytelling and choreographing. a graduate from NAISDA. Caleena has worked nationally and internationally with companies/ choreographers: Vicki Van Hout in; Long Grass & Les Festivities Lubrufier;, Thomas E. S. Kelly. Caleena has been working with Tjarujta for 3 yrs.

Janelle Egan Dancer /Teacher /Choreographer - is an Aboriginal woman of the Central Arrente & Dieri Nation. Janelle began her full-time graduated in 2015 at the National Aboriginal and Islanders Skills Development Association. Janelle has performed for Graeme Watson, Raymond D Blanco, Pamela Williams, Kevin Gavi Duncan, Stuart McMinn, Jasmine Gulash, Thomas E Kelly, Uncle Tony - Wuduku & Aunty Heather Mibitjanba from Elcho Island, Saibai Island - Cedric & Moa Island - Dujon Niue, Gina Rings & Kaine Sultan-Babij. Janelle has led workshops for NAISDA Dance College throughout Australia, including assisting in the cultural classes. Janelle has also assisted in teaching Bangarra’s Rekindling Program & seconded with Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Kenneth Johnson - is a Ngarrindjerri man with lineage from the Kokatha Nation.   Raised in Loxton SA, Kenny attended NAISDA College and later graduated from the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) in 2013. Kenny has dance in Tharramali and The Voss Journey, both directed by Grahame Watson and Wilderness by  Tamara Peirce.  Amongst many other outstanding showcases Kenny was accepted into Ochres in WA working alongside Simon Stewart ‘The Caul’.  Kenny join Tjarutja Dance in 2021  in an ADT show Convergence, Iti.  Kenny worked alongside The Opening of Kaine Sultanbabij called Here and Now which also was featured in the 2022 light show Auslight Along the River.  Kenny performed at the 2022 Womadelaide Festival with Electric Fields,  Tjartuja and Antara Choir and was featured in a recent short dance film Wild Dog by Jacob Boheme premiering  at Tandanya.

Melanie Koolmatrie / DJ, Actress and Dancer - Melanie is a Ngarrindjeri woman from the Coorong and Raukkan Aboriginal Community who started her dance journey with NAISDA Dance College . Mell has been teaching dance workshops with with Carclew and has been with Tjarutja for 3 yrs within all major events, shows and festivals. Mell has recently been involved in film and television in programs such as Wild Dog and Firebite and has worked alongside actresses such as Elaine Crombie and Tessa Rose.

Rikki Wilson Milera - Narrungga, Adnyamathanha, Wirangu woman Rikki Milera-Wilson loved to dance for as long as she can remember, performing contemporary, hip hop and traditional dance. Rikki joined Kurruru as a child and had the opportunities of performing Nationally at prestigious events such as; Spirit Festival, Dreaming Festival, WOMAdelaide, Dreamtime at the G and internationally at Vantuatu’s International Theatre Festival representing Indigenous Australia. Rikki has been working with Tjarutja for 3 yrs.

Iteka Ukarla Sanderson-Bromley is 21 & lives in Adelaide. Her language groups are Adnyamathanha (Flinders Ranges), Narungga (Yorke Peninsula) & Yarluyandi (Simpson Desert). Iteka is a member of Aboriginal dance groups, ‘Of Desert & Sea’, Tjarutja Dance Theatre & Tal-Kin-Jeri. Iteka completed Year 12 in 2018 & is now at Adelaide University studying Anthropology & Sociology and has been working with Tjarutja for 3yrs.

Gemma Truman Actor, model, dancer and singer  - Gemma is has been working in Aboriginal Womens leadership for the past couple of years traveling internationally and through out Australia to communities strengthening communities. In recent years Gemma has been part of Tjarutja as a dancer continuing her back ground in training at NAISDA. This beautiful young woman has graced our screens and theatres and will continue to do so for a long time to come.

Deadly team unna? All of Tjarutja artists come from extended experiences, backgrounds and language groups. If you require further information on artists Biographies, request via email.

Kirsty Williams - had started dancing at the age of 5 with Kurruru Youth Arts and is now a member of Tjarutja and Off Desert and Sea. Her training allowed her experience working with Carclew and various films as wll as major festivals and events.