SHELBY NILSEN
MOVEMENT ARTIST, PERFORMER, & CHOREOGRAPHER
"I dance to unlock a playful and curious version of myself, to enjoy the physical catharsis, to tell stories, and to share in community."
~ Shelby Nilsen
BIOGRAPHY
Shelby Nilsen (she/her) is a multidisciplinary dancer, performer, movement artist, and choreographer. Based in Toronto and born and raised on Vancouver Island, B.C., Shelby’s movement practice is shaped by her passion for the intersection of interpersonal relationships, physical expression, and athletic dedication.
Shelby earned her BFA from the Performance Dance Program, with distinction, from Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as a minor in psychology. With a foundation rooted in versatility, Shelby’s training encompasses everything from contemporary and ballet, to vernacular jazz, modern, and improvisation, along with street styles, heels, tap, and West African.
She has had the privilege of working with choreographers such as Hanna Kiel, Ryan Lee, Susie Burpee, David Norsworthy, Raoul Pillay/Wilke, Esie Mensah, Colleen Snell, Francesca Chudnoff, and Jac Valiquette. She has also performed throughout the GTA with the 2025 Frog in Hand Summer Company. Shelby has spent her time training across Canada with Modus Operandi (BC), DJD (AB), RUBBERBAND (QC), and Toronto based company Kode Red.
Just a few of her performance credits include NIGHT/SHIFT at the Citadel Compagnie, Canada’s Walk of Fame 2023, and choreographing, dancing, and acting in OTRA VEZ, the official music video for artist ESCO (ft. BEBEBOY).
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