Les Daniel is one of the true veteran performers in indigenous dance in Australia today; he has a Torres Strait background mixed with Aboriginal bloodline. Les has connections from many of the islands in the Torres Strait including Murray & Darnley Islands from his mother’s side, and Yam Island from his Father’s side, with bloodlines to Aboriginal owned islands like Frazer and Thursday Islands. Les graduated in 1993 with NAISDA and was an original member & founder of the Ngaru Aboriginal & Islander Dance Company (now Descendance) in 1993. Les is a versatile performer covering dance, song, and instrument in both Torres Strait Island and Aboriginal culture. Les has also worked in many contemporary cross cultural projects such as Flamenco Dreaming and To India with Love, Les was nominated at the 2006 Deadly Awards in the best dancer category.
RESUME WITH DESCENDANCE AND JOSE CALARCO
Aboriginal Business Awards Sydney Town Hall.
Tribal Warrior Sydney Cruises cultural performances.
Descendance/Ngaru in (Sydney/Australia): completing Corporate work, International Conventions, Schools, Community Work, Radio Work, Festivals, Jails, Cruise Liners, Workshops, Galleries, Theatre, Museums, Expos, TV, Political Events, Recording, Humanitarian projects for UNESCO and assignments for The Australian Government.
Nominated for a Deadly Award Sept 2006 Opera House.
Germany and France Tour (June) Two major World Events first The Soccer World cup, followed by The International Indigenous Forum in Pau (South of France).
Tours New Zealand , for Australia Week, (Mar) performances in Wellington and Auckland co coordinated by Tourism Australia.
Artist in residence at Disney World Florida for 6 weeks with Descendance at the International Food and Wine fair at The Epcot Centre Descendance wins best show for the annual event 2004-2005.
Descendance in New Zealand, this tour was sponsored by Air New Zealand, Descendance performed at The Oz Talk conference at Auckland Showground and performed for the traditional land owners of Auckland, the Ngati Whatua Ki Orakei.
Descendance in Russia (May) Aus-trade completed over 20 major events including opening the great Moscow Circus, performing at the Bolshoi Theatre.
Descendance at The Dreaming Festival Woodford (July) the Inaugural three day festival of the countries leading indigenous acts. Descendance Torres Strait providing one of the Festivals highlights.
Descendance wins the First Cultural style Olympics in Seoul Korea (Sep) at The World Culture Open sponsored by UNESCO.
Tours London with Descendance for the International Travel Expo representing Aboriginal Tourism Australia.
Hungary Tour Descendance, his performed at 35 major festivals, and made 8 major TV appearances and was the team leader for the tour.
Sydney Dreaming” The Rhoda Roberts epic indigenous showcase.
With Descendance at The Rugby Union World Cup opening ceremony, Olympic Stadium with an estimated TV audience of one billion persons.
Tour of Italy with Red Centre dreaming show, promoting Descendance Alice Springs residency.
Artist in residency at The NSW Art Gallery.
Was part of Naroo Dance Companies tour of Taiwan, China and Japan,with Aboriginal legends Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, over 30 performances.
“To India with Love” Reuben is part of the indigenous tribute to India at Sydney’s Town Hall, the concert was held for the 50th anniversary of India’s liberation from British sovereignty, the show also explored fusion work in dance and music with other traditional cultures, the show was presented Jose Calarco , Air India, and the Government of India.
Japan tour with Ngaru Dance Company.