Advisory Committee
Dr.Sharon Phelan
Dr. Sharon Phelan is a lecturer in Performing Arts and Cultural Theory at Munster Technological University. She has delivered and published academic work internationally, contributing significantly to the fields of dance, cultural studies, and arts education. Her 2014 book, Dance in Ireland: Steps, Stages and Stories, demonstrates her deep engagement with Irish dance and its evolving cultural context. Her current research interests include supervising postgraduate research in the arts, developing online dance education modules, and completing a new book that explores cultural change in Ireland. Before entering academia,Dr. Phelan performed professionally
Dr.Sharon Phelan
Dr. Sharon Phelan is a lecturer in Performing Arts and Cultural Theory at Munster Technological University. She has delivered and published academic work internationally, contributing significantly to the fields of dance, cultural studies, and arts education. Her 2014 book, Dance in Ireland: Steps, Stages and Stories, demonstrates her deep engagement with Irish dance and its evolving cultural context. Her current research interests include supervising postgraduate research in the arts, developing online dance education modules, and completing a new book that explores cultural change in Ireland. Before entering academia,Dr. Phelan performed professionally with Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, and held the role of Artistic Director at the Ionad Cultúrtha in Ballyvourney, County Cork. She has also taught at second level and worked as a full-time facilitator with the Department of Education and Officer with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), where she played a key role in implementing the Leaving Certificate Applied. Most recently, Dr. Phelan presented at the International Dance Symposium at Oxford University and developed the first Cultural Studies and Traditional Performing Arts course for second level students in collaboration with the NCCA
with Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, and held the role of Artistic Director at the Ionad Cultúrtha in Ballyvourney, County Cork. She has also taught at second level and worked as a full-time facilitator with the Department of Education and Officer with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), where she played a key role in implementing the Leaving Certificate Applied. Most recently, Dr. Phelan presented at the International Dance Symposium at Oxford University and developed the first Cultural Studies and Traditional Performing Arts course for second level students in collaboration with the NCCA
Bryony Kummer-Seddon
Bryony May Kummer-Seddon is a lecturer, artist, and theatre practitioner. She is currently undertaking a PhD in Performing Arts at the University of Lincoln. She has taught theatre design internationally and has previously presented on this topic at the Prague Quadrennial. Previously, the Head of the Technical Theatre Department at Edna Manley College (Jamaica), she helped arrange the 2017 Rex Nettleford International Conference. Coming from a foundation of design and experimental performance, her practice has expanded into the areas of history, heritage, and dance. Inspired by her
Bryony Kummer-Seddon
Bryony May Kummer-Seddon is a lecturer, artist, and theatre practitioner. She is currently undertaking a PhD in Performing Arts at the University of Lincoln. She has taught theatre design internationally and has previously presented on this topic at the Prague Quadrennial. Previously, the Head of the Technical Theatre Department at Edna Manley College (Jamaica), she helped arrange the 2017 Rex Nettleford International Conference. Coming from a foundation of design and experimental performance, her practice has expanded into the areas of history, heritage, and dance. Inspired by her personal experience of dancing the maypole as a child, maypole traditions are now her primary research focus. At present, her principal area of study is her thesis, which is entitled: Maypole Dancing as Microcosm: Performing Politics, Moralities and Identities in Seventeenth Century England.
personal experience of dancing the maypole as a child, maypole traditions are now her primary research focus. At present, her principal area of study is her thesis, which is entitled: Maypole Dancing as Microcosm: Performing Politics, Moralities and Identities in Seventeenth Century England.
Dr.Ravibandhu Vidhyapathi
Ravibandhu Vidyapathy is the elder son of Kalasoori Somabandhu Vidyapathy, renowned temple painter, sculptor and SriLanka’s pioneering costume and stage set designer for dance and ballet; and Malathi Algama, reputed Kandyan Dancer and the daughter of great dance Guru, Algama Kiriganitha. Ravibandhu studied traditional Kandyan dance under the legandary dancers Chitrasena and Vajira, and traditional drumming under renowned percussionist, Guru Piyasara Shilpadhipathi. He is also an acclaimed Kathakali
Dr.Ravibandhu Vidhyapathi
Ravibandhu Vidyapathy is the elder son of Kalasoori Somabandhu Vidyapathy, renowned temple painter, sculptor and SriLanka’s pioneering costume and stage set designer for dance and ballet; and Malathi Algama, reputed Kandyan Dancer and the daughter of great dance Guru, Algama Kiriganitha. Ravibandhu studied traditional Kandyan dance under the legandary dancers Chitrasena and Vajira, and traditional drumming under renowned percussionist, Guru Piyasara Shilpadhipathi. He is also an acclaimed Kathakali dancer and an alumni of the prestigeous Kerala Kala Mandalam, India. Ravibandhu studied classical music under the guidance of Ustad David Appuhamy in India, and Shri P. V. Nandasiri in Sri Lanka. As a senior dancer, percussionist, designer and choreographer, Ravibandhu currently holds the Chairmanship of the State Dance and Ballet Panel in Sri Lanka.
dancer and an alumni of the prestigeous Kerala Kala Mandalam, India. Ravibandhu studied classical music under the guidance of Ustad David Appuhamy in India, and Shri P. V. Nandasiri in Sri Lanka. As a senior dancer, percussionist, designer and choreographer, Ravibandhu currently holds the Chairmanship of the State Dance and Ballet Panel in Sri Lanka.
Dr.S.A.N.Perera
Dr Amali Nisansala Perera is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Performing Arts specialized in Indian dance at the Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka Currently serves as Head of the Department. She received her B.P.A in dance from Bhatkhande Music University, Lucknow, India, and her M.Mus. with a Gold medal and Ph.D in dance from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. She is a versatile dancer and excellent choreographer with 25 years of professional experience with 8 years of university teaching experience. She is also proficient in Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, and Sri Lankan traditional
Dr.S.A.N.Perera
Dr Amali Nisansala Perera is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Performing Arts specialized in Indian dance at the Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka Currently serves as Head of the Department. She received her B.P.A in dance from Bhatkhande Music University, Lucknow, India, and her M.Mus. with a Gold medal and Ph.D in dance from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. She is a versatile dancer and excellent choreographer with 25 years of professional experience with 8 years of university teaching experience. She is also proficient in Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, and Sri Lankan traditional dances. She is particularly interested in the field of qualitative research in classical dance, contemporary dance, historical approaches to dance and modern dance techniques in India and Sri Lanka.
dances. She is particularly interested in the field of qualitative research in classical dance, contemporary dance, historical approaches to dance and modern dance techniques in India and Sri Lanka.
Dulanga Gunarathna
Dulanga Gunarathna is currently a Senior Lecturer II in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. She is an esteemed academic and artist specializing in Sri Lankan traditional dance and dance culture. Since she was appointed a senior lecturer in 2017, Dulanga has made significant contributions to the advancement of dance education at the university level through her work in teaching, research, choreography, and curriculum development.
Dulanga Gunarathna
Dulanga Gunarathna is currently a Senior Lecturer II in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. She is an esteemed academic and artist specializing in Sri Lankan traditional dance and dance culture. Since she was appointed a senior lecturer in 2017, Dulanga has made significant contributions to the advancement of dance education at the university level through her work in teaching, research, choreography, and curriculum development. Dulanga holds a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Performing Arts (Dance) from the University of Kelaniya, awarded in 2015, where her research focused on ancient dance and drumming styles in Sri Lanka. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts with First Class Honors in 2008 from the same institution. Additionally, her academic portfolio includes diplomas in Choreography and Bharatanatyam from institutions in Sri Lanka and India, along with several certifications in research methodology and staff development, demonstrating her commitment to continuous professional growth.
Dulanga holds a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Performing Arts (Dance) from the University of Kelaniya, awarded in 2015, where her research focused on ancient dance and drumming styles in Sri Lanka. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts with First Class Honors in 2008 from the same institution. Additionally, her academic portfolio includes diplomas in Choreography and Bharatanatyam from institutions in Sri Lanka and India, along with several certifications in research methodology and staff development, demonstrating her commitment to continuous professional growth.