Janessa Dufty is of Australian and Filipino heritage, she grew up in Yamba, a small coastal town in Northern New South Wales. Janessa started dancing at the age of 5 at the Adele Lewis School of Dance, and it was during her time there she discovered her passion for the arts. She received a scholarship to attend the Queensland Dance School of Excellence where she finished her senior studies and gained her Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal Award. While in Brisbane she also performed in the Queensland Ballet’s production of Excalibur, directed by Francois Klaus.

At the age of 18 she continued her dance development at the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD), majoring in Contemporary. After completing her diploma at the NZSD, Janessa then joined New Zealand’s acclaimed Black Grace Dance Company. She performed in numerous works created by Artistic Director/Choreographer Neil Ieremia which included Amata, Human Language, and War Brides. During her 2 years with Black Grace she toured internationally to the U.S.A, Canada, Noumea, Australia and throughout New Zealand.

Janessa joined Sydney Dance Company in 2009. She has performed in Rafael Bonachela’s we unfold (2009-2011); 360° (2009); 6 Breaths (2010-2011); LANDforms (2011); and The Land of Yes & The Land of No (2011). She has also worked with guest choreographers on New Breed (2009); Sid’s Waltzing Masquerade (Aszure Barton, 2009); Mercury (Kenneth Kvarnstrom, 2009); and Satisfying Musical Moments (Emanuel Gat, 2010). In November/December 2011, Janessa was part of the highly acclaimed tour of Between Breath & Form to New York, Barcelona and London.