Meet the team

NELLIE SHEPHERD is probably "the best children's party designer" in the country and she certainly does have the experience and clients to warrant this title. Nellie is an author, West End actress and art designer, she has 6 books published by Penguin’s DK - My Art Class, My Animal Art Class, My Puppet Art Class, My Picture Art Class, My Christmas Art Class and My Party Art Class. Nellie’s books are international and have sold in over 15 countries and translated into many languages.

In 2004 Nellie Shepherd became Madonna’s party designer and MC; designing, organizisng and running the launch party for Madonna’s first children’s book, “The English Roses”, at The Roof Gardens Kensington and has been designing for some of the famous people in the world ever since. Her events are considered second to none and everyone who attends them is enchanted. Nellie has run over 2000 children’s designer art parties to date. Every week she creates more and more, with every theme imaginable.

********************************

 ALESSANDRA TORTONE was born in Turin, Italy, in 1979 and graduated in 1998 fromthe Techinical Accounting Institute of Turin. In 2000 Alessandra established herself as a freelance artist and attended numerous courses covering drawing, painting, and fresco restoration working largely in the Costa Smeralda region of Sardinia where she produced many frescos and paintings in restaurants, bars and private villas.

In 2006 Alessandra moved to London and has continued to work as a self employed artist specialising in murals, frescos and window designs for private and commercial clients. Since 2010 Alessandra has been an essential member of Nellie’s team creating and designing sets and murals for celebrity and VIP clients.

********************************

ALEX BERRY is a professional musician having graduated with a First Class Degree from The Royal Northern College of Music in 2009. Alex is an enthusiastic artist and has exhibited work in numerous galleries including The Royal College of Art and Dulwich Picture Gallery, London and Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. She has a wealth of teaching experience in both music and art, and particularly adores working with children and enthusing them to enjoy the arts.

Alex joined Nellie’s London 10 in July 2011.

********************************

ANDREW CHARLTON qualified with a Double First and D.Phil in Physics from Oxford University before accepting a NATO fellowship to study in Boulder, Colorado. Having established a successful international laser business, Andrew was recruited to the ‘Nellie Team’ in 2007 and has contributed to the fabulous success of the brand with a special emphasis on blending science with art.

Andrew is also responsible for all accounting functions within Nellie’s organisation.

********************************
BRYONY DUNNE was born in Dublin where she qualified in ‘interior design and architecture’. Bryony has a wealth of experience gained from a wide and eclectic mix of projects including: working on a cowboy ranch; conserving leatherback sea turtles; event decorations at festivals and parties; costume design for films; and running drama workshops for children.

This breadth of experience and boundless energy are essential pre-requisites for all of Nellie’s London 10 and Bryony is a welcome addition to the team from August 2011.

********************************
DANI RAYNOR is an established performer and musician, having been a finalist in the live shows of BBC1s ‘Over the Rainbow’, the search for a Dorothy in the West End’s ‘Wizard of Oz’, in 2010. She has worked extensively in theatre, at venues such as the O2 Arena London and the magnificent Liverpool Empire, and is additionally an Associate of the Trinity College London. Dani has worked for various events and party companies, and has a great passion for photography, art, craft, and design. She loves working for the wonderful Nellie’s Parties as she can combine all these hobbies whilst having lots of fun by introducing the arts to children.

Dani is currently studying English Language and Literature at Kings College London

********************************

EMILY RAVENSCROFT is a key member of Nellie’s team, usually working at head office on the administration and organisation of all of our children’s parties. Emily’s previous experience includes corporate events, catering, weddings and birthdays within a wide range of venues ranging from restaurants to the international exhibition centre in Manchester. Emily is passionate about business and events and recently reached the final stages of ‘The Apprentice’ auditions.

Emily is currently studying Events Management at Sheffield Hallam University

********************************

FRAN LAWRENCE is the most recent member of Nellie's team, personally assisting Nellie and taking care of administration, organisation and distribution for all events. Fran is also an artist in her own right and produces many of the murals which form the centrepiece of Nellie’s parties. Fran has previously worked on a wide variety of events at Sheffield Hallam University where she is studying Events Management.
 
Fran is currently on a 12 month work placement and will next year return to Sheffield to complete her degree.

********************************

JO HIRST has a degree in Events Management from Sheffield University graduating in 2009. Jo is a talented singer, qualifying for the second round of the ‘X’ factor in 2010 and her experience includes running and organising: Children’s Talent Competitions; Charity Balls; Children’s parties; Corporate Events; Celebrity Functions and much more. Jo has worked for Nellie’s since 2010 assisting in the design and creation of numerous Art Parties and bringing her own creative flair and passion to everything she does.

In June 2011 Jo moved to London to join Nellie’s London 10.

********************************

JO RAYNER trained as an actress at Drama Centre London and, since graduating almost 3 years ago, has worked extensively in events and with children through drama and arts. As well as working for Nellie's, Jo works on a freelance basis for Stagecoach Theatre Arts, Jigsaw Arts and ACTdrama and occasionally assists with high profile parties for Quintessentially Events. Jo loves working with kids and her aim is to have the maximum amount of fun and see as many smiling faces as possible!

Away from her event work, Jo works as an actress and has appeared at the Bush, Shakespeare's Globe and National Theatre Studio. She recently played Jody Peters in BBC's 'Doctors' and has several films due for release in 2012.

********************************

LIZ STOPPARD has a bachelors degree in fine art specializing in painting, both traditional and contemporary. Liz has worked as a freelance artist and designer for 15 years, and been involved in various works ranging from teaching arts and painting murals, through to designing stone buildings and saving old field barns in Derbyshire. Liz has a passion for saving beautiful historic landscapes and has won numerous prizes and awards. She has regularly featured in radio, magazine and tv interviews, resulting in a private lunch at Chatsworth House with the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, a keen supporter of Liz’s work.

Liz has worked with Nellie since 2006 and loves to create a magical space for children which enables them to be imaginative and freely express their inner creativity, bringing murals alive within Nellie’s fabulous wonderlands.

********************************

MELISSA FIELDING is currently studying Fine Arts at London University of the Arts. Melissa is widely experienced working with children both in the UK and overseas, where she has organised and run art classes, taught music, and worked in a children's hospital.

Melissa joined Nellie’s London 10 in July 2011.

********************************

PEGGY ATHERTON is a graduate from the London Royal College of Art, has been curating and exhibiting since 1996, and has exhibited nationally and internationally with famous artists including Damian Hirst and Yoko Ono. Peggy has established herself as a well known London based artist who works in a wide variety of materials including bronze, rubber and porcelain. Her work is canny, sensitive and glamorous and ranges in scale from the miniscule to the enormous

Peggy recently received a Marble Hill House commission with Arts and Heritage. Currently she is a senior lecturer in Sculpture at The University of Westminster, she also lectures at Christies in London, and occasionally agrees to create at Nellie’s most exclusive events.

********************************

SEBASTIAN THOMPSON is a qualified engineer with a wealth of experience working with children, helping to organize and run Nellie’s parties. Sebastian has been part of the ‘Nellie Team’ since 1999 and is a firm favourite with the boys at all of our events.

Sebastian is now a key member of Nellie’s London 10 artists.

********************************

SOPHIE CARMICHAEL graduated with a drama degree from Exeter University in 2007, and has appeared in numerous screen and stage productions for the BBC and the Theatre Royal, Bath. Sophie has travelled widely, been actively involved in penguin conservation work, and is currently co-developing an original stage play, soon to be released on the London fringe circuit.

Sophie’s work with children and young people has included: delivering workshops in schools with Bigfoot Arts Education; running storytelling and drama classes; and since early 2011 assisting at Nellie’s celebrity and VIP events.

********************************

PHILIPPA LANGDON, is a new member to the Nellie team, working at head office. Philippa’s has a range of previous experience including working with Sheffield City Council on Sheffield’s Children’s Festival and Brisfest. The qualities she has gained from these experiences is translated in her dynamism at Nellie’s.

Philippa is currently on a 6 month work placement and will next year return to Sheffield to complete her degree.

 ********************************