Our Members are The people at the heart of Opening Doors.
We are proud to support over 35 members in their performing arts journey. From those who take part to make their voices heard to those pursuing the arts professionally, opening doors works as an ally to ensure that training is accessible and that performing opportunities are being created in the local arts scene. our members bring a wide range of talent, interests and ambitions. We work alongside them as artists and collaborators.
If you’re interested in working with or commissioning an artist, please get in touch.
Denise Camilleri: Denise, 38, has been a long-standing member of Opening Doors and joined its Board of Directors in 2025, representing colleagues and Theatre 2 Group. Passionate about performing arts since childhood, she trained in ballet, acted in a TV series, and regularly performs in ODA productions, including one in Leeds. Educated at San Anton School, she holds an ECDL certificate. Her hobbies include pottery, music, theatre, and football.
Angela Bettoni: Angela is a dancer/actor, writer and advocate with Down Syndrome, whose work bridges artistic practice, disability advocacy, and international collaboration. She holds a BA in Creative Arts (MCAST, dissertation: Representation for people with learning disabilities in the performing arts in Malta). She has an Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts (MCAST) and Diploma in Community Access for Disabled People (University of Malta). Her artistic development includes international training and/or performing opportunities in Berlin, Colombo, Venice, Vienna, London, Sweden and Greece.
Essien Mifsud: Essien was born on 14 October 2005. He really enjoys spending time with his friends and family, going out together, and creating good memories. Music and musical theatre are a big part of who he is. He has been part of Opening Doors for the last few years, where he has learned a lot, grown in confidence, and discovered new talents. He enjoys learning new skills, taking on new challenges, and continuing to grow both personally and creatively.
Nigel Tanti: Nigel is 20 years old and not very communicative. He loves music, art. He is friendly and happy-go-lucky. His inspiration is music. He loves to do things he enjoys and is facilitated for the beginning until he gets the routine.
Jordan Farrugia: Jordan is 22 years old. He has a strong passion for music, with Queen being his favourite band, and he especially loves singing songs by Freddie Mercury. He also has a deep appreciation for art and photography. He enjoys socialising and going out to eat, with carbonara being his favourite pasta dish. In addition, he loves travelling, learning about different cultures, and exploring new languages.
Justin Spiteri: Justin is currently attending the theatre group within Opening Doors and has performed in numerous ŻiguŻajg performances.
Daniel Dimech: Daniel is 20 years old and attends the Wardija Resource Centre. He listens to music daily and his favourite local singer is Aidan Cassar. He loves rock music and his favourite band is “Queen”. Listening to music makes him feel calm and happy. He loves dancing and acting and he is happy to be on stage. During his free time he also loves to do diamond painting and design cards and has a big collection of greeting cards.
Karl Florian: Karl is 21 years old and is currently attending the dance group within Opening Doors.
Matteo Valentino: Matteo is 18 years old. He is sociable and loves meeting people and making new friends. He enjoys the Arts, be it in music, painting and dance. He likes to be active and on the go. Swimming and basketball have always been something he enjoys. Matteo is a very determined young man although he has a neurological condition. The Performing Arts help Matteo express himself that is so beneficial for his well being and it's something he definitely enjoys doing.
Sylvana Cassar: Sylvana Cassar is 48 years old and lives in Qormi. She started dancing with Alison White when still very young. She obtained certificates in Classical Ballet, Tap Dancing and Contemporary Dance. She joined Opening Doors Dance Group and is now taking Level 2 Ballet and Dance . She enjoys the classes and always looks forward to the annual end of year performance. Sylvana has made new friends since joining Opening Doors and regularly takes part in all activities organised for members.
Peter Fenech: Peter was born in 1989 and joined Opening Doors’ dance group in 2013. His weekly dance training includes creative dance and ballet. Peter has trained with several established teachers and continues to develop his strong, raw, energetic personal movement style. He has collaborated on a number of artistic projects with several local established performers. Peter was one of the dance performers in the production, ‘Is-Siġra tat-Tin’. Since 2021, Peter has been performing with a mixed abilities group in annual shows during the ŻiguŻajg Festival.
Mark Zammit Cutajar: Mark Zammit Cutajar was born on 2nd November 1991. He has been part of Special Olympics Malta for the past 20 years and has taken part in two World Games in China and Greece and also some European games both at which he has won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in swimming events. He is still part of team Malta and trains regularly. He has been part of Opening Doors for around 10 years and has also taken part in two ŻiguŻajg productions and a production called Snowglobe.
Hannah Micallef: Hannah Micallef is 23 and a multi-talented artist and proud self-advocate representing the Down’s Syndrome community. She trained for 10 years with Masquerade Malta, earning Level 3 Acting and Level 7 Musical Theatre Trinity of London certificates. Since 2021, she’s trained with Opening Doors in drama and dance, performing in Notte Bianca (2024). She sings with La Voix Studios, placing second in a 2025 competition in Macedonia, and trains in acro dance. She’s also a visual artist with her recent Christmas Market debut selling out.
Maria Gauci: Maria Gauci began her training at age six, studying Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Spanish dance. In 2014, she joined the Opening Doors Association, expanding into Contemporary dance and international festivals. A 2018 Artivisti awardee, Maria specialized in musical theatre and professional collaborations. Since 2020, she has been a regular performer at the ŻiguŻajg Festival, featuring in productions like Planet Much N’ Stuff. Her collaborative dance film, Meet Me, achieved international acclaim, screening at Mexico’s prestigious FIDanzCa festival.
David Bezzina