BIOGRAPHY
I am Lucie Froehlich, and was born in France in 2003. Since the age of 12, I studied ballet in Montreal, Canada. During Covid, I had the strong need to express myself differently. This interest led me to move to Zurich and complete my bachelor in Contemporary Dance at ZHdK. Dance allows me to connect with myself by the expression of emotions and mind through the body. I have spent the last year as an intern at Theater Plauen-Zwickau. I am excited to keep growing as an artist and the opportunities the future holds.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
It is their closed doors and private language that alienate people, a form of living death occupies our lives. The isolation and inability we have to communicate with each other testify of the society we live in. Closed Doors approaches the loneliness we bear in difficult times is harder than the emotions themselves.
A dance film in collaboration with Minsu Kim. Special thanks to the dancers Veronica Sala,
Davide Gentilini, Jieun Choi, Minsu Kim.
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Tommy Heeffer, born in 2003 in Holland. I started taking my first breakdance classes when I was 11 years old. After that I went to a dance program in high school where I learnt ballet and modern dance techniques. After that I studied at ZhdK for 2 years and right now I’m doing my internship in a Dutch company called Conny Janssen Danst. I love to dance, for me it’s probably the only way to get through life every day. It’s something I need to do and something that I’m very passionate about.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
The video I made is about the creative process. The video is very chaotic, because that’s how it feels for me when I have to create something. I made the video together with my little sister who turned out to be an incredible actress and dancer. We had so much fun creating it and during the process I realized that in the end that is the essence of creating. That it brings you joy. We can make art a very difficult subject with thousands of opinions but in the end it all comes down to having fun whilst creating something. Creating your own world and escaping from the normal world for a while. Since I started to dance professionally I sometimes find myself losing that joy, with this video project I definitely felt joy again. I felt like a little kid playing in his own world. My little sister who’s 11 years old helped me to step into that world again. I hope that the people who will watch this video will also feel like a child again for 7 minutes and hopefully even longer after the video has ended.
BIOGRAPHY
I started ballet lessons at the ripe age of 2, although I am not sure that you can really call that dancing. My Russian family expected me to grow up and evolve into a Vaganova prima ballerina however that is far from the reality. I was slowly introduced to other styles of dance, like jazz, character dance and contemporary dance, of course. However, it wasn't until I started at the ZHdK, in September of 2021, that I really began developing and training in floorwork and contemporary dance styles. Since July of 2023, I am a member of dantzaz, a junior company in Donostia, Spain. I have had the joy of working with choreographers like Alexander Stavropoulos, LED Silhouette, Giovanni Insaudo and Paolo Mohovich. I don't know what my future in the world of dance looks like currently, but I am eager to discover more about myself as an artist along the way.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
In my film project, I aim to explore the relationship between an ageing body and dance. Why is there a negative pressure surrounding older dancers? Why are our bodies defined as older or younger in ways that differ from other social contexts?
I have interviewed 3 dancers, all in their 40’s but who continue to dance, teach and create. I wanted to understand their point of view as an older dancer and to question their own relationships with their bodies, and how this has changed throughout their careers. I have also interviewed a younger dancer, in her 20’s, to get her own opinion from the opposite side of the spectrum. In this film, the message that I hope the audience will receive is that, in this day and age, you can continue to dance without restraints for as long as you feel you can and should, and that this stigma surrounding the topic of ageing dancers should be broken.
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Océane Lhomme, and I am a 23-year-old French artist, deeply immersed in the field of dance and performance. I am currently based in Rotterdam.
In the pursuit of my artistic vision, this year has been marked by a personal exploration. subjectively honest movement, the use of articulation within my body, experimentation with theatrical elements, and cultivating trust with partners.
My journey in dance began at the age of 5, when I first discovered the ballet technique. As my passion for
dance grew, I made the decision to pursue it professionally, leading me to enrol in the National Ballet School of Marseille. However, after two years of training, I felt like opening myself to broader horizons.
Paris gave me an opportunity to immerse myself in contemporary techniques and repertoire in a dance
program at the Theatre des Champs-Elysées.
Following the guidance of a mentor, I started my journey in Stockholm, where I enrolled in the Royal Swedish Ballet School for a year of study. However, because of the Covid-19 pandemic I had to return to France, where I joined the junior company "Elephant in the Black Box" in Pau.
These diverse experiences paved the way for my next chapter at the Zurich University of the Arts, where I
dedicated myself to learn new skills and improve my knowledge in dance. I emerged from university equipped with enough tools to start working as a professional.
For my third year of study, I got the opportunity to work as an apprentice at Scapino Ballet in Rotterdam. Here, I continue to push the boundaries of my artistry and find more and more confidence on stage!
This year, I will graduate of a contemporary dance bachelor.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
A dive into my childhood. A dive into my bedroom. A dive into my memories. In this project, I explore this moment in life where I am lost between aspirations and disillusionments, somewhere between childhood and perpetual adulthood.
I am using my very first camera, with which I filmed everything around me without a specific purpose, to now redefine which elements, objects, things constitute who I am today.
I have found a deep affinity for certain creatures whose symbolism and energy resonate with me. Over time, I've gathered images of them, putting them on my walls. They play a significant role in this project, as they've been important companions throughout my journey of self-discovery over the years.
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Angelina, and I grew up in Geneva. My journey into the world of movement began in my father's garage, where the rhythmic hum of engines and machinery inspired me to explore movement in all its forms.
My fascination with the art of movement first led me to rhythmic gymnastics. However, it is through dance that I found my way. Starting with ballet, I quickly turned to the raw expressivity of contemporary dance.
It was during this exploration that I discovered improvisation - a concept that at first seemed intimidating. Yet as I delved deeper, I felt an intense connection between myself and the art of spontaneous movement. What began as a challenge quickly became a liberating necessity.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
This diploma project explores the complex relationship between dance and my physical well-being, emphasizing both its positive and negative aspects.
Throughout this work I have been captivated by the duality of dance. With scoliosis as a backdrop, dance proves to be not only as a passion, but also an indispensable therapeutic tool. Analysis of the effects of dance on my body reveals a subtle balance between physical exertion, pain management, emotional release and dependence. Dance has thus become a powerful addictive force, essential to my wellbeing.
BIOGRAPHY
I am Sara Pigatto and I was born in Italy in 2000. I’ve been dancing since I was 3, following the steps of my sister. Once I graduated from a Scientific High School I moved to New York City to deepen my training. I attended the International student program at Broadway Dance Center and Gibney. After my time there, I started the Bachelor in Contemporary Dance at Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK). I spent my third year internship at the company DeStile in The Netherlands.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
“Anita” is a short dance film where my poetry and my body meet each other. The video is about what we don’t say, what we swallow and lock up in our stomachs, what makes our voices tremble and our hearts hide. Through six poems, this project is a celebration of fragility with all that living sensitively entails. There’s anxiety on one side and acceptance on the other. Simultaneously, there are no sides: there is stillness in the anxiety and fear in the acceptance. This film is about how, after all, it is still worth it to feel it all.
BIOGRAPHY
I’m Gioia Tartaglia, I was born in Pesaro, Italy. My journey into the world of movement began with rhythmic gymnastics, a passion I pursued until the age of 14 when I decided to start to ballet.
At 17, I moved to Milan to pursue my studies, enrolling at the AIDA dance school.
In 2021, I joined ZHdK, where I explored the expressive realm of contemporary dance, discovering new ways to communicate and connect through movement.
For my last year of university, I embraced the opportunity to be an intern at Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern for the 2023/24 season, gaining valuable insights and experiences along the way.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
The "Natural Dance" project focuses on exploring the intimate relationship between human movement and the natural environment. Through a series of choreographic performances immersed in the wild beauty of nature, we will engage in spontaneous and organic dance that evolves in harmony with the surrounding landscape. With videos capturing artistic expression in natural settings, I aim to convey the beauty and power of the connection between humans and the natural world through the universal language of dance.
BIOGRAPHY
For as long as I can remember, I have always been a creative child. The moment I saw the musical Billy Elliot, a world opened up for me. “This will be my job later!”. From one amateur group to becoming a bit more professional, singing lessons were added and I was eventually accepted to the musical education the Dutch Academy of Performing Arts in The Hague. Here I developed the three disciplines of singing, acting and dancing. I do play Piano, Guitar, write my own lyrics. I dance Contemporary, Classical Ballet, Horton, Jazz, Bob Fosse Style and Show dance and I am not scared about playing scenes.
In 2021 I graduated with a foundation in Musical Theatre. That same year, I was accepted into the Zurich University of The Arts, Bachelor of contemporary dance.
I am Bastiaan Louis, 23 years old. Art is my big inspiration in life, I love the combination of dance, physical theater, theater, literature and music, but also film and photography. It enables me to connect with others and myself. I love the challenge and do enjoy the diverse range, going as wide as possible and searching for interesting possibilities. It attracts me to use space, faces, costumes and a playground and curious atmosphere.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
Have you ever found yourself staring into space, lost in thoughts, images and memories, within your own mind? That moment when you feel detached from this world, slipping into another realm? It’s something I experience often, drifting away and becoming lost in my own thoughts, entangled in memories, images, judgments and confrontations. I get lost in the chaos within my own mind. Yet, when I Improvise, those thoughts, judgements and confrontations momentarily fade into silence… not always…. but occasionally. And when that happens, it is magical.
In my project, I aim to reveal a glimpse of my chaos and thoughts, showcasing beautiful spots in Zürich where I’ve felt a connection, where all that chaos could momentarily subside. I invite you on a journey, perhaps one of recognition and resonance with your own chaos, into my silent chaos “Perdu dans mes pensées.”
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Ricardo Vasquez, and I am a current member of Dantzaz, a junior company in San Sebastian, Spain. As of April 1st I will join the ick cast in Amsterdam as a dancer and In July of 2024, I will also complete my studies at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), receiving my Bachelor's Degree in Contemporary Dance. I've always been a person that is constantly moving so dance has always been a safe place for me. I am interested in continuing to discover new movements and experimenting with dance and my body in different ways.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
In this project, I will delve into the body's movement, investigating the past of each dancer and what have been the impulses and how it aids to form a quality of movement. I would like to know a little of how and where this movement is born and how it is reflected in the aspects of their life. I would like to interview a select group of dancers of different ethnicities who have gone through various dance styles or movement practices and ended up in the same profession. I have chosen 5 people from different backgrounds in order to discover all of this.
You will see in the project how each person may move differently but when they are in a group they connect with each other.
I aim to show how different bodies react to the same piece of music when they are separated and when they are together.
BIOGRAPHY
In the world of art, I see my movement as a blend of diverse styles in a seamless creative flow. Eager to push boundaries alongside my team, I thrive on crafting bold, experimental visuals for audiences. My passion for improvisation took root with Code#9, igniting my artistic voice. Recognition with the 3rd jury prize at MASDANZA fueled my exploration, leading to performances across Berlin, Zurich, and beyond. Honoured to receive the Excellence Scholarship at ZHdK in 2022, I've expanded my artistic journey by integrating insights from mentors and peers.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
"Remembering the Future" is a dance piece that delves into the intricacies of memory, time, and the collective experiences that shape our identities.
Through the fusion of physical and mental memories, the performance challenges the conventional understanding of time, suggesting a non-linear and even non-existent perspective. It explores the interplay between individual and collective memories, questioning the very nature of memory and its influence on our perception of the future.
BIOGRAPHY
I am Soraya Leila a Swiss-Moroccan performer choreographer based in Zürich.
I completed my studies in contemporary dance at CFPArts Geneva (2014), at SEAD Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance (2017) and a master's degree in choreography at ZHdK (2024). My dance career includes engagements and collaborations with renowned choreographers and companies such as Archipelago, Cie 7273, Humanhood, Theater Pforzheim, Compagnie Mafalda, Horizon Vertical and many more. I am also the rehearsal director and choreographic assistant of Cie O. and guest choreographer for the next production of the up-and-coming company Cie WILD LIFE. Since 2023 I have been exploring the theme of female pleasure in my choreographic work and in 2023/24 I am a TanzPlan Ost Associated Artist with my full length piece TURN ON.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
Vanilla Baby! - a bold and witty exploration of pleasure and intimacy between bodies and grappling dummies. By questioning the dichotomy of human and non-human and a play of embodiment and disembodiment, the lines get blurred between subjects and objects, reality and performance, organic and artificial, public and private, play and fight. It’s journey into the unpredictable and a fluid search of the in-between spaces in which one can exist, express and be. Vanilla Baby! – it's time to feel alive.
BIOGRAPHY
Born in 1992, with a penchant for creativity, my journey led me through varied experiences
before discovering my passion for dance. Prior to my immersion in movement, I found fulfillment
as a chocolatier, relishing the hands-on process of crafting tangible delights. However, an
underlying desire to mold movement and emotion eventually drew me into the world of dance.
After studying dance in the US and transitioning from chocolatier to dancer-choreographer, I
found my rhythm choreographing and dancing with Metamorphic Dance, exploring the interplay
between movement and storytelling. This journey continued as I assumed roles as both dancer
and rehearsal director for Moving Spirits in Charlotte, NC, refining my skills and artistic vision.
Motivated by a desire to deepen my understanding of choreography and the tools used in its
creation, I pursued a Master's degree at the ZHDK. Here I have had the opportunity to uncover
the nuances of my creative voice and learn ways to share my approach to creation with future
generations of dancers and choreographers.
In each endeavor, whether crafting chocolates or choreographing a dance, I find fulfillment in
the act of sculpting something intricate out of raw materials. With hands that have shaped both
chocolate and movement, I continue to carve my path, guided by a steadfast passion for
expression and a commitment to passing on the joy found in the act of creation.
DIPLOMAPROJECT
Rituals, rites, and ceremonies serve as integral cultural markers, shaping societies and
subgroups across the globe. While often deeply rooted in tradition and symbolism, the
essence of movement within these practices raises intriguing questions about the
nature of purpose and meaning. In this project, I embark on a journey to investigate the
possibility of movement devoid of inherent significance, aiming to challenge
conventional notions surrounding ritualistic behavior.
My research delves into the universal presence of rituals and ceremonies, transcending
boundaries of culture and religion. I seek to unravel the communal purpose underlying
these practices and explore the ways in which movement shapes our collective identity.
By examining the mating dances of birds and drawing parallels with human rituals, I aim
to shed light on the fundamental essence of movement, stripped of cultural context and
symbolism.
Central to this exploration is the creation of a rite void of explicit purpose—a
choreographic endeavor aimed at celebrating movement for movement's sake. Through
meticulous study and analysis of avian mating rituals and human ceremonial practices, I
seek to transcribe the innate movements of birds onto the human form. This process
involves decoding the recurring pathways and shapes inherent in both natural and
man-made rituals, drawing inspiration from the seamless integration of movement and
instinct observed in the animal kingdom.
By juxtaposing the purposeful movements of animals with the spectacle of human
performance, I aim to provoke thought and challenge preconceived notions about the
significance of ritualistic behavior. Through this interdisciplinary exploration, I seek to
engage with broader questions surrounding the nature of meaning, identity, and
expression in both human and non-human realms.