My Master Thesis looks at ways in which dance companies can streamline their working methods, organising more efficient and effective rehearsals for preserving the art of dance as a catalyst of emotional and narrative thought, as well as developing a pleasant and productive working environment. It presents a case study based on the work of George Balanchine with the New York City Ballet. The techniques he used as a teacher and ballet master will be evidenced. It looks at ways the ballet master can deliver the maximum amount of information in a minimum amount of time and to make sure that the information is applied and retained by the dancers.
The case study is based on the analysis of footage and resources in which dancers trained by George Balanchine present their experience of working with him and display their interest in finding ways to transfer the knowledge onto new generations. To offer a perspective, these examples are placed under the lenses of a theoretical framework of analysis composed by recent research in the field of education and applied to the professional dance context. Recent research in the field of pedagogy will be applied to the professional dance context and will highlight the way in which motivation, praise and feedback strategies facilitate skill acquisition and enhance performance.It becomes evident how the implementation of a dancer-focused approach, supplemented by feedback methods and the use of imagery contributes to the establishment of an efficient working environment, contributing to proficient rehearsals.
Working as a rehearsal director is both a logistical and creative challenge, where efficiency is essential for the development of the craft. I will be looking at the tools and techniques one can reach out to, for facilitating the rehearsal process. This ensures a proficient final product in an environment that focuses on the dancer. I considered the notion of a dancer-centred paradigm defined by Sarah Knox and explore it into the realm of the rehearsal process. In my research, I found very limited literature discussing the position of a rehearsal director, and even less discussing the complex nature of the rehearsal director’s role. The context of this study can reveal the intricate nature of the rehearsal process, as well as the diversity of the roles and experiences between dancers and rehearsal directors.
After working as a professional dancer for 24 years I felt the desire to fully embrace my other passions: Choreography.
In August 2020 I started a new chapter in my life in which my own creativity continues guiding me on a journey of stabilising my own choreographic voice and getting inspired by the artists that crosses my path, developing a dialogue that culminates in something honest and unique.
The MA Choreography at the ZHdK came into my life as a place to experiment, to connect and to expand my curiosity and gave me valuable tools that I will cary along my journey.
In January 2024 I am happy to start a new important role as the Artistic Director of Tanz & Kunst Königsfelden.
DIPLOMA PROJECT
Between you and me and…
For my Final Master Project wanted to explore the creative work as a
collaboration between me and the artists involved.
- To understand what my role as a choreographer is in a
collaborative process.
- To analyse how movement created by the dancers can be
translated into my own choreographic voice/signature.
- To examine my own process of finding the ownership of the piece.
- To expose my creativity through my artistic decisions of what is
originally created by others.
- To move away from my usual way of choreographing in order to
understand if this would become another way for me to work in
the future.
Ich bin Tänzerin, Tanzpädagogin, Choreografin und Mutter und lebe in Zürich. Tanz ist mein Mittel, mit der Welt zu kommunizieren. Ich unterrichte Kindertanz und leite in unterschiedlichen Kontexten Trainings für professionelle Tänzer:innen. Ich bin Mitglied von «Kollektiv F» aus Bern. Wir kreieren Stücke für ein junges Publikum und waren associated artist der Dampfzentrale Bern von 2017-2019. Ich interessiere mich für Formen eines gleichberechtigten Miteinanders, für soziale Codes in Körperarchiven und für künstlerische Formate, die physische Realitäten nebeneinander sichtbar
machen.
DIPLOMPROJEKT
«Die Idee findet ihren Weg»
Wann ist ein Kollektiv überhaupt ein Kollektiv und mit welchen Methoden gelingt kreatives Schaffen im Kollektiv? «Die Idee findet ihren Weg» ist eine Toolbox, ausgestattet mit einem Handbuch, einem Spielkarten-Set und
Joker-Karten. Gruppen, die sich zu einem kollektiv formieren oder sich mit kollektiven Vorgehen auseinandersetzen wollen, können sich im Spiel konkreten Situationen aus dem Alltag eines Tanzkollektives stellen und treffen darin gemeinsam Entscheidungen. Das Spielkarten-Set versteht sich als Gesprächsleitfaden und hilft, zu den Kernfragen des eigenen Kollektives vorzudringen.
My name is Valentina Rodenghi and I come from Milan, Italy. When I was 16 years old, I left Milan to start my professional dance journey. I got my first dance experience in the Offjazz Junior Company in Nice, where I obtained the EAT diploma (Examen d'Aptitude Technique) in contemporary dance. From 2019, I was part of Dance Area's Area Jeune Ballet in Geneva. Since 2020, I have been studying at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) to obtain the Bachelor degree in Contemporary Dance.
As my internship for my bachelor in contemporary dance, I joined the TANZKOMPANIE THEATER ST. GALLEN under the artistic direction of Kinsun Chan, in the season 2022/23. I danced in choreographies by Mauro Astolfi, Francesca Frassinelli, Kinsun Chan, Julian Nicosia, Giovanni Insaudo, Nadav Zelner, Dunja Jocic, Alba Castillo, Antonin Rioche, Luca Signoretti, Marine Besnard, Blenard Azizaj and Tiago Manquinho, among others.
In parallel to my dance career, I obtained a sport management university diploma (in distance learning) at the Université Claude Bernard, Lyon.
DIPLOMA PROJECT
«a moment of honesty»
“a moment of honesty” is a project that investigates the meaning of honesty on stage.
In performances, dancers very often need to deal with their current emotions and detach from them, in order to transmit the ideas of the choreographers. What happens when they have the possibility and freedom to open themselves up to the audience and share something about themselves?
The project is a composition of improvisations where the two dancers (Dustin Eliot and Valentina Rodenghi) gave themselves the task of being themselves with their emotional states, together, in a space, without any wish of wanting to show off their dance. Personal voice recordings are incorporated.
The goal of this project was to allow ourselves to be honest and vulnerable and to let the audience enter in our personal “spaces”, as well as into our honest approach between each other, so that the spectators might feel emotionally involved, touched and perhaps even identify themselves within this project.
My name is Giovanna Doria, I was born in Congo and raised in Milano, Italy where I received my first dance lessons. At the age of 16, I decided to move to Switzerland to complete my professional training at the Ballettschule Theater Basel. After graduating in 2020 I felt that I was not fully complete as a dancer and the curiosity of being able to combine my ballet technique with contemporary to the best of my abilities led me to the desire to pursue a bachelor’s degree in contemporary dance at the Zurich University of Arts. For my last year at the university, I joined Ballet Theater Basel as an intern for the season 2022/23. Throughout my education and dance career, I have danced works by Andonis Foniadakis, Edward Clug, Nadav Zelner, Pontus Lidberg, Dunja Jocic, Bryan Arias, Joost Vrouenraets, Iratxe Ansa & Igor Bacovich Craig Davidson, among others.
DIPLOMA PROJECT
FASHIONABLY FLUID
How Dance and Fashion Influence Each Other? The dance project is related to fashion in dance, particularly to ""Pina
Bausch,"" one of the world's most important dancers and choreographers
and the mother of the Tanztheater. Pina was not only an influence in terms
of dance, but also in the world of fashion, because of her fashion ideal, her
vision of costume, her thoughts, and the influence she has left in the
present day.
«The costumes of the Tanztheater are interesting as they present the dancers mainly as normal people - in dresses, suits, high heels and everyday shoes - as opposed to those who perform in traditional tights and dancers.»
Using choreography, costumes, music and location the film could highlight the ways in which fashion influenced Pina Bausch and vice versa. It could also deepen the cultural and social significance of fashion in dance, from traditional folk dances to contemporary styles. In the end, this video could inspire audiences to consider the role of fashion in dance and the impact it has on our world.
My name is Veronica Scanferla and I come from Venice, Italy.
I’m currently working with Stadttheater Bremerhaven as an internship position to complete my Bachelor in Contemporary dance in Zurich University Of The Arts. I did my first education in Milan at Accademia Kataklò where I had the chance to grow blending dance and acrobatic skills at the same time. As a dancer I like to be challenged with different qualities of movement and also combining my acrobatic background with wide and flowing movements.
DIPLOMA PROJECT
«COSMOS WITHIN CHAOS»
The contrast between chaos and cosmos. The way our society moves in our daily life. People walking on the street, running towards the bus, rushing through a tight schedule. And while we all move through our daily lives, we are creating movement-systems that continuously, consistently and repetitively keeps our society in motion. But how can we find stillness/the sense of cosmos within that structure of constant speed and rush/chaos?
I am Martina Balzamo, born in 2001 in the south of Italy. I started dancing when I was four years old, but dance has always been a part of me. During my studies at ZHDK, I had the opportunity to investigate many styles and techniques, which provided me versatility and a personal style. This greatly aided my first work experience at Thetaer Plauen Zwickau.
DIPLOMA PROJECT
Dancers’ Lifestyle
«Dancers’ Lifestyle» is a journey into the daily lives of the professional dancers of the company Theatre Plauen Zwickau. My goal is to demonstrate, via the dancers' own words, how lifestyle choices can impact their dance careers.
From the age of 10 to 15, I was a gymnast, my days filled with the sound of footsteps on the mat and the tense silence of competitions. At 15, dance entered my life, a revelation that changed my path. Joining the conservatory in Issy-les-Moulineaux (France), I dedicated myself to this art while pursuing scientific studies in high school. At 18, I was fortunate enough to join the ZHdK for a Bachelor's degree in contemporary dance, allowing me to delve deeper into my passion. Today, in my final year of the Bachelor's program, I remain an eternal student, learning and growing every day.
DIPLOMA PROJECT
«VIVA LA VIDA!»
«VIVA LA VIDA!» is a stirring contemporary dance tribute to Frida Kahlo. It vividly weaves her life's themes of pain, resilience, and love into choreography, supported by emotive music and silence. The performance is a collective creation, encapsulating Kahlo's artistic vision through every element, from costumes to lighting. It offers a unique perspective into her life beyond her paintings and writings, resonating universally with audiences.
Ich wurde 2000 in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse in Deutschland geboren und wuchs in Zürich auf. Meine professionelle Ausbildung als Tänzerin begann im Atelier Rainbow Tanzkunst (2007 – 2020) und bei Danse Marina Grandjean, Académie MDC (2016 – 2020). Darüber hinaus halte ich einen Titel als professionelle Goldschmiedin und absolvierte eine Ausbildung zur Bijoutière Joaillière CFC (Goldschmiedin) bei DYB (Swatch Group). Zurzeit befindet ich mich in der letzten Phase meines Studiums vor dem Abschluss als Bachelor of Arts in zeitgenössischem Tanz an der Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK). Für die Spielzeit 2022/23 bin ich Mitglied von Tanz Münster Studio, der Nachwuchsförderung von Tanz Münster/Theater Münster.
DIPLOMA PROJECT
«Dance in the roaring twenties»
To truly laugh, you must be able to take the pain, and play with it. - Charlie Chaplin -
Die Tänze der 20er Jahre waren schon immer eine pure Inspiration für mich, so versuchte ich bei dieser Arbeit schritte vom Charleston, Swing, Shimmy, Lindy Hop und ein wenig Stepp etc. einzubauen, was einfacher gesagt als getan ist. Meine Arbeit sollte ein kurzer lustigen trailer sein, bei dem die Zuschauer:innen schmunzeln und vergessen können, sich wieder wie ein Kind fühlen. Auch für die Tänzer:innen sollte es sich lustig anfühlen, so finde ich, je komischer man sich fühlt, desto besser. Sei albern und schikaniert euch herum, dass dachte ich mir sollte die Interaktion beim Tanz sein. Wer bekommt den Hut am Schluss? Charlie Chaplin ist ein Künstler, welcher mich Inspiriert.
My name is Jacopo Bellani, and I come from a beautiful italian island called Sardinia.
Since I was a kid, I have been inspired and fascinated by music and art. I started dancing when I was 7 years old, first with jazz and modern dance, and soon after ballet.
From 2013 to 2017 I have focused on ballet and its technique, and eventually, in 2018, I first approached contemporary dance.
I’ve always loved dancing and wanted to pursue it as a career, but, when you live in a small town with no theatre and little job opportunities for artists, choosing this path wasn’t easy.
I eventually decided decided to take the risk and follow my passion and dreams and became a professional dancer at 20 years old, when I auditioned for my bachelor in May 2019.
I'm currently finishing my first experience as an internship in the Stadttheater Bremerhaven.
DIPLOMA PROJECT
Look up to the Moon, Madame
The piece is about the story of a person who is in a strong crisis with him/herself.
In this case the person is interpreted by a woman (Veronica Scanferla), which is facing with a personal crisis with herself. She is so much detached from herself that a part of her which is the soul, phisically split from her. This part of her is rapresented by a man (Jacopo Bellani), the choice for that is to recall the image of ying and yang where there is a point of black into the white shape and a white point into the black one. The man will be the impersonification of her ambition, her creativity and artistic will, her soul and vulnerable part, in which she is now doubting and looking at it as a weaknesess to get rid off to put her apart.
It's the story of the dialogue between the two parts of her, a confrontation but also a struggle that will eventually find a resolution by the acceptance of herself, by finding her balance getting rid of all the prejudice from inside and outside. Her counterpart, the soul will be the one to save the protagonist from falling into pieces. The soul is the part that we tend to hide for the far of suffering and exposing ourself to the world but it's actually the most beautiful one, the one who inspire us as artist and person in general, the inner child whom is always with us.
I've been inspired by a song by Marracash called "MADAME - l'anima". The title it's a reference to this song but also of an image, the one of the moon a beautiful vision that break the darkness of the night, a way to say that it will never be too dark to find hope and get out of the worst crisis.
Grazia Scarpato, was born in 2000 in Rieti, a small town near Rome, Italy.
From an early age, Grazia displayed a passion for the arts and began her studies in modern and contemporary dance when she was just ten years old.
She then expanded her training to include diverse range of techniques and styles.
She continued her studies at the Zurich University of the Arts in Zurich, where she started a bachelor in contemporary dance.
Grazia have danced in works by several renowned choreographers such as Nadav Zelner, Luca Signoretti, Alba Castillo, Dunja Jojic, Antonin Rioche, Tom Weinberger, and Bryan Arias.
Grazia has currently joined the TanzLuzern company as an intern for the 2022/2023 season.
DIPLOMA PROJECT
«Off-Kilter»
«Off-Kilter» is an idiomatic expression that means something is not quite right or is out of balance. It can also refer to a person who is acting in an unusual or unexpected way. Overall, it suggests that something is not in its proper or expected state.
The film uses the trail through the trees as a metaphor for time and the body's journey through it, offering a portrayal of how the effects of brain diseases can disrupt movement and balance.
Through specific movement qualities, the film explores how the body can get effected by symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, slowness, and loss of balance, providing a powerful visual representation of how the decline of the brain can affect the human body.
I was born and raised in Kerns, Switzerland, and received my dance training in classical ballet and Contemporary Dance in Lucerne and Zurich. At the same time I obtained my Matura from the Kantonsschule Obwalden before entering the BA Contemporary Dance program at ZHdK in 2020. There I danced in choreographies by Bryan Arias, Nadav Zelner, Luca Signoretti, Dunja Jocic and Alba Castillo, amongst others. In my final year of studies I was part of the dance company at Theater Plauen-Zwickau as an intern and had the opportunity to work with Sergei Vanaev and Mário Radačovský.
DIPLOMA PROJECT
«Framework»
«Space is a hidden feature of movement and movement is a visible aspect of space.» (Rudolf von Laban)
The diploma project of Lia illustrates the interdependent relationship between dance and space. Dance needs space to unfold, and space is actively shaped by the dancer. This interdependence is artistically expressed by a duet of two dancers exploring their relationship between each other as well as to their distinctive environment.
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BIOGRAFIE
Ich komme aus Kerns im Kanton Obwalden. Meine Tanzausbildung in klassischem Ballett und zeitgenössischem Tanz erhielt ich in Luzern und Zürich. Parallel dazu absolvierte ich die Matura an der Kantonsschule Obwalden, bevor ich 2020 das Studium BA Contemporary Dance an der ZHdK begann. Dort tanzte ich u.a. in Choreografien von Bryan Arias, Nadav Zelner, Luca Signoretti, Dunja Jocic und Alba Castillo. Im Rahmen meines 3. Studienjahres war ich als Praktikantin Teil der Tanzkompanie am Theater Plauen-Zwickau und arbeitete dort mit Sergei Vanaev und Mário Radačovský.
DIPLOMPROJEKT
«Framework»
«Raum ist ein verborgener Grundzug der Bewegung, und Bewegung ist ein sichtbarer Aspekt des Raumes.» (Rudolf von Laban)
Das Diplomprojekt von Lia beleuchtet die wechselseitige Beziehung zwischen Tanz und Raum. Tanz braucht den Raum, um sich entfalten zu können, und Raum wird durch Tänzer*innen aktiv gestaltet. Diese gegenseitige Abhängigkeit wird auf kreative Weise durch ein Duett zweier Tänzerinnen umgesetzt, die sowohl ihre Beziehung untereinander als auch zur charakteristischen Umgebung erforschen.