The 40th Winter Dance School in Maribor

Maribor, 21 - 24 February 2025

  PROGRAM

Vita Osojnik: BALLET FOR CONTEMPOORARY DANCERS, CONTEMPORARY DANCE

Vita Osojnik is self-employed in culture - dancer, choreographer, dance teacher and street artist. She graduated from Kranj High School, majored in ballet at the High School of Music and Ballet, and completed studies in contemporary dance and choreography at the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance (SEAD). She was regularly employed at the Art High School in Ljubljana, works as a mentor and pedagogue within the Qulenium association in Kranj, at Alma Mater Europea - the dance academy, within the framework of Šugla (Street Theater School) and many other associations. She was a visiting professor and choreographer at SEAD for many years. L. 2015 she was invited by the Tisch School of ARTS in New York to reside and work with their graduate students. She is the author and co-creator of many full-length dance performances. Last year, she participated as a mentor in the project of the youth stage Amo in Nova Gorica on the topic of peer violence. In the years 2022/2023/2024, she created the solo trilogy Everything That Has Happened, Off-axis and Space with a View at the Ljubljana Dance Theater.

Ballet for modern dancers is adapted to the needs of modern dance and avoids the usual rigor of classicism, looking for parallels with mechanisms in modern dance techniques. The class consists of pole exercises focusing on footwork, stretching, coordination and body organization, followed by mid-space work focusing on directions in space, transition movements, elevation and turns.

Contemporary dance technique class includes intensive physical preparation of the body, exploration of one's movement apparatus and expansion of one's own movement repertoire by using different movement polygons every day. Persistence in a single task and a high number of repetitions in search of feeling and functioning of individual parts of the body and the body as a whole. The class covers a variety of contemporary dance techniques, elements of alternative dance techniques with exercises for quick response, reflexes and the search for inner strength.

Andreja Šraj: MODERN

Andreja Šraj is a dancer, teacher of modern dance and Simonson Technique, and choreographer. She began her dance journey in 2003 at the Dance Room Maribor with dance teacher and choreographer Mojca Ussar. In 2007, her journey took her to New York, where she studied dance at Dance New Amsterdam and participated in dance projects with various choreographers. In 2009, she successfully finished school and at the same time obtained a certificate for teaching the Simonson technique. Just before the 2009/10 season, she returned to Slovenia and started dancing and teaching at the Maribor Dance Gallery and a year later with Harlekin - Celje Dance Art Society. As a dancer, she received excellent reviews both at home and abroad (Full Moon, Reflection, The Two of Us). Since 2018, she has devoted herself more to teaching and choreography and passing on her rich knowledge to younger generations of dancers. She has created a huge number of choreographies, dance miniatures and competitive choreographies, with which dancers reach the highest places in the Slovenian and international space. On the Parada plesa portal, she was awarded the title of "Best Dance Teacher" for 2021 and two years later "Best Choreographer" for the full-length dance show Heart, Summer! In 2024, Andreja received the certificate of Meta Vidmar for her pedagogical work and artistic achievements and for her indispensable contribution to the co-shaping of Slovenian dance culture.

Modern l

The workshop is intended for dancers with basic prior knowledge or those who are just starting to explore the basics of this dance style. We will focus on the technical basis of modern dance, work on correct body positioning, basics of gravity, center of gravity and use of the floor. We will explore the dynamics of movement, and then connect the technical elements into a meaningful choreographic whole.
The workshop is designed to develop your movement potential and encourage you to gain a deeper understanding of modern dance.

Modern ll - lll

The workshop is intended for dancers with extensive prior knowledge who want to deepen their understanding of the choreographic process and improve technical precision, artistic expression and physical fitness.
We will focus on choreographic focus, such as working on more challenging movement phrases that interweave dynamics, rhythm and emotional interpretation, with an emphasis on presence. We will focus on the development of strength, endurance and stability, which are key to performing technically and energy-intensive choreographies. We will explore the personal relationship to the choreographic material and develop an individual dance language within a structured form.
The workshop combines technical perfection, creative exploration and physical performance, encouraging you to push your limits and enter a deeper choreographic process.

Ann Papoulis: CUNNINGHAM, IRIS method for dance teachers

Ann Papoulis is a visual and performing artist and an Imagination Activator. She began teaching at the Cunningham Studio in Manhattan at age 23 and has taught the technique and imagination workshops for dance and theater companies and schools throughout Europe and in the US, notably Opéra de Lyon, Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker, Angelin Preljocaj, Maguy Marin, Jean-Claude Gallotta.

Her multimedia work was most recently presented at the Atelier de la Main d’Or in Paris and involved photographs, abstract films and dancing. 2 minute excerpts: WANDERING THE UNKNOWN - YouTube. Her performances have included solos and an opera she directed, composed and choreographed, that was a commission of the National House of Opera and Ballet in Ljubljana. / about ANN PAPOULIS (wixstatic.com)

Cunningham Technique

In this class you will learn the fundamentals of the Cunningham technique — comprehensive back & leg work centered in the pelvis. After the warm-up you will enhance your ability to use your energy to inhabit and dialogue with the space around you through an adagio, a phrase moving across the floor and jumps. Emphasis throughout the class is on focusing both the body and mind in order to unleash your physical power.

Liberating Imaginative Energies

This workshop is based on THE IRIS MAP, an original method that perceives the imagination as being comprised of 7 principle energy spaces. You will learn how to enter these energies through mind & body exercises, animal analogies, works of art, film. As you move through this richness inside of you, you will be given opportunities to generate your own movement, gestures, narratives, together with the other participants. For a 2 minute presentation of the method click here: Liberating Imaginative Energies.

The workshop is open to dancers, actors, musicians and beyond. No dance technique required.

Goran Bogdanovski: FIČO TRENING / DANCE ALCHEMY

Goran Bogdanovski has lived and breathed dance professionally since 1990, establishing himself as a multifaceted artist in the performing arts, including classical ballet, contemporary dance, and physical theatre. For over a decade, he performed with the Slovene National Ballet Company, from corps de ballet to principal roles. Simultaneously, he cultivated a rich freelance career, collaborating with numerous contemporary choreographers and theatre directors across Slovenia and Europe.

In 2000, Goran embarked on a journey of exploring Improvisation and Freedom - embodied Lifestyle. He co-founded a dance company Fičo Balet, choreographed performances, and toured extensively worldwide. His dedication to the arts extended beyond the stage as he co-founded venues, academy, festivals, platforms, and networks such as Nomad Dance Academy, Kino Šiška, CoFestival, Gibanica, and the Center for Contemporary Dance Arts of Slovenia (which was shut down by the newly elected government in the name of recession before it could even begin its work), contributing significantly to the development of the dance and artistic community.

Since 2006, Goran has shared his expertise as a teacher, coach, and mentor, working with over 3,000 individuals across 23 countries. His unique methods draw from a lifetime of experience in Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Dance Improvisation, Contact Improvisation, Theatre, Meditation, Yoga, Martial Arts, Spirituality, Therapy, Personal Growth, Team Building, and Embodied Leadership.

FIČO Training / Dance Alchemy

A training of the body, mind, and spirit through dance improvisation and creation.
FIČO Training is a unique space where, since 2006, the FIČO method and Dance Alchemy tools have been developed and refined. These methods combine contemporary dance methodologies with ancient wisdom to support personal and professional transformation. The practice draws from dance and contact improvisation, body-mind-spirit practices, and dance therapy, encouraging participants to discover their authenticity, freedom, and creative expression through dance.

The training consists of two parts. In the first part, lasting 1 hour, we focus on developing presence, energy, and complete body awareness. In the second part, we work on developing unique movement and dance expression using tools of dance improvisation. At the end, we reflect on the experience and share insights and observations.
Workshop is open to all adults who wish to dive into themselves and the world of dance, regardless of prior dance experience. Holistic approach, playful process, and inclusive environment allow every body to find its own path.

https://www.fichoinstitute.com/

Jasna Knez: DANCEROOM: "Express yourself"

Jasna Knez continues the tradition of expressive dance, as founded by Meta Vidmar, then her student Živa Kraigher and then her student Jasna Knez. In modern dance, every educator, dancer, choreographer - adds something of their own, so all three are very original, and their common base is expressionist dance, as conceived by Mary Wigman in Germany.
Researching dance, inventing movements, costumes, spaces, scenography, props - all these elements have always interested, tempted and fascinated Jasna Knez with their countless possibilities of arrangement and inspiration. Thus, even in dance workshops, he looks for in each person, above all, his original movement and approach to the body. Expressing the inner contents of each individual is the greatest desire, necessity and importance for a person, because through dance we can express our emotions and feelings.

DANCEROOM: "Express yourself"

We will not learn anything new. Same old movements, already seen exercises, known methods. What will be new is our perception of ourselves. And also, the Other. We are mainly interested in - is there anything else inside of me, in my body, in my soul, that you would like to know?
Others open new corners in us. We are multifaceted beings. Someone is inside us, with a thousand faces. Sri Aurobindo says that we are composed of several layers: soul, soul being, vital being, physical being, etc. Life, art, nature, interpersonal relationships and many other things reveal this layering of man - if we research it or if we want to know something more about ourselves.
Just learning dance motifs, practicing technique, improving yourself physically - it's not enough. Cultivating the body and the psyche at the same time - it only calls forth the spirit in us, we perceive it, develop it, give it space, time - to express ourselves through it and with the help of it.
Therefore, we will use tools such as words, voice, sound, writing, drawing...letting go, unwrapping from shells, recording masks. And then, freed, we will invent movements and internal states.
Luck will help us when we are brave, and dancing needs our brave desire.

Željko Božič: HIP HOP

Željko Božič won more than a hundred medals with his choreographies, of which at least 20 are gold from European and world championships within the IDO organization, which included him in its hall of fame due to his outstanding choreographic achievements. In recent years, his choreographies have been awarded at many festivals (Dancestar, Dancefest, Lukec Dance Festival).
Its dance expression is related to hip hop and other street dances. He taught workshops in 16 European countries and was also a teacher at camps such as Urban Dance Camp, Beat Camp and SDK.
He is also known for his work in the theater (The Book of My Lives, The Little Virtuous Knight, The Flood Man, The One About the Fleas, Harun and the Sea of ​​Stories, La Place...) and for his dance videos. Video Letter was viewed by two million people, was hosted at fourteen dance festivals, and won the first audience award in Canada. With the dance performance Dream job, he presented himself in Cankarjev dom, and with the creation Let's play, he performed at one of the biggest theater hip hop festivals, Breakin' Convention, in London.