Festival Teachers
Jurij Konjar
Slovenian dancer, improviser, choreographer and producer.
He studied dance at PARTS in Brussels and later with Steve Paxton, Lisa Nelson, amongst others.
More information and current news on www.jurijkonjar.com
He studied dance at PARTS in Brussels and later with Steve Paxton, Lisa Nelson, amongst others.
- He restaged several of Paxton’s works and is at present still touring the Goldberg Variations improvised solo.
- 🤸His teaching includes elements of his performance-of-improvisation and writing practices, the Tuning Scores of Lisa Nelson, Material for the spine of Steve Paxton and Contact Improvisation.
- 🌍Jurij is a part of the worldwide Contact Improvisation community and is a creator of the shared, nomadic working space called Habitat.
- 🎭His own performances also include Ulysses, Still, For Juliano Mer-Khamis, Monday at Eight (co-directed), Poka (co-directed), Biodegradables and A report from Contactfestival Freiburg 2023.
More information and current news on www.jurijkonjar.com
Yochai Ginton
is a passionate dancer, performer, and teacher whose 17-year journey in dance has led him to explore a diverse range of movement and performance languages.
Based in Israel, Yochai has made significant contributions to the dance world, collaborating with various choreographers and performing globally. 🌍💃
Since 2012, Yochai has worked closely with Olivia Court Mesa, co-founding The Common Body and developing their innovative method and vision. Together, they created the acclaimed duet “I carry, you hold,” which won the Best Performance Award from Israel’s Ministry of Culture in 2024. 🏆✨ Yochai has also co-created the works “Whenever I’m Alone” and “Naked Men.”
As a master teacher, Yochai leads partnering workshops and intensives both nationally and internationally. His approach merges Contact Improvisation with dynamic partnering techniques, focusing on performance art and personal evolution. Integrating his experiences as a Feldenkrais practitioner and Vipassana meditator, Yochai emphasizes mindfulness and holistic movement practices. 🧘♂️🌿
Beyond teaching, Yochai serves as an artistic advisor and rehearsal manager, helping dancers and choreographers refine their work with a playful yet precise mindset. 🎭🔍
Based in Israel, Yochai has made significant contributions to the dance world, collaborating with various choreographers and performing globally. 🌍💃
Since 2012, Yochai has worked closely with Olivia Court Mesa, co-founding The Common Body and developing their innovative method and vision. Together, they created the acclaimed duet “I carry, you hold,” which won the Best Performance Award from Israel’s Ministry of Culture in 2024. 🏆✨ Yochai has also co-created the works “Whenever I’m Alone” and “Naked Men.”
As a master teacher, Yochai leads partnering workshops and intensives both nationally and internationally. His approach merges Contact Improvisation with dynamic partnering techniques, focusing on performance art and personal evolution. Integrating his experiences as a Feldenkrais practitioner and Vipassana meditator, Yochai emphasizes mindfulness and holistic movement practices. 🧘♂️🌿
Beyond teaching, Yochai serves as an artistic advisor and rehearsal manager, helping dancers and choreographers refine their work with a playful yet precise mindset. 🎭🔍
Sergio Palomares
Sergio is a dynamic multidisciplinary artist with a deep passion for movement arts. His background in martial arts, gymnastics, circus, and contemporary dance fuels his innovative approach to Contact Improvisation (CI) and acrobatics. 🤸♂️🎪💃
- With over a decade of experience, Sergio has taught circus acrobatics since 2012 and CI since 2015. He’s shared his expertise internationally, including at the Contemporary Circus School in Guadalajara, Mexico, and at Enestudio in Barcelona, where he taught «Acrobatics into CI.» 🌍📚
- In 2020, he took part in Nancy Stark Smith’s «January Workshop» and recently earned a postgraduate degree in performing arts and education from Institut del Teatre, Barcelona. 🎓🎭
- Sergio’s teaching is deeply influenced by various somatic approaches, emphasizing movement that is organic, healthy, and efficient, even in the most intense dynamics. 🌿💪
Nica Portavia
Born in Fano, Italy, to an Italian father and a Lebanese mother, Nica Portavia is a passionate dancer, teacher, and researcher in the field of Contact Improvisation. 🇮🇹🇱🇧
- Nica has trained with legendary teachers like Steve Paxton, Daniel Lepkoff, and many more. She immersed herself in Steve Paxton’s “Material for the Spine,” diving deep into his groundbreaking research. 🌍✨
- Her journey has taken her across the globe, teaching in France, Ukraine, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Russia, Poland, Germany, Lithuania, and Portugal. She also organizes major events like ItalyContactFest and the Being Touch Festival. 🎉🌐
- Nica’s performances and workshops are celebrated worldwide, with her recent work “SottoSale” making waves in Russia and Italy. 🎭✨
Olivia
Court Mesa
Court Mesa
With nearly three decades of experience, Olivia Court Mesa brings a wealth of talent and passion to the dance world. From her early beginnings in Chile to her expansive career in Germany and Israel, Olivia’s journey encompasses performance, choreography, improvisation, research, and teaching.
Her work is a profound exploration of the intersection between art and humanity, designed to spark introspection and self-awareness. Olivia’s unique approach merges floor work, contact improvisation, and partnering techniques with a deep focus on anatomy and functional movement.
Her impressive career includes:
🏆 2017: Israel’s Ministry of Culture Award for «Best Solo Performer»
🏆 2022: Rotterdam International Duet Choreography Competition – “XL Production Award,” “Audience Award,” and two “Partner Awards” for her duet «I carry, you hold»
🏆 2024: Best Performance Award from the Ministry of Culture in Israel for the same duet
Olivia teaches nationally and internationally, sharing her expertise with the Contact Improvisation Community in Israel and beyond. Beyond her artistic achievements, she is also a proud mother of three.
Her work is a profound exploration of the intersection between art and humanity, designed to spark introspection and self-awareness. Olivia’s unique approach merges floor work, contact improvisation, and partnering techniques with a deep focus on anatomy and functional movement.
Her impressive career includes:
🏆 2017: Israel’s Ministry of Culture Award for «Best Solo Performer»
🏆 2022: Rotterdam International Duet Choreography Competition – “XL Production Award,” “Audience Award,” and two “Partner Awards” for her duet «I carry, you hold»
🏆 2024: Best Performance Award from the Ministry of Culture in Israel for the same duet
Olivia teaches nationally and internationally, sharing her expertise with the Contact Improvisation Community in Israel and beyond. Beyond her artistic achievements, she is also a proud mother of three.
Petya Stoykova
We are thrilled to welcome Petya Stoykova to our Festival in Moldova! As the founder and choreographer of DUNE DANCE COMPANY in Burgas, Bulgaria, Petya has been a driving force in contemporary dance for over 30 years. 🎭✨
HIGHLIGHTS of Petya’s Career:
- Founder & Choreographer: Dune Dance Company, with over 20 original performances
- Cultural Pioneer: Key figure in Bulgarian contemporary dance, leading projects through “Dance BG” Association
- International Educator: Teaching in Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, Senegal, and Kenya
- Award-Winning Artist: Honored with the “Impuls” award and “Burg of the Year” for her outstanding contributions
Petya’s deep connection to AFRICAN DANCE, nurtured through residencies and festivals, adds a unique and vibrant dimension to her work. Her innovative approach continues to inspire dancers and audiences alike. 🌍💫
HIGHLIGHTS of Petya’s Career:
- Founder & Choreographer: Dune Dance Company, with over 20 original performances
- Cultural Pioneer: Key figure in Bulgarian contemporary dance, leading projects through “Dance BG” Association
- International Educator: Teaching in Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, Senegal, and Kenya
- Award-Winning Artist: Honored with the “Impuls” award and “Burg of the Year” for her outstanding contributions
Petya’s deep connection to AFRICAN DANCE, nurtured through residencies and festivals, adds a unique and vibrant dimension to her work. Her innovative approach continues to inspire dancers and audiences alike. 🌍💫
Olga Žitluhina
We are honored to present Olga Žitluhina, a dance artist, choreographer, and an influential figure in the dance community of Latvia and beyond. With an incredible career spanning decades, Olga’s contributions to contemporary dance are both vast and impactful. 🇱🇻✨
Olga’s artistic journey in numbers:
Join Olga at the International Contact Improvisation & Contemporary Dance Festival in Moldova to witness and learn from a true contemporary dance master.
Olga’s artistic journey in numbers:
- 46 years dancing
- 29 years teaching at the State Ballet School
- 25 years leading the contemporary dance program at the Latvian Academy of Culture
- 26 years as Artistic Director of the LAIKS DEJOT Festival in Riga
- 44 countries where she has performed and taught
- 1 National Dance Award for Best Dancer (2019-2021)
- 1001 #pijamadancepractice films (now at 1559!)
Join Olga at the International Contact Improvisation & Contemporary Dance Festival in Moldova to witness and learn from a true contemporary dance master.
Violeta Matiushenko
Dancer, performer, choreographer, and teacher specializing in Contact Improvisation and Contemporary dance styles.
🤸🏼♀️Her work revolves around improvisation, movement research, and contact improvisation techniques.
🎎She has honed her skills as a choreographer by attending contemporary dance festivals and other similar platforms offering movement research and laboratories.
«I am passionate about organic movement; the art of talking through the body. I enjoy working in groups and pairs and aim to create performances that evoke emotions, thoughts, and various states within the viewer.
✨ I love dance in all its manifestations with all my heart.»
🤸🏼♀️Her work revolves around improvisation, movement research, and contact improvisation techniques.
🎎She has honed her skills as a choreographer by attending contemporary dance festivals and other similar platforms offering movement research and laboratories.
«I am passionate about organic movement; the art of talking through the body. I enjoy working in groups and pairs and aim to create performances that evoke emotions, thoughts, and various states within the viewer.
✨ I love dance in all its manifestations with all my heart.»
Cătălin Diaconu
is a multifaceted artist dedicated to movement, theater, and music. In 2021 His passion for the arts led him to focus exclusively on artistic projects. 🎸🎶
Let’s explore his journeys in
🤸♂️Movement and Dance:
- Martial Arts: Practiced Aikido, Kung Fu and Tai Chi.
- Contact Improvisation: Intensive study since 2015.
- Teaching: Began leading CI classes in 2017, inspired by Virginia Negru, Sveta Pashko, Cyrus Khambatta, Sergey Golovnea, Alexandra Soshnicova, Steve Batts, Scott Wells, Malcolm Manning, Sasha Dodo (CI), Kira Kirsch, and Antoine Ragot (Axis Syllabus).
- Festivals: Taught at CI festivals in India, Thailand, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, and Ireland.
🎹Music:
- Guitarist: Started at age 9, played in rock band Avatar for 10 years.
- Electronic Music: Began studying in 2012, invited as DJ to various events and festivals.
- Collaborations: Worked with Tom Cosm, Mr Bill, Simon Neumann, Keith Mills, Warp Academy.
- Electronic Music Lab: Organized at SAE Institute Bucharest with Simon Neumann.
- Compositions: Created music for dance performances “Pe Bune,” “After.Life,” and dance films “Ship of Fools,” “The One Here is Not the One There.”
Artistic Contributions
- Performances: “After.Life,” “Pe Bune,” and various dance improvisations.
- Current Projects: Part of “Perspectives in Motion” improvisation lab, produces electronic music, and collaborates with Virginia Negru on CI workshops and performances for lat ones creating live music, acoustics, and electronics. 🎛️💫
Catalin will give classes alongside Virginia Negru
Join Virginia and Cătălin at the Contact+ Contact Improvisation Festival in Moldova! Experience their unique blend of movement, mindfulness, and creative expression. 🌍
Let’s explore his journeys in
🤸♂️Movement and Dance:
- Martial Arts: Practiced Aikido, Kung Fu and Tai Chi.
- Contact Improvisation: Intensive study since 2015.
- Teaching: Began leading CI classes in 2017, inspired by Virginia Negru, Sveta Pashko, Cyrus Khambatta, Sergey Golovnea, Alexandra Soshnicova, Steve Batts, Scott Wells, Malcolm Manning, Sasha Dodo (CI), Kira Kirsch, and Antoine Ragot (Axis Syllabus).
- Festivals: Taught at CI festivals in India, Thailand, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, and Ireland.
🎹Music:
- Guitarist: Started at age 9, played in rock band Avatar for 10 years.
- Electronic Music: Began studying in 2012, invited as DJ to various events and festivals.
- Collaborations: Worked with Tom Cosm, Mr Bill, Simon Neumann, Keith Mills, Warp Academy.
- Electronic Music Lab: Organized at SAE Institute Bucharest with Simon Neumann.
- Compositions: Created music for dance performances “Pe Bune,” “After.Life,” and dance films “Ship of Fools,” “The One Here is Not the One There.”
Artistic Contributions
- Performances: “After.Life,” “Pe Bune,” and various dance improvisations.
- Current Projects: Part of “Perspectives in Motion” improvisation lab, produces electronic music, and collaborates with Virginia Negru on CI workshops and performances for lat ones creating live music, acoustics, and electronics. 🎛️💫
Catalin will give classes alongside Virginia Negru
Join Virginia and Cătălin at the Contact+ Contact Improvisation Festival in Moldova! Experience their unique blend of movement, mindfulness, and creative expression. 🌍
Sergey Semichev
Dancer, performer, contact improvisation teacher, physiotherapist, photographer, and filmmaker.
He is a former gymnast, acrobat, and fitness trainer.
He was actively involved as activist and one of the teachers of the Kyiv Contact Improvisation Community in Ukraine.
💫 Sergey has organized and co-organized International Contact Improvisation festivals in Ukraine and regularly conducted Contact Improvisation laboratories in Kyiv. Currently, he organizes regular contact improvisation classes and jams in Rome, Italy.
Additionally, Sergey teaches Contact Improvisation at European festivals.
✨At our festival, he will be giving classes with Violeta Matiushenko.
He is a former gymnast, acrobat, and fitness trainer.
He was actively involved as activist and one of the teachers of the Kyiv Contact Improvisation Community in Ukraine.
💫 Sergey has organized and co-organized International Contact Improvisation festivals in Ukraine and regularly conducted Contact Improvisation laboratories in Kyiv. Currently, he organizes regular contact improvisation classes and jams in Rome, Italy.
Additionally, Sergey teaches Contact Improvisation at European festivals.
✨At our festival, he will be giving classes with Violeta Matiushenko.
Virginia Negru
is a dedicated dancer, performer, and movement workshop facilitator with a rich background in various dance forms. Her journey has been marked by training with top instructors both in Romania and internationally, shaping her unique artistic identity. 🌍💃
🎭Artistic Highlights:
- “My life is my art”: A 4-month performative journey from Venice to Finisterra, exploring deeper layers of everyday reality.
- Leading weekly CI Courses & Jam Sessions: Promoting direct communication through dance.
- Organiser of Contact Bucharest Festival: Annual event for international dance exchange.
- “Pe Bune” Project: Guest dancer and teacher, creating performances for children.
- Teacher in “Balance in Imbalance” Workshops: CI workshops for professional actors and dancers.
- Performer in: “After.Life” by Sasha Dodo, “The Illusionists” by Mădălina Dan.
- CNDB Dance and Performance Academy: Guest teacher.
🔍Driven by her passion for dance, Virginia has worked with esteemed teachers such as:
- Contemporary Dance & Feldenkrais: Catrina Choate
- Limon Technique: Amalia Strinopoulou
- Ballet: Lelia Marcu
- Poetic Movement: Steve Batts, Ursula Laeubli
- Instant Composition & Contact Improvisation: Benno Voorham, Sybrig Dokter, Scott Wells, Alexandra Soshnicova, Sergei Golovnea, Cyrus Khambatta, Nora Hajos, Nancy Stark Smith, Sasha Dodo, Adrian Russi, Susanne Martin
- Axis Syllabus: Kira Kirsch, Antoine Ragot
Virginia’s commitment to the art of movement is evident in her continuous exploration and teaching. She currently guides the “Perspectives in Motion” improvisation and instant composition lab, enthusiastically sharing her experience and passion through dancing, teaching, and performing. 🌟✨
At the Contact+ Contact Improvisation Festival in Moldova Virginia will facilitate classes alongside Cătălin.
🎭Artistic Highlights:
- “My life is my art”: A 4-month performative journey from Venice to Finisterra, exploring deeper layers of everyday reality.
- Leading weekly CI Courses & Jam Sessions: Promoting direct communication through dance.
- Organiser of Contact Bucharest Festival: Annual event for international dance exchange.
- “Pe Bune” Project: Guest dancer and teacher, creating performances for children.
- Teacher in “Balance in Imbalance” Workshops: CI workshops for professional actors and dancers.
- Performer in: “After.Life” by Sasha Dodo, “The Illusionists” by Mădălina Dan.
- CNDB Dance and Performance Academy: Guest teacher.
🔍Driven by her passion for dance, Virginia has worked with esteemed teachers such as:
- Contemporary Dance & Feldenkrais: Catrina Choate
- Limon Technique: Amalia Strinopoulou
- Ballet: Lelia Marcu
- Poetic Movement: Steve Batts, Ursula Laeubli
- Instant Composition & Contact Improvisation: Benno Voorham, Sybrig Dokter, Scott Wells, Alexandra Soshnicova, Sergei Golovnea, Cyrus Khambatta, Nora Hajos, Nancy Stark Smith, Sasha Dodo, Adrian Russi, Susanne Martin
- Axis Syllabus: Kira Kirsch, Antoine Ragot
Virginia’s commitment to the art of movement is evident in her continuous exploration and teaching. She currently guides the “Perspectives in Motion” improvisation and instant composition lab, enthusiastically sharing her experience and passion through dancing, teaching, and performing. 🌟✨
At the Contact+ Contact Improvisation Festival in Moldova Virginia will facilitate classes alongside Cătălin.
