SP25 BACK TO THE ROOTS: MODERN TECHNIQUE FESTIVAL
All Classes require at least an Intermediate Level
25.–27.08.25, 15:15–17:15
Martha Graham Technique Meets Contemporary Dance – Esther Cowens
25.–27.08.25, 17:30–19:30
Align, Release, Flow – Katie Kelly
28.–30.08.25, 15:15–17:15
Lester Horton Technique – Luches Huddleston
28.–30.08.25, 17:30–19:30
Paths into the Landscapes of the Jooss-Leeder method – Livia Politi
25.08.–29.08.25, 19:45–21:45
Becoming Music (weissmann technique) – Heidi Weiss
Class Description
Martha Graham Technique Meets Contemporary Dance – Esther Cowens
25.–27.08.25, 15:15–17:15
REGISTER HERE!
Full Workshop
80€ members
95€ non-members
We will dive into the expressive power of movement in this unique workshop that blends the foundational Martha Graham Technique with contemporary dance elements. Explore Graham’s signature contractions and release technique alongside the fluidity and freedom of modern dance. This will be a Graham-based technique class with a focus on building strength, flexibility, musicality and emotional depth through structured Graham exercises and blended movement phrases. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer with knowledge of the Graham technique or new to the form, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how classic techniques can seamlessly integrate with contemporary dance to create dynamic, expressive performances.
Berlin-based Esther Cowens received her BFA with Honours from Philadelphia’s University of the Arts with a solid background in Horton, Taylor, and Graham techniques and studied at PHILADANCO for 2 years. She was taught by and was a demonstrator for Master Graham teacher Pat Thomas for 4 years and participated in the Graham Teacher Intensive workshops at the Graham school in NY and online. She has worked with Berlin-based choreographers Heidi Weiss, Jennifer Mann, and Alexander Archour and with several Philadelphia-based dance companies such as Group Motion, Subcircle, and Rennie Harris Pure Movement.
She was an original cast member of the Disney Production of Lion King/Hamburg Germany and worked as a dancer in the film “Across the Universe”.
She has toured with various music artists as a singer for Jan Delay, Mando Diao, Sarah Conner, and various TV productions. She has taught dance for over 20+ years in Berlin and is a resident faculty member at DANCEWORKS Berlin and a freelance teacher for the UDK musical theater department.
Align, Release, Flow – Katie Kelly
25.–27.08.25, 17:30–19:30
REGISTER HERE!
Full Workshop
80€ members
95€ non-members
This class will take influences from Modern and Release techniques, finding a sense of flow, and playing with musicality. We will focus on establishing clarity through positions and pathways, applying various dynamics and textures such as swing and suspension. We will move in and out of the floor, and enjoy travelling and taking up space! The class ends with a longer phrase which we will build on over the days. Dancers are encouraged to feel grounded in pursuit of fluidity, challenge their dynamic range, and explore moving with care, curiosity and joy. Expect a juicy and fun class, with good vibes and great tunes throughout!
Katie Kelly (she/her) trained at London Contemporary Dance School, and has worked as a freelance dancer, choreographer and teacher since graduating. Notable credits include dancing in the London Olympics Closing Ceremony, at the StaatsOper Berlin and Staatsoper Vienna. She has also danced for TV, Film and Music videos, and performed in installations in art galleries. Her choreographic work has been shared in both the UK and Europe, and includes dance theatre, dance film and choreography for opera. Katie has taught at vocational schools including Die Freiburg Tanz Akademie, Danceworks Berlin, The Institute of Arts Barcelona and Trinity Laban Conservatoire London. She has also lead professional training for Tanznetz Freiburg, Dock 11 Berlin, and Tripspace London.
Lester Horton Technique – Luches Huddleston
28.–30.08.25, 15:15–17:15
REGISTER HERE!
Full Workshop
80€ members
95€ non-members
Luches Huddleston approaches the Horton technique with great respect and passion. For him, it’s not just about form or strength – it’s about helping dancers discover their power and presence. He guides his students to understand their bodies, challenge their limits and combine movement with definition. Teaching Horton is his way of honoring heritage while helping each dancer find their unique expression.
Luches Huddleston, jr., born in Washington, DC, received his dance education at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, New York and danced as soloist for Joyce Trisler Dance co. , Elisa Monte Dance Co. and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane co. From 1991 he has danced as soloist in Germany (Mannheim, Karlsruhe etc.) and Switzerland (Zurich). As a choreographer, his work has received and been nominated for awards in Germany and Canada.
Since 2007 he is the house choreographer and manages the extra movement choir for the opera at the Nationaltheater Mannheim, Germany. His choreographic works for opera, dance and musical has been seen in many Theaters in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He has collected a vast variety of movement experience in training amateurs of all ages, opera singers, actors and professional artist.
Alongside his work in the Nationaltheater, he is a huge contributor to the contemporary freelance dance scene. Since 2022, together with Giovanni de Buono, he started his own dance company “lil’luke dance company” and continues freelance dance works. With his extensive knowledge of the Lester Horton technique (ie. Alvin Ailey American Dance Center), he gives regular workshops in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In addition to Horton, he teaches Ballet and a fusion of Ballet and Modern dance techniques. Further more, Luches is a certified Pilates (Body Balance) instructor.
Paths into the Landscapes of the Jooss-Leeder method – Livia Politi
28.–30.08.25, 17:30–19:30
REGISTER HERE!
Full Workshop
80€ members
95€ non-members
In this modern dance course, based on the Joos-Leeder Method, we will focus on learning some of the principles and processes of the so-called “Folkwang Tradition. “This method was developed in 1927 by dancer and choreographer Kurt Jooss and Sigurd Leeder, who headed the dance department at the newly founded Folkwangschule Essen (now Folkwang University of the Arts).
One of the specific objectives of this method is to develop the performer’s expressive individuality based on two basic ideas:
1. Discovering one’s own movement: combining the development of muscular strength and coordination with exercises that allow one to discover the motors of movement, the accents, impulses, and cadences that comprise it.
2. Developing the capacity for observation: paying special attention to the quality of movement, the direction of the body in space, musicality, and its qualities and characteristics.
Discovering and developing new levels of observation and concentration; a different kind of “mental patience” will give us the space to discover our own interpretation, connecting with movement on a personal level, and accurately executing the movements outlined by the teacher or choreographer. We will focus on movement, compositional patterns, musicality, rhythm, and group and solo dance.
Trained in dance at the Folkwang University of the Arts under the direction of Pina Bausch, Livia Politi furthered her education at the Limon Institute and at Movement Research in New York, where she studied dance, composition, and Klein technique. There, she danced for the Choreoart Dance Company under the direction of Carlos Orta and worked as an independent choreographer. As a dancer, choreographer, company trainer, and assistant, she has worked with directors such as Henrietta Horn, George Camerun, and Michel Descombey in Germany, New York, and Mexico. Focused on teaching dance, composition, and improvisation, Livia taught for several years at Dock11 Studios, was a lecturer in the Seneca Intensive Training Program, and an assistant teacher in the bachelor’s program at the Berlin University of the Arts (HZT). She currently teaches at Jo Siska’s Studio for Artistic Dance and at Studio Sonic.
Livia has been a certified Alexander Technique teacher since 2010. She is a lecturer at the Baremboim-said Academy and offers private lessons in her studio in Berlin Mitte.
Becoming Music (weissmann technique) – Heidi Weiss
Live Music by Emre Kesim
25.08.–29.08.25, 19:45–21:45
REGISTER HERE!
Full Workshop
90€ members
110€ non-members
Drop-in
16€ members
20€ non-members
The weissmann workshop BECOMING MUSIC, dives deep into a well-rounded dance experience that addresses all aspects of the dancing artist. Through a holistic approach, attention is given to the physical, emotional, creative, and spiritual facets of being a moving artist. These layers serve each other to promote a well-rounded dancer.
The class starts with yoga poses to arrive and ground. Awareness is placed on the breath to bring the dancer’s attention to their instrument, setting the tone for a mindful practice as an individual and for the collective. The class continues with technical exercises in the weissmann style, these phrases explore all spatial levels, and a variety of qualities while warming the body from the inside out. The weissmann technique offers the dancer technical challenges, from its roots in modern dance, and encourages an organic, defined flow in which the body can move uninhibitedly through space. Emphasis is placed on the intention of movement and how we direct our energy in time and space, to gravity and our relationship to the floor, and precision in musicality and dynamics. Live music is an essential element, creating a tapestry of melodic, electronic, and percussive sound that supports and inspires the dance.
Improvisation will weave throughout the class to explore some of the weissmann principles. The class is primarily learned material which builds into a final dynamic combination. Here is the opportunity to bridge connections between set material and personal interpretation that expands the dancer’s artistry. This final phase provides a field of exploration where dancers can work more detailed as individuals, as well as celebrate the collective aspect of this art form, through our shared energy as a dance community.
Heidi Weiss, originally from New Jersey (USA), has been working as a freelance choreographer and lecturer for contemporary dance in Germany since 1998 and teaches internationally. She is co-founder of the weissmann dance company and the weissmann Teacher Training and regularly performs her choreographic works on national and international stages. As a certified yoga and meditation teacher, she also leads workshops and seminars throughout Germany.
Emre Kesim is a contemporary dance accompanist, multi- instrumentalist and composer, based in Hannover/Germany. His technique is characterized by improvising with piano, percussion and voice simultaneously, creating the atmosphere that supports the dancers in their movement and expression. His current setup includes computer and synthesizers which allows him to use a wide range of sounds and live-looping techniques for daily professional contemporary dance training.
