1-5 May 2024
Riga, Latvia
The course of dance classes from teachers of the leading dance companies and dance educational centers in Europe
  • days
    Continuous dance immersion, creative communication, atmosphere and inspiration
    5
  • hours
    Powerful stream of latest information on contemporary dance, matched specifically for your development
    42
  • teachers
    Combination of many years of experience, different views, approaches and techniques
    8
  • groups
    PRO
    OPEN
    2
From May 1 to May 5, 2024 Riga (Latvia) will host the 6th annual contemporary dance intensive week, which includes workshops of dance techniques, improvisation, creative laboratories and theoretical lectures from teachers of the leading dance companies and dance educational centers in Europe.

The project combines an educational program for professionals and dance enthusiasts. Everything is aimed to create best conditions for exploring and enjoying dance.

The program is formed in two groups:
PRO group
OPEN group

The program is conducted in English
Participation age 16+
From May 1 to May 5, 2024 Riga (Latvia) will host the 6th annual contemporary dance intensive week, which includes workshops of dance techniques, improvisation, creative laboratories and theoretical lectures from teachers of the leading dance companies and dance educational centers in Europe.

The project combines an educational program for professionals and dance enthusiasts. Everything is aimed to create best conditions for exploring and enjoying dance.

The program is formed in two groups:
PRO group
OPEN group

The program is conducted in English
Participation age 16+
Workshop teachers
Morning class teachers
09:00 - 09:45
Morning warm-up
Sintija Silina
Olga Zitluhina
Lauma Berga
Ramona Galkina
10:00 - 11:30
Technical class
Victor Rottier
11:45 - 13:15
Technical class
Mate Meszaros
15:00 - 18:00
Conscious Release
Agostina D’Alessandro
19:30 - 21:00
Evening activities
PRO group Dates: May 1-5, 2024
Click on the selected class to read the description
PRO group
Advanced level of training for professional dancers and choreographers
OPEN group
Intermediate level of training for dance students and enthusiasts with experience in dance
Choose a course to see the program
09:00 - 09:45
Morning warm-up
Sintija Silina
Olga Zitluhina
Lauma Berga
Ramona Galkina
10:00 - 11:30
Technical class
Mate Meszaros
11:45 - 13:15
Technical class
Victor Rottier
15:00 - 17:45
Improvisation
Alissa Snaider
19:30 - 21:00
Evening activities
OPEN group Dates: May 1-5, 2024
Click on the selected class to read the description
PRO group
Advanced level of training for professional dancers and choreographers
OPEN group
Intermediate level of training for dance students and enthusiasts with experience in dance
Choose a course to see the program
Evening program
In addition to a rich schedule of dance classes, participants will have an evening program which will include:
  • Evening performances
    Participants will be able to attend performances by Latvian choreographers and get to know the local dance community
    The evening will take place on the stage of the theater and will be filled with an atmosphere of creativity
    1
  • Meeting evening + lecture
    Participants will be able to get to know each other, teachers and organizers. Also, there will be an opportunity to listen an interesting lecture from an invited speaker.
    Pleasant and informative evening in a circle of like-minded people
    2
  • Challenge jam
    Improvisational dance performance. Participants will be able to be both spectators and performers. Unforgettable experience. The permanent hit of our projects
    3
  • Riga/ON
  • Free evening
    Free time for recuperation, walks around beautiful Riga, or any other kind of relaxation
    4
  • Final party
    The perfect end to a productive week. Opportunity to chat in an informal setting, share your impressions about the project and break away on the dance floor
    5
  • Evening performances
    Participants will be able to attend performances by Latvian choreographers and get to know the local dance community
    The evening will take place on the stage of the theater and will be filled with an atmosphere of creativity
    1
  • Meeting evening + lecture
    Participants will be able to get to know each other, teachers and organizers. Also, there will be an opportunity to listen an interesting lecture from an invited speaker.
    Pleasant and informative evening in a circle of like-minded people
    2
  • Challenge jam
    Improvisational dance performance. Participants will be able to be both spectators and performers. Unforgettable experience. The permanent hit of our projects
    3
  • Free evening
    Free time for recuperation, walks around beautiful Riga, or any other kind of relaxation
    4
  • Final party
    The perfect end to a productive week. Opportunity to chat in an informal setting, share your impressions about the project and break away on the dance floor
    5
How to participate
Choose a group
Choose the level of course that suits you

Registration

Fill out the online registration form. Be careful when entering your data
Confirmation
After submitting your registration form you will receive a notification email and registration fee payment details. In this email you will be notified whether or not you are accepted to our workshop, confirming your group and bank transfer information for the non-refundable registration fee
Payment
Make a prepayment of 100 EUR non-refundable registration fee in order to confirm your participation at Riga/ON 2024. The registration fee should be paid within 1 week after receiving your acceptance email. Only after we have received the transaction your spot at Riga/ON 2024 will be confirmed.
The remaining balance of 250 EUR is to be paid upon arrival on the first day of the festival

* Please note that we won’t be able to accept any credit or debit cards.
Cost of participation
To reserve your spot at Riga/ON 2024 fill out online registration form and make a registration fee payment of 100 EUR. It is included in the total price and is non-refundalbe. The remaining balance of 250 EUR is to be paid upon arrival on the first day of the festival.

* Please note that we won’t be able to accept any credit or debit cards.
PRO group
350 EUR
PRO group program
  • Morning warm-up (5 classes)
  • Technique (10 classes)
  • Conscious Release (5 x 3 hours classes)
Included in the price:
  • Course completion certificate
  • Evening program
  • Gift
OPEN group
350 EUR
OPEN group program
  • Morning warm-up (5 classes)
  • Technique (10 classes)
  • Improvisation (5 x 2:45 hours classes)
Included in the price:
  • Course completion certificate
  • Evening program
  • Gift
Accommodation
Rija VEF hotel
We have great opportunity for those who come to Riga/ON from other countries and cities.

“Rija VEF hotel” became a partner of the project and provide our guests with very comfortable living conditions, and the most convenient location - a 6-minute walk from the studio where master classes will be held.

For participants of Riga/ON 2024 there will be discount on the promo code for accommodation from April 30 to May 6 (6 nights).

Website of a hotel: https://www.rijahotels.com/lv/viesnicas/rija-vef-hotel

For details, and to get a promo code, please write to us on any convenient messenger.
Telegram | WhatsApp
Location
Studio RITMS
Educational and performative programs will take place in the spacious halls of the studio RITMS.

RITMS, Brīvības gatve 193 A, LV- 1036 Riga, Latvia
look at google map

At the disposal of the participants will be two dance halls, measuring 170 and 180 square meters, with high ceilings, mirrors, panoramic windows, and dressing rooms.

The infrastructure near the venue of the master classes is well developed, which allows you to quickly and comfortably get to it.
Organizers of the project
DEJAS TELPA
Latvia
Is non goverment organisation created in 2016 by two dance artists Elina and Dmitrijs Gaitjukevici. The goals of organisation are to improve the level of cultural education in contemporary dance; promotion of contemporary dance in Latvia and abroad by supporting creative activity of professional contemporary dance artists.
Contact us in any convenient way. We will be glad to answer your questions:
E-mail: info@riga-on.com

Messengers: Telegram | WhatsApp

Social network: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Victor Rottier
Workshop description
SLAM!
These days you will be challenged by a combination of floor work, improvisation and set material.
The focus lies on continuation and overlapping movements to create a fluid-like quality.
Aside from pushing boundaries the goal is to provide technical tools to support you while digesting new information.
I believe in a highly physical but sensitive approach to create a base on which we can take risks.
This class is aimed to make you think, sweat and groove to hand picked tunes and space filling phrases.
I hope to see you there!
Biography
Victor Rottier, born in the Netherlands, received his education from Artez university of the arts Arnhem, The Netherlands.
Victor is currently working as freelance choreographer, director and teacher.
2013 - 2014 he worked as a member of the poetic disasters club with club guy & roni in Groningen, The Netherlands.
From 2014 - 2018 Victor was a full time ensemble dancer with Staatstheater Kassel and performed pieces from Johannes Wieland, Hofesh Shechter, Maxime Doyle, Tom Weinberger & Helder Seabra.
He was working as Rehearsal director & choreographic assistant along side Johannes Wieland until 2022.
As a teacher he tours his workshops ‘SLAM!’ and ‘Callus & Analysis’ throughout contemporary dance festivals in Europe.
Victor is working closely with dance educations to teach workshops, create pieces and is a work field coach for last year student of Artez university of the arts in The Netherlands.
Agostina D’Alessandro
Workshop description
This workshop is a 5 days intense immersion into the Conscious Release Method. The application of this technique optimizes the body perception by building awareness towards the current state and abilities of the dancer.
The body becomes a borderless tool for the dancer’s imagination and its dance patterns.
By using the contemplation of inner space and through the release of tension, an effective means to stop habitual patterns and formal movements in the dance arises. Full creativity can then be experienced and form appears only to serve a unique expression: the present moment.

During these 5 days we will explore the bases of the method: identification of unnecessary body tension, Cartesian axe, increasing the sensation of body weight (participation into the physics lows of Free Fall and Ballistics) and movement chain analysis.
Biography
Agostina D’Alessandro (ARG/BE) is a contemporary dancer, teacher and choreographer. In 2005 she established herself in Brussels where she started working as a performer with T.R.A.S.H Company (Holland) in the following productions: Pork-In-Loop and Zofia, performing in Holland, Belgium, Spain and France until 2011. In 2009 she joined Julyen Hamilton Company- Allen’s Line, performing severals pieces until 2017.
Since 2011 she is part of the creative team of Improvisation and Composition at the Royal Dance Conservatory of Antwerp, where she creates more than 14 productions and teaches to many generations of dancers since.
In 2016 she establish her own dance company in Brussels. She is often invited as a choreographer to make project and create pieces in several countries in Europe. Agostina D’Alessandro has a particular taste for choreographed ensembles, for the fluidity of bodies and the gentleness of presence. Her main artistic aim is to develop a particular vocabulary based on choreographic dialogue with live music and the use of body and voice as expressive tools. Each new creation is an opportunity to broaden the artistic vision and deepen the aesthetic material that gives the company its unique identity.

In 2020 she premiered Formless Mirror (she who reveals) coproduced by Le Senghor, Marni’s Theater and Expansive Being Asbl and presented in Brussels Dance Festival and D Festival – Marni Theater in 2022.
In 2023 she premiered in France at Ballet de Marseille/ Mars en Barroque, a new production: The nature of intimacy, in coproduction with Charleroi Danse, Festival Présences Compositrices, Les Brigittines and with the financial support of FWB Dance Department, WBI and WBTD.

In November she will premier her new piece: One Body is not Enough, an Slovenian/ NEST production supported by the Ministry of Culture of Slovenia and the City of Lubjana.

Agostina received in 2018 a research grant from the Fédération Wallonie Bruxelles for the development and research of the Conscious Release™ method which she teaches in Belgium, Mexico, France, Bulgaria, Holland, Argentina, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Slovenia and Spain. She is notably invited as a choreographer to carry out international projects.
Máté Mészáros
Workshop description
Our body is the same in every movement and in any style but the possibilty to change is essential. We focuse on these principals through different excerises and ways of approaches. We explore floorework and partnering based on the material of creations from my performances. Dynamic and powerful movement material where we only deal with physicality that defines the essence of dance.
Biography
Mészáros Máté after finishing the Hungarian Dance Academy, started working in Hungary. Leaving the country after 3 years he worked as a dancer with the most reputed choreographers in Europe: Ohad Naharin, Wim Vandekeybus, Sharon Eyal, Amanda Miller, Ina Christel Johannessen and many others. He has been the member of Carte Blanche for 5 years and Ultima Vez for 6 years and assisting Wim Vandekeybus in 5 pieces.

Education:
2016-2018 Budapest Contemporary Dance Academy/ Contemporary Dance Teacher MA
1995-2001 Hungarian Dance Academy

Work experience:
2015-freelance dancer, choreographer, teacher
2015- 2009 Ultima Vez / Wim Vandekeybus, Belgium
2004-2008 Carte Blanche, The Norwegian Company of Contemporary Dance
2004 Lanonima Imperial, Spain
2003-2004 Carte Blanche, The Norwegian Company of Contemporary Dance
1999-2003
Szeged Contemporary Ballet, Hungary


Repertoire by Choreographers:
Ohad Naharin, Wim Vandekeybus, Juronics Tamás, Sharon Eyal, Amanda Miller, Roberto Galvan, Alan Lucien Oyen, Bruno Listopad, Ina Christel Johannessen,

Juan Carlos Garcia, Ingun Bjornsgard and others

Teaching experiences:
Summer Intensive/Portugal
Deltebre Dansa/ Spain
Supercell Dance Festival/Australia
IDW/Hungary
Alias Summer Intensive/Canada
Venice Biennale/Italy
Revuelo/Chile
Gdansk International Dance Festival/Poland
Budapest Contemporaty Dance Academy/Hungary
Alissa Šnaider
Workshop description
The body never lies nor do muscles ever forget.
We will create an open-end creative space, a situation, a landscape, a constellation, where we all have resources and tools to share, where exchange and production of knowledge will take place. Where getting lost or drifting off will be an intended part of the process. It will be dynamic, ever changing non-hierarchical assemblage of multiplicities and relations. We will dance, choreograph, observe and share. In our process dance will not desire to prove anything with the movement. We will dive into dance and choreography as separate and independent entities residing within our bodies. If choreography is the desire of the body to organize matter in space, then what is dance and more importantly, how can we set the conditions for it to appear in all its ephemeral glory?
We will aim for shameless emptiness.
Deprived of concepts, undressed from the meanings and layers of pre-conceived ideas on what dancing is, this laboratory will exist without being covered by a context or a meaning.
Biography
Alissa Šnaider is an artist, choreographer and photographer. She has obtained MFA diploma at Sandberg Institute (Amsterdam). Alissa Šnaider is a visual artist, dramaturge, choreographer and curator at elektron. Alissa began her career in 2002, creating several productions with Sandra Z in both Kanuti Guild SAAL and Theater NO99.
Their duo was not limited to the performance format but also expanded to the electronic stand-up pop band QueeNNaive, which toured for many years in Estonia including NuPerformance and Baltic Circle festivals. Alissa then joined Sasha Pepelyaev's troupe as a dancer in "Doors," for which she received the Philip Morris Dance Awards of the Year in 2006. In 2013 Alissa has performed for ‘’Intermission’’ by Maria Hassabi in the frame of “oO”,
Cyprus and Lithuanian Pavilion, 55th International Art Exhibition — Venice Biennale 2013.

Alissa Šnaider is known for her daring approach to collectivity, mediums and forms. Her sense of theatre-to-become and format-queerness is especially strong in “Three Left Hours (everybody’s piece)” (2015) which earned a special place in Estonian theatre
history.

She has presented her works at venues and festivals including:
SAAL Biennaal Festival at Noblessner Shipyard (Tallinn, Estonia 2019), Nowy Teatr (Warszawa, Poland 2016), Vaal Gallry (Tallinn, Estonia 2015), Julia Jongma gallery (Amsterdam 2014), Frankendael Huise (Amsterdam 2014), Frascati Theater (Amsterdam 2014), Het Veem Theater (Amsterdam,2013), Venice Biennnale in the frame of "oO"- Cyprus and Lithuanian Pavilion,Uferstudios (Berlin, 2013), Kanuti Gildi
SAAL (Tallinn, 2012), Baltic Cirlce Festival (Helsinki, 2011), Uzés Danse CDC; TanzWerkstatt; O Espaço do Tempo (France, Germany, Portugal, 2009).
Olga Žitluhina
Class description
The awakening of the human body is linked to a natural dawn or sunrise.
In this time of fragmentation and endless flow of information I would like to share with you some body/mind practices (Infinity, 5 Tibetan, 5 Animal Qigong, Swinging Therapy, Vibrogymnastic, Slapping Therapy, Laughter Therapy).
We're going to try a little bit of each of these practices and focus a little more on one of the practices each day. The class will allow you to enjoy yourself, enjoy the silence of your body and its volume, will charge you with energy and confidence for the whole day.

Biography
Olga Zitluhina`s artistic bio in numbers:
57 years – dancing
45 years – choreographing
45 years – teaching and sharing dance
28 years teaching in the State Ballet school
24 years – the director of contemporary dance program at the Latvian academy of culture
14 years as Professor
19 years – the art director of LAIKS DEJOT , contemporary dance festival in Riga, Latvia
20 performances for her own company
39 “ÀRÁ” performances
3 performances for Latvian National Ballet company
2 performances for break dance company Camelot
56 hours SOLO dancing performance in 2014
31 years – the official alien
44 countries performed and taught
10 times teaching in China
2 times awarded as best contemporary dance performance in Latvia
1 National Dance award as Best Dancer for 2019-2021
Sintija Silina
Class description
bodyART® is a functional body & mind training focusing on the detailed movement experience and holistic approach to the workout itself. The training system is designed as an open "platform" that merges the best and most therapeutically effective of yoga, classical strength exercises, flexibility and stretching exercises, physiotherapy-based exercises, various breathing techniques, relaxation techniques and Japanese Do In massage systems additionally to bodyART® original exercises. bodyART® significantly improves strength, coordination, flexibility, balance, endurance, self-control and relieve stress due to its multidimensional impact. bodyART® is liberal in its concept assuring that you don't need anything more than yourself to reach the awareness.

Biography
Sintija Silina is a Latvian choreographer and dancer professionally active since 2007, and certified bodyART® instructor since 2014. She received the BA in contemporary choreography from the Latvian Academy of Culture in 2007. Sintija Silina has participated in a variety of dance festivals, dance workshops and residencies around the world including b12 (Germany), ImPulsTanz (Austria), Dance Omi International Dance Collective (USA), tanzhaus nrw (Germany) and Summer Studios PARTS (Belgium) among other. In 2007 Sintija Silina received the DanceWEB Europe scholarship mentored by Jonathan Burrows. Her latest work – the dance performance ROCK BOTTOM was nominated for the first Latvian Dance Award as the noticed contemporary dance production for the two-year period – 2017 and 2018.
Ramona Galkina
Class description
The Feldenkrais Method is not a dance technique but a method of somatic (physical) learning for the sake of self-development and feeling better. The link between improving movement skills and shifts in the perception of ourselves and the world is established by the subjective experience of sensory-motor coordination. The somatic experiences are brought to the foreground and are guided along by the structure of the Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons. During the ATM participants explore sequences of movements in lying on the floor , sitting or standing. Each lesson can be understood as a study of the biomechanical and developmental nature of body movement through the prism of a specific function. The lessons are verbally led by a practitioner.

Biography
Ramona Galkina teaches different dance and movement disciplines to the students of dance and theatre at the Latvian Academy of Culture since 2004. She has been a qualified as a certificated Feldenkrais Method practitioner (Feldenkrais International Training Program, Vienna) since 2004 and is actively taking part in various advanced trainings and workshops. Her teaching provides an ongoing source of inspiration with opportunities to investigate her own practice and sees her teaching nationally and internationally in a variety of settings.
Lauma Berga
Class description
With the help of Pilates exercises we will wake up our body and prepare it for a productive and healthy working day. Pilates method is loved by dancers from all over the world, since it teaches you the full control of any movement and therefore can help you to follow the anatomically correct path of a movement in your dance technique, perhaps even prolonging your career and definitely making it more enjoyable.

Biography
Lauma Berga is a professional ballet dancer and teacher. Her journey started in Riga Choreography school, taking her to the Dutch National Ballet Academy (graduated in 2016), Finnish National Ballet and Hong Kong Ballet. Since her return to Latvia, she has worked as a freelance dancer and as a ballet/Pilates teacher in I-DEJAS MĀJA, Lauma Berga Ballet and Riga Ballet school.
Standard Single room
The single rooms at Rija VEF Hotel are equipped with everything needed to ensure that each guest can enjoy their rest after having a busy day in the city. Each of these rooms has a private bathroom. An iron, ironing board and hot drink facilities are available for our guests’ convenience. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Rija VEF Hotel. These rooms will comfortably accommodate both business travellers and tourists. The approximate size of the room: 7-13 m2.
About Hotel
rijahotels.com
Rija VEF Hotel has 6 floors with 135 well-planned rooms. They possess a cozy interior with everything to make guests feel comfortable while working or having a rest every day. The floors of Rija VEF Hotel are in various colors, and the guests are welcome to choose their favorite one – yellow, green, purple, red, or blue.
  • Pets allowed
  • Lobby bar
  • Parking lot
  • 24 H reception
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Minibar
  • Hair dryer
  • Working desk, chair
  • Flat screen TV
  • Buffet breakfast
  • Cards accepted
Standard Double or Twin room
The Standard rooms are particularly suitable for those looking for comfortable lodging for a short period and spending most of the time outside the Hotel. The Standard room have everything on needs on a daily basis. Depending on the guests’ preferences and needs, the following rooms are available: one single, two or three single, or one double bed. The rooms can be chosen with a view to the street or to the backyard. Depending on the number of bookings for the days of the stay, the guests may choose their favorite color of the floor – yellow, green, purple, blue, or red.