ŠDF INTENSIVE SUMMER WORKSHOPS 2026
Inspiring learning experience for dancers of all levels.
Through innovative pedagogical practices, our workshops create a dynamic space for learning, idea exchange, and networking.
MEET OUR TEACHERS
Every year, dancers, artists, internationally renowned choreographers and dance educators, offer a vibrant selection of workshops in contemporary, jazz, and urban styles.
With classes designed for all levels – from curious newcomers to seasoned professionals – this is your chance to grow, connect and dance !
STATES OF MOTION – CONTEMPORARY DANCE AS EXPLORATION
In this workshop, we will explore contemporary dance technique focusing on the body’s relationship with the floor, movement efficiency, spirals, and the use of gravity and momentum. This technical foundation will serve as our gateway into the universe of “Quebranto”.
We will dive into the piece’s repertoire, exploring its specific physicality and intentions. Finally, with a strong emphasis on musicality, set exercises, and improvisation, we will bridge each dancer’s individual expression with the unique choreographic language of the work, navigating organic flows and staccato dynamics.
* Bruno Duarte has a Master degree in Dance Teaching and a degree in Dance from Escola Superior de Dança in Lisbon. Since 2013, he has been a member of Companhia de Dança de Almada, as resident choreographer, dancer and teacher at the dance school. Since 2011, he has created and co-created several pieces, for the stage and video dance, presented in different countries.
360°MOVEMENT
360° Movement is based on the concept of a three-dimensional body, developing versatility and creative potential.
The workshop investigates contemporary dance, deep floorwork, and physical theatre approaches to build a broad foundation for mapping the body’s territory.
The practice combines a physical and technical approach while exploring exercises designed to unlock creative potential through improvisation, individual work, and partner-based explorations.
360° Movement goes beyond anatomy, integrating physicality with creative energy.
Participants learn to work intelligently, optimizing their energy and challenging their “automatic habits” to increase presence. The process is approached both individually and with others, fostering a space to explore and share ideas while refining decision-making in the integration of improvisation and stage creation.
The workshop guides participants into different states, releasing blocks and progressively building strength, clarity, and power, creating a tunnel into the performance state.
* Yasmin Iriel Frione has worked full-time with the National Company UNSAM (Argentina) and collaborated internationally with companies and projects across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
As a choreographer, Yasmin is the founder of The System Company, creating the trilogy Sistemas de Fuga, her solos Intro and Retro Vision, and Ecce Femme, presented internationally across theatres and festivals in Europe and South America. She is also the founder of Espacio Acuña, a school in Buenos Aires dedicated to movement research and interdisciplinary practices.
Her current research focuses on the intersection of contemporary dance, acrobatics, and physical dramaturgy, exploring versatility, creative potential, and interdisciplinary stage practices.
IN THE RHYTHM OF MY BODY
The workshop by choreographer Fonsi López focuses on a deep exploration of the body, where movement arises from breath and body awareness. We will explore the body’s capacities, both physical and dynamic.
Through exercises and guided improvisation, dancers will investigate their own movement possibilities. I will challenge their capacities and understanding of their own body, guiding them to connect with technique within the complexity of my movement work. We will explore how to use tension in the body efficiently, finding virtuosity in ase and precision, and discovering that true technique comes from knowing and understanding your own body.
The work encourages a constant transformation of the body in space and explores how musicality shapes and informs movement. During the workshop, participants will also work with material from Fonsi López’s repertoire. This gives dancers the opportunity to connect with his creative universe and to deepen their understanding of dynamics, quality, and the expressive potential of movement.
* Alfonso López González is a prominent young emerging Spanish choreographer and performer. He trained at the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Mariemma, the Institut del Teatre, and the Conservatorio Superior de Danza María de Ávila in Madrid. He has worked with Dana Raz Dance Project, Dantzaz, Stadttheater Nordhausen, Conny Janssen Danst in Rotterdam, and Stadttheater Augsburg.
BODY COMMUNICATION
Using their own creativity and improvisation, we will focus on coordinating and mobilizing the spine, joints, head, and the entire body in space — discovering a wide range of textures and movement qualities along the way. We will explore different rhythmic patterns and articulation through structured dance sequences, working extensively with floorwork. Special attention will be given to breath, musicality, and full-body awareness, while encouraging each participant to find their own freedom and unique groove within their dancing.
In the second part of the workshop, we will dive into group improvisational composition. The central theme is the role of community — exploring empathy, sensitivity toward one another, belonging, self-perception within the group, and the dynamics of relationships. Using the body as a living structure, we will raise questions about what it means to be together.
At the end of 2008, Marin Lemić enrolled at the Amsterdam School of the Arts (Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten – de Theaterschool) in the Netherlands. He graduated in 2011 with a degree in Contemporary Dance.
From 2012 to 2016, he performed with state national theatres in Oldenburg and Mainz, Germany. He currently works as a performer and choreographer on various dance projects in Croatia and internationally.
EMBODYING CHOREOGRAPHIES
Besides warming up our bodies through movement awareness and specific technique-oriented exercises, we will work on creating, finding and understanding which tools help us find a unique personal movement vocabulary through a given choreography.
In this workshop I am inviting you to explore, analyze, and embrace the nuances of movement to craft your own expressive dance language. On the less exploratory note come to move, feel, enjoy and discover with me.
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Born in Zagreb, Dora Stepušin began her dance training at the Franjo Lučić School of Performing Arts in her home country, during which time she danced in choreographies by Maša Kolar, Rajko Pavlić and others. She continued her studies in Holland and graduated with distinction from the Codarts University of Arts in Rotterdam. In the 2019/2020 season she was engaged by the renowned Scapino Ballet Rotterdam. She danced in choreographies by Marco Goecke, Cayetano Soto, Ed Wubbe, Jiri Kylian, Hofesh Shechter and Antonin Comestaz, among others. Since the season 2021/22, Dora Stepušin is a member of the NTM Tanz ensemble.
Digging In,
Moving Out
Inspired by the creative process of the solo “The Girl Who Wore Skirts on Windy Days”, this workshop explores how a character emerges and how we can build a persona for a creative project. Through movement, we will investigate two central questions: How can I dig in? and How can I bring what I find inside, out? Participants will work with a range of movement qualities, some comfortable and others challenging, to shape expression and deepen awareness. The workshop concludes with learning excerpts of repertoire from the piece, allowing each participant to connect and improvise with what resonates personally.
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Carolina Batalha is young emerging contemporary dance educator and choreographer with experience in professional training environments and international artistic contexts. Currently completing a Master’s in Dance Teaching at Escola Superior de Dança. She is pecialized in body awareness methodologies, improvisation, and interdisciplinary movement practices. Experienced in teaching actors, from children to professional dancers, and community groups.
Children's workshops
Dance the Story
Jazz Dance & Storytelling for Kids
This energetic and creative workshop invites participants into the world of jazz dance through movement, music, and storytelling. Through carefully designed training sessions, children will be introduced to the fundamentals of jazz technique while exploring their own creativity and self-expression.
By combining technique with guided improvisation, participants will learn how to communicate emotion, character, and narrative through movement. Each session gradually leads into choreography, where dance becomes a powerful tool for creating and interpreting stories.
Workshops are tailored to the age and experience of the participants. Younger children will discover dance storytelling through play and imagination, while older participants will develop stronger stage presence by combining different jazz dance substyles (such as musical and theatre jazz).
The goal for all age groups remains the same: to encourage creative thinking and foster a love of movement.
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Josipa Lujanović (Master’s degree in Pedagogy) is a choreographer, teacher, and dancer, as well as the founder and director of the dance club “Vruća čokolada” (Hot Chocolate) in Split. With over 22 years of experience working with children and youth of all ages, she has created 11 dance productions, organized annual showcases, and participated in numerous national and international dance events and festivals.