Moving the Space with Virginia Poli

Laban Studio 8

Class Description

In my class we will delve into the exploration and connection with space through set improvisation and release/floorwork techniques. Beginning by expanding, stretching, elongating, and contracting the body’s flesh, muscles and bones, we will then venture into exploring diverse ways of traveling in the room. Clear directions and variations in movement size will be key elements of our exploration.

The session will kick off with an energetic warm up, focusing on increasing stamina and strength while establishing a clear intention for the class. We will progress into dance sequences, culminating in a structured improvisation part.

The goal of the class is to ground the body and play with the flow of movement through various pathways and qualities in the space.

Bio

Virginia is originally from Guardistallo (PI) in Tuscany, Italy, where she started dancing at the age of 6. When she was 19, she moved to London and graduated from Trinity Laban with a First Class Honours Degree in 2018. Following her graduation, she was a company member of Transitions Dance Company (in season 2018-2019) and toured works by choreographers such as Karole Armitage, Marina Collard and Hetain Patel.

As a freelancer, she has been working on a variety of productions with different artists and choreographers such as Bim Malcomson (UK) and Alma Tischlerwood, Laura Kenyon- Womanewer (UK), Georgia Tegou & Michalis Theophanous (UK), Laura Engholm- Engholm Danseteater (DNK), Tommy Cattin- Erem Dance (CH), Maxine Doyle (UK), amongst others.

Last year, Virginia featured in the music video For your Girl by Jagara in collaboration with the filmmaker Teddy Powell. She has also collaborated with the videographer J. R. Dawson. In 2021, Virginia performed in the video editorial of the spring collection 2022 by the fashion brand Eminandpaul.

Virginia is the co-founder of VI.SA. Dance Project together with the dance artist Sara Maurizi, with whom, she created and performed the duet (R)esistentia that premiered in 2022 at the Umbria Dance Festival in Perugia (Italy).

The collective was awarded with the DYCP grant by Art Council England.

Virginia has worked as a dance teacher for many companies and organisations in London, including Greenwich Dance, Age UK, Wee movers, Moving Waves, Gems Performing Arts, Trip Space and many others.