Where

ZfinMalta National Dance Company, Valletta, Malta View map

Every month ŻfinMalta opens its doors to local and international professional dance artists and students following vocational training to join the ŻfinMalta dancers during their morning practice.

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Ticket sales finished!

Ticket sales for ŻfinMalta's Open Company Classes (Yoga & Cunningham technique) unfortunately have now finished! The last day of this event was on Friday 24-Nov-2023. Ticket sales ended at Friday 24-Nov-2023 11:00.

Description

Led by a cast of venerable local and international guest teachers, classes are varied and challenging and include somatic, contemporary, ballet, and yoga practices. ŻfinMalta company open classes provide a safe and inclusive space for dancers to further develop a professional practice, make connections, and experience life within the national dance company. Classes are open to experienced dancers, as well as those enrolled in vocational training.

 

Vinyasa Yoga with Nicola Micallef

13 - 17 November 2023, 10:00 – 11:15

“a lively dance of awakening supported by mindfulness meditation and breath awareness”

 

Nicola’s yoga classes are a blend of active and receptive Vinyasa yoga practice with a focus on alignment. This form of Hatha yoga cultivates strength and flexibility. The aim of this week’s yoga practice is to establish a profound mind-body connection, stretching and strengthening the body, in a calm and supportive manner. With the occasional use of essential oils, we may enhance our attention to our breath, stimulating a deeper sensory experience as we move. You are invited to apply clarity, relax into openness, and be inspired through a creative flow, to access a deeper connection to our mental and physical structure.

 


About Nicola Micallef

 

Nicola Micallef, born in Malta 1999, began her Cecchetti Classical Ballet training with the Dance Workshop, where she developed a fascination for Contemporary Dance. She went on to pursue her career with ŻfinMalta National Dance Company, joining the company in 2017, under direction of Artistic Director, Paolo Mangiola. Following her four years of working intensively with the company, she embarked on a freelance career and relocated to Berlin, Germany. She has collaborated with a range of choreographers and performed internationally, including Dubai, and the UK.

 

In addition to her passion for artistic movement, Nicola has cultivated a profound interest in the art of yoga. In December 2022, she completed her 200-hour teacher training program at La Casa Shambala in Thailand, where she attained certification in both Hatha and Vinyasa styles. She currently leads Vinyasa and Aromatherapy classes alongside her ongoing dance projects in Berlin.


Cunningham Technique with ŻfinMalta Artistic Director, Paolo Mangiola

20 - 24 November 2023, 10:00 – 11:20

Through the exploration of Cunningham technique and its principles, the dancers will be studying how the body coordinates in space using its levels and various fronts. The class put emphasis on the mobility of the spine and how movement can be generated through challenging coordinations and quick shifts of weight. It is a physical warm-up, open only to advanced students, semi-professionals and professional dancers.  These sessions are accompanied by live percussionist Luke Baldacchino.

 

About Luke Baldacchino (live percussionist)


Luke Baldacchino is a freelance multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, and certified music educator. He regularly performs as a percussionist with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and as a session musician with various artists and companies, both locally and abroad. Luke is Founder and Director of both The Tailors (an eclectic music-entertainment ensemble) and Ritmik (a music education enterprise). Luke is committed towards the active involvement of persons with learning disabilities in the performing arts. He is actively involved with Opening Doors Association, and has been leading the Music Group since its birth. Luke holds a first class BA (Hons) in percussion performance, and a post-graduate certificate in music education (PGCE), both from the University of Malta.


Dates & times: At least one week, monthly, Monday to Friday /10:00 – 11:15*

Venue: ŻfinMalta Studios, Valletta

*Company Open Ballet classes run for 1hr30mins

*Company Open Cunningham classes run for 1hr 20mins

 Age: 18+*

 

We consider participation from younger individuals on a case-to-case basis, usually accepting requests from participants pursuing vocational training. Interested participants under the age of 18 may contact martina.d.zammit@zfinmalta.mt in advance of booking their tickets.


 

On purchasing the 5-session package for these weeks, we kindly ask you to contact martina.d.zammit@zfinmalta.mt to confirm the dates you'll be attending.   

 

Participants attending classes must fill out ŻfinMalta Participation form in advance of attendance: https://forms.gle/YqxM9DJTahcZ1uGH9              

Please check out our Class Policy prior to attending classes and for further details.