Rosas Repertory
The work is based on the TRIO dance piece which is part of the show called " DESH".

The choreographic writing of the trio is really close to the musical composition, which is a strong aspect of the universe of Anne Theresa de Keersmaeker. As well, AT de Keermaeker’s work contains the use of structure, a kind of grammar. I propose to explore the structure of choreographic composition as a concrete way of building dance, of seeing choreography as a whole in relation to appropriate laws and a pre-defined ground-plan. Though structure constrains, it also liberates, conferring autonomy and capability, liberty and rigor to the dancer and dance maker. Also it generates activity, within a group or within the individual artist, linking time, music, silence, space, others who are present, helping create a work of art with the flavor of live performance!
Here, Indian music has a particular relationship with the rythm.
We will learn the piece with movement or writing adaptation.


Contemporary Technique
Freedom in Movement

“I see my teaching as being about freedom in the practice of movement achieved by means of a certain technical rigor.”
The class is divided into three parts; a warm-up on the floor, a barré in the centre and a dance sequence that moves through the space.
During the preparative warm-up we aim to heighten awareness of the internal space in relation to external space by paying special attention to breath, to the deep bone structure and to the body’s centre of gravity. Through breathing exercises, we strive to sharpen perceptions in order to enhance consciousness of the skin, of weight, of the internal organs, of the whole corporal mass and of the voice.
The body stands erect from its base to its summit; pushing vertically from the floor from the back of the heels to the top of the head, articulated by, alternately, suppleness and solidity.
We begin to dance keeping hold of these same notions of lines of force and the use of weight. We extend the first impulse of movement in the space so that the gesture becomes the inscription of desire and intent, paying attention to direction and musicality, seeking movement that is both communal and personnel. Little by little the movement gains in sensitivity and grows more powerful, allowing for more expression and legibility.
(Influenced by the Alexander and Feldenkrais techniques, by Iyengar yoga and the Susan Klein technique approach, I want to bring to bare a physical practice built on perception and imagination and to share the personnel venture that lived during my various experiences as performer, teacher and choreographer.)


Composition
The ephemeral and unique moment

“The work within an atelier contains, for me, the artistic dimension of live performances – a divide from everyday life in order to allow other experiences, emotions, tastes and above all, a critical, creative spirit to flourish.”
In these workshops the aim is to compose a choreographic object and/or to stimulate improvisation that will lead to an organic movement vocabulary centered around the senses rather than intellect.
We will explore the development of movement vocabulary through systems of structured games. We will use the imagination to help discover different corporeal states – the basic materials of contemporary dance. Then we will explore the multiple parameters that enter into constructing choreography.
In order to do this, at the beginning of the session we look for ways that reveal the possibilities of the body as a whole, by working on relaxation and stretching. Through exercises and structured games we encourage precision and quality of movement as well as awareness of the self and of others.
Next we play with other elements related to movement such as time, space, energy, the body and its relation to others, to the floor, to a surface, to sound etc.
The atelier will culminate in compositions and individual and collective improvisations that will unveil and bare witness to that ephemeral and unique instant — the live performance."


Marion Ballester
Marion Ballester is a dancer and choreographer and received her education at the Conservatoire Régionale de la Rochelle, at the Centre Nationale de Danse Contemporaine and at Trisha Brown Studio in New York. In 1992 she became a member of Anne Terese de Keersmaker's Rosas and was assistant with "Once" and "I due Foscari".
In 2003 she created the Duo “Desh” together with Anne Terese de Keersmaker, which premiered at the Opéra de Rouen. She worked with the Company DCA, Phillipe Decoufle and collaborated with Paolo Henrique in Lisbon and with the Companie Philippe Saire in Lausanne a.o.
With her company Aoxoa, founded in 1998, she tours internationally and her work is shown in places such as St. Mark's Church and Judson Church in NYC, the Reprise au Centre National de la Danse, the Festival Les Jaloux de la Danse and l'Étoile du Nord in Paris, the Théatre Paul Eluard, in Bezons and the Asia Dance Forum in Singapore.
She teaches internationally a.o. at P.A.R.T.S, Brussels, Conservatoire Supérieur de Musique et de Danse, Lyon; White Street Center, Studio Janet PANETTA, New York and is guest lecturer at Rosas, Philippe SAIRE, Groupe Emile Dubois/Jean Claude Galotta etc.
Since 8 years now she is developing her own training classes for dance technique, which she offers for advanced and professional dancers, as well as for amateurs.