Interview by Alexander Mercury

Following our first conversation with Sharon Booth last year, Creative Fellowship sat down again with the Artistic Director of Bolzano Danza Workshops to hear what is new in this year’s edition, what young dancers can expect from the programme, and why Bolzano remains one of Europe’s most welcoming summer dance experiences.

Alexander: Since our last conversation, what have been the highlights of your year?

Sharon: This year has been a big one for me artistically. I created a large-scale piece called Strau$$ for the famous Austrian brass ensemble Mnozil Brass. It was created for the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss and brought together music, dance, comedy and seven incredibly talented musicians with massive horns. The piece premiered at the Konzerthaus in Vienna and has been touring internationally since then, receiving wonderful reviews.
I also stepped back on stage in two projects. One was a small project in Vienna based on the music and life of Mikis Theodorakis. The other was in Canada, where I performed as lead dancer and choreographer in Les Géants de la Chanson Française. I had eight days to set the piece, four days of performances, and then flew back to Europe.
We also had an amazing summer in Bolzano. And on a personal note, we got a puppy called Peanut, who is now often with me in the dance studio and has already been to Bolzano for the press conference.

Alexander: What makes this year’s Bolzano Danza Workshops edition unique?

Sharon: This year we are developing Extra Danza even further. It takes place on the first Saturday, when workshop participants bring dance into the public space. They perform with their teachers along the river in Bolzano, and the public is invited to watch and join in.
Last year, more than a thousand people attended and participated, so this year we are making it bigger. The day will culminate in an open-air performance created by Yurena Molina Torres, where participants get a real taste of what it means to perform.
We are also adding a dance battle between different styles. DJ Peeps, who is also teaching hip hop and house, will play music, and dancers from different styles — flamenco, ballet, hip hop, jazz, modern — will respond to it. It is all in good spirit, playful and experimental. It gives dancers and audiences a chance to see how different dance languages can work with unexpected music.

Alexander: Are there any teachers, styles or opportunities participants should especially look forward to?

Sharon: Everything should be looked forward to, but we do have some exciting new teachers and styles.
Diego González is joining us as a teacher for the first time. He was in Bolzano last summer assisting the legendary Sam Watson in American jazz and did such a fantastic job that we invited him back to lead his own workshops. He will teach modern for beginners and jazz funk, which is new for Bolzano. Jazz funk brings together classical jazz technique and urban styles in a very feel-good way. Diego will bring a lot of colour, flair and fabulousness to the festival.
Another new teacher is Esther Cowens, based in Berlin. She will bring the Martha Graham technique to Bolzano, as well as a class called Graham Meets Contemporary. She will help students understand how the essentials of Graham technique can be connected to contemporary movement today.

Alexander: Bolzano is special because the workshops are connected to the performance festival. How can participants benefit from both?

Sharon: They should see as much dance as possible. The performance festival brings incredible companies to the theatre and also into outdoor spaces around Bolzano. Even if dancers cannot get to the theatre every night, there are always opportunities to see performances in the city.
We also have a special collaboration with visiting companies. Pre-professional dancers, if selected by me or recommended by teachers, can sometimes join company class. That is an incredible experience. It is actually how I got one of my big jobs, so you never know what connections might happen.
There is also BoDa, a beautiful garden near the theatre, where people can meet, relax, listen to music, have drinks or snacks, and attend artist talks. It is a very inclusive space where participants, teachers, musicians and performers can mingle.

Alexander: If participants only had time to see one or two performances, what would you recommend?

Sharon: Louise Lecavalier. She is the goddess of Canadian dance, and as a Canadian from Montreal, I am very excited to see her solo show this year. That is an absolute must.
I also think Peeping Tom will be amazing. Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s work will be incredible, and Leïla Ka will be fantastic as well. And of course, our own Extra Danza performance will be very special and full of enthusiasm.

Alexander: What is it like to spend the summer in Bolzano?

Sharon: Bolzano is one of the most beautiful small towns in the world. During the festival, the city is taken over by dance. Participants ride around on bicycles in their bright pink T-shirts, and people in the city are very fond of the festival because we bring dance into public life.
Bolzano has Italian charm with German efficiency. You get fantastic Italian food, and everything works. It can get very hot, but because the city is nestled in the Alps, a storm can come quickly and then disappear, and the sun shines again.
The river, the green spaces, the mountains, the playgrounds, the dogs, the gondola — everything makes it a wonderful place to be. If it gets too hot, you can take the gondola up the mountain, where it is cooler and beautiful for hiking. Combining that with dance and performances is really mega.

Alexander: Is it easy for first-time participants to meet people and feel part of the community?

Sharon: Yes. BoDa is a great place to meet people, and every Sunday we have a Meet & Greet. Participants collect their T-shirts and registration cards, teachers and musicians are there, there are drinks, snacks, performances and introductions.
There is a lot of recognition from people who come back year after year, but also a lot of openness towards new people. Between classes, participants warm up together, cool down together, or walk to the next studio together. It is a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. We are not too cool to be friendly.

Alexander: Many dancers arrive with a strong background in one style. What opportunities do they have to explore new movement languages?

Sharon: We have a huge spectrum of dance styles, and it is my big wish to encourage people to try something new.
There is Bollywood, tap, Lindy Hop, flamenco, hip hop, house, ballet, modern, jazz and much more. We also have an extensive bodywork programme for people who may not feel comfortable calling themselves dancers. It includes Pilates, yoga, Gyrokinesis, Yamuna body rolling, Breathwave and Dance for Health.
There is really something for everyone, from children starting at age five to our Joy of Dance participants, who can be in their eighties. On Mondays, we also offer trial lessons in classes that are not fully booked, so participants can try something before committing to the full week.

Alexander: How do participants choose the right level?

Sharon: We have four main levels. O means open — no experience is required, or you can have a lot of experience. A is beginner, B is intermediate and C is advanced.
Some classes are only offered at higher levels, especially repertory classes such as Ohad Naharin or Crystal Pite, because they are more choreographic and require a certain technical base. Our brochure clearly marks the level of each course.
We also have inclusive classes for people with different abilities. If someone is in the wrong level, our teachers are friendly and wise in how they handle it. Sometimes someone needs to move up, and sometimes someone needs to move to a class where they can learn safely and fully. The goal is always to help each participant get the most out of the experience.

Alexander: What makes Bolzano especially valuable for younger dancers?

Sharon: The inclusive, welcoming atmosphere. We take out the competitive edge that can sometimes exist in institutions. Of course, dancers still figure out where they belong in class, but we do not encourage competition. The point is to learn and share.
Our teachers are not only fantastic artists and educators; they are incredibly good people. That is very important to me. There is no pressure, no humiliation, no harsh atmosphere. We care about delivering dance in the healthiest, happiest and most harmonious way.
People come back again and again because they feel safe to explore. For young dancers, especially those trying a new style for the first time, that is essential.

Alexander: What advice would you give to someone coming to Bolzano for the first time?

Sharon: Ask questions. Let your curiosity be vocal. We cannot help you unless you ask us.
If you feel lost, unsure, or wonder whether a class is the right level, talk to us. We will figure out the best way to support you. Dancers often let the body speak, but we also need to use our voices. Being able to ask clear questions is part of development.

Alexander: Many young dancers hesitate before applying because they wonder whether they are ready. What would you say to them?

Sharon: This week will change your life.
It will connect you with participants, teachers and musicians who will open up the world of dance — and the world itself. People come to Bolzano from many different backgrounds, and everyone steps into a new situation a little nervous.
But we’ve got you. And it is going to be one of the best weeks of your life.