Conscious Reduction - Dance Practice

by Thomas Noone (Spain)

Date: 27th July | Time: 10:00am | Location: The Dance Workshop, G'Mangia, Studio DW1 | Duration: 120mins

Class Description:

Conscious Reduction is a response to the overwhelming saturation of information and influences we encounter, not only as dancers but also as individuals. Rather than a technique—of which there are already many valid ones—it is an approach or practice. It offers a way of thinking that enables participants to declutter, rationalise, and channel information, both physical and imaginary, fostering heightened awareness and mindful freedom. Instead of relying on a class of set movements, the workshop employs a structured system of progressive moving exercises and guided improvisation. These help dancers become deeply aware of their bodies and develop conscious control over how they shape and move them. Additionally, this workshop will seamlessly integrate the art of object use in dance, exploring how objects can become extensions of the body, adding depth and dimension to movement practices.

Workshop Target Audience: Dance students and professional dancers 

Level of Experience Required: Experienced Dancers

Genre of Performance: A dance/object theatre fusion exploring the synergy between puppetry and dance, and the contradiction of animating inanimate elements. 

Workshop Led by:

Thomas Noone

Thomas Noone is a Barcelona-based choreographer known for his physical, gestural style. Founder of Thomas Noone Dance (TND) in 2001, his company has been resident at SAT! Theatre since 2005. Over 19 years, TND has premiered over 30 productions, collaborating with major institutions like the Grec Festival and Mercat de les Flors. The company tours widely across Europe, South Korea, Lebanon, and Latin America. As a guest choreographer, Noone has created works for Ballett Basel (CH), Norrdans (SE), Ballet du Rhin (FR), Münster Tanztheater (DE), and Ballet Nacional Chileno (BANCH), among others. He has also collaborated with inclusive dance companies Stopgap (UK) and Kyo-Muse (Japan). Since 2006, Noone has been Dance Program Advisor at SAT!, directing the Dansat! festival and initiatives supporting local talent, international collaborations, and inclusive dance. Awarded Barcelona’s Ciutat de Barcelona Dance Prize in 2011, he continues to teach, adjudicate, and tour works blending dance and puppetry. 

Supported by: Embajada De España En Malta

Reaction

by Min Kim (South Korea)

Date: 27th July | Time: 12:30pm | Location: The Dance Workshop, G'Mangia, Studio DW1 | Duration: 120mins

Class Description:

Main theme is reaction. We would like to find reasons in why we move and objectively choose the movements to create the dynamics dancers can make.

Workshop Target Audience: Open to all Intermediate-level dancers

Level of Experience Required: Intermediate

Genre of Performance: Contemporary Dance

Workshop Led by:

Min Kim

Min Kim is a choreographer based in Seoul, South Korea. After completing his studies in Korea National University of Arts, he has founded TOB GROUP. Having gained attention at a young age by revealing his fresh sensibility and using a clever approach, he is solidifying his presence not only in Korea but also in the international stage.

Dervish in Progress - Transformation Through Whirling

by Ziya Azazi (Turkey/Austria)

Date: 27th July | Time: 3:00pm | Location: The Dance Workshop, G'Mangia, Studio DW1 | Duration: 120mins

Class Description:

Dervish in Progress (DIP) is a movement-based workshop designed to develop physical, mental, and emotional awareness through whirling. Created by Ziya Azazi, it offers participants the opportunity to explore their limits, balance, and perception of space in a structured yet fluid environment. The workshop consists of three main stages. The warm-up phase includes stretching and breathing exercises to enhance concentration and body control. Awareness training follows, incorporating floor work, acrobatics, and improvisation exercises to strengthen spatial and sensory awareness. The final stage focuses on whirling practice, where participants engage in progressive spinning exercises, both individually and in groups, to improve coordination, energy efficiency, and mind-body integration. By experiencing the dizzying state of spinning, participants go beyond movement control, embracing the unknown and deepening self-awareness. This process fosters mental clarity, physical adaptability, and emotional resilience, offering a holistic approach to movement and transformation.

Workshop Target Audience: Dervish in Progress (DIP) is open to anyone interested in movement and self-awareness. Dancers, performers, athletes, yoga or meditation practitioners, and those curious about whirling are all welcome.

Level of Experience Required: No previous experience is needed—anyone open to self-exploration can join.

Genre of Performance: A contemporary approach to traditional sufi whirling

Workshop Led by:

Ziya Azazi

Ziya Azazi is a renowned dancer and choreographer known for his innovative approach to whirling and contemporary movement. Born in Turkey and based in Europe, he has spent over two decades redefining Sufi whirling, transforming it into a dynamic, physical, and deeply personal expression. With a background in gymnastics and dance, Azazi blends tradition with modernity, creating performances that challenge boundaries and inspire audiences worldwide. His signature works, including Dervish in Progress (DIP) and Ember, explore themes of transformation, self-discovery, and the balance between freedom and discipline. Azazi has performed and taught in over 55 countries, collaborating with international festivals, institutions, and artists. Through Dervish in Progress, he continues to develop whirling as an active meditation and contemporary performance art, inviting others to explore the power of movement, flow, and self-awareness.

Workshops supported by: The Dance Workshop

Dance Festival Malta is sponsored by: APS Bank, Visit Malta, GSD Marketing Ltd. & Deloitte