The first edition of Dance House Helsinki’s intensive is proudly presented in partnership with Nederlands Dans Theater. The collaboration is a pilot project and experiment into a repertoire-focused short-form intensive designed to offer dancers a unique experience of distinct choreographic worlds and movement styles.
The three-day intensive, running from 23 to 25 June, will focus on the movement languages of NDT’s associate choreographers, Marcos Morau (excerpts of Horses, 2024) and Crystal Pite (excerpts of Solo echo, 2012). It offers an immersive experience into Nederlands Dans Theater’s world with technique classes, repertoire sessions, movement research and feedback discussions led by experienced former company dancers and choreographers.
The intensive is designed for pre-professional and professional dancers from ages 18 to 28 with multiple years of training and practice in ballet, contemporary dance and hybrid styles of dance and forms of movement.
All body types, gender identities and backgrounds are welcome. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment centered on learning, sharing and enjoying dance.
The application deadline has officially passed, but feel free to contact us to ask about any remaining free spots 2026intensive@tanssintalo.fi. Read more info below.
Teachers
The intensive will be led by former NDT dancers Valentina Scaglia, Paxton Rickets. Dimo Milev, who created works for NDT in 2019 and 2020 will guide the movement exploration. They have all performed in the focus choreographers' works and bring first-hand experience of the working methods of these artists and beyond.
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Dimo Kirilov Milev was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. He began his studies at the National ballet school of Sofia.In 1993 he was part of The National Opera of Sofia and a year later joined the Jeunne Ballet de France. From 1996 to 2001 he was dancing in Ballet de Nancy and Lorraine where he danced classical and contemporary repertoire. In 20001 he joined Copmañia Nacional de Danza in Spain under the direction of Nacho Duato. He danced works by William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Hans van Manen, Jiry Kilyan, Jean Fransois Durrure among others and worked with choreographers including Mats Ek, Wim Vandekeybus, Jorma Uotinen, Orjan Anderson, About Lagraa, Jacopo Godani, Gustavo Ramirez, Antonio Ruz…
Since 2009 Dimo is a freelancer dancer and choreographer. Together with Gentian Doda created S.O.S and 1/2 Waltz. This last peace won the Choreographic competitions in Copenhagen and Hannover in 2011. His work “Aimless” won the 1st prize in the international competition for choreography Burgos-New York in July 2013 and second prize in the Copenhagen. In December 2013 he created “Collisions” for the T.H.E dance company of Singapore for the festival “Contact”.
In 2014 he created the full evening duo “Entre mares” for the Festival Madrid en Danza. In 2016 Jose Carlos Martinez invited him to create the piece “Anhelos y tormentos” on the music of Enrique Granados for the Compañia Nacional de Danza in Madrid. And in 2017 he create the full evening “Broken lines” and was invited again in T.H.E dance company of Singapore to create the piece “Perhaps someone…”
He also teaches gives workshops and works as a assistant in different projects. Together with Tamako Akiyama he was inverted by Manuel Legris for “The New Universe of Manuel Legris” in Wien, Paris and Tokio.Milev made a new creation for NDT 2 for the first time in Up & Coming Choreographers in 2019, and in 2020 his first work premiered in the regular programming of NDT 2: Fusions and some confusions.
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Valentina began her dance education in Torino, Italy at the Studio Danza Narcisa where she studied for 10 years. In 1995 she participated at the Prix de Lausanne and won the ‘Prix Espoir’ with a Scholarship for the Hamburg Ballett School where she finished her dance studies. She joined The Hamburg Ballett (by John Neumeier) where she danced 3 years.
In 2001 Valentina joined the Nederlands Dans Theater 2 and three years later Nederland Dans Theater 1 where she worked until December 2013. At NDT she had the privilege of working and creating with choreographers such as Jiří Kylián, Paul Lightfoot/Sol Leon, Hans van Manen, Johan Inger, Wiliam Forsythe, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite among many others.
Recently, she has been active in coaching and teaching NDT repertory to companies and schools and is involved in various educational dance projects with NDT. She loves teaching young kids the magic gift of dance as an expressive means (Kids Atelier). Valentina is also a certified trainer and coach for the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® method since 2014 under her own studio Body in Flow.
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Paxton Ricketts was born in Denmark and grew up in Canada. He trained at Arts Umbrella Dance from the age of 9 until 19.
In 2014, Paxton joined Nederlands Dans Theater 2 and moved to Nederlands Dans Theater 1 in 2017. During his time with the company, he toured worldwide, performing work by world-renowned choreographers. He left the company in 2024. He has also performed with Ballet BC, Wen Wei Dance, Adam Linder Studio, Fran Diaz and Korzo Theater, among others.
As a choreographer, Paxton has created dozens of works for stage, film, and site-specific venues. In 2022, he studied choreography under Crystal Pite during her creation at The Royal Ballet. In 2023, he participated in the Pioneer Project hosted by Korzo Theater. Recently, Paxton has choreographed new works for GöteborgsOperans Danskompani (Sweden), The Place (UK), Kammerballetten (Denmark), NDT Summer Intensive (Netherlands), Fabula Collective (UK), Korzo Theater (Netherlands), Sonder Ensemble (Germany), Arts Umbrella Dance (Canada), HD Theatre (USA) Club Guy & Roni Spring Seminar (Netherlands), and Thorvaldsens Museum (Denmark). His work was a semi-finalist in the 2022 Rotterdam International Duet Choreography Competition. He was selected as an Aerowaves Twenty25 Artist for his work “Live! Not to be missed. Touring Regionally.”
Paxton now lives in London.
Repertoire choreographers
The intensive will focus on the movement languages of NDT’s associate choreographers, Marcos Morau (excerpts of Horses, 2024) and Crystal Pite (excerpts of Solo echo, 2012).
Crystal Pite: Solo Echo (2012)
Solo Echo was originally created for NDT 1 by associate choreographer Crystal Pite. Against a backdrop of steadily whirling snow one character is seen through the perspective of many. Set to two sonatas for cello and piano by Brahms – the first composed at the beginning of his life and the second towards the end – Solo Echo describes a life’s journey from the coming of age to the passing of time.
Marcos Morau: Horses (2024)
Renowned for creating visually striking works, Marcos Morau crafts surreal landscapes, drawing you into the unknown. In Horses, Morau invites you to reflect on what it means to survive in our increasingly complex world.
Further info
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The primary language of instruction is English. Participants should feel comfortable following fast-paced directions and be able to contribute to group discussions.
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The application deadline has officially passed, but feel free to contact us to ask about any remaining free spots 2026intensive@tanssintalo.fi. Accepted applicants will receive a payment link & further information. Partial attendance is not possible, participants take part in the full programme.
In the event of cancellation the full fee will be reimbursed up to two weeks before the course start date. During the two weeks prior to the intensive start date, reimbursement may be possible if cancellation is due to exceptional circumstances (e.g. injury) and is supported by appropriate documentation.
The intensive fee is 200 euros (incl. VAT). The payment includes the full intensive programme as well as lunch on Wednesday and Thursday. The fee is payable via payment link sent to all accepted applicants. A few reduced-price spots are reserved for applicants with financial struggles. Payment in installments is also possible. Please contact Intensive staff: 2026intensive@tanssintalo.fi
Participants are responsible for securing their own accommodation. Dance House Helsinki has partner hotels offering reduced prices.
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All participants are required to have adequate insurance coverage. As the responsible organiser Dance House Foundation has general liability coverage.
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The intensive will be photographed for communications and archival purposes. By attending the intensive, participants accept that their images may be used for non-commercial purposes on the partners’ websites, social media channels or promotional materials.
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The intensive is meant only for its participants and is not open to audiences.
Attending the intensive does not open access to auditioning for Nederlands Dans Theater, it is offered only for the benefit of the participants’ personal development.
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The responsible organiser of the intensive is Dance House Foundation sr (Business ID 3351569-2).
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For more info, please contact: 2026intensive@tanssintalo.fi
