MANUELA BONDAVALLI is a dance artist, teacher, performer.

“Manuela is a remarkably potent and experienced dancer, with a strong foundation in traditional and alternative techniques. She has the courage, flexibility and passion – plus integrity, eloquence and humility – to be among the most innovative leaders in her field”.

Stephanie Skura

Manuela holds a Degree from University of Brescia, graduated in Dance studies and then obtained an MA in Choreography and Choreology -Trinity Laban of London, University where in 1995, she started her personal course of choreographic research receiving the “Sylvia Bodmer Award”. She lived in London from 1994 to 1998. Continued her studies in the USA, she is a Certified teacher in Skinner Releasing Technique™ – Ongoing and Introductory level – Skinner Releasing Institute – Seattle (USA). Certified Teacher Trainer of Open Source Forms -OSF- under the guidance of Stephanie Skura.

As a teacher, her investigation includes both in-depht analysis of the contemporary releasing technique, improvisation and compositional techniques. Contact Improvisation it’s a further, nodal source of inspiration and research for Manuela, as is real-time composition. Her work has been influenced and inspired by Steve Paxton, Lisa Nelson, Simone Forti e Nita Little.

As a dance artist, she has carried on her career for more than twenty five years, creating about thirty works and presenting her group choreographies, compositions and collaborative works locally, nationally, and internationally. 

From 1995 to 2011 she was Artistic Director of the Company Manuela Bondavalli. She collaborated with Stephanie Skura in the creation of “ Ruins memories “ and “Prima fila”.

From 2006 to 2014 she was Director and choreographer of the project Sperimental Company No Frills, which aimed at supporting the creative process and the stage presence of young dancers, investigating on-scene improvisation. 

Her creations have been supported by Cariplo Foundation, the Regional Council for the arts (winner of the NEXT award in 2013 and 2014),  Lombardy Dance Circuit, Brescia Theatre Center, ASM and the Municipality of Brescia.

Apart from working with many Lombard actors and directors, she collaborates with the American choreographer Stephanie Skura, musicians and composer like Markus Stokhausen, Fausto Beccalossi, Paolo Benvegnù, Luca Formentini, Ludovico Peroni.

Many of her works are site-specific and were made in collaboration with Croydon College (UK), Dams in Bologna, Teatro Grande in Brescia, Museum Santa Giulia in Brescia, Laba Academy of Fine Arts.

From 2009 to 2014 she was Artistic Director of the Container Festival dedicated to improvisational dance and videodance(in collaboration with Cinedans). She realized “Dance insights”, a project for the dissemination of the history of contemporary dance realized with Francesca Pedroni, in collaboration with the Santa Giulia Museum in Brescia

Currently Artistic Director and Teacher at the International Dance Center former Container12.