“The safe atmosphere she created, interacting with everyone, making her points, explanations and directions very clear, accessible to everyone. It felt like you were entering a different universe, more chilled than the outside world” Lia: Participant in workshops in Bristol
Using the universal language of dance, Ella Mesma Company seek to champion an environment which is inclusive, collaborative and empowering, using diaspora dance theatre (a term they created to communicate this unique meeting of dance styles) to allow transformation in the studio and on stage.
Ella Mesma Company classes marry contemporary technique with elements of yoga and Cuban Contemporary, Afro Cuban and other folkloric styles. Our sequences tend to move seamlessly in and out of the floor and can often be grounded, fluid and energetic.
With each company production, we offer wraparound activity. Our interest in dance for transformation and giving voices to the unheard extends to our engagement and community work.
Who can study with us?
We can cater for all ages from 4 to 100… we have taught in nurseries, schools, universities, congresses, youth groups, care homes and in both community and professional dancers and settings.
Technique Classes
“I had a wonderful time, you are absolutely a joy to watch and your class is a true reflection of our beautiful culture”. Ana Terra Carvalho, Brazilian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa
To read about the dance styles our company dancers teach and practise, click here
The PATHFOR Series
I have been developing a series of workshops to facilitate the telling of Ella Mesma Company performers stories. It can be hard to deal with all the stuff that comes up in the studio in a way that is healing and affirming and helps the dancers access the beautiful place of vulnerability where all magic happens.
I have developed 7 workshops that are themed around grounding, boundaries, creativity, connection and communication which are at the core of my work with the company. They also combine the styles we work with: the dances of the Orishas, Afro Brazilian and Afro Cuban styles, Hip Hop styles, yoga (in particular the chakras) and contemporary dance. The workshops are:
HOME | MULADHARA | ROOT CHAKRA | GROUNDING AND FOUNDATION
“The ache for home lives in all of us: the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned” Maya Angelou
WOMB | SVADISTHANA | SACRAL CHAKRA | PLEASURE AND SHADOWS
“I live in a queendom, ruled by a womb-iverse.” Erykah Badu
CREATE | MANIPURA | NAVAL CHAKRA | CONFIDENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” Oprah Winfrey
HEART | ANAHATA | HEART CHAKRA | GIVE AND RECEIVE
“The more love we feel in our hearts, the more it will be brought to us” Deepak Chopra
SING | VISHUDDHI | THROAT CHAKRA | SELF EXPRESSION
“Reclaim your potent voice, filling in the past silences” Tererai Trent
FLY | AJNA | THIRD EYE CHAKRA |INTUITION
“Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances. ”
SPACE | SAHASRARA | CROWN CHAKRA |INTERGALACTIC CONNECTION
“I am connected to everyone through all time and space” William Whitecloud
At Maya Gandaia I offer these workshops either as 3 hour sessions or as a full retreat as deeper work for those interested, and I work with elements of these principles at Ella Mesma Company to aid the creative process and invite a more supportive environment.
“It was such a wonderful experience attending the HOME workshop, as a dancer I felt totally immersed in the movement. HOME provided me with an opportunity to dance many styles, including my own and to meditate towards healing. Throughout the session I was guided through movement meditations; learning new dance vocabulary and improvising in my own flow – a wonderful synergy”. Dani Byars, Leeds
Production workshops
With each show we have also developed a workshop and education package which can be booked in schools and dance venues.
The Masks We Wear
This movement workshop explores our identity on and off stage. Sometimes the performance we put on in life can be more restrictive than our stage performance: from how technology allows us to create our self-image, to the sides of our persona we choose to show or to leave out. In this workshop we talk and dance makeup, filters and masks, to explore the shadows that we hide from ourselves.
Ladylike (Consent workshop)
Created with support from The Dance Consultancy, this workshop is aimed at young people to accompany the current National Curriculum sex education syllabus. (SACRED from the HOME series also accompanies the LADYLIKE production)
Foreign Bodies (Our Story workshop)
Created using enneagram work and archetypes, this workshop is an insight into the creation of the piece (HOME and HEART from the HOME series also accompany the FOREIGN BODIES: AN UNDERWATER LOVE STORY production)
Papyllon (Dance and poetry workshop)
This workshop was developed in South Africa with poet Toni Stuart and combines the techniques we used to create this collaborative conversation between two different art forms. (CREATE and FLY from the HOME series also accompany the PAPYLLON production)
Where have we taught?
Ella Mesma has been teaching dance since 2003. She has taught for the National Dance Teachers Association, ADAD, Sadler’s Wells, Yorkshire Dance, Dance X Change, Birmingham Hippodrome, Trinity Centre, Dance City, U4, The Place, Drumming 4 Business, Global Grooves, Salsa Congresses across the UK and internationally (Spain, Denmark, Serbia, Greece, Turkey, South Africa), York University, Newcastle University, Leeds University, University of East London, Rise Youth Dance Company, Dare to Dance, Big Dance, London School of Samba, Move It, Step into Dance, Burlington Danes Academy, Elizabeth Garrett Academy and many more schools across the UK.
Homage To:
Every bit of my nine lives training as a dancer/yogi has informed these workshops (which I created on my dance company over a number of years) and so I want to pay homage to all my teachers
