If dancing has always been a dream but you’ve never accomplished it, if you wanted to dance but didn’t dare because you didn’t have the courage, or because you thought it was too late – we’re going to prove you it’s possible!
We promote dance learning through specially designed programs for beginners or those with little experience, teaching different dance styles or practices from the basics, in a motivating and non-judgmental environment. We provide a space where you can fall, jump, roll, sweat, where you can make mistakes and experiment, leaving each class with a sense of satisfaction and achievement.
Each course teaches basic (and general) principles for a better understanding and exploration of one’s own body and the way it moves, its relationship with space, with other bodies and with the group as a whole.
Specific elements of each style, technique or practice are also addressed. As the various concepts are consolidated, the work becomes deeper, more complex and more detailed, addressing more technical elements and exploring different dynamics and movement qualities.
Our courses help you discover and develop your own movement language and achieve a healthier body by improving your physical condition, working on aspects such as flexibility, mobility, posture and strength.
Contemporary Dance II
Come learn contemporary dance in a more intensive way. Perfect for beginners, already with some experience, who want to continue dancing and deepen their knowledge in a calm and fun way, in a welcoming and stimulating group. Each session lasts 3 hours and consists of two consecutive classes.
Schedule: Saturday || 3:00 to 6:00 pm
Duration: 05.10.2024 – 15.02.2025
Teachers: Filipe and Cookie / Alice
Location: Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa, Edifício 78
Trial session: 2nd trial session: 12.10 || free of charge, no compromise || registration required
Contemporary Dance I
Come learn contemporary dance in a more intensive way. Perfect for people with little or no experience who want to learn to dance in a calm and fun way, in a welcoming and stimulating group. Each session lasts 3 hours and consists of two consecutive classes.
🌀 Schedule: Monday || 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
🌀 Duration: 07.10.2024 – 17.02.2025
🌀 Teachers: Francisca and Filipe
🌀Location: Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa, Edifício 78
🌀 Trial session: 2nd trial session: 14.10 || free of charge, no compromise || registration required
Improvisation
Come discover and explore your own movement. In these classes, through improvisation exercises, you will be able to work on different textures and qualities, exploring the creativity of your movement, bringing you autonomy and identity. These classes are designed for people with little or no experience who want to explore their movement in a calm and fun way, in a welcoming and stimulating group. Each session consists of one class, lasting 2 hours.
🌀 Schedule: Wednesday || 5:30 to 7:30 pm
🌀 Duration: 16.10.2024 – 19.02.2025
🌀 Teacher: Filipe
🌀 Location: Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa, Edifício 78
🌀 Trial session: 16.10 || free of charge, no compromise || registration required
Contact-Improvisation
Come and discover contact-improvisation. This practice was initiated by Steve Paxton and consists of exploring improvised movements, through concepts such as touch, weight transfer, falls and body awareness. The relationship with one’s own body, with other body(s), with the ground, with space and with gravity is explored. These classes are designed for people with little or no experience who want to dive into this practice in a calm and fun way, in a welcoming group. Each session consists of one class, lasting 2 hours.
🌀 Schedule: Friday || 6:00 to 8:00 pm
🌀 Duration: 25.10.2024 – 21.02.2025
🌀 Teacher: Daniella
🌀 Location: Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa, Edifício 78
🌀 Trial session: 25.10 || free of charge, no compromise || registration required
Ballet
Fun and invigorating lunch breaks. These classes are perfect for people with little or no experience who want to learn to dance in a calm and fun way, in a welcoming and stimulating group. In this class you will develop your physical condition, musicality and expressiveness, while learning the foundations of classical dance. Each session consists of a 1h30 class. It is the ideal period for those who cannot spend a lot of time.
🌀 Schedule: Tuesday || 1:00 to 2:30 pm
🌀 Duration: 29.10.2024 – 25.02.2025
🌀 Teacher: Francisca
🌀 Location: Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa, Edifício 78
🌀 Trial session: 29.10 || free of charge, no compromise || registration required
Teaching
Cookie
Born in the Portuguese countryside, Cookie grew up paying attention to movement. She moved to Lisbon and, after completing a degree in Sports Science, she began teaching physical education to children. Her life began to take an unexpected turn at the age of 24, when she discovered a deep connection to dance and poured all her energy into it. Joining Orchidaceae, under the artistic direction of Piny, was a turning point in her growth as a dancer and teacher. Still connected to her body, she began teaching Floorwork and Contemporary Dance to adults and children. At the same time, she fell in love with Contact-Improvisation and began sharing this form of communication through Contakids.
Filipe Baracho
Born in Lisbon. One day Filipe went to a dance class to accompany a friend. The funny thing is that his friend didn’t like it but he did and continued going there. He studied at the Escola de Dança do Conservatório Nacional, Escola Superior de Dança and Fórum Dança, all in Lisbon. He lived in Switzerland where he was a performer with the Cinevox Junior Company, the St. Gallen Theater Dance Company and SIWIC. He returned to Portugal in 2009 and became a freelance dancer. Filipe has worked with different artists, co-directed Companhia Estúdio5 and co-created the plays “ii” and “We Might Look For New Lovers”. He has been teaching contemporary and creative dance for adults and children since 2011. He did Contakids teachers training and assisted in the creation of the Jeremias Fisher Opera. He is currently a performer in the plays Onironauta and Versa-Vice by Tânia Carvalho.
Francisca Pinto
Born in 1988 in Lisbon. Dancer, performer, interpreter, creator and teacher. Graduated from the Escola de Dança do Conservatório Nacional de Lisboa, in 2006 and from the Escola Superior de Dança de Lisboa, in 2009. Graduated from Fórum Dança's PEPCC - Research and Choreographic Creation Study Program, in 2014. She has worked with Martine Pisani, Clara Andermatt, Lia Rodrigues, Jonas&Lander, Bruno Alexandre, Francisco T. Cavalcanti, Sofia Dias&Vitor Roriz, among others. As a teacher, Francisca has taught at institutions such as Escola Livre de Dança da Maré (BR), Estúdios Vítor Córdon, Escola Superior de Dança (PT). She is a Yoga Instructor trained at the Portuguese Yoga Center in Lisbon.
Daniella Kassif
Trained in various dance techniques from Ballet to Contact Improvisation, Daniella is mainly working with release technique and floorwork. In the last 7 years, she has been studying choreography in different programs in Israel and last year created the performance 'Soft Courage' in SerVivo, Portugal, where she is currently based. Daniella is a seeker of freedom and expression, believing that liberating ourselves starts within our body. Since she was introduced to the ‘Deep Ecology’ movement she is passionate about integrating this approach in her movement practice. Daniella is a Contakids teacher for parents and children and facilitates spaces of contact improvisation for adults.
Alice Duarte
Born in Serra de Monchique. Passionate about the art of movement, she refers to it as an essential form of expression, education and intervention. She graduated in Contemporary Dance Creation and Interpretation from ESD in 2016 and went on to gain a master's degree in Dance Teaching from the same institution with the project “CRIAR| |ESPAÇO”, combining Dance and Architecture. She is currently a PhD candidate in Performing Arts and the Moving Image. Since 2021, Alice has collaborated occasionally with ESD as a teacher of Movement Studies I, Interpretation I and III and Project IV and V. Since 2019, she has been a resident artist and certified trainer for the PNA. Interpretation and artistic creation go hand in hand in her life.
Bona Dance -
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any dance experience to take part in Bona Dance classes?
Not at all! Our classes are designed specifically for adults with little or no dance experience. We focus on creating a welcoming and encouraging environment where you can learn at your own pace.
How physically demanding are the classes?
Our classes are adapted to each person individually and the group. The exercises are designed so that everyone can execute them. The class becomes more demanding as the group progresses, while continuing to respect each person’s individual and gradual evolution.
Can I try a class before committing to a program?
Yes. At the beginning of each program you can do a trial session, free of charge or commitment. This way you can see if you identify with the class and the group.
What if I feel shy or embarrassed?
It’s completely normal not to feel completely at ease, or even to feel some discomfort and insecurity when we start something new, different and possibly challenging. However, we’d like none of this to be a reason to give up. We believe that each body is a different body, with its own rhythm, abilities and specificities. Our classes are intended to be a safe and welcoming space, without judgment or competition. We encourage, motivate and support everyone so that it is easier to overcome any fears, frustrations or hesitations. We want everyone to learn and evolve, but above all, we want to provide moments of joy and satisfaction.
What should I wear for a dance class?
Comfort is the key. It’s very important that the clothes you choose allow you to move freely, without restricting your movement. Options such as leggings or sweatpants, t-shirts and sweatshirts are ideal. For your feet, we recommend bringing socks, but you can always opt for bare feet. For ballet class, you may want to wear tighter clothes, such as tights, leggings, shorts, maillots or full suits, and ballet shoes for your feet, taking into account the specifics of the technique. However, we will give more detailed instructions according to each style of dance.