Modern Dancer - Biography
Helena found dance at the age seven. The first contact with this exciting world was ballroom dance. She soon found herself spending all her spare time at the dance studio, and within a few years Helena was helping her teacher with younger students. By the age of fifteen she had taken her first classes in ballet and modern dance. That set the direction for her professional development.
In 1995 Helena was accepted to the School of Modern Dance in Copenhagen (later known as The Danish National School of Contemporary Dance). Since her graduation in 1999 she has been dancing professionally in contemporary dance productions, together with theatre and opera performances, working closely with leading Danish and international choreographers.
Helena has actively developed her expression and skills as a dancer and performer by participating in numerous courses and workshops with acknowledged international teachers and institutions. New York has played an important role in her ongoing studies. Already before applying for the school in Copenhagen she attended the 1994 summer program with Alvin Ailey Dance theatre. During this time in New York, Helena danced professionally first time. Since 1995 Helena has continued her studies at Cunningham Dance Studio, which serves as a foundation for her physical expression.
”Dance offers me a sense of freedom. It takes me to a space where I can access both my inner self as well as tune in to the world outside. It feels natural, going beyond analytical mind and experiencing harmony. Cunningham technique has helped me to refine intensity in my expression and depth in myself that I couldn’t otherwise find. The experience becomes animalistic and mysterious, both for dancer and the audience”.
Other major sources of inspiration for Helena are release based techniques, which have enabled her to cultivate tension-free style with clarity and ease of movement. The most entertaining of Helena’s ways of expressing herself is funk and show dance. Helena sees show dance as an easily approachable tool to spread happiness; a major theme in her dance career.
Helena is known for her strong, yet feminine physical expression and natural shine. Her way of moving is often characterized as soft and grounded, something that audiences experience intimately and find it easy to relate to.
Helena has appeared in shows which combine dance and theatre as well as dance and opera. Helena has also choreographed several dance productions. Outside the dance stage, Helena expresses herself as an actor. Helena also works as a very sought after Ashtanga yoga teacher, helping others to explore themselves on all physical and emotional levels.
The Danish National School of Contemporary Dance
Merce Cunningham Dance Company
Dansens Hus
Dance New Amsterdam
Stephen Petronio Company
Guido Tuveri Performance Works
The Ailey School
Alexander Technique
Pilates Technique