Work as a Choreographer & Dancer

2025

MeTässä, Dance performance in the woods, Routa Company -Working as choreographer and performer

Kielletyt liikkeet / Forbidden moves, Dance performance Rimpparemmi and Routa Company -Working as choreographer

2024

Viimeiset hitaat / Last Dance, Dance performance, Zodiak – Center for New Dance, Routa Company and Sari Palmgren & CO -Working as choreographer

MUR, Dance performance for children Routa Company -Working as choreographer

2023

Hyökkäämisen ja puolustautumisen strategiat / Attack and defence strategies, Routa Company -Working as choreographer, dancer

Fenced dreams Kajaani / Aidatut unelmat Kajaani, New premiere/New city Kajaani 15.8.2023, Performances 17.-21.8.2023

Kuplat -Juhlat, 22.7.2023 Pyhäsalmi Hotelli, Full Moon Dance Festival, Event, which included dance, new circus, participation and music for 4 hours. Off/Balance, Agit-Cirk -Working as Event planner, choreographer and dancer  

Kerrostalo, trio with Rebecca Laube-Pohto and Mikko Perkola, Sari Palmgren &CO -Working as choreographer and dancer

2022

Kauhulinna, immersive escape play, Kajaanin kaupunginteatteri 2022 -working as director / facilitator and host

Cherry Orchad / Kirsikkapuisto, director: Helka-Maria Kinnunen / Kajaanin kaupunginteatteri 2022-2023 -Working as choreographer and actor

Kuplat -Juhlat, 9.7.2023 Jyväskylä, Jyväskylän kesä & 20.8.2023 Järvenpää-talo, Event, which included dance, new circus, participation and music for 6 hours. Off/Balance, Agit-Cirk, Sari Palmgren & CO -Working as Event planner and dancer  

Soidinmenot, premiere 2.3.2022 Helsinki Dance Company / Helsinki City theatre -Working as choreographer

2021

Utopian empathy / Utopia (empatiasta), new premiere 28.10.2021 Zodiak – Center for New Dance Hotel Katajanokka (former prison) -Working as choreographer-dancer

Fenced dreams / Aidatut unelmat- TAKE AWAY, premiere 13.2.2021, Radio play walk, a hike to accept diversity. Zodiak – Center for New Dance -Working as choreographer- director

Missä Täällä Tanssitaan? Dancefilm, director Anna Koskela, Zodiak – Center for New Dance -Working as editor

2020

Rouva C, premiere 19.11.2020, performances autumn season 20220 -spring season 2021, Seinäjoki city Theatre, director: Maia Häkli -Working as choreographer

Joy Riot, premiere 7.10.2020, performances 9.-18.10.2020 Stoa, Zodiak – Center for New Dance, Helsinki/ Finland -Working as choreographer-performer 

2019

Lapualaisooppera, premiere 7.9.2021, Seinäjoki city theatre, director: Juha Luukkonen -Working as choreographer

Fenced dreams, New premiere/New city at Hyvinkää 22.8.2019, Performances 22.-25.8.2019 Villa Arttu & Zodiak – Center for new dance & city of Hyvinkää. Walking performance for 80 performers in Hyvinkää i area. -Working as choreographer-director

Seminar speaker 7.6.2019 at Hiljaisuus festival Northern Platform #4 “Working sustainable as artist”

Lame Tamer workshop demo 6.4.2019 at Zodiak – Center for New Dance Helsinki/ Finland

CLUB event 6.4.2019 at Checkpoint #5 Club Alexia @Loviisa, combination of workshop & performance  

Lame Tamer, premiere 20.2.2019, Performances 22.-24.2.2019 Generaattori, Kajaani/Finland and 10.-11.4.2019 Zodiak – Center for New Dance Helsinki/ Finland -Working as choreographer-dancer-performer 

2018

Utopian Empathy, Performance 5.12.2018 at Dec-Dance 18l -Working as choreographer-dancer

Kuplat -Juhlat 25.8.2018 Hanko, Event, which included dance and music for 2 hours. Event planner and dancer  

Fenced dreams, New premiere 18.8.2018, Performances 18.-26.8.2018 Zodiak – Center for new dance & Kanneltalo. Walking performance for 80 performers in Helsinki/Kannelmäki area. -Working as choreographer-director

2017

Fenced dreams, premiere 24.8.2017  Zodiak – Center for new dance, Helsinki festival & Kanneltalo. Walking performance for 80 performers in Helsinki/Kannelmäki area. -Working as choreographer-director

Utopian Empathy, Performance 24.7.2017 at Full Moon Dance Festival -Working as choreographer-dancer

Lame Tamer residence 19.6-9.7.2017 at O Espaço do Tempo residence / Portugal -Working as choreographer-dancer, premiere 2019 

Energy Soundscapes 30.3.2017 with Kimmo Pohjonen,Tuomas Norvio,  Janne Käpylehto, Satu Rekola and Johanna Ikola -Working as choreographer-dancer-performer 

Licking things performance 21.8.2017 at Lohjan kesä tanssii-festival. Working as choreographer-dancer

TALK Videoseries: how to teach language through movement, Zodiak – Center for New Dance -Working as director and editor

Kotivideo/Homevideo, film presented at Loikka-event 25.3.2017 WHS Union theatre, Choreographer and dance film director-editor, Kannelmäki community project Zodiak – New dance center/ MNO

Unknown -West Finland College: dance students work director

Valkoinen peura, premiere 8.10.2016, performer Kajaani city theatre/Routa company, director: Hanna Kirjavainen. Performances in Syktyvkar/Russia, working as performer

 

2016

CLUB event 16.2.2016 & 5.12.2016 at Kanneltalo, My name is -Zodiak – Center for new dance & Kanneltalo, combination of workshop & performance  

Licking things, premiere 9.11.2016,  Zodiak – Center for new dance. Working as choreographer-dancer 

Valkoinen peura, premiere 8.10.2016, performer Kajaani city theatre/Routa company, director: Hanna Kirjavainen. Performances in Kajaani city theatre and Koko-teatteri, Helsinki, working as performer

Kuplat -Juhlat 27.8.2016 Hanko, Event, which included circus, dance and music for 5 hours. Event planner and dancer  

The Earth Song tour 2016: 11 performances in six different cities, audience discussions with local environment experts, working/coloring book for students and teachers

Licking Things Demo, Grey Cubes Festival 2016, Korkeasaari Zoo. Working as choreographer-dancer

9 Viisasta tanssijaa - West Finland College: dance students work director

Utopian Empathy, Performances in Kajaani art museum, Generator/Kajaani and Pori Art museum 

Connective Patterns dance film touring in Oklahoma dance film festival and Dhaka Bangladesh film festival.

Minun Nimeni on/My name is -Zodiak – Center for new dance, flash mob project and CLUB, choreographer/performer/film director, Kannelmäki community project with working group and choreographer Jenni Koistinen.  http://minunnimeni.blogspot.fi

Mamuska club, International cultural center Caisa and Zodiak – Center for new dance

 

2015

Kotivideo/Homevideo, film Premiere 9.12.2015 Kanneltalo Gallery. Choreographer and dance film director-editor, Kannelmäki community project Zodiak – New dance center/ MNO

Licking Things Demo 4.9.2015 Grey Cubes Festival, Korkeasaari Zoo. Working as choreographer-dancer 

Utopian Empathy, premiere 4.9.2015 Grey Cubes Festival, Korkeasaari Zoo. Working as choreographer-dancer  

Kotimatkalla, premiere 25.8.2015, KannelmäkiZodiak – Center for new danceChoreographer: Jenni Koistinen. Working as dancer and choreographers assistant

Mortal road movie -Benin. Villa Karo residency Africa. Second part of the Mortal road movie-project, choreographer-dance film maker

Connective patterns dance documentary film. Premiere Loikka international dance film festival march 2015. Screening in Lightmore festival Ireland. Choreographer-editor-dancer-producer

Minun Nimeni on/My name is -project, Zodiak – Center for new dance, choreographer and dance film director-editor, Kannelmäki community project with working group and choreographer Jenni Koistinen.  http://minunnimeni.blogspot.fi

 

2014

Mortal road movie -Routa dance company, Choreographer and dancer, dancers: Kira Riikonen, Saara Töyrylä, Anna Riski and Sari Palmgren. Performances Kajaani, Kuopio and Kuhmo 2014->. 

Minun Nimeni on/My name is -Zodiak – Center for new dance, choreographer and dance film director-editor, Kannelmäki community project with working group and choreographer Jenni Koistinen.  http://minunnimeni.blogspot.fi

Kuplat-Juhlat 30.8.2014 Hanko:  Event, which included circus, dance and music for 5 hours. Event planner and dancer  

Trying to Focus?  -LSO dance students work director

 

2013  

Minun Nimeni on/My name is -Zodiak – Center for new dance, choreographer and dance film director-editor, Kannelmäki community project with choreographer Jenni Koistinen 

The Earth Song  -Zodiak – Center for new dance, performers: Tuomas Norvio, Lotta Suomi, Maria Saivosalmi, Jukka Peltola, Jukka Tarvainen and Sari Palmgren. Performances Helsinki, Germany/Cologne and Kedja Marienhamn 2013->. Choreogrpher, producer and dancer

Collecthing -LSO student dance students work director

La Strada -Teater Mestola, dir. Martin Bahne, choreogrpapher 

 

2012

Lost Missing and Forgotten -site specific duet with Na Hoon Park (KOR), Seoul Daerim Building, Korea-Finland Connection KAMS and Dance info Finland, SIDance festival '12. Choreographer and dancer 

Minun Nimeni on-My name is / Zodiak – Center for new dance, choreographer and dance film director-editor, Vuosaari community project with choreographer Jenni Koistinen 

Apple Thieves / LSO student site specific work director

Poliittiset iltamat / Consept:  Anniina Aunola and Reetta Hyvärinen, ITAK, Dancer 

 

2011

Bright tapestry- project / together with dance artist Noriko Kato (JPN), and visual artist Charlotte McGowan-Griffin(UK)

Pilgrim-Film development 2011- / dir. David Hinton and Alla Kovgan. Choreographer and dancer

 

2010 

Finnhits / dir. Juha Luukkonen, Projektori-ryhmä, choreographer

Animal motion / solo, Choreographer and dancer, Zodiak – Center for new dance, Performances: Oulu, Tanssin aika festival-Jyväskylä, China-Shanghai, Kuopio 2010->

 

2010

Sunday Brunch -Social choreography event, Choreogapher and dancer with UNIT group, Side step festival '10

Via Crusis / dir. Miira Sippola, Hki tuomikirkkoseurakunta, dancer

 

2009

U.N.I (You and I) / two weeks Social choreography project, choreographer and dancer with UNIT group, Side Step festival '09/ Zodiak – Center for new dance

Via Crusis / dir. Miira Sippola, Hki tuomikirkkoseurakunta, dancer

 

2008

Yellow line / site specific work-in progress residency program in Red Brick Yokohama Japan, choreographer

Connective patterns / solo, Zodiak – Center for new dance, choreogapher and dancer

Punainen viiva / dir. Juha Luukkonen, Lappeenranta city theatre, choreographer

 

2007

Grain / duet with dancer Terhi Vaimala, Zodiak – Center for new dance, choreographer and dancer

And they lived ever after-Ja he elivät loppuun asti /  danceMilla Koistinen, Jenna Rignell and Tuovi Rantanen, Suomenlinna Myllysali, Choreographer

Richard III / dir. Juha Luukkonen Vaasa city theatre, choreographer

 

2005

Max and Moritz / choreographer and dancer, dir. Antti Hietala Q-theatre

              

2004

Pillowman-Tyynymies / choreogapher and dancer with Ilkka Kokkonen, dir. Tuomo Aitta, The Finnish national theatre

Kaislikossa suhisee-Wind in the Willows / dir. Ville Sanqvist, Turku City theatre, choreographer        

Ilmiantajat / chor. Ari Kauppila, Indictus Company, dancer 

Ajan takaa / solo, chor. Jaakko Simula, dancer

 

2003

Let the sunshine in! / Dir. Juha Luukkonen Teak, choreographer

Perillä / dir. Juha-Pekka Hotinen Teak, choreographer

 

2002

Tirlittan / Dir. Leena Havukainen, Helsinki city theatre, choreographer/assistant

Pseudonym-Nimimerkillä / duet, dance: Akseli Kaukoranta and Maija Kiviluoto, Indictus company, choreographer

Grip-Ote / solo, dance: Elina Miettinen. Eurovision dance contest, choreographer

Ravel: La valse / choreogapher and dancer with Ari Kauppila, dir. Juha Siltanen, Avanti

 

Work as Teacher

2024- Kajaani Dance Tanssiakatemia morning classes

2023- Routa Company workshops and morning classes

2017 The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Dance Department

2011-2018 Länsi-suomen opisto,  teacher- dance course (contemporary, improvisation, choreography, body condition)

2015- Tanssille ry morning classes for professional dancers

2013-2017 Kesäyliopisto: Contemporary dance pedagogue 

2012-2017 Repeat-Pause-Edit dance film workshop teacher -Zodiak

2011-2012 Helsinki city/Annantalo/Zodiak/Ateneum: Pohjoisen tuulet -workshops

2010-2022 Zodiak- Center for new dance: Different workshops, Tanssi kokemuksena mielessä ja kehossa-kurssit etc.

2010-2011 Länsi-suomen opisto, head teacher- dance course

2009-2022 Jyväskylän avoin yliopisto: Tanssi-ilmaisu

2008-2011 Pilates, streching and dance classes in many different locations: Helsinki, Vantaa & Espoo

2008-2010 SRK-opisto, dance and movement workshops

2008- Helsinki city theatre dance company: morning classes, contemporary dance

2006- Aesthetic group gymnastics (AGG) intensive training camps: contemporary dance, physical theatre/expression, improvisation, choreography

2006-2010 Vantaan aikuisopisto: streching

2004-2008 Adulta: Alexis, Young actors program-young actors education program

2006 The Finnish National Theatre: Contemporary dance

2006 Ilmaisuverstas: Contemporary dance

2005 Theatre Academy: Contemporary dance

2001-2004 Footlight dance school: Contemporary dance, Jazz dance, stretching- 

 

Competitions/Awards

2023 Fenced Dreams / Aidatut unelmat Kajaani finalist Thalia award /TINFO

2005 Best play of the year Nöjesguiden news-Finland: Pillowman/Tyynymies 

2003 Taakka / chor. Heli Meklin, Kajaani tanssikatselmus

1999 Punastus- solo: First price, Italy/Firenze, International choreography competition, 

1998 Punastus-solo: First price Finland/Oulu Arktiset askeleet

 

Other professional activities

2023- Artistic director at Routa Company

2022 ICE HOT Nordic Dance Platform Venue manager, Finland

2020 Kiertoliike taiteilijana: Aktivismi ilmastokriisin aikana

2019-2021 In-House choreographer at Zodiak Center for New Dance

2012-2018 Loikka Dance film festival Video jam- organizer 

2012-2015 Kedja Think Tank sustainability member of the group

2012-2015 Kedja Wilderness residency project co-ordinator

2012 Atlas Helsinki / Chor. Ana Borralho & João Galante working as artistic collaborator and group co-ordination

2012 Loikka dance film festival jury member

2011 Document film curator 

2011-2021 Tanssille ry member of the board and organizer of the workshops and morning classes

2010 Loikkapro international Alla Kovgan & David Hinton dance film workshop course secretary

2010-2011 British council climate advocate: Energy factory-project

2010-2017 M.A.D. Tanssimaisterit ry member of the board, 2011-2017 chairman of the board

 

Personal grants

2020-2022 Arts promotion centre Finland three year-artist grant  

2018 Svenska Kulturfonden: travel grant

2018 City of Vantaa/ artist-grant      

2016-2018 Arts promotion centre Finland three year-artist grant  

2014 Arts promotion centre Finland one year-artist grant    

2010 Art council Finland (current Arts Promotion Centre) one year-artist grant  

2008 City of Vantaa/ artist-grant                                                                                     

2007 Finnish Cultural Foundation/ artist grant                                                                

 

Recidencies

2023 Routa Company Recidence

2016-2018 Creative meeting point, Hongkong-Helsinki three year residence program

2017 O Espaço do Tempo, Portugal Montemor-o-Novo 

2015 Dance Atelier, Iceland (ICE-HOT Residence) 

2015 Dance base, Scotland (ICE-HOT Residence) 

2015 Saaren kartano Kone foundation, Finland     

2015 Villa Karon Benin, Africa

2014 Kajaani-Routa residence, Finland 

2010 Kokko1721 residence, Finland 

2009 Saaren kartano Konen foundation, Finland

2008 Yokohama art center-Dance info Finland, Japan 

 

Academic education

1998-2004 Theatre academy, Finland Master and Bachelor of Arts in Dance                             

2000 Exchange student in Sweden, Stockholm Danshögskolan                                                   

1995 Graduated from high school                                                                                                 


Latest education, seminars and workshops

2026

TRE® (Tension, Stress & Trauma Release Exercise) -ohjaajakoulutus

2024

Taideyliopiston avoin yliopisto: Esittävien taiteiden organisaatioiden johtamisen koulutus, 15 op, 2023-2024

2023

Platform for feminist leadership, UrpanApa 

Taideyliopiston avoin yliopisto: Pyörre: vapaan kentän johtaminen ja projektinhallinta 20 op, 2022-2023

          

2022

Punchdrunk: Introduction to design

Punchdrunk: Making immersive work for young audiences

2021

Punchdrunk: Storytelling through body and space

Punchdrunk: Introduction to performance

2020

Kohti terveempää työskentely- ja vuorovaikutuskulttuuria taidealoilla –etäluennot, Kirsi Törmi /TEME

2019

Spriraalistabilaatio ohjaaja koulutus

2018

Ice Hot Reykjavik

David Zambrano: one month intensive Flying Low & Passing through / EX/IN

Tanzmesse 2018

David Zambrano: Flying low & Passing through / Tanssille ry

2017

David Zambrano: one month intensive Passing through / Sicily/Italy

Fighting monkey: Anatomy of injury / Turku, Finland

Edivaldo Ernesto: Depth movement / Workshop festival: Zodiak – Center for new dance, Tanssille ry & Tanssin talo                                                   

Real Contact workshop Akira Hino / Aalto university Helsinki

2016

Wim Vandekeybus: Monographic workshop / Deltebre dance festival, Spain

Deltebre Dance festival workshops: David Zambrano, Milan Herich & Los Innatos, Spain 

David Zambrano: Flying low and Passing through /  Tanssille ry

Merja Snellman: Yamuna Body rolling /  Tanssille ry

2015

Mette Ingvartson: Words workshop / Dance atelier-Reykjavik dance festival

Nadja Hjorton: Medeai / Dance atelier-Reykjavik dance festival 

Anton Lachky & Eleanor Valere: Puzzle work / Tanssille ry

Josef Frucek: Fighting monkey-technique / Tanssille ry

Deborah Hay: Doing with less, even more movement and performance options /Zodiak 

Uupi Tirronen: Liike kuvaksi / Zodiak – Center for new dance

Merja Snellman: Yamuna Body rolling / Tanssille ry

2014

Ice Hot Oslo 

Dance film script workshop /Loikka

Miguel Gutierrez: Making work / Zodiak – Center for new dance 

Elina Pirinen: Music is the best / Zodiak – Center for new dance                                                                                                                        

Eeva Kaario/Katri Soini: Kehon strategioita/ Tanssille ry

Martin Nachbar: Phycical dramaturgy / Zodiak – Center for new dance      

Kedja encounter Marienhamn                                                           

2013

Kedja-Klaipeda National identities -Encounter                                                                       

Jereon Peeters: Phycical dramaturgy / Zodiak – Center for new dance                                                                                    

Elina Pirinen: Dancers making music  / Zodiak – Center for new dance 

Ervi Sirénin Morning classes /  Zodiak – Center for new dance 

Fornier Ortiz: Two bcomes one/Tanssille ry                                                                              

2012

Ice Hot Helsinki

Kedja Tallinn- Encounter      

Ervi Sirénin Morning classes  / Zodiak – Center for new dance         

IETM Seminar: ”Right?”  Copenhagen/Denmark                                                                        

Saara Cantell &Marita Hallförs: Dancefilm workshop MAD-Loikka & Tanssille ry                    

2011

Finland-Korea Connection cultural exchange South-Korea and PAMS                                     

David Hinton and Alla Kovgan: Loikka Pilgrim dancefilm workshop                                          

David Zambrano: Passing through Full moon dance festival                                                      

IETM seminaari: ”Whose story is it?” Stockholm/Sweden                                                            

Thomas Lehmen: Choreographic systems workshop / Zodiak – Center for new dance & sidestep festival 2011                       

David Hinton workshop Dancefilm script / MAD-Loikka                                                              

DVD workshop / Muu ry                                  

2010                                                                                

Final Cut pro editing workshop / Muu ry                                                                                        

Kedja tapaaminen: Reach out! Content or form? -Reykjavik- Iceland                                            

David Hinton ja Alla Kovgan Loikka Pro Dancefilm workshop / MAD                                          

LEAD int.: Team building & leadership: How to Change the World  / British Council -UK           

Planning for your Community-workshop camp: British Council -UK                                            

Michael Klien: Maneuvering life by means of metaphors workshop / Zodiak – Center for new dance                               

2009

Loikkapro Dancefilm workshop- Helena Jonsdottir / MAD                                         

Gordon Lawrence: Social dreaming workshop / Zodiak – Center for new dance                                                               

 

Schoolworks in Theatre Academy as a choreographer

 2004 Karu Selli / Choreogapher and dancer with Akseli Kaukoranta, Katri Manner, Jenna Rignell and Antti Seppänen

2003 Leak-Vuoto / duet, Dance: Esete Sutinen and Lilja Lehmuskallio                                                                      

2002 Alice in wonderland-Liisa ihmemaassa / For 50 young dance students in Vantaan dance institute 

2002 Tirlittan / dir. Leena Havukainen, Helsinki city theatre

2001 Intention -Aie / Solo, Choreogapher and dancer

2000 Orgie-Orgiat / dir. Juha Luukkonen          

1999 Princess-Prinsessa / Solo, Choreogapher and dancer

1998 Punastus / Solo, Choreogapher and dancer

 

Schoolworks in Theatre Academy as a dancer

2003 Taakka / chor. Heli Meklin

2002 Turquoise / chor. Tommi Kitti, Avignon/Helsinki

2002 Skyscrapers / chor. Ervi Siren

2001 Cinderella story-Tuhkimotarina / chor. Marjo Kuusela, Hurharuuth

2000 Kraft / chor. Ulla Koivisto /  Zodiak – Center for new dance 

2000 Hidden Passion / dance film, chor. Jorma Uotinen, dir. Joe Davidov

1999 Tumma syvä virta / chor. Ervi Siren