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BENEDETTA CAPANNA

Country: ITALY

Workshops Guest Leader

Story: I am originally from Rome where I studied and performed with Roberta Escamilla Garrison as well as working in music videos and TV commercials. During that time I won the silver medal at the Positano International Competition for new talents of Dance.

In 1996 I moved to New York City where I became a certified Yoga teacher and a Reiki practitioner, besides getting involved in many performing experiences, for which the New York Times has recognized me as "a performer over the top and a sensational actress". In summer 2002 I moved back to Rome, where I am currently teaching and working on my own choreographic projects, strongly influenced by Yoga and his philosophy. In conjunction with percussionist Oscar Bonelli, I am performing in several artistic and social venues and Festivals.

Career: My artistic career started in Rome where I was performing with Patrizia Cerroni & I Danzatori Scalzi, Aurelio Gatti & MDA produzioni danza; touring with both companies in Europe, North and South America. I danced and acted for two seasons the main role of Titania in "Midsummer's night dream" directed by Tato Russo for the Teatro Bellini of Naples. Upon moving to New York City in 1996, I joined Millenium project- Ford\Turano Company, for which Nancy Turano created for me the wonderful role of Carmen. For this role I've been reviewed for my "impressive technique and expressive capacities". I also worked with John Carrafa in the Fred Ho's opera "Journey beyond the West" for the Next Wave Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of music, as well as Igal Perry, Poppo and Gogo Boys, and other independent artists as Maia Claire Garrison, Janaki Patrik, Nayo Takasaki, Kevin Korton, Myung Soo Kim, Lynn Parkerson, Maki Fujita, Gregory King and Daniel Wikins & Some Super Friends. For my own choreography "Necklaces", Back Stage described me as "a passionate, provocative, and expressionist choreographer and poet". After my return to Italy, I danced for Aurelio Gatti, then in the musical "Il ritratto di Dorian Gray" directed by Tato Russo for Teatro Bellini of Naples.

Teaching Experience: While in New York I was teaching dance and improvisation at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting and the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, as well Yoga at the Integral Yoga Institute. Recently I've been invited to teach some master classes from Elaine Gardner, Pick of the Crop Dance, at the Nichols School in Buffalo.

I am currently teaching Yoga at the center Tra cielo e Terra, Centro Armonia e Benessere and Istituto di Yoga Universale. I am also teaching contemporary dance at the Huesera, movement and dance for actors at the Diana Theater acting studio in Naples and leading professional Yoga and dance workshops at IALS (Rome).

Benedetta and MNE: After years of friendship with Nicola Iervasi and several promises of collaborations, we finally made it. I was thrilled to be the Yoga guest leader for MNE workshop during my short visit to New York in January 2003.

"Through the union of dance and music, so the union of space and time, I'm trying to find the connection of the body, the mind and the soul. to find the integrity of the movement and integrity of the heart. so to find Humanity in the Art."

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