My name is Natalia Szpineta, and I am thrilled to share my experience as a participant in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) program. For the past 7 artistic seasons, I have been teaching regular dance classes, workshops and individual classes, aimed especially at learning and mastering choreographies presented at dance competitions. At the same time, I realize myself as a choreographer, choreographing pieces presented at ballet galas, in ballet tales and on national and international stages during dance contests. My journey so far has been fueled by a deep love of creativity and self-expression, hence my commitment to dance, which is an ideal form of expression. Over time, I realized that my passion went beyond participating as an artist or performer, teacher or choreographer, I aspired to support and nurture the creative ecosystem itself as an entrepreneur and owner of my own brand.
Over the past month, my time at Estúdio13 has been nothing short of transformative. The school is a vibrant space where art, movement, and innovation come together. It serves as both a training ground for aspiring dancers and performers and a cultural hub for the community. From day one, I was welcomed into this dynamic environment and given the opportunity to observe and participate in various activities. One of the highlights of my experience has been observing the diverse range of classes offered at Estúdio13. These include ballet, contemporary dance, creative dance, modern dance and jazz. By observing these classes, I gained valuable insights into pedagogy, time management, and the importance of cultivating a supportive yet challenging learning environment. I also observed differences in style and classroom techniques, which is a very interesting insight into the concept of dance in Poland and at the other end of Europe – the Azores.
Another memorable aspect of my experience was participating in the Pluralidades festival organized by Estúdio13 in co-production with the Arquipelago Arts Center in Ribiera Grande. As a participant, I had the opportunity to help plan the event, promote and coordinate on site. The festival itself consisted of three really diverse performances by different duos. Their work with original ideas using different components and visual arts was very inspiring. The whole festival sparked new ideas for projects that I would like to develop in the future, combining technology and performance to create immersive experiences.
I look forward to continuing this journey of growth, exploration, and creativity in the months of the programme to come.
