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Stefan, and his wife Bethan, were among the first sacred / circle
dance teachers in the United Kingdom. For over 35 years they have toured the world leading dance and other workshops from complete beginner to advanced levels, as well as celebrations and festivities incorporating live music. They are both passionate about promoting connection and harmony between people of diverse ethnic and faith backgrounds. Stefan’s dance training included Greek, Balkan, Israeli, Palestinian and Rom traditional dancing, Salsa, Bachata and Biodanza. His dance teaching includes calling Barn Dances, Circle Dance for adults receiving mental health support, creative movement and dance/music games with children. Stefan plays accordion, melodeon, piano, guitar, darabouka, wooden flute and mandolin. He has written songs for two Edinburgh Fringe shows. |
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He arranges music and coordinates a Balkan/Gypsy/Klezmer band called Dark Flame who sometimes play for dance events in the UK. One of Stefan’s gifts is to incorporate local singers and musicians into dance workshops and festivals.
Bethan and Stefan have played a key role introducing Circle dance at a Middle East Peace conference (IFLAC London 2002) and a humanitarian educational congress (SEAL, Derby 2002), an international NVC conference on conflict and communication (London, June 2004), the Scouts International Jamboree (Chelmsford, August 2007). In 2005 and 2008, Stefan led "peace, culture and dance" events in Israel. |
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In 2009, together with Nomi Sharron, Ken Masters and ten others they founded ‘DANCING THROUGH WALLS’. The aim is to explore in depth how circle dances can contribute in peace and reconciliation processes. Further, to develop new formats in which dance and other creative arts combined may help in trauma release and conflict transformation.
Bethan and Stefan have facilitated dance workshops and festivals in Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, France, Greece, Holland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Turkey, UK and USA. |
Stefan's choreographies range from playful and fiery to profoundly meditative and meaningful. More than 150 of his highly original dances are celebrated worldwide.
You can see from all this that Stefan thrives on being creative, productive and ‘having a go at things!’
Stefan’s various Circle dance videos, books, songs, short films and poetry are detailed on the ‘Resources’ page.
Stefan regards Circle Dance as a versatile transformative and integrative practice which deserves to be widely shared in every strata of society.
You can see from all this that Stefan thrives on being creative, productive and ‘having a go at things!’
Stefan’s various Circle dance videos, books, songs, short films and poetry are detailed on the ‘Resources’ page.
Stefan regards Circle Dance as a versatile transformative and integrative practice which deserves to be widely shared in every strata of society.
More Than Just a Dancer.....
Stefan’s honours degree was in Social Anthropology which reflected his interest in looking at the world from different perspectives. He went on to do a postgrad teacher training certificate and his first career was school teaching. Since then he has deepened his interest in psychology and human development through courses in Psychosynthesis, Voice Dialogue, Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and embodied spiritual practice.
The least known fact about Stefan’s dance adventures is that in the late 1970s he was (he says) ‘roped into’ the Shepherd’s Bush Morris
Dance team. The irresistible lure was that he would be allowed to be The Fool! The Fool learns all the steps so as to slip in and out of the
dance at any time, while being zany and clowning around with the audience. Stefan – slowly emerging from shyness – loved that freedom! The culmination was a Morris Dance tour in Brittany which paid for itself through street performances.
More recently, in partnership with Salsa-trained Judith Atkins, Stefan created ‘Move To The Rhythm’. This is a series of expressive dance workshops with a Latin flavour and a personal development slant. The eclectic and diverse mix of music from profound to hilarious creates an atmosphere of being fully present. MTTR workshops have been held in Ipswich, Eye and Bury St Edmunds.
Stefan has led ‘Salsa-Made-Simple’ (Cuban style) and introductory Bachata workshops in UK, France, Greece, Mexico and Italy, sometimes with Judith Atkins co-teaching.
He is currently creating original songs and dances for 'Animals of Your Heart’ - an Edinburgh Festival fringe show aimed at children and families.
Stefan has recently been muse-struck! He has choreographed a series of circle dances with music from Brazil, France, Greece, UK (Ralph McTell), USA and one to a Sephardic song.
Stefan’s honours degree was in Social Anthropology which reflected his interest in looking at the world from different perspectives. He went on to do a postgrad teacher training certificate and his first career was school teaching. Since then he has deepened his interest in psychology and human development through courses in Psychosynthesis, Voice Dialogue, Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and embodied spiritual practice.
The least known fact about Stefan’s dance adventures is that in the late 1970s he was (he says) ‘roped into’ the Shepherd’s Bush Morris
Dance team. The irresistible lure was that he would be allowed to be The Fool! The Fool learns all the steps so as to slip in and out of the
dance at any time, while being zany and clowning around with the audience. Stefan – slowly emerging from shyness – loved that freedom! The culmination was a Morris Dance tour in Brittany which paid for itself through street performances.
More recently, in partnership with Salsa-trained Judith Atkins, Stefan created ‘Move To The Rhythm’. This is a series of expressive dance workshops with a Latin flavour and a personal development slant. The eclectic and diverse mix of music from profound to hilarious creates an atmosphere of being fully present. MTTR workshops have been held in Ipswich, Eye and Bury St Edmunds.
Stefan has led ‘Salsa-Made-Simple’ (Cuban style) and introductory Bachata workshops in UK, France, Greece, Mexico and Italy, sometimes with Judith Atkins co-teaching.
He is currently creating original songs and dances for 'Animals of Your Heart’ - an Edinburgh Festival fringe show aimed at children and families.
Stefan has recently been muse-struck! He has choreographed a series of circle dances with music from Brazil, France, Greece, UK (Ralph McTell), USA and one to a Sephardic song.