ABOUT

Biography

Laura Daelemans (BE, 1999) is a dancer, choreographer, and visual artist. She graduated in 2017 from de! Kunsthumaniora for Contemporary Dance in Antwerp (BE), and in 2021 from the Bachelor Dancer/Maker at the ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem (NL).

From a young age, Laura was fond of drawing and won several drawing competitions, which later evolved into the further development of her visual work. 

 

In 2020, Laura choreographed for SALLY Dansgezelschap Maastricht (NL), I SOLISTI  (BE), and Theater aan de Rijn (NL). Her creation ‘Total Eclipse’ got selected for Moving Futures (NL).

In 2021, Laura joined I SOLISTI MakerSpace (BE) as one of the four makers. She also went in residency at Instável - Centro Coreográfico (PT) i.c.w. Margarida Constantino, supported by Teatro Municipal do Porto (PT).

In 2022, Laura created work for the MOSA Ballet School (BE), Seminar Hakibbutzim (IL), SALLY Dansgezelschap Maastricht (NL), and Theater aan de Rijn (NL). She also began developing her project, ‘The Beehive’ at I SOLISTI MAKERSpace, i.c.w. musician Frederik Daelemans (Tamino, Beirut).

 

In 2023, Laura was invited to participate in ‘Talentlab,' a collaborative project for eight emerging artists by Toneelgroep Maastricht (NL) and VIA ZUID (NL). Additionally, she created a new piece at Theater aan de Rijn (NL) as part of vier x vier, a concept aimed at introducing four emerging dance makers. ​

Her work, ‘Tales to Disturb’ (vier x vier) was performed 11 times on tour across the Netherlands and has been selected for Teatri Riflessi (IT), Hoogte 80 (NL), Roots Festival (BE), Jeju International Dance Festival (KR), Danzad Danzad Malditos (ES) and Stray Birds Dance Platform (TW), where the piece was honoured with the South-Korean International Performing Arts Project award.  

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In 2024 Laura started working on her new creation ‘MANA,' supported by I SOLISTI (BE), BUDA (BE), c o r s o (BE), Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ (NL), DE SINGEL (BE), Walpurgis (BE),  Schouwburg Noord (BE) and Fonds Nieuwe Makers (BE). ​

In 'MANA', Laura combines her visual and choreographic work for the first time. She was also invited to create a new piece, ‘Chariot,' for the annual recital of the MOSA Ballet School (BE). ​

In 2025 Laura was asked to choreograph for the Bachelor Ways Training Program (BE), and was invited to join award winning filmmaker Sam Asaert in his new research project (BE).

 

Laura has danced for Paula Niehoff (BE), Liza Van Brakel (NL), Toon Quanten (BE), and in her own work. She has taught at institutions such as Codarts University for the Arts (NL), ArtEZ University of the Arts (NL), de! Kunsthumaniora for Contemporary Dance (BE), Quand on Danse (BE) and SALLY Dansgezelschap Maastricht (NL), and has been a guest teacher at the MOSA Ballet School (BE) since 2022.

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As a visual artist, Laura collaborates with artists such as Tobias Wenting (NL), Daniëlle Huyghe (NL), Daniel Barkan (NL) and Toon Quanten (BE). In addition, she creates her own work. Laura is currently exploring the merging of her choreographic and visual work.

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Artistic vision and movement language​

To me, dance means celebrating your emotions. Expressing your emotions through dance feels like growing a flower from a seed. For me, to create art means to listen to your emotions and to give them shape for others to see. I feel the essence of art is communication, which simultaneously is the essence of who we are as people.

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I am moved by the fragility of honest emotional expression and believe that this form of communication is the most beautiful thing there is. I work from intense emotions and let them guide me in both my performative and visual work. 

 

I am currently developing my movement language, connecting everything that moves and shapes me, and letting go of techniques I held onto in the past. My language is characterised by its detailed imagery, facial expressions and odd musicality. 

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Publications​​

I SOLISTI Reflections, I SOLISTI 2024/2025, I SOLISTI Reflections, Ede Stad, Jongin Arnhem, I SOLISTI Reflections, Dans Magazine, I SOLISTI Reflections, De Limburger, Sporza, De Limburger, I SOLISTI Reflections, Jongin Arnhem, Arnhem Direct, De Arnhemse Koerier, I SOLISTI Reflections, Discover ArtEZ