Dancer Choreographer Visual artist​
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 at 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 their 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), at SALLY Dansgezelschap Maastricht (NL), and at 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 part of ‘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 project aimed at introducing four emerging dance makers. ​Her work, ‘Tales to Disturb’ was performed 11 times on tour (vier x vier) 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) as well, where the piece was honoured with the South-Korean International Performing Arts Project award (KR).
​
From 2024 on, Laura started creating her first full evening production ‘MANA,' supported by I SOLISTI (BE), BUDA (BE), c o r s o (BE), Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ (NL), DE SINGEL (BE), Het Oude Badhuis (BE), Schouwburg Noord (BE), KMSKA (BE) and Fonds Nieuwe Makers (BE). ​In 'MANA', Laura connects her visual and choreographic work for the first time. This same year, she created a new piece, ‘Chariot,' for the annual recital of the MOSA Ballet School (BE). ​
In 2025, Laura will première 'MANA', next to which she will join award winning filmmaker Sam Asaert in his new research project (BE), continue to tour 'Tales to Disturb', and choreograph and perform in a music video by Frederik Martens and Kenneth Michiels (BE). ​In 2026 Laura will create two new creations, for the Bachelor Ways Training Program in Brussels (BE), and for the Kunsthumaniora Brugge (BE).
Laura has danced for Paula Niehoff (BE), Liza Van Brakel (NL), Toon Quanten (BE), and in her own work. She 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), SALLY Dansgezelschap Maastricht (NL), and has been a guest teacher at the MOSA Ballet School (BE) since 2022.​​​​
As a visual artist, Laura has collaborated with artists such as Tobias Wenting (NL), Daniëlle Huyghe (NL), Daniel Barkan (NL) and Toon Quanten (BE). In addition, she creates her own work. ​​​​​​​​
​
ARTISTIC VISION & 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. ​​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. ​​​​
​
AWARDS & COMPETITIONS
Official selection for Stray Birds Dance Platform with 'Tales to Disturb' (TW)
South-Korean International Performing Arts Project award for 'Tales to Disturb' (KR)
Official selection for the semi-final of Teatri Riflessi with 'Tales to Disturb' (IT)​​​
​
PUBLICATIONS​​
Jongin Arnhem
I SOLISTI Reflections
Dans Magazine
De Limburger
Sporza
De Limburger
I SOLISTI Reflections
Jongin Arnhem
De Arnhemse Koerier
I SOLISTI Reflections