Students autumn semester 2024

  • Hi! My name is Axelle Amstutz. I was born in Neuchâtel in 2005. My father is Swiss and my mother is from South Korea but was raised in Switzerland. I was once a high-level rhythmic gymnast and I redirected myself toward the dance world, which better suited my expectations. Performing contemporary dance, especially on stage, made me realize how much I enjoyed it, leading me to pursue it as a career. I am very happy to have the chance to study at ZHdK and I will do everything to have a long career as a contemporary dancer.

    Image: Portrait of Axelle Amstutz

  • Hello, my name is Marius Baltaga, I was born in 2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. My first steps in the world of dance began at the age of 8, at the art school in my hometown, after which I studied at the national choreography college in the capital. I was a professional folk dancer for almost 3 years, 2021–2024. I always try to challenge myself, that’s why I came here to study, because I think I will be able to see the world of dance from a different perspective, why I’m also very satisfied.

    Image: Portrait of Marius Baltaga

  • Hi my name is Tomás and I’m from Zurich. I’m of Aramean (Syriac) and Spanish descent. This has shaped my taste in music from an early age to which I remember moving and stomping my feet to without a care in the world. But as I got older I became embarrassed and shy. At the age of 16, by joining my high school’s theatre group “AG Theater Rämibühl“, I rediscovered dance as my passion. Before ZHdK, I was taking open classes at “Tanzwerk101” and “Tanzhaus” where I met amazing teachers and dancers who helped me further my ambitions. Being able to perform in front of a crowd and share all that I have experienced up to that point is my main motivation. In doing so the constant evolution of a dancer is demanded and I know ZHdK will play a big role in mine. I am truly grateful to be here.

    Image: Portrait of Tomás Bashe

  • Hi! My name is Ulysse Bertin, I was born in France in 2006 and I discovered when I was 5 years old. During 13 years of training in different styles – ballet, modern dance and contemporary – I have realized that dance was indeed my true passion and that I wanted to become the most complete and versatile dancer as possible. I am highly grateful to be part of ZHdK’s dance programme. It gives us access to so many different techniques in our daily training but also to so many different styles with various choreographers, a chance for us to expand our known horizons of this art form, on top of having so many occasions to go on stage, which I think is the most magnificent and thrilling feeling we can experience as dancers and human beings.

    Image: Portrait of Ulysse Bertin

  • Buondì! My name is Tommaso, I was born and raised in Italy precisely in a small town in Tuscany where there are not many opportunities but only a lot of countryside. I started studying modern and ballet. In 2022, I moved to Rome where I started to range between multiple styles such as hiphop, latin american dance, commercial and I had my first work experiences. All this helped me to be more aware and understand what kind of dancer I want to become. That’s why I started looking around and auditioned for this university. I feel I have made the best choice I could because this place helps us grow from every point of view and we can understand what path we want to take in the future.

    Image: Portrait of Tommaso Bracci

  • I’m Naia Cascales Guzmán, born in 2006 in Barcelona, Spain. I started falling in love with art with theatre, which led me to try dance at the age of 6, discovering my way of expressing myself. From the beginning I had a lot of practice in improvisation and creativity. I graduated from the Barcelona Dance Conservatory and there I confirmed that my passion was dance. I believe that creating your own identity as an artist and at the same time absorbing as much as possible from the knowledge of others is the perfect balance to grow as a dancer and also as a person and I hope that ZHdK will be the place for it! 

    Image: Portrait of Naia Cascales

  • Hello, my name is Francesco. I was born in 2006 and I come from Sicily, in Italy. My dance career started thanks to a friend who pushed me into hip hop and break dance, which I continued to study until the age of 14. Soon after I started ballet and contemporary dance. I am a creative guy and always had the passion for choreography, in fact I like to experiment with movement.
    I am really happy to be at ZHdK and my goal is to improve my technique and learn as much as possible from all the choreographers I will study with.

    Image: Portrait of Francesco Chindemi

  • Hi! My name is Marina Chloë Cidra, and I’m from Barcelona, Spain. I was born in 2006 and have been dancing since I was four years old. Coming from a family of dancers, I’ve been immersed in the world of dance for as long as I can remember. I would often accompany my parents to their rehearsals, and watching them perform, I couldn’t help but try to imitate their movements. At the age of 11, I made the decision to pursue dance as a professional career. I trained at a conservatory “Institut del Teatre, CPD” for contemporary dance, and now, here I am at ZHdK, enjoying an incredible journey and growing both as a dancer and as a person.

    Image: Portrait of Marina Cidra

  • Hi! I am Laure and I come from Bordeaux, France. I had my first dance class at 4 years old, and I will never forget it. From this early age, I promised myself that I’ll never stop dancing. I’ve started my training with mostly ballet, until I fell in love with contemporary dance in my teenage years. At 17, I left my home town to pursue my passion in a professional training in Geneva, Switzerland, for two years. I am now thrilled to be part of ZHdK and to continue my journey into the dance world. I can’t wait to explore and learn more in this amazing place, and to create new connections with everyone!

    Image: Portrait of Laure De Juli

  • Hello I’m Lieve, I’m 19 years old and I am from the Netherlands. I started dancing when I was 4 years old. It was just hopping and dancing around but I immediately loved it. My sister danced as well and that’s where my passion for it really started. I loved watching her classes through the hole of the ballet classroom door and seeing her and the others dance made me want to be able to dance like that as well. I’m now still passionate about dance and I’m very greatful for ZHdK for giving me the opportunity to explore and challenge my body more and more.

    Portrait of Lieve de Lange

  • Salü zämu! Mein Name ist Kay Ebener. Ich bin 2002 im Oberwallis geboren und dort aufgewachsen. Mit 15 Jahren besuchte ich das Kollegium in Brig und fokussierte mich auf Fremdsprachen. Etwa zur selben Zeit fing ich auch mit dem Tanzen an. Damals noch unbewusst, dass das Tanzen die wichtigste Sprache in meinem Leben werden würde. Alles begann mit Hip-Hop, Commercial und Jazz. Irgendwann belegte ich so viele Tanzstile und Kurse, dass ich mehr Zeit im Tanzstudio verbrachte als in der Schule oder zu Hause. Tanzen wurde zu meiner grössten Leidenschaft. Rasch wurde mir klar: Ich muss mich dieser Welt komplett hingeben. Darum bin ich so glücklich, dass ich an der ZHdK gelandet bin. Hier bekomme ich die Gelegenheit, meine eigene tänzerische Sprache zu finden und weiterzuentwickeln.

    Image: Portrait of Kay Ebener

  • Hi, my name is Alessandro, I was born in 2004 and I’m from Italy. For me dance is a way to disconnect from everyday life and experience new emotions. I fell in love with it when I was 4, while watching “The Sleeping Beauty”. So, I told my mum that I wanted to dance and started studying ballet at the age of five. I had my first contemporary class when I was 15 and since then I have wanted to learn more about it. That’s why I started auditioning for a university and I cannot be more grateful to be here. I want to improve my technique, become a versatile dancer and overcome my insecurities. I also look forward to live beautiful moments with my new classmates and work with many choreographers.

    Image: Portrait of Alessandro Evangelista

  • Hi my name is Emilio, I am from a little city called Ontinyent, in Spain. I was born in 2005 and I started dancing classic and flamenco when I was 3 years old. My family has always supporting me all the time and thanks to them I keep dancing. In 2017 I started my professional career of classic and at the same time I was doing flamenco and studying in school. In 2023, I entered the math career and still kept dancing, but I finally decided I wanted to be a dancer. Now I am here at ZHdK to learn and train as a professional contemporary dancer.

    Image: Portrait of Emilio Gandia

  • Hi, my name is Killian Gormley. I am from Dublin, Ireland. For the past year, I have been pursuing a Bachelor of Contemporary Dance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. I am delighted  to continue my training at ZHdK. I have been a passionate performer since the age of 7, when I started dancing at Westside Performing Arts. I have trained in multiple styles and mediums to develop my artistry. My passion for dance and the arts is an integral part of me, something that cannot be broken. "To live in adversity is to find growth." When challenges come my way, I always find comfort in reflecting on why I started dancing and the beautiful memories and people it has brought into my life. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to ZHdK for this wonderful opportunity, and to the Gormley and Ennis families for their endless support.

    Portrait of Kilian Gormley

  • Hi everyone, I am Paolo! I was born in Rome in 2006 and I have been dancing for quite a long since my mother has a dance school in our hometown. I moved in Zurich to embrace this new experience and to grow both as a dancer and as a person. I love the art in all its ways as I think that the art is the only eternal thing in life. Fun fact: I am obsessed with the ancient Greece culture, from the sculpture to the literature. I really find essential connecting with my own creativity and sharing it with the other people. I cannot wait to work with so many choreographers and teachers!

  • Hello everyone! My name is Carolina, I’m 19 years old and I come from Italy. I was born in Tuscany in the city of Arezzo. I started my career with the study of classical dance and later in adolescence I began the study of contemporary dance. In my opinion, dancing helps to raise your self-esteem and confidence and express your personality and emotions through movement. When I dance, all my problems go away just feeling so much gratitude and happiness. Every day I try to commit myself more and more with a lot of determination and perseverance. I consider myself very lucky to have entered this university, because it was my dream. I will make the most of the whole path that ZHdK offers me to become the dancer that little Carolina had always dreamed of!

    Image: Portrait of Carolina Mazzni

  • Hey, I’m Flurina. I was born in 2004 in Switzerland. I started dancing at 4 years old at a local ballet school because I got inspired by a children’s book, where a girl danced ballet. After some years I changed ballet school and that was the first time I got to experience contemporary dance and I really enjoyed the freedom it made me feel. Because of this I decided to transfer to another school to focus on contemporary dance and in these two years I realized that I want to make this passion my profession. I’m very happy that I’m now here in Zurich at ZHdK in a creative, progressive and inspiring environment to grow as a dancer and make a career out of dance.

    Portrait of Flurina Möwes

  • hello everyone! 
    I’m Sofia and I was born in 2005 in Italy. I’ve danced since the very first years of my life, starting at the age of 4 with ballet and then exploring more contemporary dance from the age of 10. 
    With dance it was love at first sight: it’s an essential part of me and I couldn’t imagine existing without it, as it allows me to be my true self and to express my persona in the most convenient and truthful way for me. I’m much grateful to be here and study at ZHdK, to level up as an artist and as a dancer and to be able to share this amazing experience with such talented and amazing people who inspire me. I’m excited for the future moments and challenges that this journey will bring and I’m much ready to give all of myself to it!

    Image: Portrait of Sofia Oliveri

  • I’m Lina Tolstova, born in 2008 in Donetsk, Ukraine. I feel like dance chose me early on. After exploring acting and singing in Kyiv, Ukraine after the Russian invasion in 2014, I discovered my true calling in dance through a transformative teacher. In 2022, I relocated to Dresden and enrolled at the Palucca University of Dance, where I improved my ballet technique while seeking opportunities in contemporary dance. In 2023, I became the youngest participant in the Summer Intensive at the Netherlands Dance Theatre, earning a scholarship that opened my eyes to dance as a profound language of expression. In 2024, I successfully gained admission to ZHdK, where I continue to grow as an artist. Dance is a raw and vulnerable art form where my body becomes the brush and instrument, allowing me to express what’s in my soul.

    Image: Portrait of Elina Tolstova

  • Hello, my name is Romane Triscornia and I am from the year 2006. I was born and raised in Yverdon in Switzerland where I took dance lessons from the age of 4. I followed all my training at the Brigitte Roman Academy, former soloist of major companies, with many competitions and internships outside – Paris Opera, Rossella Hightower Dance Center, P. Grace Academy in Monaco, Prix de Lausanne Summer Intensive. Until recently, my career was mainly oriented towards classical dance, but currently I am more interested in contemporary dance, which suits me better. It is very diverse and I am super motivated to learn and progress as much as possible at ZHdK. I not only love dancing but also watching shows and this art gives me a feeling that I can’t find anywhere else!

    Image: Portrait of Romane Triscornia

  • Hoi! My name is Danja and I’m from the Netherlands and I was born in 2006. I started to dance at the age of 3 years old and I never stopped. I could never stand still. I was always dancing, when I had to do the dishes, set the table or watch television. When I got accepted at ZHdK, it was a dream come true. Every day I’m getting the opportunity to let myself grow as an artist, person and dancer, which I am so grateful for. At ZHdK, I can do my favorite thing and passion everyday. I am so happy to be making so many steps forward towards my dream! 

    Image: Portrait of Danja van der Linden

  • Hi! My name is Petra. I was born in 2005 in Croatia. Since I was little, I had a creative mind and a hyperactive body, so when my sister wanted to give dance a try, I of course followed her, and that’s how I started my dance journey, at five years old, in a small competition studio near my hometown. I realized very early that I wanted to make dance my profession, and since then dance has been the very core of my being, I feel it in everything I do from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep, and a little while after that, while the day still echoes through my body. Now I’m here at ZHdK and I couldn’t happier. I’m so grateful that I got the opportunity to study here, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings.

    Image: Portrait of Petra Velepic

  • Hi! I’m Adam Winter and I’m from the French-speaking part of Switzerland. I discovered dance at age 5, starting with Breakdance and Hip-hop, drawn to their acrobatic elements. My passion grew as I competed in improvisation dance battles. At 16, I explored contemporary dance and theater, expanding my artistic expression. Later, I moved to New York, studying theater full-time for three years at HB Studio while continuing to pursue dance daily.

    Image: Portrait of Adam Winter

  • Hi everyone, my Name is Tslil Yellin Panov. I was born in Israel, Tel-Aviv, in 2007. My heritage is mostly Lithuanian. I was born in to a Jewish, non religious, family. My Mother is Lithuanian and my father Belarusian. My family has a really complicated background with many different Story, so do I. When my mother died in 2009, I came with my grandmother to Switzerland. A lot of things happen after that. Since 2016, I live in a faster family in Lucerne. I have a connection to dance since I’m a baby. My father is a famous ex-sowjet-ballet dancer. Now he has an own ballet school and compagnie in Ashdod, Israel. My mother also finished a professional balletschool in Germany. With the time I started to go my own way in dancing. I started with Hip-Hop 2018, came at 2020 to ballet and contemporary. And now I’m here in Zürich and hope for a good career.

    Image: Portrait of Tslil Yellin