In Raw’s class you will experience a combination of Chinese dance and contemporary dance.

The class begins with a series of exercises focused on abdominal training. Then the focus will shift to your individual body’s spacial awareness, self-protection, softness internally and externally. At the end, we will explore and experiment the relationship between Chinese dance and contemporary dance by using props such as ribbons and fans.

BIOGRAPHY

Hsin-Ju Chiu (aka Raw) is originally from Taiwan and completed her BFA (Dance) and MFA (Dance) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). She appeared as a guest artist for Dancenorth’s productions such as Gravity Feed, The Sleeping End (choreographed by Antony Hamilton), NightCafe06, and Underground as part of her masters project.

After graduating, Hsin-Ju joined Dancenorth collaborating and performing with Gavin Webber in performances such as Underground, NightCafe07, Remember Me and Nowhere Fast (choreographed by Ross McCormack). In 2008, she was invited to Vienna with Dancenorth for a two-week residency at ImPulsTanz Dance Festival.

In 2009 she performed in Gavin Webber’s Rock Show, in collaboration with Australian rock band Regurgitator as part of Q150. The following year she performed with Sydney’s Stalker Theatre Company on a large-scale work titled Shanghai Lady Killer. In early 2010, Hsin-Ju was invited to Austria to join Splintergroup for Festspielhaus St. Polten’s Australia in Residence program and performed Remember Me, and Legless.

In 2012, she performed in Brisbane based independent artist Lisa Wilson’s Lake which then toured regionally in Australia in 2014. The same year, she returned to her home country to work with the Hong Kong filmmaker Maurice Lai on a dance video titled Rite of City-Reminisce for Jumping Frames Dance Video Festival 2012, which has been shown all over the world.

Now based in Melbourne, Hsin-Ju performed in Melbourne Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker season, working as guest artist at Bounczn Dance Company and guest contemporary dance teacher at Melbourne City Ballet.

Photo: Stephen Booth