Eva Dewaele

I performed at the Dance Salad Festival in Houston, Texas. Gauthier Dance was invited to participate and we presented “Orchestra of Wolves”. It was a great experience. The festival was so much fun! We were so lucky to see so many companies and meet so many great dancers. I ran into a few old friends and made new ones as well. Not to mention we got to see great dance. We all took class together and warmed up together in the wings. I love to watch good dancers and try notice their details. That is when I first saw Eva.

Eva was dancing with The Royal Ballet of Flanders at the time and they were performing Return of Ulysses by Christian Spuck. The moment she even took a breath she had my attention. Eva was stunning. She was elegant, beautiful and dynamic. Her performance made a huge impact on me. I guess I did not expect her to dance like that…When I met her she was very calm… On stage she was a powerhouse. Actually when I think about it…It is more of a quiet storm… Eva is in full control. She makes every step look so easy. My colleagues and I were in awe…We talked about her for weeks. She has the beautiful lines and technique of a ballerina, but the grounded fluidity of a contemporary dancer.

Eva is from Belgium. She trained at the Royal Ballet School in Antwerp. Her first engagements were at the Hessian State Theatre in Wiesbaden, The Theater in Lucerne, The Gothenburg Opera Ballet and the Cullberg Ballet . At the Ballet of the Opéra de Lyon, Eva danced the role of Julia in Angelin Preljocaj’s in Romeo and Juliet. At the Royal Ballet of Flanders , Eva has created leading roles in choreographies by Helen Pickett, Douglas Lee, David Dawson and Christian Spuck . Eva has also appeared in several feature films.

Currently, Eva is a member of Ballet Zurich and Ballet Mistress at the Zurich Junior Ballet . She danced as Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and Rosetta in Leonce and Lena. As a choreographer Eva Dewaele created the piece with a view that was shown by the Junior Ballet under the Hodler retrospective at the Foundation Beyeler . Furthermore, Eva’s piece “Miss(es) was presented in the “Young Choreographers” program.

Sure Eva is a great dancer, but I was also drawn to her great energy. When you speak to her, you get that right away. A positive soul. Thank you Eva for your inspiration!

When You were little, What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to do what you are doing now?

Since I was little, I was always moving. I remember one of my first images as a child was looking up and watching the trees and their leaves in front of the sky “dancing” . I also danced with my big cuddle friend which was a Smurf in every corner of the house…

Eva’s Favorite Things

Favorite things to eat?

Any veggie dish, warm soups, fish, and everyday is a tea-day… Green or Red tea preferably.

Favorite books?

There are books for different occasions…I relax in the worlds of Amélie Nothomb. Haruki Murakami and K. Higashino’s books thrilled me. Marc Haddon’s “ The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time” is unforgettable. Hermann Hesse “Siddhartha” was my first not obliged book after school when I was 17 and it had a huge impact on me. As did Khalil Gibran and Osho. Don Miquel Ruiz’s “The Four Agreements” are healthy for the spirit.

Favorite movies?

You gave me a dead line when to send in these answers so I will only mention a few as I do movie- marathons… Equilibrium, any movie of Tim Burton, Dead Poet Society, Truman Show, Microcosmos, Inception, Children of men…

Favorite dance piece, musical, or show?

“Quinttet” W. Forsythe, “Café Müller” Pina Bausch, “Gods and dogs” Jiri Kylian, and theater play’s from Arne Sierens.

I like dancers who…

bring themselves to a ‘place’ they haven’t been before.

I am afraid of…

no-changes

A dance piece should…

move me.

Something you like to do other than dancing?

I love to pass by the market, preferably with early sunshine. I love being in water… I recently discovered Watsu sessions. Once in a while cooking a dish that takes me on a holiday-feeling, lately Curcuma and Garam Masala does it . Reading and watching MOVIE’S! and when I still have the energy, playing tennis… and what I always have energy for is a good laugh!!!

One of the happiest moments in your life?

Good mornings like in springtime getting up with daylight and brushing my hair outside is a good moment.

One of your most unusual or coolest experiences?

I went to a Vipassana center, 9 days in silence, and then to say something again was an unusual warm ‘cool’ moment.

Who has been the most influential person/people in your life? or Career? and why?

I am very thankful that I met so many inspiring people, some really left heart prints…

One of the hardest things about your job?

When it becomes ‘just’ a job. To keep motivating yourself, to look for inspiration within or elsewhere. Also to never forget why you started, and that no one can take away your imagination as an artist.

Do you have any goals you still wish to achieve?

Many goals I dream of, and when I get too impatient… then is dreaming the goal.

A question you want to know the answer to?

Of all choices we constantly have, why do we choose ‘that’ at ‘that’ time?

Dear aspiring artists,

Stay on the track of ART and kick out complaints… enjoy. You have always more energy then you think you have… A friend once said to me: “You always have energy like a bruistablet (Effervescent tablet in English)…High on life”

–Eva Dewaele

Eva in Performance

Photo Journal

Christian Spuck’s “Return of Ulysses” Photo by Valentin Fanel.

Sir Robin Photography

Wings of Wax by Jiri Kylian

M/C ballet from C. Soto. Photo by Valentin Fanel

I played the role of Julia in a Swiss kino movie “Marmorera”. Directed by Markus Fischer. Photo by Sava Hlavacek

From the film “Passengers” another short movie non-verbal. Choreography by Richard Wherlock. Directed by Markus Fischer.

Christian Spuck’s “Return of Ulysses” Photo by Valentin Fanel.

More info on Eva at http://www.evadewaele.com. Have you seen Eva perform? Have you worked with her? Share your stories in the comments below!