BIO
ELOY J ROJAS
I am a professional dancer, choreographer and dance teacher from Venezuela, a country where dancing is an important part of the culture and Latin American lifestyle.
In 2008-2012 I officially completed my professional training as a professional dancer, choreographer and dance teacher for Ballroom, Latin rhythms, Afro-Latino rhythms and Caribbean rhythms in Caracas (Venezuela).
After having 2 years of training and work in different dance schools in Venezuela, I relocated to Mexico City in 2014, where I continued my training and simultaneously founded "Be Dancer" dance school.
Ready to further my dancing profession, I moved to Berlin in 2016. As a result of my own research, I developed my own dance technique. I quickly gained recognition in the Berlin dance scene for defying gender stereotypes in dance by using my body movements. I also developed a unique spins technique and an Afro-Cuban bodymovement technique based on the origins of Latin American rhythms. This gave me the opportunity to make and direct choreography at the renowned Berlin Volksbühne.
I founded EJR Studio, my dance school, and Ibere dance company in 2019.
In 2022, I created a project titled "from the roots: IT IS ABOUT LATIN RHYTHMS" that was awarded funding by the Federal Government's Commissioner for Culture and Media. In this project, I devised the first structure in Europe for an Ausbildung in Latin American rhythms for Dancers, Teachers, and Choreographers. As well as two researches titled "Basic Body Posture and movement of Latin American Rhythms"
and "Spins and Turns Technique of Latin American Rhythms".
Currently, I continue to teach courses at my Berlin dance school, perform my self-choreographed performances throughout Europe, give seminars based on a methodology I devised, and thus represent Berlin and Germany internationally.
Awards
- 3x 1st places
- 3x 2nd places
Memberships
INTERNATIONAL DANCE COUNCIL member.
RESEARCHES
Basic body-posture and body-movement of Latin American rhythms
The investigation:
The goal of this research is to explore the roots and evolution of body posture and basic movements of Latin American dances. And in this way observe how a mixture of cultures, dances, religions, political and social movements have shaped these postures and movements which in turn continue to evolve constantly.
Duration of the research: 2 years, 2021-2022.
Research method:
- Bibliographic exploration.
- Interviews with professionals involved in directly and indirectly related topics.
- Field exploration in laboratories during dance lessons.
Results:
- Descriptive document.
Funded by:
Private funds and EJRstudio.
Turns and Spins technique of Latinamerican Rhythms
The research:
The objective of this research is to explore the turns and spins that are executed when we dance Latin American dances. In order to analyze how the mixture of two different dance techniques (Ballet and Afro intentions) could unite and achieve the incredible magic that is transmitted at the moment of observing the result of this fusion.
Duration of research: 2 years, 2020-2021
Research method:
- Bibliographic exploration.
- Interviews with professionals involved in directly and indirectly related topics.
- Field exploration in laboratories during dance classes.
Results:
- Descriptive document.
Funded by:
Private funds and EJRstudio.