MODE05

Joao Da Silva Jr, (1965) was born and grew up in Pelotas, Brazil.
He attended the Federal University of Pelotas for 2 years where he studied Letters and Linguistics. His initial dance studies were followed under the teachings of Beatriz Canaan(improvisation and modern technique) and Master Kiro(Ballet).
He then took part in both Ballet and modern dance performances.
In 1986 he moved to Europe and continued to study dance in Iceland and Sweden( modern dance, ballet, composition and improvisation).
In 1989 he moved to Holland, and in 1991 he graduated from the Center voor Nieuwe Dans Ontwikkeling, Arnhem. His main teachers were Eva Karczag (anatomical release), Lisa Kraus(composition and post modern dance), Pauline de Groot (improvisation and post modern dance),Tony Thatcher (postmodern dance, Alexander technique),Ellen Barlow (BMC )Sally Sommers (dance criticism) and Mary O’Donnell Fulkerson (Release and composition).
Joao joined (1991-2000) the Dance Alliance, directed by Mary O’Donnell Fulkerson, with whom he performed in 8 pieces as dancer and choreography contributor. With Dance Alliance he traveled throughout Europe and Israel.
In the same time he worked as a free lance dancer in Germany and Norway.
In 1994 he began to create his own choreographies.
In 2003 he got a commission from the Stichting voor de wind, Amsterdam and in 2005 he will make a piece commissioned by the SEAD in Salzburg,Austria.
Joao has been a staff member of the Dance Academy Arnhem since 1994.
In 2002 he has been appointed coordinator of the Dance Unlimited post graduate course in choreography, profile Arnhem, Holland.
He is also a certified master Neuro Linguistic Practitioner.