Melbourne School of Tarantella
Dances and Music of the South of Italy
LA DANZA : GALATINA
International dance residency
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Embark on an immersive journey into Southern Italy's vibrant dance culture at the first English-language Dance International Residency.
Guided by local experts, delve into the rich traditions of the pizzica in its place of origin, and discover the rhythmic heartbeat of this captivating art form.
Whether a seasoned dancer or a curious novice, join us for an unforgettable experience celebrating the fusion of tradition and innovation.
GALATINA (LE) ITALY
10th-16th September 2024
Galatina, renowned for its historic Church of Saint Peter and Paul, is situated in the heart of Salento, in the province of Lecce.
The town holds a special significance as the birthplace of tarantism rituals closely tied to the pulsating rhythms of pizzica. With its rich cultural heritage, the town eagerly collaborates with us to host this gathering, fostering a shared passion for and deep interest in preserving the cherished pizzica traditions of the region.
Masterclasses & Workshops
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One full week of daily morning lesson in English with Rosa Voto, from the Melbourne School of Tarantella.
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Focus dance, tamburello (traditional frame drum), and singing workshops with local renowned instructors including the wonderful Veronica Calati, all translated into English by Rosa.
Guided visits to places of cultural importance
The entire experience will be centered around the historic center of Galatina, specifically Piazzette Gulluccio.
Explore the rich cultural tapestry of Galatina and Lecce, where centuries-old history and architectural wonders await.
Visit local artisans and indulge in the rich food tradition of the area.
Evening festa with local musicians and bands
The night comes alive with the soulful sounds of Puglia!
Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies and rhythms of Pizzica.
Gather together to share and explore the intricacies of your day's dance discoveries, weaving newfound moves and memories into the fabric of the evening's musical tapestry.
About us
Rosa Voto
Rosa Voto, the visionary founder and artistic director behind the Melbourne School of Tarantella, Australia's first dance school dedicated to Southern Italian dances and music since 2011. Born in Puglia to a Salentino mother and Calabrese father, Rosa's roots deeply influenced her upbringing despite growing up in Florence. Her early dance steps and tamburello rhythms were nurtured within the safety of her family home, fostering a profound connection to her ancestors and native land.
Rosa's teaching philosophy transcends mere instruction, integrating elements of dance and movement therapy to provide a transformative experience for students of all ages. She believes in making dance accessible, personal, and enriching for individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and abilities.
Kate Causbie
Kate is from Seattle, Washington, and is an enthusiast of the "popolare" music and dances of Southern Italy. Since 2018 has been seeking out these traditions from Puglia, the homeland of her grandmother's family. In 2021 she set out to travel through Puglia and learn as much as she could about these traditions, and has since then dreamed of crafting profound opportunities for people abroad who are deeply curious about this music. She is passionate about fostering bridges to these traditions, and is a strong believer in the power of music and dance to encapsulate memories, experiences, and identities lost to cultural assimilation.
Pizzica.Me
"Pizzica.me" is a non-profit association dedicated to the recovery and sustainable preservation of the traditional music and dances of Southern Italy. This vibrant and diverse group is partnering with us to ensure your experience is authentic and full of local flavors!
Your questions answered
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What Other Costs Can I Expect?
While our teachers' pay needs to be fixed and fair, we want you to be able to customize the rest of the trip to your needs and budget. Participants will select and pay separately for the following:
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Accommodations
Likewise, we want to give you the option to find accommodation that fits your budget as well as share accommodation costs in groups. We can't handle this for you since we are not travel agents, but we can help! We will create FB or WhatsApp groups in which you can connect with other attendees, or if you aren't on social media we can connect you with folks via email.
Rates for stays Galatina for September range from around 20 euros (for a room) to 200 euros, see examples here and here.
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Travel
1. Your travel to and from Galatina (including any visa required for travel to Italy).
Galatina is easily reachable by train, just one connection outside the major hub of Lecce. Bari and Brindisi are the two airports in Puglia, but you could also fly into a larger airport (Rome, Venice, Naples) and take a train. Renting a car is also a great option and can be done for a couple hundred euros per week -- but since the residency is so centrally located it could be inefficient depending on what the rest of your visit to Italy looks like. As with accomodations, we will help you connect to coordinate travel where it makes sense!
2. Any travel that you'd like to take outside of the Galatina Centro Storico and not included in the program.
If we add events outside the city center to the program, we will provide transportation.
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Food
One dinner together will be covered in the registration price, other meals may be offered together but the price will be split. You can eat to your budget, from fine (but relatively affordable!) regional dining, to focaccia and panini, to grocery shopping and cooking yourself. You can budget anywhere from 5 to 20 euros per meal depending how you want to eat.
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Optional Activities
We are going to offer a couple of optional activities to occupy your "Flex time". These will not be included in the tuition fee.
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When should I arrive and depart Galatina?
Tuitions and activities take off first thing on the morning of Monday 10th of September, so to make the most of it, you should arrive in Galatina anytime on Sunday 9th of September. We'll be there to welcome you!
You can depart Galatina on Tuesday 17th of September.
You won't be alone navigating all this, we're here to help you!