Summer 2009, 17-21 Aug.
His career commenced when he began training in his native Belgium, at the Ballet of Flanders in Antwerp. At the age of seventeen, Salim auditioned in Belgium for a scholarship to the prestigious Steps Dance School in New York City. Out of the two thousand dancers that auditioned, Salim was one of the two dancers who were awarded the scholarship. In 1990 he began his association with Madonna, he is most famous for his performances in The Blond Ambition Tour, the documentary film, Truth or Dare, and he has also performed in several of her videos, such as Vogue, Hanky Panky and Holiday (live). In addition, he has performed in music videos for the most popular artists in the entertainment industry. He has worked with Mia Michaels' company R.A.W and with Margo Sappington's Company The Daring Project where he performed with Valentina Kozlova. He performed in New York City Opera's productions of "Salome", "Daphne", and "Candide". His Broadway credits include Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida" on Broadway, and Mambo Kings, The Workshop. Salim has acquired a reputation as not only and extraordinary dancer, but also as an exceptionally gifted choreographer. He was selected to showcase his choreography in the prestigious Ballet Builders 2002, 2004, and 2006. His work choreographing the number for Aida's performance at Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids, won "Gypsy of the Year 2003". He recently presented two world premieres set on Orlando Ballet under the Artistic Direction of Fernando Bujones, which received rave reviews - "His synergy of forms is so fresh" - "This dance is as cerebral as it is visceral" - by Diane Hubbard Burns for the Orlando Sentinel. His work "I Breathe You In" was recently performed at Orlando Ballet's production "A World of Dance", under the artistic direction of Bruce Marks. The contemporary solo titled "Coming of Age" that Mr Gauwloos created for Joseph Gorak (ABT II and winner of the Youth America Grand Prix 2006 in New York City) was performed at the Gala "Stars of Today meet the Stars of Tomorrow", held at City Center.Mr. Gauwloos has taught a workshop for Ballet de Monterrey, alongside luminaries Robert Hill (Artistic director of Ballet de Monterrey and former principal with ABT), Georgina Parkinson (Ballet Mistress ABT), and Laura Alonso (General Director of Centro Prodanza, Cuba). His popular "I Breathe You In" dedicated to Fernando and Maria Bujones, was performed at the "Bravo Bujones," a tribute to Fernando Bujones' Legacy alongside performances from Desmond Richardson, Rasta Thomas and Joseph Phillips.
class description:
Salims class is a fusion of modern, jazz, and ballet, his unique style explores a wide range of organic, often angular movements and syncopated rhythms with a strong base in classical technique. His Contemporary Jazz class emphasizes artistry and musicality, while it challenges the dancer to move in new, unconventional ways. Beginning with a warm-up of modern-influenced, ballet-based exercises that focus on proper execution and alignment, the class evolves to the learning of Salim's original choreography, broken down and demonstrated for clear understanding. Also designed for beginner and intermediate students, an understanding of the classical vocabulary and previous experience with jazz and/or modern dance are helpful.
www.salimgauwloos.com