About

Dates

THURSDAYS 9.30am - 10.45am 

ABOUT WILD MOVES INTERNATIONAL 
A dance style from around the globe is explored through free movement, voice and rhythm. It is then embodied into a new structured dance routine each week. 
Dance styles range from Contemporary/Modern dance, Western Classical Ballet, Traditional African, Indian or Afrobeat, House, Dancehall, Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop, Hip Life, High Life, Soukous and Social dances from Latin America, South America, European and Middle Eastern dance. The first Thursday of the month is always Orisa Pan-African traditonal dance - Guardians of the elements of nature and place.

THEMES

February - Oceanic
March - Earth
April - River
May - Wind
June - Fire
July/August - Equine embodiment in Portugal: Personal empowerment through horses, African drumming, dance, song, creativity and silent walking the land.
September - Forest
October - Metal
November - Tricksters
December - Peace

Location

Get directions

Torquay Senior Citizens Hall
16 Price St, Torquay Victoria 3228

Jacqueline 'Esi Tweba' Dreessens is an Ethnochoreologist, Choreographer, Dancer, Drummer, Teaching Artist, Shamanic practitioner and Director of Wild Moves International.

B.Ed (Dance, Drama, Psychology) Deakin University, Rusden campus, 1985.

M.Arts (Ethnochoreology and Embodied methodologies) - First Class Honours - Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of LImerick, Ireland, 2017.

Irish School of Shamanic Studies, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland, 2018.

Sonni School of Garba dance, Mumbai, India, 2016, 2018, 2025.

Agoro Theatre Company, Pedu, Cape Coast, Ghana, West Africa, 2001- 2007. 

Asanti Dance Theatre, Ghana 2004 - 2014. 

Jacqui has been directing Wild Moves on the Surf Coast since 2004 and Wild Moves International since 1991. As a first generation Dutch/Australian, Jacqui grew up in Geelong and the Surf Coast on the lands of the Wadawurrung First Nations People. She brings over 30 years of performance experience and professional teaching in schools, Early Learning centres, Holiday programs, universities, Health & Wellbeing, Seniors: Drum On, Sparky Moves, Corporate team building, Women or Men's Circles, retreats, weddings, community ritual celebrations with Wild Moves on the Surf Coast, Solstices, conferences and music festivals both local and international.

Jacqui's teaching and choreography also draws upon her formal training in Contemporary and Western Classical Ballet techniques supported with Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates, Feldenkrais, Somatics, Skinner Release technique and Laban Movement Analysis.

Jacqui is inspired by Indigenous World Dance cultures and their expression of deep ecology, connection to Ancestral spirit and the Land. 

On the Australian festival circuit, over the past 30 years, Jacqui has performed with many African dance bands notably, Warako Musica (Congo), Thula Sana (Sth Africa) and Adzohu (Ghana). Since 1988, Jacqui has facilitated cultural dance and drumming tours, artist in residencies and professional development in Brazil, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Ireland, Nepal, Portugal, Senegal, the UK and continues to do so. This has led to many exciting artist in schools, festivals and communities across Australia -  'Where journeys Meet' Gasworks Community Arts Park, to celebrate Australian Federation 2001; the Opening Ceremony for the Deaf Olympic Games at Olympic Park, Melbourne 2005; 'The Mountain to Mouth Extreme Arts Walk' You Yangs, Geelong city, Barwon Heads, 2016, 2018 and many new works for the Torquay High Tide Festival like 'SwellBeing'; 'Hidden Depths'; 'Natural Balance'; 'Moonahs: Sentinels of the Surf Coast'; 'Circles on Waves', 'Hoofprints in the Sand'; 'Sacred Kingfisher dance'; 'Hoodie Boogie', 'The Seaweed Saunter', ... more on the way.

You name it, Jacqui can create it!!!

Rooted to the Earth and Connected to the Universe - Wild Moves

Wild Moves International

Contact Event Organiser