Embracing
the eccentric
Sofiya Marinova
Dancer ᐧ Teacher ᐧ Choreographer ᐧ Movement Coach
Sofiya Marinova is a fusion dancer of Bulgarian origin currently based in Berlin. She engages in a multifaceted role encompassing performance, instruction, and choreography.
Specializing in bellydance fusion, Sofiya blends bellydance with elements of more contemporary dance forms. Her dance palette extends beyond the confines of convention, incorporating elements and inspiration from waving, popping, and various street and club dance styles. Sofiya maintains a conscientious approach to fusion, ensuring a respectful integration of diverse dance cultures. This eclectic fusion is a testament to her dedication to the art, as well as a homage to the cultures that have influenced her.
What sets Sofiya apart is not only her expressive movement but also her profound knowledge in dance and movement anatomy. This expertise allows her to deeply understand the intricacies of the body and movement, enhancing the precision and intentionality in her choreographic work.
The essence of Sofiya's artistic expression lies not only in her technical precision but also in her commitment to breaking free from the norm. Her choreographic pieces defy convention, offering a unique and slightly eccentric perspective within the dynamic tapestry of Berlin's dance scene.
Works
As a Dancer & Choreographer
Profunda - Oct 2023 - solo - dancer & choreographer - presented at the Tribal Moon Hafla (Berlin, Germany), Tribal World Challenge Show (online), Shik Shak Shok 2024 (Berlin, Germany), and World of Orient 2024 (Hannover, Germany)
Thoughts - Oct 2023 - group - dancer & choreographer - presented at the Tribal Moon Hafla (Berlin, Germany) and Shik Shak Shok 2024 (Berlin, Germany)
Infinity - May 2023 - solo - dancer & choreographer - presented at the Tribal Festival (Krakow, Poland), World of Orient 2023 (Hannover, Germany), and Galeriata (Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria)
Damn! - May 2022 - solo & group - dancer & choreographer - video project, also presented at the Tribal Festival (Krakow, Poland), Shik Shak Shok 2023 (Berlin, Germany) and motion*s Open Stage 2022 (Berlin, Germany)
Angst - July 2021 - solo - dancer & choreographer - video project for the graduation from Polina Shandarina's intensive group mentorship, also presented in the Moabit Festival (Berlin, Germany) in 2022
Alone - October 2021 - solo - dancer & choreographer - presented as a video at the Tribal World Challenge 2021 (online)
Awoken - November 2018 - group - dancer & choreographer - presented in Berlin, Germany
Awakening - August 2018 - solo - dancer & choreographer - presented at the Galeriata (Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria)
La Femme - May 2018 - group - dancer, choreographer, director - presented on several nights in Berlin, Germany
dis-connected - May 2018 - group - dancer - contemporary dance performance presented in Berlin, Germany. Choreographer: Oezen Odag
Nu Beginnings - June 2014 - group - dancer - contemporary dance performance presented in Bremen, Germany. Choreographers: Oezen Odag & Veneta Gerganova
!Hell - May 2014 - group - dancer - contemporary oriental dance performance presented in Bremen, Germany. Choreographer: Veneta Gerganova
Love:Revised - June 2013 - group - dancer - contemporary oriental - presented in Bremen, Germany. Choreographer: Veneta Gerganova
My Body - May 2012 - group - dancer - contemporary oriental - presented in Bremen, Germany. Choreographer: Veneta Gerganova
Education
In Dance & Movement Anatomy
February 2021 - now - mentorship with Piny Orchidaceae - SPinyACE
January 2024 - Franklin Method® Healthy Heart & Lungs through Imagery & Movement - Continued Education
January 2024 - Pave the Wave waving intensive with JSmooth
September 2023 - Orchidaceae Dance Intensive, Lisbon, Portugal
September 2022 - March 2023 - Level 2 Franklin Method® - fascia & muscles
November - December 2022 - waving mentorship with JSmooth
September 2022 - Orcidaceae Dance Intensive, Lisbon Portugal
February 2022 - Pave the Wave waving intensive with JSmooth
February 2022 - Franklin Method® Beyond the Pelvic Floor - Continued Education
September 2020 - March 2021 - Franklin Method® Level 1 Trainer
September 2020 - Orchidaceae Dance Intensive, Online
July 2020 - Franklin Method® Fascia Trainer for the Lower Back
June 2020 - February 2021 - Bellydance Fusion with Olga Meos – Intensive Phases 1, 2 and 3
December 2020 - July 2021 - Intensive training with Polina Shandarina
April 2019 - September 2019 - ESSENCE OF BELLYDANCE™, subsequent yearly trainings
September 2018 - March 2018 - Intensive Training „Tanz als Beruf“ - Danceworks Berlin
October 2014 - April 2017 - MSc Chemistry in Free University Berlin, Germany
October 2011 - June 2014 - contemporary oriental dance training with Veneta Gerganova
September 2011 - June 2014 - BSc Chemistry in Jacobs University Bremen, Germany
2003 - 2011 - Playing the piano, Vesela Music Club, Gabrovo, Bulgaria
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Solo works
created and performed by Sofiya
Profunda
Strength, intensity, depth. A story about growth, transformation and staying true to yourself. This piece was inspired by the fantastic Piny Orchidaceae and Sharon Eyal.
Choreographer & Dancer: Sofiya Marinova
Music: Donato Dozzy & Anna Caragnano - Parola
Bliss
A piece about beauty, gentleness, sensitivity, and the power we hold within ourselves to create a happy life for ourselves. Beauty, joy and peace is just as deep and intense as suffering, but in another way.
Choreographer & Dancer: Sofiya Marinova
Music: Mark Eliyahu - Journey
Infinity
The piece explores the infinite capacity of the universe we live in and the repetitiveness of our lives inside of it.
Choreographer & Dancer: Sofiya Marinova
Music: Caterina Barbieri - SOTRS
damn!
Strength and sensuality. Lines and waves. Stillness and movement. Opposites attract. A solo version of a group piece.
Choreographer & Dancer: Sofiya Marinova
Music: Mark Eliyahu - Journey
Group pieces
Choreographed and directed by Sofiya
Thoughts
Thoughts is a piece is about the chaotic mind full of repetitive, intrusive, unwanted, random thoughts.
Choreographer: Sofiya Marinova
Dancers: Maya, Chaya, Marina, Sonja, Valentina, Natacha, Sofiya
Music - Mussels in Brussels by Leo Orchidaceae
Damn!
Strength and sensuality. Lines and waves. Stillness and movement. Opposites attract.
Choreography and Video: Sofiya Marinova
Dancers: Ayna, Karima, Sofiya, Sonja, Veneta
Music: Jeris Johnson & Ricky Desktop - damn! (with Chad Kroeger) [Remix]
Long productions
Presented on bigger stage
La Femme
A contemporary oriental dance performance that celebrates strong women who have been through various hardships. It touches on social issues such as social prejudice and pressure, as well as more intimate ones like having a miscarriage and being in an abusive relationship. Hear the stories of three very strong women... be inspired by their courage, feel the emotion that they have felt, relive their experiences through dance.
Choreographer & Director: Sofiya Marinova
Presented on stage in Berlin in May 2018
Dancers: Marina Polinovskaia, Sofiya Marinova, Sonja Kahl and Veneta Gerganova
Visuals: Aidan Boyle - http://www.aidanboyle.de/
Scenes & music:
1. Lost (Beats Antique - "Crooked Muse" (feat. LYNX))
2. Alone (Beats Antique - Miss Levine) - co-choreographer Veneta Gerganova
3. Violence (Beats Antique - The Allure)
4. Freedom (Beats Antique - Charon's Crossing)
5. Sisterhood (Beats Antique - The Rift feat. Alam Khan)
6. New love, new life (Solace - Blood Oil Gold)
7. A lesson learned (Beats Antique - Viper's Den)
Let's connect on Instagram!
IG account: @sofiya.dance
