About me
Choreographer, scriptwriter, Stage Designer and Director, she studied and worked with masters and choreographers from all over the world. She studied Classical Ballet at the Paris Opera with Daniel Frank, with Vladimir Lupov(Kirov Ballet) Azari Plisetsky, Rosella Hightower . For Contemporary Dance she studied the techniques of: Graham,Limon, Cunningham, Contact Improvisation, Post Modern with Peter Goss, Caroline Carlson, Libbie Nie, , Alvin Ailey; Modern Jazz with Claude Coldy, Janin Loringette of ” Federation Phisique Brusselles” with Mirelle Garnier at the Ecole Poppard in Paris,with Irina Grejbina and Sasha Prijcov Character Dance directly from the Ballet Russ in Moscow, and she studied Indian Dance, too, with Lilavati Devi.
Thanks to a scholarship, studied at the Maurice Bejart’s Mudra Dance School, where she could be appreciated and where she could upgrade her culture grade. In this school she studied dance theory, theater, chant, indeed, but not only: the Mudra Dance School has been the source of inspiration for the way to work that still characterizes Sonia Nifosi.
She started her career as choreographer at the age of 18, at the Argentina Theater in Rome with the performance “Omero me l’ha raccontata così” Where she directed dancers of international fame and also played the role of Maga Circe, excellent confirmation of the critics for her début. Gino Tani (famous dance critic) from the press “Il Messaggero” described her ability in using choreographic expressionism as a “perfect harmony between spirit and forms” and her choreography as “an Art that postulates full perception of the plastic and dynamic form”. Sonia began teaching in 1985 at the professional Dance Center “Castle’s Ballet Center”, where she was Artistic director, teacher and choreographer. Through this center, she participated in dance competitions achieving many rewards.
After this experience, she directed the “Conservatorio Coreutico” and the Neoclassical Dance Academy. At the present time she is teacher, trainer for International Specialization and refresher courses for dance teachers, professional and principal dancers.
For 20 years she is lecturer and teacher at VISP- AID&A (Dance Teachers Association).
In 2007 she was awarded by FID (Italian Dance Federation) with honorary member ship of Superior Dance Council and in 2009 unanimously assigned her the nomination of General Technical Director.
For almost fifteen years she was the artistic director of the Dance Company Gruppomagnetika and the Sonia Nifosi Theatre Dance Company. Thanks to the hard theatrical work she obtained important recognitions from the Italian Ministry of Cultural Activities and Heritage. Furthermore, these dance groups for their qualities and their experimentations have been included in the Roma Europe Festival’s projects. For the Gruppomagnetika and for the Sonia Nifosi Theatre Dance Company, she realized over twenty productions, performed in Italy and abroad, they combine different styles, from Neoclassical to the Contemporary style– and she base her work on different emotional, philosophical and psychological contents.
After a critical moment of her private life, Sonia Nifosi took a new artistic route with the Sonia Nifosi Motion Dance Group: the route that should have adopted with her husband Gianluca Grasso. Still today, Sonia is devoting herself for this Group, proud of her raising generations of dancers, teachers and choreographers.
Productions:
1994-1995: She created choreographies for “Astra Roma Ballet” company, directed by Diana Ferrara, ètoile dancer, of Rome’s Opera Theater. She won the “Danzalazio” award in the first edition, for the best choreography of Contemporary Dance, assigned her by Franca Bartolomei, Lia Calizza, Andrè De La Roche, Roberta Garrison, Walter Zappolini, Vittorio Biagi, Fara Grieco, Yannick Boquin and Kramissa Koldamova, the Jury’s President.
1995: Sonia Nifosi founded The Gruppomagnetika Company … She debuted in this year with her creation “Eclissi”(Eclipse) a Legend of ancient Egypt. In December, the “Tragedie” performance, inspired by the Eschilo, Sofocle and Euripide tragedies– has been performed for Telethon with the collaboration of the “Viva il Teatro” Association.
1996: In January she was required to Vienna to create a choreography dedicated to the International principal dancers, with music by Addinsel. During the same year, “L’Amore violato” performance inspired by Laura Costa’s book performed in Milan theatre “Carcano” was broadcast from Italian TV for Telethon.
On the occasion of the event “Estate Romana” Sonia choose to performs “Eclissi” and “Frammenti” from her production with international famous guests.
1997: She Create and produce the performance “…Alfine di Volare” at Brancaccio Opera Theatre in Rome and all over Italy.
“L’amore Violato” has been performed again in Vittoria Theatre in Rome.
In October the “Maschera Addio” it has been performed in the Manzoni Theatre during the 32° Festival Giornate Musicali.
1998: Sonia with her Gruppomagnetika left for a prestigious tournèe in Malaysia performed at the Charity Gala Premiere in Kuala-Lumpur with the performances “…In Order To Flight”(…Alfine di Volare) and “Masquerade”, both represented in the presence of the Royal Family and the Highest Malaysian Authorities. The tour continued in the State of Johor in the presence of the Sultan’s Family. 36 newspaper and magazines documenting all the tour and success.
In April commissioned by the Municipality of Rome, Sonia created a new performance at the Theatre Opera Brancaccio (Easter Festival) named “Quem Quaeritis?”(Who are you looking for?) Sonia engaged herself in extensive researches of the Christian art tradition of figurative pictorial art iconographies and sculptures from the 14th century up to this day. It was the first time a piece of Jesus life has seen its fulfillment on stage, after the Vatican Committee gave the “Imprimatur” (full permit).
The critics and the public recognized to Sonia its originality and her creativity. The cultural artistic committee has included this Performance in the plan of Jubilee 2000.
During the summer of this year, the Gruppomagnetika staged “Iroloc” (music by Pink Floyd) in the Magellano Theatre of the roman coast. In novembre the “Quem Quaeritis?” show has been reruns in range of the “Isole nella corrente” festival, organized by the “Sipario aperto” association.
1999: The “Quem Quaeritis?” Keep on being performed. The Sonia Nifosi Company is officially participating to the “Festival di Pasqua” (Easter Festival). During the Summer Season the Company participated to the “Estate Romana”, when Sonia promoted “Iroloc” and “Vanno e vengono dalla collina”( Fabrizio De Andrè’s music). In the same year, the “Quem Quaeritis?” performance reruns nationally.
2000: In all the year 2000 “Quem Quaeritis?” was performed as didactical part to most of the Italian schools.
At the same time, the Company arranged new productions for the “Estate Romana”, as “The Wall” (music by Pink Floyd), “Nudo d’orchestra” (music by New Trolls), “Smooths” (music by Santana) and “The Show must go on” (music by Queen). In July, the “Quem Quaeritis?” is requested by the Roman Province to go on stage again in her headquarter.
2001: Sonia Nifosi and her Company started to arrange the new production “Volo fra i pensieri di luce” (original music compose by Mauro Bagella), that has been appreciated by critics and audience.
2002: “Cappello Cappotto e Ombrello” Estate Romana event, original music compose by Claudio Tallino, choreography and production by Sonia Nifosi that was officially recognized by the Ministry of Cultural Activities and Heritage and included in the “Italian Contemporary Dance Multimedia Platform” (together with other 14 Italian dance companies as L’Ensemble-Micha Van Hoecke, Danza Prospettiva Vittorio Biagi, Aton Dino Verga and so on).
2003: Sonia Nifosi and her Group were invited to represent Italy “Flight through Thoughts of Light” (Volo fra pensieri di luce) at the 6° European Dance Festival, the original Music were composed by Mauro Bagella. The Festival was organized by the Cypriot Ministry of Culture under the patronage of the UE Committee and with the collaboration of the Embassies of the European Members Countries: on this event Sonia with her Group achieved resounding success with the critics and audience.
In the same year, the “Volo fra pensieri di luce” reruns nationally.
2004: The “Volo tra pensieri di luce” keep on achieving success in various Theatres.
2005: The “Amici senza frontiere” Festival of music, dance and costumes from different country of the word, produced for school’s didactic purposes in the Orione Theatre in Rome.
In April, Sonia Nifosi and her Group are guests in the Theatre Olimpico in Rome, where she received the international award “Pegaso d’Oro” for her artistic talent and to the career. For this event she create a new performance “Proemio”
2006: The “Intermittenze del cuore”(Heart’s intermittence)Charity Gala is staged in the D’Annunzio Theatre, in Latina, in collaboration with the FAO. The guest of honor was Gina Lollobrigida, on stage with the dancers was playing the First Violin Anyla Kraya and the pianist Fabiana Biasini, sponsored by the Municipality of Latina.
2007: “Vanno e vengono dalla collina” By popular demand (after the first edition of 1999), was restage from Sonia Nifosi and Gruppomagnetika at the Teatro dell’Angelo in Rome with music by Fabrizio De Andre’
2009: Sonia Nifosi and her group performed a new production “Padam, padam…Piaf!” Teatro Dell’Angelo in Rome, music, theatre, dance, poetry, inspired by the enchanting voice of Edith Piaf.
2010: Sonia Nifosi formed a new ballet company named “Sonia Nifosi Motion Dance Group” (SNmdg) debuted at Teatro dell’Angelo, in Rome, with a new production “Giulietta degli Spiriti. Questi e altri fantasmi” Freely inspired on the homonymous Federico Fellini’s movie. The idea that stimulates brave choices as regards the innovation of the dance style and multi artistic score video processing by Nicola Manuel Tallino.
2011: In May, SNmdg debuted in World Premiere at the GrecoTheatre in Rome with the “Monolocale Vendesi” original music by Mario Bagella. The audience and the critics were highly impressed.
2012: In March, the SNmdg debuts in Venice Teatro dei Frari with “Della prova e del Viaggio” inspired by the book of Jonathan Swift Gulliver’s Travels.
In May, it was performed in Rome Teatro Dell’Angelo and continued with success allover Italy
2013: In May, the SNmdg debuts at the Ambra theatre in Rome with “D’istanti, mano nella mano”, lyrics and concept by Nicola Manuel Tallino, choreographed by Sonia Nifosi and music by Marillion.
In Dicember of the same year, SNmdg performed at Teatro dell’Angelo in Rome with “La Vie En Rose”, an itinerary of dance, music and theatre, inspired by the life and magic of Edith Piaf’s voice. Script, artistic direction and choreography by Sonia Nifosi, followed by great success in attendance and reviews from several dance critics.
2015: Following the success “La Vie En Rose”, at big request, Sonia Nifosi decides to perform a new version “Edith Piaf, tutto deve ancora cominciare” at Auditorium Cavour, in Rome (Frascati), to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of death of the French singer.
2016: In May, the SNmdg debuts with a new production inspired by the film”An American in Paris” she created a theatre-dance performance named “Un Americano a Parigi= l`importanza delle idée” enhanced by exhilarating choreography that celebrate the extraordinary conception of a film that is a cinematographic ballet. On stage were a total of fourteen performers, including actors, singers as well as dancers. All performance date were SOLD OUT followed by excellent reviews from dance critics and articles with interviews to the cast.
2016-2017: Sonia Nifosi is currently working on her up-coming performance, which debuts in March “ Chiamami John, viaggio nella mente di un uomo-gabbiano” “Call me John: a journey in the mind of a Seagull man Johnathan” inspired by the book of Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingstone Seagull.
2018: In May the SNmdg debuts with new production “PICASSIANA” inspired on Pablo Picasso’s life and work. Performed in the Teatro Degli Eroi in Rome . All the dates were sold out.
In September ..”In una notte di fine estate..QUASIUNSOGNO ricordi e desideri dall’universo delle segrete fantasie umane”. Itinerant show of Sonia Nifosi in the residence of Villa Apolloni in Rome