“the music from the cello encouraged me to take risks and be playful”
Bela makes music for people to move to, for self-expression, connection, and wellbeing, in solo workshops, for and with Contact Improvisation, and for 5 Rhythms (with Paul Smith).
This 5-minute video is about Shape and Surrender: Bela’s Making Space residency and public event at Fabrica, Brighton, 17th-21st June ’24. The residency was the culmination of Bela’s 12-month funded period to explore creative sustainability via an Arts Council England (ACE) DYCP grant, July ’23-June ’24.
Through the DYCP, she explored movement, embodiment, listening, and sound, with Contact Improvisation (CI) and other movement practitioners throughout England – as well as her own artistic processes.
The DYCP enabled an expansive exploration and development of her relational cello and movement practice with:
It also supported research and development: solo and collaborative responsive acoustic and electric/fx cello in workshops for and with:
Ambimuse at FACTS festival, Bordeaux: Interactive Listening workshop with Bela Emerson, Elona Hoover, & Matthieu Lebrun.
Sound walks, musical naps… Ambimuse takes you on a sensitive exploration of our acoustic landscapes. This residency invites you to listen to the world around us in a different way. By bringing sounds, places, and emotions into dialogue, Ambimuse awakens an ecological and poetic awareness, to better understand and experience our environment.
Live Wave (5 Rhythms with Paul), Hove Methodist Church, Portland Road – live cello and electronics duo: beautiful musical improvisations responding to and supporting this powerful dynamic dance practice https://
Saturday Snuggles, Ochre House, Hove, 2-5:30pm: Bela plays live cello to accompany consensual platonic touch – more details: www.facebook.com/
CI in Lewes – Bela plays responsive, interactive cello for and with Sharon & Marc’s Contact Improvisation session at Cliffe Hall
“the playing led tremendous weight to the emotional expression”
“the instrument’s versatility in your hands is remarkable”
“very intuitive playing – Bela read the room beautifully”
“the depth of the sound of the cello helps me to deeply relax and feel grounded in my body”
“the cello is a deep, holding, soothing sound. I think it’s very healing. The fact it’s live also adds to the feeling of being held”
“The dancing felt very connected with the cello – the way you interacted with us and the music and vice versa”
“the music from the cello encouraged me to take risks and be playful”
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