“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 her workshops, for and with Contact Improvisation (CI), and for 5Rhythms (with Paul Smith).
She uses her finely-honed improvisational practice and a range of instruments to support in-the-moment relational dance: witnessing, enhancing, responding to the energy of people’s movement flowing between solo and with other/s.
Bela developed this specific practice via a 12-month funded period to explore creative sustainability via an Arts Council England (ACE) DYCP grant, July ’23-June ’24. The DYCP enabled an expansive exploration and development of her relational cello and movement practice with Lee Bolton (embodiment and CI practitioner) & Asher Levin (CI teacher). It also supported research and development: solo and collaborative responsive acoustic and electric/fx cello in workshops throughout England. She’s also led CI jams at Touch & Play UK, Buddhafield (Soma), CI @ Goldsmiths.
Bela will be offering several movement and cello sessions in 2026, both local to Brighton and at UK festivals.
Double Slit: Canvas and Cello – live responsive visual and sonic art performance with Bela & Aurora, as part of Brighton Open Houses
1-3pm
£donation
Aurora House, 18 Lower Rock Gardens, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1PG www.aoh.org.uk/
Bela will be playing cello for Contact Improvisation at this wonderful movement and connection camp. Somerset.
More info: www.contactimprovcamp.co.uk/
Queer Spirit festival, Devon: platonic touch session and cello with movement workshop at Queer Spirit, as part of the Women’s Tent team. Queer Spirit festival is a gathering place for spiritually minded LGBTQI+ people and our allies from all races, all genders, all sexualities, all ages.
“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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