Draft:Maya Lewandowsky

Maya Lewandowsky (Hebrew :מאיה לבנדובסקי) (born 1972) is an Israeli - Canadian Performing Artist, dancer, singer, actress and choreographer and the creator of the newfangled Free Your Natural Voice Method.

Biography
Maya was born in 1972. She was raised in an artistic family.

Her first amateur performance was when she was three years old. When she was seven she started attending the Israeli Ballet School in Tel Aviv until 1982, year in which she joined the Bat-for Dance Company School. Here she would perform ballet, modern, jazz and contemporary dance. At the same time she starts her studies London at the Royal Academy of Dance from which she will eventually graduate with an advanced diploma in classical dance.

Maya studied and performed with different teachers and companies such as Martha Graham, Lar Lubovitch, Tedd Robinson, Gigi Căciuleanu, Luciano Cannito, Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak, and the Bat-Dor Dance Company.Maya has worked for the School of Alberta Ballet, the University of CalgaryDance Faculty, and the Epcor Centre for the Arts

Maya Lewandowsky is the artistic director and founder of La Caravan Dance Theatre and the creator of the newfangled Free Your Natural Voice Method.

Significant works

 * Fihi Ma Fihi – Full production presentations- 80min 2016 Multi- disciplinary PERFORMANCE ODYSSEY Theatre Junction Grand, Calgary, AB
 * The Dybbuk - 80min 2013 An Original Dance Opera using Interactive Media Presented by The HPR, Calgary, AB
 * A Place To Begin - 60min 2011 Presented at the Alberta Dance Festival, Calgary, AB
 * Contrast - 60min 2006-2008 Presented at The HPR Theatre Festival, Calgary, AB and the Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival, Toronto, ON
 * The Corridor - 60min 2002-2007 Presented by DSW Calgary, AB, The HPR international Festival Calgary, AB, The Feats Festival Edmonton, AB and The Dance on the Edge Festival Vancouver, BC
 * Experiment on the Adagio 2003 Presented at the Dance Explosions Festival, Calgary, AB and at Studio 303, Montreal, QC

Career

 * Pumphouse Theatre – Calgary, Canada
 * Panthéâtre Paris, France
 * Centre National de la Danse Paris, France
 * Project 48 Dance Tel Aviv, Israel
 * La Caravan Dance Theatre Calgary, Canada
 * Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company
 * Dreamland Picture Tel Aviv, Israel
 * Jungle Book – The Musical Israel
 * West Side Story – The Musical By the Israeli National Theatre. Role of “Graziella”
 * Bat - Dor Dance Company Founded by the Baroness Bat-Sheva de Rothschild.
 * [ האהבה|Television] drama series, Israel

La Caravan Dance Theatre
Maya moved to Canada in 2002, where she founded  La Caravan Dance Theatre.

Free Your Natural Voice
During all her career directing and teaching at La Caravan Dance Theatre Maya developed a language and pedagogy that has defined her work and the contemporary approach of voice and singing. Free Your Natural Voice Method is a training that was made up through her career and the challenge to make performers and dancers sing at the early stages of the productions of La Caravan Dance Theatre.

Late career
In 2019, she moved to Paris, France to continue her in-depth exploration of dance, voice, ritual theatre, meditation, and interactive media with Pantheatre and follow the teachings of Carolyn Carlson.

Acknowledgements
With over three decades of professional experience. Maya has made a name for herself as a visionary artist and leader in the performing arts world. She is responsible for numerous full-length, dramatically experimental, multidisciplinary works that have been received with great acclaim. She’s trained and led artistic teams in crafting unique creations, bringing out the best in artists and collaborators into a truly owned avant-garde work. She was often called a prodigy because of her ability to interpret mature and difficult subject matter while easily engaging and inviting audiences into the world of interpretive dance. She has received numerous awards and scholarships in recognition of her extraordinary talent and dedication. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and artistic exploration is a testament to her lifelong love of the arts and the profound impact they have had on her life and the life of others. Maya's work and legacy continue to inspire and shape the world of the performing arts, and her contributions will echo for years to come. With a passion that only continues to grow, Maya Lewandowsky remains at the forefront of the contemporary dance world by transcending labels, limits, and genres. She continuously inspires and empowers others to explore the depths of their own creative potential.

Meditation Study and Teachings
Maya has also pursued a deep and meaningful connection to her spiritual practice. She has been working closely with meditation masters Doug Duncan (Qapel) and Catherine Pawasarat (Sensei) of Planet Dharma at Clear Sky Meditation Foundation in Canada since 2007. She integrates her spiritual pursuits in her artistic work and development. She is port raided as a Dharma dancing dakini. Maya is a Meditation, Voice and Movement teacher who offers a contemporary and accessible interpretation of ancient teachings. She grew up studying contemporary dance, ballet, ritual theater, and voice. She has now been been leading international retreats and workshops in Canada, France and Israel over the last 30 years.

Education

 * Pantheatre 2019-2024 Paris, France
 * Atelier de Paris master classes 2019-2023 With Caroline Carlson, Malou Airaudo and Dominique Mercy.
 * Meditation & 5Rhythms 2007-2024 Canada, France
 * Banff Centre for the Performing Arts 2012 AB, Canada
 * Advanced Extended Voice Workshop with Richard Armstrong
 * Tel Aviv University – Private Training 1995-2001 Israel
 * Royal Academy of Dance 1982-1991 London, U.K.
 * High School for the Arts & Thelma Yalin 1984-1989 Tel Aviv, Israel
 * The Bat-Dor Dance Company School 1982-1991 Tel Aviv, Israel
 * The Israeli Ballet School 1979-1982 Tel Aviv

Reviews

 * https://www.lacaravan.com/press-reviews/
 * https://www.straight.com/article/edge-6
 * https://thedancecurrent.com/review/different-lenses-different-views/
 * https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-lewandowsky-4b8b3277/details/recommendations/?detailScreenTabIndex=0&locale=fr_FR
 * https://dailyhive.com/calgary/la-caravans-fihi-ma-fihi-calgary-2016
 * https://www.flickr.com/photos/solarbotics/12915865114/in/photostream/
 * https://www.solarbotics.com/makefashion-2014-inputs-and-outcomes
 * https://www.jewishindependent.ca/oldsite/archives/july05/archives05july01-05.html
 * https://www.avenuecalgary.com/shopping-style/wearable-technology-made-in-calgary/
 * http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07efshv71j2d4df607&llr=4av456cab&showPage=true
 * https://calgaryherald.com/life/swerve/la-caravan-dance-theatre-dances-to-the-poetry-of-rumi-in-fihi-ma-fihi
 * https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/theatre/exploring-dance-at-the-fringe