User:Racingjokominek/sandbox

Leszek Wolkowski, a Polish born dancer, teacher, choreographer and director. Living in Australia since 1982. Leszek commenced his dance career at the age of 16 in the Opera Theatre in Wroclaw - Poland. Trained under the well known Russian/Georgian Classical Ballet teacher Rewaz Culukidze, Leszek progressed to the rank of soloist by the time he was 18. At the age of 19 Leszek left the Wroclaw Opera Theatre ballet to work with the Polish National Song and Dance company "Slask". The work with "Slask" provided Leszek with the opportunity to travel extensively around the world and perform in legendary theatres in many countries. While working there, Leszek studied Theatre Directing and Choreography at the Warsaw College of Dance and Drama where he graduated from in 1981. Between 1979 and 1981 Leszek worked as a guest dancer and choreographer in Metz and Karlsruhe dance companies. In 1981 while working in France, Leszek had created his first full evening choreographical work titled "Enigma". This work was done to the music of Jean Michele Jarre with the full collaboration of the composer. Upon arriving in Australia in May 1982, Leszek worked with Sydney Dance Company, later moved to Melbourne to work with The Australian Ballet, Kolobok dance company, Australian Contemporary Dance Company and the Ensemble Dance Theatre. In 1984 Leszek opened his own dance school - Let's Dance Studio. The school was unique in the set up, as it provided dance tuition in Classical Ballet, Jazz Ballet, Tap Dancing, Contemporary Dance and "Swedish Barre" later known as floor Pilates for exclusively adult students. Over the 16 years of it's existence Let's Dance Studio provided classes of all levels from beginners to professional dancers. In 1992 Leszek graduated from the University of Melbourne in film making and video production. Over the next few years Leszek produced and directed several showreels for actors as well as choreographed, produced, filmed and edited two works for the Australian Ballet School. One the works was etered into an International Dance Film Festival in Germany. In 1994 Leszek's first book was published. "Let's Dance Classical..." was launched by the Victorian minister for the Arts and the book sold in Australia, the US and the UK.

In 1998/99 Leszek started his own dance company - "Storm Dance Theatre". The concept of the SDT was based on including the Method Acting as an integral part of dance performance. At the time of its conception, it was the only company ion the world that was including Method Acting in their work. The opening season at the Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne proved to be a great success. As a result, SDT was invited by the German Consul to Australia and the Greman arts Ministry to tour Germany in 1999. Upon return back to Australia, SDT ceased to continue due the the lack of funding.

Countries where Leszek performed include Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, France, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Marocco, Egypt, Turkey, Monaco, Hong Kong, Australia.