Contemporary ballet at Alliance Française de KOTTE with Seneka Abeyratne

Seneka Abeyratne will conduct contemporary ballet classes at AFKO on a regular basis for children (08-14 years) and adults (minimum age 15). The classes will commence in early October and be held every Thursday, from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. (children) and from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. (adults). Information on registration may be obtained by calling AFKO/Reception at 011-2055255. The AFKO premises are located at 11, Keppetipola Mawatha, Colombo 05 (opposite the Police Grounds).

Seneka Abeyratne recently conducted an intensive workshop on “Contemporary Dance for Ballet Dancers” at the Deanna School of Dancing. The workshop, one of the core items of the French Spring Festival (Printemps Français 2014), was sponsored by the Alliance Française de Kotte (AFKO). Mr. Alexandre Martinez, Director of AFKO, gave a short presentation where he spoke about the French Spring Festival and the role of AFKO in promoting cultural and educational exchange between Sri Lanka and France.

The main objective of the workshop was to demonstrate how to incorporate simple ballet technique into contemporary and freestyle modern dance. At the conclusion of the workshop, the instructor received positive feedback from the participants representing five different ballet schools. They said that what they learnt at the workshop was both new and challenging. 

Seneka has a strong background in classical ballet – 12 years at the Deanna School of Dancing, which is registered with the Royal Academy of Dance, UK. He also studied ballet under Khulsum Edirisinghe (from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s) and modern dance under Senaka de Silva (late 1980s). Seneka also has a sound knowledge of western contemporary dance styles and techniques acquired through years of intensive research. During the past 3-4 years he has conducted numerous workshops/classes on contemporary dance at such venues as the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, the Fulbright Commission, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, the Nelung Arts Center, the Subodhi Institute, and the Deanna School of Dancing.

His solo dance-theater performance at Park Street Mews (Colomboscope 2013) was based on Martha Graham technique. He also presented several contemporary dance items (including the finale of “The Rite of Spring” with an ensemble of eight dancers) at the Festival of Music and Dance held at the Lionel Wendt in November 2010.