SOMMERAKADEMIE-Workshop: Billy Barry - Gaga/dancers - Movement, Emotions and Phrase Work

July 13–15, 2026, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

This workshop combines the movement practice of the Gaga dancers with Billy Barry’s artistic research and repertoire. “Gaga Dancers” might sound a bit daunting at first, but don’t worry: the aim of the workshop is to meet dancers at their own individual level and help them further develop their artistic expression. Those who already have dance experience will feel right at home and will be guided and supported by Billy in a highly professional manner.

Gaga/dancers deepens dancers’ awareness of physical sensations, expands their range of available movement options, enhances their ability to modulate their energy and engage their explosive power, and enriches their movement quality with a wide range of textures. The classes are based on the same principles as Gaga classes but also incorporate the specific vocabulary and skills that are an integral part of a dancer’s repertoire. The layering of familiar skills with Gaga tasks presents dancers with fresh challenges, and throughout the class, teachers encourage dancers to explore more unfamiliar places and ways of moving as well, unlocking an endless array of possibilities. Dancers are guided to connect their effort with pleasure and to discover the value of silliness.

Furthermore, you will explore Billy’s creative process—specifically, what motivates the invention of movement and what deepens it once discovered. By casting aside fear and judgment as improvisers and recognizing our habits, we can explore how physical tasks, fantasies, and/or emotional states can expand our experience of movement invention.

Once these ideas are explored, we’ll delve into moments from Billy’s repertoire to examine them within choreographed material and phrase work.

Improvisation & choreography · impulsive & curious

Billy Barry

was born in New York in 1989. He trained at The Ailey School from 2003 to 2007 and performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in 2006. Billy continued his training and graduated from The Juilliard School in 2011. During his time at Juilliard, he performed with Gallim Dance and Keigwin + Co. He was part of the original cast of Gallim’s “Wonderland” at The Joyce Theatre in 2010. He joined the Batsheva Ensemble in 2011 and the Batsheva Dance Company in 2012. In 2022, he was appointed Assistant Rehearsal Director of the Batsheva Dance Company while continuing to dance until he left the company in 2024. He received the Yair Shapira Award for excellence in dance in 2019. As a choreographer, Billy has created several short works, both contemporary and commercial. In 2022, Billy and Gianni Notarnicola began collaborating, developing their own movement language and style. The two have since premiered two duets (B.O.A.T.S, based on a true story, and G.O.A.T.S, going on a trip, sis) that have been performed at Varda Hall, Suzanne Dellal Hall, Tmuna Theater, Habait Theater, Tanzfaktur Cologne, Rotterdam, Chez Bushwick NY, Taipei, and throughout Italy. In 2023, Billy choreographed solo works for himself and others (PETER—a story ballet, DansHer) as well as a trio (B THIGH STAR), which have been performed at the CCA Tel Aviv-Yafo, Inbal Theater, and The Juilliard School. Since leaving the Batsheva Dance Company, he has performed as a guest artist with Gallim Dance and Ate9. In 2025, he served as assistant choreographer to Imre and Marne VanOpstal for FKA Twigs’Eusexuatour. 

LEVEL

This workshop is anINTENSIVE—designed for professional dancers and motivated participants with advanced dance experience.

Are you not a professional dancer but have several years of experience in contemporary dance and would like to deepen your practice, yet feel unsure whether the level is right for you? Or perhaps you come from a different movement background and are interested in taking on this challenge? Here is a brief overview:

The Intensive assumes a foundational experience in contemporary dance. Depending on the workshop, techniques such as floorwork and improvisational practices may be part of the training. Most importantly, participants are expected to take responsibility for their own bodies and engage thoughtfully with new movement material and tasks. If something feels unfamiliar, take your time, adapt as needed, or allow yourself to take a break.

Even if you don’t have a background in contemporary dance, the Intensive can still be a rewarding experience—especially if you already have a strong movement practice, are open to new ways of working, and are interested in developing your own relationship to the material.

Still unsure whether the level is right for you? Feel free to contact us atedu@tanzfaktur.eu—we’d be happy to help you determine whether this Intensive is a good fit.

MORE WORKSHOPS, PAY LESS

Would you like to book more than 2 workshops? Then please register via email atedu@tanzfaktur.eu, and we’ll put together a discounted package for you!

SUMMER ACADEMY

The TanzFaktur Summer Academy—Cologne’s international festival for contemporary dance—takes place every year in mid-July. This large-scale, two-week festival serves as a platform for high-caliber national and international artists, projects, and collectives.

In addition to the performances, workshops for professionals and dance enthusiasts offer opportunities for dialogue between dance professionals and the audience.

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July 13–15, 2026, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

This workshop combines the movement practice of Gaga Dancers with Billy Barry’s artistic research and his repertoire.

Gaga Dancers deepens dancers’ awareness of physical sensations, expands their range of movement possibilities, strengthens their ability to use energy in nuanced ways and activate their explosive power, and enriches the quality of their movements through a variety of different textures. The classes are based on the same principles as Gaga classes but also draw on the specific vocabulary and skills that are part of dancers’ (professional) knowledge. Combining familiar techniques with Gaga exercises presents new challenges and invites participants to explore unfamiliar ways of moving and new realms of physical experience. In this way, the diversity and infinity of possible movements become tangible. Dancers are guided to combine effort with joy and to discover the value of playfulness.

In addition, participants gain insights into Billy Barry’s creative process. Together, we explore what motivates the emergence of movement and what deepens it once it has been discovered. By letting go of fear and judgment as improvisers and recognizing our own habits, we can examine how physical tasks, fantasies, and/or emotional states expand our experience of movement development.

We will then delve into excerpts from Billy’s repertoire to further explore these ideas within choreographic material and movement phrases.

Improvisation & Choreography · Impulsive & Curious

LEVEL

This workshop is anINTENSIVE—for professional dancers and motivated participants with advanced dance experience.

You’re not a professional dancer, but you have several years of experience in contemporary dance and want to deepen your practice—and you’re unsure if the level is right for you? Or maybe you come from a different dance background and want to take on this challenge? Here’s a brief overview:

The Intensive requires a foundational experience with contemporary dance. Depending on the workshop, techniques such as floorwork or improvisational approaches may be part of the training. Above all, it’s important that you take responsibility for your own body and approach new movements and tasks with awareness. If something is new to you, approach it slowly or take a break. Even if you don’t come from a contemporary dance background, the Intensive can be an exciting experience—especially if you already have a solid movement practice, are open to new ways of working, and want to develop your own approach to the material.

Still unsure if the level is right for you? Feel free to email us atedu@tanzfaktur.eu—we’ll work with you to see if this intensive is a good fit.

MORE WORKSHOPS, LESS NUMBERS

Want to book more than 2 workshops? Then email us at edu@tanzfaktur.eu, and we’ll put together a discounted package for you!

SUMMER ACADEMY

Every year in mid-July, TanzFaktur hosts its Summer Academy—Cologne’sinternational festival for contemporary dance. Thislarge-scale, two-week festival serves as a platform for top-tiernational and international artists, projects, and collectives.

In addition to the performances,workshops for professionals and dance enthusiastsoffer opportunities for exchange between dance professionals and the audience.