Team – IVONA

Pablo Girolami (30)

Pablo Girolami is a choreographer and dancer known for his original and meticulously detailed artistic language, as well as for his award-winning choreographies on international stages. He has received numerous accolades for his art, to name a few: First Prize at the Jerusalem Choreography Competition (2022), Best Choreography Award at the Certamen Coreográfico Tetuán (2021), and several Audience Awards at events such as the RIDCC in Rotterdam and the CortoinDanza in Cagliari.
In the world of cinema, Pablo has earned recognition for his creative vision, winning Best Film at the Interfaccia Digitale HangarFest (2023) and the ZED Festival (2022), as well as the Feel Good Award at the BIGFF. He has created and choreographed for prestigious companies such as Oper Graz, Balletto di Toscana, and Balletto di Roma. Some of his most famous choreographies include those for IVONA, as well as projects for the Jerusalem Dance Theater and Tanzwerk101 in Zurich.
Pablo began his training at the Tanz Akademie Zürich and received international recognition, such as 3rd Prize at the Korea International Modern Dance Competition (2013) and 2nd Prize at the Tanz Olymp Berlin (2012). His career includes performances with renowned companies like Hessisches Staatsballett and Spellbound Contemporary Ballet.
Selected choreographic works:

Brucia Prigione Brucia (2024)
The Valley (2023)
T.R.I.P.O.F.O.B.I.A. (2021)
Manbuhsona (2020)

His diverse artistic journey has solidified Pablo Girolami as one of the most promising and innovative figures in the international contemporary dance scene.

In addition to his artistic direction role, Pablo Girolami is also a dancer. He studied at the Tanz Akademie Zürich, where he graduated in 2014. He began his professional dance career in 2014 with Hessisches Staatsballett Wiesbaden/Darmstadt and in 2018 danced with Spellbound Contemporary Ballet. He has danced in choreographies by Alexander Ekman, Hofesh Shechter, Wayne McGregor, Marcos Morau, and Cayetano Soto. He won the “Tremplin danse” scholarship at the Prix de Lausanne, and took second place at Tanzolymp in Berlin and third place at KIMDC (Korea International Modern Dance Competition).

Dancers

Guilherme Leal (28)

Guilherme Leal studied at the most prestigious dance conservatory in Portugal, and later completed his studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. He has performed in various productions by renowned choreographers in theaters and operas across Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Israel. Guilherme began working on his own creations, co-creating with artists from fields such as music, fashion, video, and photography.

Katarzyna Zakrzewska (26)

Katarzyna is a Polish freelance dancer. She has participated in numerous workshops not only in Poland but across Europe since her childhood. She currently works in Poland as a choreographer and contemporary dance teacher, becoming a key figure in the production and choreography of many Polish music video projects. She was a dancer in the young company Elephant in the Black Box Company Junior in Madrid, where she furthered her artistic training.

Lou Thabart (31)

Lou Thabart received his training at the Paris Opera National Ballet School. After spending a year with the Paris National Ballet, he joined the Leipzig Ballet as a soloist in 2012. In 2017, Lou Thabart was nominated for the German Theater Prize “DER FAUST” in the category of “Best Dancer.” After eight years with the Leipzig Ballet, Lou Thabart decided to leave the company and, since 2020, has worked as a freelance artist and dance maker, creating interdisciplinary and innovative works in collaboration with various international creatives.

Clémentine Herveux (35)

Clementine studied at the Central School of Ballet in London. She worked as a dancer from 2008 to 2019 with Hessisches Staatsballett, Tanzkompagnie Giessen, and Ballet TheaterHagen, working with some of the most important choreographers such as Ohad Naharin, Hofesh Shechter, Damien Jalet, Crystal Pite, Marco Goecke, and Alexander Ekman. Now a freelance artist, she works with Cocoon Dance Company with Rafaele Giovanola, Snorkel Rabbit with Alba Castillo and Bryan Arias, Socompany with Sita Ostheimer, IVONA company with Pablo Girolami, IVESPRI with Giovanni Insaudo and Gustavo Ramires.

Samuele Arisci (31)

Italian dancer Samuele graduated from the DanceHaus Academy in Milan, directed by Susanna Beltrami, with whom he worked on several projects. Over the years, Samuele has gained professional experience as a dancer and performer, working with German choreographer Susanne Linke, Matteo Sedda (performer for Jan Fabre), Lost Movement (Nicolò Abbattista), Prendashanseaux (Antonio Bissiri), ZA DanceWorks (Andrea Zardi), OpificioTrame Physical Dance Theatre (Federicapaola Capecchi), and OPLAS (Luca Bruni). He currently works for the following companies: Natiscalzi DT (Tommaso Monza and Claudia Rossi Valli), IVONA (Pablo Girolami), Artemis Danza (Monica Casadei), and CORNELIA (Nicolas Grimaldi Capitello).

Kiran Bonnema (26)

Kiran was born in the Netherlands but moved to Brazil at an early age, where he began dancing. He graduated from the Bolshoi Theatre School in Brazil at 16, later studying at the École Atelier Rudra Bejart in Lausanne for two years. In 2017, Kiran returned to the Netherlands to work with De Dutch Don’t Dance Division, followed by an internship at the renowned Nederlands Dans Theater 2. During the corona pandemic, Kiran returned to DeDDDD as a dancer, choreographer, and assistant artistic director. He later danced with Hessisches Staatsballett in Wiesbaden, Germany, and now works as a freelance artist.

Yasmin Griv (24)

Yasmin is an Israeli dancer and artist, born in 2000. She graduated from “The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance” high school and received three excellence scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation (AICF). From 2018 to 2020, she studied in the “Dance Workshop Ga’aton” program under the artistic direction of Einav Levi and Yaniv Avraham, performing the repertoire of Ohad Naharin, Rami Be’er, Barak Marshall, Renana Raz, Roy Assaf, Noa Zuk, and participating in the creations of Tom Weinberger, Shahar Benyamini, Daniel Agami, Andrea Martini, and others. Between 2020 and 2022, she danced with the Jerusalem Dance Theatre and “Con-Calore Dance Group,” choreographed by Maya Popva. As a choreographer, her creations have been presented at Inbal Theatre, 10/20 Jerusalem Festival, and Bazak Festival, where she won the first prize for best short film.

Fabio Cavallo (30)

Fabio Cavallo was born in Milan in 1994. In 2011, he received a scholarship to attend the Ballet School of Tuscany and soon joined the youth company Antitesi Ensemble Balletto di Toscana, directed by Cristina Bozzolini. In 2014, he joined Spellbound Contemporary Ballet, performing in the company’s extensive repertoire. In 2018, as a freelance dancer, he collaborated on various projects spanning theater, television, cinema, fashion, and music. He worked with RAMBERT DANCE, Benoit Swan, Diego Tortelli, Macia Del Prete, Andrea Bocelli, Franco Dragone, Giuliano Peparini, Maria de Filippi’s Amici, and Festival di Sanremo 69. In 2022, he played Gretel in the theatrical production “Hansel & Gretel Alteration” by VIDAVÈ, directed by Matteo Vignali and Noemi Dalla Vecchia.

Shani Hadashi (26)

Shani Hadashi is an Israeli contemporary dancer. She graduated from the Vertigo International Dance Program in 2020, and proceeded to dance in Kolben Dance Company (directed by Amir Kolben), and Jerusalem Dance Theater (directed by Eyal Nahum) alongside various freelance projects.

Isidora Markovic (28)

Isidora Markovic is a freelance performer and choreographer. She studied dance in Belgrade and Munich, where she began her professional career as a member of the Bavarian State Ballet II. She later worked with the Nuremberg Ballet and Hessisches Staatsballett, performing in works by Damien Jalet, Sharon Eyal, Jeroen Verbruggen, Hofesh Sechter, Willi Dorner, Xie Xin, and William Forsythe. Her choreographies have been presented on stages in Nuremberg, Wiesbaden, and Darmstadt.

Sara Ariotti (24)

Sara Ariotti began her professional career in Reggio Emilia, attending the Studio XL contemporary program. During her studies, she participated in a project with XL Company and various projects with choreographers Marisa Ragazzo and Omid Ighani for Noha Dance Company. She completed her training with the Nuova X program at n.o.d., Torino, working with Jonathan Fredrickson, Micael Getman, and Tom Weinberger. She is currently part of the production “Il Tamerlano” for DaCru Dance Company.

Management

Francesca Manfrini

Francesca Manfrini, former dancer and dance teacher, holds a Master’s Degree in Production at the Teatro alla Scala and a Master’s in Digital Marketing in the field of art and culture. She has also completed an International Master in Project Management, further expanding her expertise in strategic planning and project coordination. She collaborates in the general administration of House of IVONA. Additionally, she is a board member of Oriente Occidente, contributing to the development of artistic and cultural projects.

Annapia Albanese

Annapia Marina Albanese holds a cum laude degree in Writing and Production for Performance and Media (Sapienza University of Rome, 2023 and a degree in Performing Arts and Sciences, 2020. She has gained professional experience as Organizational Manager for the contemporary dance company Associazione House of IVONA, managing the Fagagna Dance Festival and coordinating both national and international tours. In 2024, she worked as Production Manager for La Camerata delle Arti, overseeing high-profile opera productions, including La Tosca and Don Giovanni. She also served as Production Secretary for ANELE Srl, contributing to projects such as Il Segno delle Donne 4 and ILLUMINATE 6. With expertise in event organization, logistical coordination, and writing synopses and press releases, Annapia has a strong background in artistic production coordination and social media and content management.

Katherina Vasiliadis

Katherina is an international cultural manager with focus on contemporary dance and performing arts. She works with several dance companies and independent artists from around the world. Between 2010 – 2017 she worked for MASH in Jerusalem, where she was part of establishing the international dance week. In addition, she created audience development programs, outreach projects and other events. Starting in 2024, she manages the international communication of House Of IVONA and develops professional collaborations, international touring’s, educational & outreach projects with partners from around the globe. On project bases, she collaborates with the Israel Museum, The IL Choreographers Association, Dock 11 / Berlin, Schauspielkollektiv Lueneburg, The Czeck Theater Institute and other cultural organizations. Further, she is part of developing programs, based on martial arts therapy. Since 2018 she is teaching international communications, consults as well as gives lectures about this topic around the globe.

Administration

Valentina Maino

Valentina Maino, born in 1987, from Trentino, is passionate about theatre, music, dance, and cultural and social associations. Since 2007, she has been involved in the administrative, organizational, and artistic management of cultural events in the fields of theatre, music, and dance. Since 2019, she has been specializing in project design and management within the third sector, receiving training from renowned institutions such as Europe Business School (Projects Design and Management 2021–2027), Gema Business School (PMI-PMP® Certification Path), and the Fundraising School of Rome. She collaborates with various music, dance, and theatre associations, focusing on the writing, development, and organization of projects aimed at promoting live performance, musical and theatrical education, and social interaction, fostering co-design practices. She is the organizational manager of major theatre and music festivals as well as regional and national training events. Since 2021, she has been actively involved in House of IVONA, contributing to its founding and firmly believing in its mission. She currently oversees its administrative and organizational management.

Communication/Press

Francesca Camponero

Francesca Camponero is a journalist and cultural professional with extensive experience in the fields of dance and theatre. A registered member of the Italian National Order of Journalists (Card No. 121725), she began her career in 2005 as a theatre and dance critic for the daily newspaper IL GIORNALE, where she worked until 2013. During this period, she also contributed to several specialized magazines, including IMPRENDITORI, TUTTO DANZA, EXPRESSION DANCE MAGAZINE, SIPARIO, and SATURA. From 2013 to 2017, she served as Editor-in-Chief for the CULTURE / PERFORMING ARTS section of the online newspaper LIGURIANOTIZIE.it, and from 2015 to 2021 she was Director of INFORMADANZA, Italy’s first online dance portal. She is currently a special correspondent for ArtsLife, covering theatre, dance, and opera. Over the course of her career, Francesca has also worked as a Press Office Manager for major events and festivals, such as the International Dance Competition of Spoleto (2018) and the Chiavari Summer Dance Festival. She has handled communications for internationally renowned dance companies, including Associazione House of IVONA (by Pablo Girolami), Atzewi Dance Company, and several high-profile artists, such as Vladimir Derevianko and Beatrice Carbone. Francesca is also the organizational director of important photography exhibitions, including L’ÂME ET LA MER by Christophe Ferrari and The Greats of Classical Ballet at the Actor’s Library Museum in Genoa. She has authored several essays and program notes for major dance companies and theatre productions. Her book, LE STELLE DELLA DANZA SOTTO IL CIELO DI NERVI (Stars of Dance Under the Sky of Nervi), chronicles the history of the International Ballet Festival of Nervi, a landmark event in post-war Italian dance history. She holds a Law degree (University of Genoa, 1985), a Bachelor’s in Literature with a focus on Music and Performing Arts (University of Genoa, 2024), and a Diploma in Theatre Directing from the National Academy of Dramatic Arts “Silvio d’Amico” (2001). She has a good command of both English and French.

Francesca Gatti

Francesca Gatti is a professional journalist, registered with the Italian Order of Journalists since 2006 (ODG card no. 082064). She is the founder and legal representative of TreGi srl, specializing in press office activities, public relations, copywriting, content management, and social media management. She has collaborated with several prestigious organizations, including Mittelfest, FVG Orchestra, Palmanova Village, and Fagagna Dance Festival. Additionally, she contributes to UP!economia and has served as communications manager for numerous projects, such as the Dalai Lama’s visits to Udine in 2012 and 2007. From 2005 to 2011, she held senior roles at Reportage srl, overseeing PR and communication activities for brands such as Trudi, L&S, History Journey, and Popai Italia. She also worked as a strategic planner at TEND srl, developing communication and marketing projects for clients including Snaidero Cucine and Gruppo Doimo. Francesca holds a cum laude degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Trieste (2002) and completed an internship at the Musée de la Publicité in Paris. She has a good command of English and a basic knowledge of French.

Costume design

Cristian Boaro

Cristian Boaro studied in Milan, where he graduated with honors in Fashion Design at the Istituto Marangoni in 2004. That same year, he was the only Italian finalist at the international young talent competition ITS, gaining recognition from industry professionals. He began his career working for brands such as Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, then continued his journey with Gianfranco Ferrè, designing the GF Ferrè line, before moving on to MSGM, where he coordinated the collections. In 2012, he became head designer for Ports 1961, overseeing all women’s collections. In October 2015, he was appointed art director for the revival of the French maison Philippe & Gaston. Since 2018, he has continued his collaborations as a style consultant for brands such as MaxMara, Blazé, and Ports 1961. He also teaches fashion design at the Istituto RAFFLES in Milan. In October 2020, he launched his own brand, CHB, which explores his personal vision of fashion and beauty in a contemporary way.

lighting design

Angelo Tauro

Angelo Tauro is a lighting designer and lighting operator. Since 2008 he collaborates with various musical artists such as Fabio Concato, Fiorella Mannoia, Marlene Kuntz, J-ax, Giò Sada, and Italian music festivals such as Locus Festival, Viva Festival, Giovinazzo Rock Festival, Dirockato, Scolare Festival, Alterfesta and many more… From 2016 to 2017 he has been technical manager at the Teatro Rossini in Gioia del Colle. Since 2019 he has been collaborating with dance companies and dance festivals such as IVONA, Eleina D as lighting designer and World Dance Movement as lighting designer and technical manager. Since 2022 he has been working as lighting designer and operator on Rock at the Opera and Queen at the Opera Italian tour.

Dramaturgy

Karen Stenico

Karen Stenico is a professional graphic designer and visual artist, with experience in logo design, graphic design, web design, and videomaking. She has collaborated on numerous projects, including graphic design for the contemporary dance company House of IVONA and the album “Per Dido” by Adele Pardi. She has also worked as a production designer and screenwriter for theater performances and music videos, such as “Madre” by Francesco Camin (Nominee for Best Italian Independent Video PIVI 2021) and “Il Falegname” by The Bastard Sons of Dioniso (Nominee PIVI 2019). In 2019, she won the Special Best Script Award and received the Ipercorpo Mention for the short film “The White Rabbit Hole” at the “La danza in un minuto” competition. She has also worked as a graphic designer for the Magnolia Ensemble string quartet and as a production designer for various music videos and musical projects. In 2025, she worked on the graphics for the album of the band “Maude” and their music video for the single “Nel mio mondo.” Karen has a background in Visual Art and attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice. She is currently studying Modern Literature at the Guglielmo Marconi University in Rome.