ABOUT

Despina is a multi-disciplined dance artist and practitioner, as well as a qualified yoga instructor based in Athens and North Wales. Despina graduated with a BA (Hons) in Dance from the University of Wales Institute Cardiff in 2010.

Since 2010 she has specialised in vertical dance. She works for the company Vertical Dance Kate Lawrence as a harness based aerial dancer and has enjoyed performing in many of the company’s works nationally and internationally. In August 2015, Despina received the opportunity to train and perform with ‘Aeriosa’ a vertical dance company based in Vancouver, funded by Wales Arts International. She has worked with the Swiss Aerial dance company ÖFF ÖFF Aerial Dance in 2016 and 2023 devising and performing site specific shows in the cities of Basel and Bern.

She has trained with international vertical dance artists Julia Taffe, Wanda Moretti, and Lindsey Butcher. In January 2018 Despina was awarded Arts Council of Wales funding for her own research and development project creating an interactive art installation through the medium of vertical dance. In 2019 Despina premiered her own production  ‘Roots in the Sky’, which she choreographed and danced in, at ARC dance festival in Athens. She has worked as a freelance dance practitioner for community and inclusive dance-based companies in North Wales, such as Dawns I Bawb, Little Light and Conwy Expressive Arts, developing strong links with the local community delivering dance to all ages and abilities. A community class Despina is leading in Athens currently is "Family Dance"  a creative dance class for parents and children to dance together. 

Presently she lives in Athens teaching Vertical dance and bungee classes and leads vertical dance workshops in Europe.