Xanthe Geeves
RAD DDTS Diploma (Distinction), Bachelor of Dance, ARAD Solo Seal, Pilates Teaching Diploma
Xanthe Geeves was born in Sydney, Australia. She started studying classical ballet (RAD) at the age of four with Tanya Pearson and later with Jennifer Ham at Ballet Academy Northside, achieving the highest award of Solo Seal in 1998. She also studied Russian Character Dance, Modern Dance and Jazz Ballet.
Xanthe Geeves performed extensively in the New South Wales education system in Modern Dance, representing Primary and High School in Selective Regional performance groups, Schools Spectacular and Rock Eisteddfods. At the age of eight she performed with the Queensland Ballet in the production Midsummer Night’s Dream. She was a member of the Sydney City Youth Ballet by Tanya Pearson and performed as a soloist in various Eisteddfods winning Jazz and Classical Ballet Scholarships from the age of six. At high school, Xanthe studied Classical Ballet (1998), placing 2nd in the state New South Wales High School Certificate (HSC) , Modern Dance (1996) for the HSC and was twice chosen to dance in the Callback series, which showcased outstanding Dance candidates. In her final year of high school, 1998, Xanthe was chosen as the winner of the Sydney Rotary Club Youth Award for Outstanding Achievement in the community.
In 1998 she attended the Palucca School in Dresden, Germany and in 2000 was awarded with the State Diploma at the highest level for Classical Ballet, Classical Variation, Pas de Deux and Modern Dance.
In 1999 Xanthe Geeves was chosen to represent the Palucca School in the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland.
In 2000 she was offered a position by Artistic Director Derek Dean at the English National Ballet, London where she performed in the production Romeo and Juliette, dancing in the Royal Albert Hall and went on to tour in Australia. The Semper Oper State Ballet in Dresden, Germany offered her a contract, after she worked as guest artist in the production Swan Lake by John Neumeier and Giselle by Vladimir Derevianko.
Inspired by the fascinating work from Europe’s renowned choreographer Stephan Thoss, Xanthe auditioned for his new company at Hannover State Ballet, Germany and got the offer to become a soloist. During her tenure she danced in many principal and solo roles, working together with leading choreographers such as Stephan Thoss, Matz Ek, Nacho Duarto and Joerg Mannes. Xanthe was chosen to perform the main roles as Giselle in “Giselle” and Amelie in “Othello” choreographed by Stephan Thoss, which brought her international recognition by many critics.
In 2005 the Aalto Ballet Essen, Germany invited her as a guest Artists in the production of “Swan Lake”.
In 2007 Stephan Thoss offered Xanthe the position of principal dancer of his new company the Wiesbaden State Ballet, Germany, where she danced in the premiere cast as “Odile” in Swanlake, “Giselle” in Giselle and “Amalie” in Musikalisches Opfer. After assisting Stephan Thoss for the production of Giselle in Chemnitz Ballet, Germany, Xanthe developed the interest and passion to coach other dancers. In addition to being a principal dancer Xanthe started to work as an international teacher, choreographer and assistant choreographer in Europe, USA and Australia.
Together with her partner Gregor Thieler she coached dancers in schools and companies worldwide by creating classical and contemporary pieces, such as Nutcracker, Primacy of Number, Classique and many other solo works and duets. Xanthe has been assistant for distinguished choreographers, such as Stephan Thoss, Raymond Hilbert, Sidra Bell, Sergei Vanaev and Joszef Csaba Haizer. During recent years she was invited by many ballet schools in Australia and the NSW School Senior Dance Company to teach master classes and to create choreographies.
Her choreography for a student at Ballet Academy Northside won 1st Prize at the Sydney’s McDonalds Scholarship, Australia by choreographing a contemporary solo for the Ballet Academy Northside. In 2011 Xanthe and Gregor founded their own company Impetus Dance Arts to continue working together as choreographers, teachers and guest dancers. They have choreographed for several dance festivals in Europe and have worked as principal dancers for Europe’s new upcoming choreographer and Artistic Director Mauro Di Candia as guest dancers in the production “Bluebeard”.
Xanthe has studied the Pilates Method at Body In Balance Studio Berlin by renowned master teacher Joanna Mountifield, cofounder of the German Pilates Association.
At the beginning of 2013 Xanthe and her partner Gregor became owners and Principals of Ballet Academy Northside, Australia, teaching and choreographing for students and professional dancers in Sydney. They both are frequently working as guest teachers for “The Arts Unit” and Sydney North Dance Schools Committee at State Dance Festivals and workshops and as guest teacher for Sydney Dance Company Studios. Xanthe and Gregor started a one of its kind Career Development program with workshops and master classes for Primary and High School teachers for the Northern Beaches region at their academy in collaboration with the SNDSC. They are also choreographing for the Schools Spectecular featured ballet ensemble which is televised each year.