Lies Anseeuw

Performer and administrative assistent

Lies has a passion for performance and the art of movement.

Since being a toddler she remembers many moments in her life where she was moving, thinking about dancing or later on (day)dreaming about performing on stage.

She has spent many years in modern and ballet classes, and participated in many companies over the years. Teaching and creating choreopgraphies with youngsters has been a big part of her dance journey. Some influence came from her education at the Higher Institute of Dance and also her Master’s degree in Theatre Sciences has broadened her view on performance overall.

“As a dancer, I can channel my emotions into movements to deepen the experience of the performance. It can be very healing and liberating, which is one of the things I enjoy so much about moving. I consider myself very lucky to be able to express so much in dance, enjoying the tactics of improvisations and being able to physically explode from time to time... but still humbly growing and learning with every rehearsal.

What I like about Roots is the fact that we all have our own 'roots' and come together beautifully. I'm happy to be a part of this versatile, diverse and very symbiotic bunch.”

Sanne Kiekens

Performer and administrative assistant

Sanne started dancing at a young age. Her foundations are mainly in jazz dance and African dance. It was only at a later age she discovered contemporary dance. 

African dance taught her to move smoothly, powerful and with a grounded energy but also showed her the importance of live music and the togetherness with others. Thanks to her African dance teacher she was able to participate in several theater projects in Antwerp, which made her discover her expressivity.

Next to her love for dance, she always had a great interest in science and obtained a PhD in Microbiology.

“I like the broadness of dance and I like to create my own vocabulary. I enjoy the magic of moving myself, the challenge of learning new movements, the expression of feelings and emotions, but I also really enjoy dancing together and sharing energy. 

I hope that I can keep dancing as long as possible and that I will be able to share this passion through teaching and performing. 

I find a lot of parallel in my joy for research and the creating process of Roots. I enjoy the challenge of learning and trying. Together we create a story to share on stage. This magical place can be anywhere, in a theatre, a church, the streets, etc. Its nice that we all have very different personalities and that we can find each other in our shared love for dancing.

Helena can bring out the best out of you like no other, but she also takes you out of your comfort zone. In the company it's not about the dancer who is the most… or the highest… but about allowing each person's personal qualities to emerge even better and to learn from each other.”

Evi Blockmans

Performer

Evi started dancing at the age of 5 and enjoyed it so much she decided to follow dance in secondary school at the conservatory of contemporary dance at Ghent, Muda.

During these years she sometimes felt too much pressure on performing and getting better which taught her that there is a big competitive part in the dance world. Therefore she chose to follow her other passions.

She has now graduated as an osteopath, rehabilitation assistant and sports coach for dogs.

Even though this is now her true passion, she never completely lost the sparkle for dancing, and she kept on taking classes and performing, but with more ease and less pressure.

“Roots Company has helped me to rediscover my passion for dance. I mainly want to enjoy dancing and share my joy of moving with the world. I hope I can keep on dancing for many more years in which I can do many more projects with this fantastic group of dancers”

Delphine Simons

Performer and administrative assistant

Ballet was always her first love, until she discovered “the floor”.

Connecting to and with the earth really helped her to grow and explore more as a dancer, and spiritually as a person. Only after her modern dance education, where technique was the major focus, she learned much more about how the body really can be moved, who she is, and how to express this.

For her, dance is music, and vice versa. Music has always been part of her life since she was a child, and although silence can be very powerful, music always inspires her more.

“So far, I was lucky to be able to travel a lot, and I had opportunities to live in different countries, but wherever I am, dancing always feels like home. 

I’m very grateful to be able to dance with this amazing group of people that is Roots Company. A lot of aspects that make me enjoy dancing I find here, challenging movements, interesting music, humanity. Working with live music would be top of the bill.

I want to keep on dancing as long as possible."

Lisa Foucart

Performer and assistant at youth projects

Lisa always loved to dance. At first it was just in the living room at home, later she followed classes of ballet, modern and contemporary dance and various other styles, from salsa to hip hop. She discovered that every dance style has something in common: even if you dance with a perfect technique, even if you don't miss any dance step, without the spirit of the dancer, a dance doesn't appeal. Without a soul, you don't dance fully. It's when the dancer shows something coming from the inside, something like energy, enthusiasm, vulnerability, personality, etc...  that the viewer can be reached. 

In her job as psychotherapist, she uses many aspects of contemporary dance: the unpronounceable gets language, the invisible gets form and vulnerability becomes strength.

“Choreographer Pina Bausch once said 'I'm not interested in how people move, but in what moves them.' It's precisely this that drives me as a dancer in Roots Compagnie. I'm given the freedom to strive for authenticity, truthfulness and vulnerability.“

Finn De Brie

Performer and administrative assistant

Finn is  a contemporary dancer and fascinated by movement. He loves analyzing, comprehending and executing movements. He prefers dancing gently, researching the flow between different movements and loves finding the connection with the floor.

Finn started doing hip-hop when he was seven. Next, he breakdanced for a while and three years later he found out about the existence of contemporary dance. During secondary school, he followed a contemporary dance course at Muda for six years. Currently he is studying 3D animation, which corresponds with his fascination of movement.

“For me, dance is like meditation. It is a place where I can find myself at moments that I feel lost. It’s a place where I can truly relax. Dancing has learned me to find a way in which I can truly control my body, which makes me feel more comfortable in my own skin. For me, dancing is liberating: it is like floating, freedom, letting go of the strings that are attached, cooperating, challenging myself, being exhausted but still go all the way. For me, dance is not a rendition of a story, a language or a way of expressing myself. For me, dance is a way to cut myself off from the noisy, busy world around us. When I’m dancing, it is like I’m having a conversation with myself.

I don’t necessarily have big dancing dreams. I prefer to leave the stage for people who thrive on there. I don’t need a stage to dance. First and foremost, I dance for myself, not to prove myself before an audience. That being said, stage experiences are always enriching. My dream is to be able to keep dancing forever. I hope to inspire people to also discover this amazing feeling of freedom. I also dream of fully discovering and knowing my body and to convert this knowledge into my digital animations.

Dancing is too important to let go of this amazing hobby, so that is how I discovered Roots Compagnie. I enjoy challenging myself and pushing my boundaries to discover my limits and Roots Compagnie can give me this.”

Justine Bergez

Performer and assistant at youth projects

Justine has been fascinated by dance, acting and theatre since she was a child. At the age of eleven, she took her first dance lessons. Soon she wanted to delve further into this and started taking classes at Kreadance Diva in Wevelgem in the styles Ballet, Points, Jazz and Showdance. Additionally, she followed many workshops in Musical and Hiphop.

In her teenage years, she started doing competitions, especially in the style Showdance for the organization FDSF BULDO. They won several national titles. In her late teenage years, she briefly was a member of the Modern competition team Meraki led by Shauni Wauters.

In 2018, she unfortunately had to take a break of dancing because of several injuries. Two years later in 2020, she was introduced to Helena Vandecasteele through the youth organization ‘Overkop Gent’. From then on, she became her partner in the ‘Youth Projects’ of Roots Compagnie. Because of their shared vision in dance and great cooperation, Helena invited her to join in the company.

Her movement style is mainly powerful combined with an elegant touch. Her expression is her most striking trait as a dancer.

“What I appreciate the most about Roots is that it doesn’t matter what your background is in dancing. I am accepted despite my little experience in Contemporary dancing, and I do not take that for granted. Helena creates a safe space where everyone has the time to grow at their own pace. You don’t have to be perfect, are allowed to make mistakes and create your own identity as a dancer. The members of the company support and strengthen this vision even more.

In the future I want to finish my study as an occupational therapist to hopefully pass on my passion for dance to people with mental and physical disabilities while I remain active in this beautiful company.”

Anke Weckx

Performer and administrative assistent

More info coming very soon!

Lisa Hoebeke

Performer and administrative assistent

More info coming soon

Once a Roots dancer, always a Roots dancer 

Hanne Lapere

Elise Matthys

Ting Wong

Laila Boelaert

Manon Heyndrickx

Ine Garré

Justine Van Hoegaerden

Eefje Devulder

Manuel De Vos-Clinckspoor

Noortje Dhaenens

Alex Coppens

Niels Van Santen

Natasja De Wit