WHO AM I
My name is Declan. I am a DJ, Dancer, Facilitator and Event Producer. I have DJ’ed, performed and lead Ecstatic & Contact Dance events around the world. As a multi-instrumental musician, I like to combine all my skills to bring you a magical, uplifting and soulful experience.
“Dance is the most perfect meditation in presence as spirit is expressed in the most dynamic way”
ECSTATIC DANCE BIO
Declan ji has been leading Ecstatic Dance in Bali, India and at European festivals since 10 years. He is a Dancer, performing and teaching dance at international festivals and retreats. Also as a multi-instrumental musician, Declan combines all these skills to bring you a magical, uplifting and soulful ecstatic dance experience.
He also sees dance as the most amazing and fun way to bring health and vitality to the physical body !
In his sessions, Declan offers a diverse spectrum of soundscapes and rhythms, creating an open and safe space for dancers to explore and express themselves through movement.
from poetic heart opening melodies to deep shamanic tribal grooves, from old school to cutting edge global bass…
Working:
Declan Ji (resident DJ at Bali Ecstatic Dance @YogabarnUbud since 2013) ( founder/ DJ of Ecstatic Dance India (goa/dharamsala 2007 to 2013)
“As we go on this musical journey together, we experience different emotions and sensations, which we move through and towards a feeling of deeper connection, expanding our hearts into oneness”
CONTACT IMPROVISATION DANCE BIO
Declan has been dancing, teaching and organizing contact dance festivals, retreats and events since 10 years in India (Goa), Bali, Ibiza and rest of Europe. he has also been guest musician and dance teacher at various european festivals.. Also a multi instrumentalist musician and DJ, he likes to combine all these elements to create a magical, playful and safe space to explore movement and connection with oneself and others.
Teaching
Declan has been teaching contact dance classes and intensive workshops in india, bali, europe and australia since 2009. he has studied and been inspired by many amazing teachers including Erica Kaufman, Anjelika Doniy, Ray Cheung, Daniel Leppkof, Paul Sing and many others.
Performance
Declan is also a professional dance improviser and has danced on stage at Boom Festival and other festivals for various electronic producers such as Ishq and the Human experience.
Working @
Founder/ facilitator at the CONTACT PLAYGROUND* (Goa/Bali) since 2007
Founder/ Art Director and teacher at the PLAYGROUND Festival since 2015
Co organiser/ music director/ teacher and musician at GOA CONTACT FESTIVAL from 2010 to 2014
Music Director/ Musician at INTOUCH Goa, Ibiza and barcelona 2010 to 2014
* The CONTACT PLAYGROUND ~ is a dance meditation/ceremony. we start in circle and finish in circle… there is a short warmup followed by a bell at which point the playground begins and we go on a journey together… a Magical Journey where you are free to explore and communicate though movement and sound…you can laugh, you can cry, you can sing sounds but we leave words outside the space !
This Non Verbal space creates a magical space of NO MIND. A magical space where we are all connected in the dance and playfulness together. A space of UNITY which we all hold together and where everyone is equal. it doesn’t matter if you have never done contact before or if you are professional dancer/teacher… WE ARE ALL EQUAL
Non verbal does Not mean silent ! in the Playground Declan will play experimental downtempo electronica mixed with live instruments to create a diverse spectrum of sound landscapes combining downtempo ambient, with sensual, etherial, positive, uplifting and playful melodies. This evokes a wide range of emotions and many layers from which dancers can choose to move to.