Born in Australia, Zoë Knights is a singular artist and performer who has carved a unique niche in the field of contemporary performance. Her creations are distinct for their unity of sound, movement, lighting and design, inventions that produce transformative moments and mesmerizing synchronizations. Her productions have been praised for their visual and acoustic coherence, as well as their intensity and inventiveness.
After Graduating from David Atkins Performing Arts Studios in Sydney with honours, Zoë continued her training and choreographic development at the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance. In 2000 she received her diploma and began working as a performer in her own work as well as with such others as Martin Nachbar, Brice Leroux, Lito Walkey, Mia Lawrence, Jana Unmüssig, Krystina Lhotakova, Cabula6, and LawineTorrèn.
Zoë Knights works internationally as a choreographer, dancer, vocalist and actor. She currently lives and works in Berlin. She has received various prizes for both her choreographic and vocal work. She also regularly teaches classes in contemporary dance, choreography and composition, and mentors/advises BA and MA level students. Knights, continues to perform with other creators and to explore other fields of presentation.
Zoë is an accredited yoga teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga and teaches both private and group classes. Zoë's more recent work has dealt with the abstraction of non-dance movement into a choreographic form. She is currently exploring how voice, sound and language emerge from the body.
Assorted press for Zoë's work: Brochure (PDF)
| 2011 | British Wheel of Yoga Teacher, Accreditation with Distinction, Triyoga, London, (2 yrs PT) |
| 2000 | Diploma in Contemporary Dance and Choreography, SEAD Salzburg, Austria (3 yrs FT) |
| 2000 | Tisch School of the Arts exchange program New York University, USA |
| 1994 | Advanced Certificate in Performing Arts, David Atkins' Dance Studios Australia – recipient of the course medal (1yr FT) |
Training/skills in contemporary dance, choreography, yoga, ballet, jazz, hip hop, funk, tap, african, singing (details below), acting, abseiling/aerial/helicopter performance. A.o.
| 2018 | "The Parts of the Belly", Tanznacht Berlin |
| Frankfurt LAB residency and showing, research phase of "The Parts of the Belly" | |
| 2017 | "Storm" performance for Dance Intensive Programme, Tanzfabrik Berlin |
| 2016 | Research presentation/tanzstipendium "Composing Emotion", 22. Oct, ada Studios, Berlin |
| Student presentation, September 2016, Die Etage, Berlin | |
| 2012 | Court Dance, Art Facts, March 2013, Rodey Theatre, University of New Mexico |
| 2011 | And 10 times more, Bodhi Project, Republic Salzburg, ARGE Salzburg, The Place London, Schwankhalle Bremen, Angers, SEAD Salzburg |
| 2010 | Babyjet, for Lawine/Torrèn, Klangwolke Linz 2010 |
| Drama Queen, Buda Kortrijk, Brut Wien Imagetanz, Uferstudios Berlin | |
| Lens, dance/media installation, in collaboration with Oliver Imfeld, Jeremy Xido and Magdalena Lepka, Tanzhouse Festival 2010/ARGE Salzburg | |
| (no-name), solo for performance directives project, “The Afterlife of a Gesture” by Lito Walkey, Labor Sonor Berlin | |
| 2008 | Suspense - Projekt 1, Arge Nonntal Salzburg |
| Untitled until the Performance, Tanz_house festival '08, Toihaus, Salzburg | |
| Power Tower Linz, for Cataracts Productions, opening ceremony | |
| Year of the Hair installation project for galleries and store windows, Salzburg, Wien | |
| Death in the Count of 9 Les Reperages Festival, Lilles, France/Armunia Festival, Castiglioncello Italy/Sommer Szene Festival, Austria | |
| Grand Casino Opening for Cataracts Productions, Belgrade, Serbia | |
| 2007 | Death in the Count of 9 BUDA Kortrijk Belgium, City of Dance Festival Salzburg, International Contemporary Dance Festival, Bytom Poland |
| Creativ fashion parade for Harlander Co., Vienna | |
| Dreaming in Haiku International Contemporary Dance Festival, Bytom Poland | |
| Installation Performance (unnamed), Fliegende Fische Werbeagentur Salzburg | |
| Loop live cinema/music/multimedia performance, Republic/Salzburg, w. Frank Jacob, DJ's - Sofa Surfers and Uwe Walkner | |
| Dreaming of Peace for Majmaz Ensemble, poetry/music/perf Salzburg | |
| 2006 | Dreaming in Haiku phase 2, Tanz-house Festival '06, Republic, Salzburg |
| Leviathan for Lawine/Torrèn Productions, Mautern, Austria | |
| Mars 2068 for Lawine/Torrèn Productions, Sölden Austria | |
| ..2...4...... for Symphonic Dance, SEAD, Salzburg | |
| Dreaming in Haiku phase 1, ARGEKultur Salzburg | |
| 2005 | Europark 2 Eröffnung, for Cataracts Productions, Austria |
| Teilung am Fluss Klangwolke Linz, for Lawine/Torrèn Productions, Austria | |
| 2004 | Oxymoron, duett für tänzer und kontrabassist (peter herbert), Republic,Salzurg |
| 2003 | Taurus Rubens (birds, licht), for Lawine/Torrèn Productions/Red Bull, Salzburg |
| 2001 | Zoe solo, Festival Tanz_house Herbst 01 |
| Nearly dance film, directed by Dominique Baudet | |
| 2000 | Der Kaiser von Atlantis Opera by Viktor Ullmann, with Der Jungen Philharmonie Salzburg, Republic, Salzburg |
| The Botticelli Fruitcake 2. place, Choreografiewettbewerb Burghausen | |
| Bridges 2000 choreographic assistant, Millenium Projekt, by Lawine/Torrèn & Cataracts Productions | |
| 1999 | Naked in My Tent, Welttanztag, Republic, Salzburg |
| 1998 | How Rapunzel Felt 2. place, Choreografiewettbewerb Burghausen, film version directed by Dominique Baudet |
| 1997 | Captivation Brisbane Fringe Festival, Australia |
| 1995/1996 | The Toymaker and Shadowplay for Jam Children's Theatre, Sydney, Adelaide Canberra Festivals |
| 1994 | Centripetal Creation Dance Collection '94, The Performance Space, Australia |
| 2020 | Maulwerke, Christian Kesten, "klangzeitort: RÜCKUNGEN VERRÜCKUNGEN, Dieter Schnebel (1930-2018)", Konzert mit Gespräch |
| 2019 | Wismut, A Nuclear Choir, Jule Flierl & Mars Dietz, Sophiensaele Berlin, Schauspiel Leipzig |
| Menstrual Metal, Jule Flierl, Tanznacht Berlin | |
| Rocky Horror Show, Richard Obrien, Director Robert Gerloff, Oldenburgisches Staatstheater | |
| 2018 | "The Parts of the Belly", Tanznacht Berlin |
| Frankfurt LAB residency and showing, research phase of "The Parts of the Belly" | |
| "Untitled #20", Christian Kesten,, Ballhaus Ost, Berlin | |
| 2016 | Research presentation/tanzstipendium "Composing Emotion", 22. Oct, ada Studios, Berlin |
| 2013 | The Walk by Martin Nachbar, Sophiensaele Berlin, PACT Zollverein Essen |
| 2012 | Weißer Wurf by Jana Unmüßig, Tanznacht Berlin |
| wenn der Wald still ist by Jana Unmüßig, Kunstwerke, Berlin | |
| The Walk by Martin Nachbar, Sophiensaele Berlin, FFT Düsseldorf | |
| 2011 | Hannibal by Lawine/Torrèn, Sölden, Austria |
| 2010 | Babyjet, by Lawine/Torrèn, Klangwolke Linz 2010 |
| Drama Queen by Zoë Knights, Buda Kortrijk, Brut Wien, Uferstudios Berlin | |
| Lens by Zoë Knights with No Problem Productions, Jeremy Xido + Magdalena Lepka Tanzhouse Festival 2010/ARGE Salzburg | |
| 2008 | Hannibal for Lawine/Torrèn Productions, Sölden, Austria |
| Gravitations by Brice Leroux/Continuum, France | |
| Other Peoples' Pain, voice-over, Cabula6 | |
| 2007 | Sculpture Park Project, Munster, Belgium – extra performer |
| White Club improvisation performance, salzburg | |
| Café Bon Bon by Cabula6, Impulstanz Vienna | |
| Dreaming in Haiku - Int. Contemporary Dance Festival Bytom, Poland | |
| Opening Performance, Ensemble Hackl & Co., Hellbrun, Salzburg | |
| Installation perf. By Zoë Knights, for Fliegende Fische Werbeagentur Salzburg | |
| Loop live cinema/music/multimedia performance, Republic/Salzburg, w. Frank Jacob, DJ's - Sofa Surfers and Uwe Walkner | |
| Eric Papilaya - Euro Vision winner - Soldier of the Year Award, for Lawine/Torrèn | |
| On Earth by Cabula6, Tanzquartier Vienna | |
| Dreaming of Peace for Majmaz Ensemble, poetry/music/perf Salzburg | |
| 2006 | Dreaming in Haiku - phase 2, Tanz-house Festival '06, Republic, Salzburg |
| Leviathan for Lawine/Torrèn Productions, Mautern, Austria | |
| Elusive Remains installation performance, Vienna | |
| Mars - 2068 for Lawine/Torrèn Productions, Sölden, Austria | |
| Dreaming in Haiku-phase 1, Szene Salzburg/Republic | |
| 2005 | Angel Central by Jeremy Xido/Cabula6, Tanzquartier Vienna |
| Dreaming in Haiku-phase 1, ARGEKultur Salzburg | |
| Teilung am Fluss by Lawine/Torrèn, Klangwolke Linz | |
| 2004 | Oxymoron, duet with contrabassist/composer Peter Herbert, Republic/Salzburg |
| 2002-2004 | Brice Leroux/Company Continuum, Gravitations,and Quasar - tours in France (incl. Theatre de la Ville,Theatre National de Bretagne/Nantes), Belgium (incl. Kai Theatre, Kuensten Festival), Netherlands, Italy, Austria (Tanzquartier Wien) |
| 2004 | Improvisation Performance with Peter Herbert, Salzburg Jazz Seminar |
| 2003 | Improvisation Performance with Peter Herbert, Salzburg Jazz Seminar |
| 1997-2010 | Various projects with Lawine/Torrèn: including "Mars - 2068", "Hannibal '01-10", "Hangar 7 - Taurus Rubens", "Re-pair:a possibility" Bagnolet Platform Wien '02, Audi Wien, Hagenau, Bridges 2000 etc. |
| 2001 | Trans-it by Krystina Lhotakova/Lladislav Soukup, tours in Germany + Czech Repub |
| Zoë by Zoë Knights, Festival Tanz_house Herbst 01, Salzburg | |
| 2000 | Through the glass, deeply by Mia Lawrence, Sommerszene Festival, Salzburg |
| Antelope Susan Quinn Dance Company, Festival Tanz_house Herbst '00, Salzburg | |
| Don Giovanni, Salzburger Festspiele, extra | |
| 1997 | Captivation by Zoë Knights, Brisbane Fringe Festival, Australia |
| 1995/1996 | The Toymaker and Shadowplay for Jam Children's Theatre, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra Festivals |
| 1995/1996 | Performance Installation, Museum of Modern Art, Sydney Australia |
| 1994 | Centripetal Creation by Zoë Knights, Dance Collection '94, The Performance Space Sydney Australia |
| 2020 | Maulwerke, Christian Kesten, "klangzeitort: RÜCKUNGEN VERRÜCKUNGEN, Dieter Schnebel (1930-2018)", Konzert mit Gespräch |
| 2019 | Wismut, A Nuclear Choir, Jule Flierl & Mars Dietz, Sophiensaele Berlin, Schauspiel Leipzig |
| Menstrual Metal, Jule Flierl, Tanznacht Berlin | |
| Rocky Horror Show, Richard Obrien, Director Robert Gerloff, Oldenburgisches Staatstheater | |
| 2018 | "The Parts of the Belly", Tanznacht Berlin |
| Frankfurt LAB residency and showing, research phase of "The Parts of the Belly" | |
| "Untitled #20", Christian Kesten,, Ballhaus Ost, Berlin | |
| 2016 | Other Peoples' Pain, voice-over, Cabula6 |
| 2008 | Research presentation/tanzstipendium "Composing Emotion", 22. Oct., ada Studios, Berlin |
| 2012/2013 | The Walk Martin Nachbar, Sophiensaele Berlin, FFT Düsseldorf, PACT Essen |
| 2008 | Other Peoples' Pain voice-over, Cabula6 |
| 2007 | Cafè Bon Bon by Cabula6, Impulstanz Vienna |
| On Earth by Jeremy Xido/Cabula6, Tanzquartier Wien vocalist with Mani Obeya (Sofa Surfers) | |
| Dreaming of Peace Majmaz Ensemble, Salzburg | |
| 2006 | Elusive Remains performance/installation Vienna |
| (Add. training) extensive coaching by Venetta Fields (backing vocalist for Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, John Farnham...) | |
| Soundtrack vocals for Lawine/torrèn Productions/Red Bull, Austria | |
| 2003/2004 | (Add. training) Meredith Monk workshop, NYC/Jazz workshop with Theo Bleckmann, Salzburg jazz seminar 04 + 03 |
| 1999 | Vocals and lyrics for Lx.B "Marguerita" |
| 1998 | Lx.b. feat. Haader "The Zoe Project" - winners Austrian Finals, European Groove Box competition, vocals and lyrics |
| 1996/1997 | Cafe of the Gate of Salvation (a capella) - Australian Record Industry Award winners 95/96 |
| 1995/1996 | Six Degrees of Modulation (a capella) – various venues, Sydney, Australia |
Voice Type: Coloratura soprano with a wide vocal range. Training in classical, muscial theatre, jazz and contemporary music. Teachers include Johanna Peine, Theo Bleckmann (Men in Black soundtrack, Meredith Monk, Ben Monder Trio a.o.), Venetta Fields (eg. Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Pink Floyd, Aretha Franklin a.o.), Geraldine Turner, Irene Bartlett a.o.
| 2012 | B-Dance by Christel Fruehoj-Soreson: short film based on rehearsal process of Court Dance. |
| 2010 | Film work on 'Lens' with No Problem Productions and Cabula6 |
| 1997-2011 | Various videoclips for Lawine/Torrèn Productions, Austria |
| 1999 | Short film "Cookie", directed by Dominique Baudet, Austria |
| 1998 | Dance film How Rapunzel Felt chor. Zoe Knights, directed by odminique Baudet |
| 1997 | Channel 7 Australia Day Television special "A Gift to the Nation" |
| 1995 | Short film "Reunion", directed by Cate E. Athas, Sydney, Australia |
| 2019 - 2021 | Rehearsal Director, Rocky Horror Show, Oldenburgisches Staatstheater |
| 2015 - 2019 | Classes in Yoga, Yoga Circle/ Yellow Yoga/ private and corporate classes Berlin |
| 2017 - 2018 | Mentor for Sound Studies Master student UDK Berlin |
| 2016 | Mentor for BA student HZT Berlin |
| Mentor for BA student HZT Berlin | |
| Composition/Contemporary/Mentoring, Dance Intensive Program, Tanzfabrik Berlin | |
| Research/composition/Yoga classes Die Etage Berlin | |
| Movement coaching “Der Choreoturg” Martin Nachbar + Jeroen Peeters, Sophiensaele Berlin | 2015 | Movement coaching “Unfinishing” Martin Nachbar, Sophiensaele Berlin |
| 2014 | Teaching morning class MA/BA students HZT Berlin |
| 2013 | Mentor for BA student HZT Berlin |
| Mentor for MA student UNM, Albuquerque | |
| 2012 | Guest Professor, Fall Semester Sept-Dec. 2012/2013 University of New Mexico Dance Department, Albuquerque U.S.A. Subjects: Choreography 11 (BA students), Creative Investigations (MA students), Stretch and Strength /Yoga (BA students), Mentoring for MA Choreography students. |
| Yoga for beginners, Open level yoga, substitute teacher Studio K77 March-Sept.Yoga for dancers, substitute teacher for Jennifer Mann, Marameo studio | |
| 2011 | Mentor for M.A. Choreography student, HZT Berlin |
| Dance workshop, Outnow! Festival, Schwankhalle Bremen | |
| 2010 | Atelier 'Performance Directives' Postdam, invited artist |
| Schnittmuster Lab' invited artist, by Nicole Haitzinger + Lisa HinterreithnerTanzbüro Salzburg | |
| 2009 | Rehearsal assistant, "Looking for Johnny" by Martin Nachbar & Jeroen Peeters, Burning Ice Festival "Re-routing Mobility", Kaai Studios Brussels |
| 2008 | Movement coach for "Other Peoples' Pain" by Jeremy Xido/Cabula6, Tanzfabrik Berlin, Kaitheatre Brussels, Szene Salzburg, Vienna |
| 2002-2008 | Visiting yoga teacher, full-time dance programme, SEAD, Salzburg |
| 2007 | Curator, "Markier Dein Revier" Tanzbüro/Szene Salzburg |
| 2006 | Contemporary dance workshop for Dansart/Passerelle Belgium |
| 2005 | Classes in yoga and production for full-time dance programme, SEAD, salz |
| 2003 | Choreographic coaching for the solo performance by Claudia Heu/Lisa Hinterreithner, "Someone, please" |
| 2002/2003 | Classes in contemporary dance and composition, preparatory students, SEAD |
Work 2001 - 2011:
Funded by: Stadt Salzburg Kultur, Land Salzburg Kultur, Bundesministerium für Unterricht, Kunst und Kultur Österreich, Erste Sparkasse Kulturfonds.
Co-productions and Residencies with: Tanzfabrik Berlin, Brut Wien, BUDA Kortrijk, Tanzhaus NRW Düsseldorf, Szene Salzburg/Republic, ARGE Kultur, SEAD Salzburg