1975: Us a child started studying piano and then classical dance in Athens at Nana’s Kandili – Toubakari School.3years education: Attended the professional dance school of Sofi’s Katsouli for teachers and dancers in Athens, under the supervision of: Daniel Lommel, Anastasia Theophanidou, Agapi Evagelidi, Mirka Dimitriadh – Psaropoulou and others.
1980 – 1996: Attended classes and seminars of classical and contemporary dance, in Athens, Paris, and Berlin: Alan Hooper 1980, Pavlina Lazari-Veremi 1982-’83, Elisabeth Schmidt 1985, Gigi Caciuleanu 1985, Serze Alzetta 1985, C. Vlassy 1985, Peter Goss 1984-’85, Anton Stounov 1982-’84, Ivan Maindatzefski 1982-’84, Yiannis Metsis 1989-’90, Haris Mantafounis 1990, ΓKEΣ 1989, Konrad Beuks 1991, Magda Gerosideri 1996 and others.
1984 – 1987: Studied Dance and Scenography at the Sorbonne University, Paris IV under the supervision of : Barbara Pearce, Andrei Glegolski, Sussan Holzen, Cecil Louvel, Anne Dreyfus, Paul Bourcier, and others (dance) and Yves Bonnat (scenography).
1987: Was for a year member on the Dance Company of Maguy Marin in Paris.
1987-1989: Berlin. Studied and improvised at: Mime Corporelle, Theatrical Mask on leather, Pilates, Photography (black and white, slides), Free Drawing and Patchwork.
1992: Athens. Attended the EEC Seminar on Desktop Publishing (Macintosh software).
2010 Athens.
Studied pilates in reformer, cadillac and barell under the supervision of : Rael Isacowitz, Elizabeth Larkam, Tracey Mallett.
2011 Athens.
Studied the foam roller ( pilates-props ) under the supervision of Artemis Papakonstantopoulou at the Studio Mind & Body.
2015-2016 Athens.
Studied the classical original methode of Joseph Pilates (PMA) at the “AF Studies Fitness Academy” under the supervision of : Ekaterina Vasilenko, Katia Vlisidi, Petros Kouroupakis.
2016-2024
Studied TRX under the supervision of Antony Zervas.
Workshop of “Pilates 21st century a history of stretching and the Pilates method” of Anthony Lett.
Workshop of “Innovations in Pilates correcting Kyphosis/Lordosis” of Anthony Lett.
Workshop PMA of “Pilates More Than Exercise” of Karen Sanzo.
Workshop of “Hip and Back Pain” of Brent Anderson.
Workshop PMA of “Spine Anatomy and Core Basics” of Karen Clippinger.
Workshop “Pilates & Myosceletal Rehab” of Ekaterina Vasilenko
Workshop Lolita san Miguel, Kathy Corey, Elisabeth Larkam in International Pilates Heritage Congress in Monchengladbach Germany 2018
Workshop of “Head to toe Reformer” of Jean-Claude Nelson Bluebird pilates
Workshop of “Variations and Breakdowns on the matwork” of Jean-Claude Nelson Bluebird pilates
Workshop of “Pain free-Sacroiliac” of Eric Franklin
Workshop of “Pelvic Floor Exercises” of Eric Franklin
Workshop of “History of the Pilates Method and Pre Pilates and Feet Workshop” of Lolita San Miguel
Workshop of “Senior Workshop and Senior Bed Workout” of Lolita San Miguel
Workshop of “Slowburn reformer” by Ellie Herman
Workshop of “Myofacial Release” by Ellie Herman
She has received the following diplomas :
Royal Academy Dance of London:
-Dance Education Syllabus Classical (Highly Commended)
-Elementary Executant Certificate
-Dance Education Syllabus Character (Honours)
University of Sorbonne Paris IV:
-Diplome d’ Universite de premier et de deuxieme cycle en danse
-Diplome de specialite en scenographie choregraphique. Thesis title: ” La scenographie dans le spectacle helleniqυe apres les annees 40 “
Entertainment Supervisior : Yves Bonnat
AF Studies Fitness School-Academy:
-International Certification of Completion Pilates Matwork Trainer
-International Certification of Completion Pilates Equipment Trainer
-International Certification of Completion Pilates Reformer Trainer
-International Certification of Completion Pilates Wundachair Trainer -International Certification of Completion Pilates Cadillac Trainer -International Certification of Completion Pilates Barrels Trainer
-International Certification of Completion Pilates Pilates & Pregnacy -International Certification of Completion Pilates Pilates & Myosceletal Rehab
-TRX Suspention Training Course
PMA Certificate of Continuing Edudation :
-Pilates More Than Exercise
-Spine Anatomy and Core Basics
1999-2004: As one of the 5 members of the Board of Directors Council of the Greek Union choreographers, she worked in the organization of performances for social offer, dance festivals, galas, book’s publication, events at the Metro railway, etc.
2000: Created a new dance group, so Lilly Velissariou managed the “Vis Motrix “, along with Anna Karamitsou, Stavros Apostolatos, Christina Striftobola, Lea Kousi, George Hatzidakis, and Hara Bakonikola.
1989-2000: Created and managed as art director the “ Dance Theatre Company of Lilly Velissariou”. Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, has cooperated with a large number of artists and participated in many festivals, theaters and international events in Greece and abroad.
TEACHING
2004-2022:
-She teaches Pilates MAT, props-equipments, reformer, tower, barrel, Ped-o-Pul, wunda chair, TRX-pilates and Co-Act, in Lida’s Shantala school “Shantom” (2004-2017), in the Pilates studio “Pilates 15″2016-2019, in the Pilates studio “San tsai”(2016, 2019), in “Pilates Studio by Evita Eliopoulos”(2016), in the Pilates Studio “4Pilates by Angela Trantalli”(2017), in the gym “Synergy Fitness” (2016-2020) and in the gym “14Wins”(2016-2017), in “Asklipiion physiotherapy center” (2018-2019), in “Om Shanti” (2019), in “Pilates tree house” (2019), in the pilates studio “Pilates House” (2019), in pilates studio “Reform” since 2019, Pilates Personal trainer since 2004.
2017:She taught new pilates instructors to reformer, to physiotherapists and fitness instructors in the physiotherapy center of Venieris.
2021-2022: She taught Pilates Method to “be” new Pilates instructor.
2002-2003: She taught body motion and technical analysis of the motion regarding the sentiment for seminars in the Sotiris Tsogas’ and Mairi Razis’drama school “Eftimia”.
1998: She taught body motion and dance for actors in Ilias’ Fragakis drama school .
1997-1998:She taught contemporary dance, in Mairy’s Vandorou dance school.
1997: She taught contemporary dance and technique of unfolding emotions in the three-month seminar for professional dancers.
1995: She taught body motion for children in ” Mummy’s College “.
1983-1984:
She taught classical dance in “New Faliro XEN” and body motion for children in “Green Baby House”
1981-1982: She taught classical and modern dance in Sofis’ Katsouli dance school.
PERFORMING
2004: “Spring” in her choreography, text and played by her, video art directed by Nikos Giavropoulos.
2004: “…moments…2” in her choreography video art directed by Nikos Giavropoulos
2001: “Post Production” in her choreography by Vis Motrix company
2001: “Annunciation” in her choreography video art directed by Nikos Giavropoulos
1997: Danced in her play “Aspects of the Moon” directed by T. Flamouridis
1991: Danced with the group “ 14th Day ” of Maria Agelou “The Journey”,(Athens, Chania)
1989-1990: Danced in her play “Homeopathy”
1989–1990: Danced at the choreography “Waves” as “Giny”, in choreography of Sofia Likouris and direction of Themis Panou in Athens.
1985: Danced with the dance theatre company “ OZONEKAZOUSE ” of Denis Psaltopoulos (Paris, “Theatre 18”)
1984: Danced in Athineon theatre with Christos Papidis
1983: Danced with the director N. Parikos in a television production of “Oceanides”
1982–1984: Danced with the Hellenic Choreodrama of Ralou Manou : “Oedipus”, “Medea”, “Prometheus”, “Aristophanes”, “Karagiozis”, “Oh,the doctor is in pain”. (Dimitria ’83, Athens festival-Herodium ’83, Epidaurus ’84 e.t.c.)
STAGE DESIGN
2004: Designed the costumes in her play “…moments…” (video dance & live)
1997: Designed the costumes in her play “Aspects of the Moon”
1991: Designed the costumes in her play “The Simulacrum “
1991: Designed the costumes for the play ” The Journey ” of the Maria’s Aggelou group ” 14th Day “
1991: Designed the costumes for the play ” Sea Ballads ” (Goethe Institute)
1987-1989: Worked with Guy Mathis in theatrical mask and Costume
1989: Designed the scenery and costumes in her play ” traum wirklichkeit”
ACTIVITIES
2014: Created and patented a new fitness methode the “Co Act”. Co Act has three levels (basic, intermidiate, advanced).
2000-2013: Created and managed the event and decoration company of “Mona Lisa”
2002: Member of the critique board of the schools’ competitions for modern and classical dance organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the General Secretariat for Youth.
2000: Envisaged a new dance group, so Lilly Velissariou managed the “Vis Motrix “, along with Anna Karamitsou, Stavros Apostolatos, Christina Striftobola, Lea Kousi, George Hatzidakis, and Hara Bakonikola.
1997-1999: Collaborated with the greek magazine “Dance”, (articles, interviews)
1999: Founder member of the Board of Directors Council of the Greek Union choreographers
1999-2004: As one of the 5 members of the Board of Directors Council of the Greek Union choreographers, she helped in the organization of performances for social offer, dance festivals, galas, book’s publication, events at the Metro railway, etc.
1991: Worked with Tassos Vrettos and Dimitris mYtaras for the expedition ” Theatre’s Costumes of D. Mytaras ”, (Pireaus City Theatre 1991).
1990: Worked with Dionissis Fotopoulos and Tassos Vrettos for the book
” Revelations ” ADAM Editions (Athens 1990).
1989-2000: Created and managed as art director the “ Dance Theatre Company of Lilly Velissariou”. Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, has cooperated with a large number of artists and participated in many festivals, theaters and international events in Greece and abroad.
1989-1994: Member of the International Dance Council (UNESCO)
1985: Cooperated with the greek magazine ” Metro ” of Loukia Rikakis by sending correspondences from Paris about Dancing (1985).
Other: Desktop publishing on Macintosh for companies and artists.
PARTICIPATION IN EXHIBITIONS
2004 January: Exhibition “Dance & Theatre” at Parko Eleftherias
2000 present: She demonstrated her choreography work in both solo and group exhibitions in Greece and abroad (over 10 countries), in cooperation with the video artist Niko Giavropoulo.
1999 October-November. Dimitris Mitaras’ Theatrical Costumes exhibition at the Municipal Theater of Pireus. Photos by Tassos Vrettos.
1990 January: Dionissis Fotopoulos’ photography exhibition at Zouboulakis Gallery photographed by Tassos Vrettos.
Sponsored by many companies and foundations. She has received from press many positive critics for her work.
2004*** “Spring”Video art “Portraits with speech”: Nikos Giavropoulos
Improvisation, performing: Lilly Velissariou
Script of the fairytale “Endless story”: Lilly Velissariou
First official performance: “Fournos”
2004**** “Moments”
Video: Nikos Giavropoulos
Choreography: Lilly Velissariou
Solo Dancer: Ifigeneia Koufoudaki
First official performance:
“The Athens Concert Hall” for the event “Platform of Dance”
2004 September: First participation on the 5th Video Dance Festival organised by the “Thessaloniki International Film Festival”.
2001*** “Annunciation”
Video Art: Nikos Giavropooulos
Choreography-Acting: Stavros Apostolatos, Lilly Velissariou
Screenings:
• Art Festival & Technology Mediaterra-Micro Museum 2001 (first screening)
• Sofia-Bulgaria 2001 (first screening)
• Belgrade-Serbia 2001 (first screening)
• Maribor-Slovenia 2001 (first screening)
• Frankfurt-Germany, National Book exhibition 2001 (first screening)
• “Nude”, Athens 2003 and more.
2001**** “Post production”
Choreography-acting: Stavros Apostolatos, Lilly Velissariou, Boris Voutsinos, Anna Karamitsou, Christina Striftobola
Video: Panagiotis Karamitsos
Performances:
• Official first performance:
Open theatre 2001 for the “Month of Dance” (2 performances)
• “Day of Dance”, for the 3rd Dance festival at Dandoulaki’s theatre 2004
2000*** “Adam-Eve”
Video art: Nikos Giavropooulos
Choreography: Lilly Velissariou
Acting: Stavros Apostolatos, Anna Karamitsou
Screenings
• Official first screening: Art house-Milos in Thessaloniki for “Luminous” 2000 (20 screenings)
• Lima-Perou for the 5th “International Festival of Video Art” 2001 (first screening)
• Sao Paolo-Brasil, for the “Video Brasil International Electronic Art Festival” 2001 (first screening)
• Nude, Athens 2003 and more.
1999: “Puzzle”
Choreography: Lilly Velissariou
Music supervisor: Takis Flamouridis
Stage design-costumes: Lea Koussi
Lights: Antonis Panagiotopoulos
First screening:
“Factory”
The film represented Greece in the 2nd Europian Festival of Lefkosia, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the Embassy of Greece in Cyprus.
1998* “The Visit of the Inspector”
Choreography: Lilly Velissariou
Direction: Evi Gavrilidi
Performance:
Diana theatre
Actors: Nikitas Tsakiroglou, Chrisoula Diavati, Angelos Antonopoulos and more.
1997: ”Aspects of the Moon”
Choreography: Lilly Velissariou
Direction: Lilly Velissariou-Takis Flamouridis
Script, music supervisor: Takis Flamouridis
Costumes: Lilly Velissariou
Lights: Panagiotis Manoussis.
First performance:
Theatre of the Cultural Centre of Municipality of Agioi Anargiri.
1996: ” …Moments… ”
Choreography: Lilly Velissariou
Direction: Lilly Velissariou-Takis Flamouridis
Script: Lilly Velissariou-Takis Flamouridis
Music supervisor: Takis Flamouridis
Stage design-Costumes: Lea Koussi
Lights: Panagiotis Manoussis.
First performance:
Theatre of the Cultural Centre of Municipality of Agioi Anargiri.
1995: ” Axana, the Journey, the Cyberland and the Destiny ”
Choreography-Direction: Lilly Velissariou
Script: Lilly Velissariou
Music composition: Gerasimos Skouris
Stage design-Costumes: Lea Koussi
Lights: Panagiotis Manoussis.
First performance:
“Politechno” theatre
1993: ” The Murderess ” by Alexandros Papadiamantis
Choreography: Lilly Velissariou
Direction: Vassilis Mirianthipoulos
Music composition: Gerasimos Skouris
Costumes: Lilly Velissariou-Vassilis Mirianthopoulos
Art direction: Giorgos Skavaras
Lights: Panagiotis Manoussis.
First performance:
“Dromena 1993” of Municipality of Athens
1992*: “Ornithes” (the Birds) by Aristophanes
Choreography: Lilly Velissariou, for the Municipal Regional Theatre of Kalamata
Direction: Yannis Kakleas
Music composition: Platon Andritsakis
Stage design-costumes: Manolis Pantelidakis
First performance:
Kastro theatre in Kalamata
1992: “Angeliki”
Choreography-Script: Lilly Velissariou
Direction-Stage design: Vassilis Mirianthopoulos-Lilly Velissariou
Music composition: Marina Tsegeli
Lights: Panagiotis Manoussis.
First performance:
Rotterdam theatre Lantaren Venster for the national competition of choreography “Bagnolet”
1991**: ” Sea Ballads ”
Choreography: Lilly Velissariou
Music composition: Michalis Travlos.
Orchestra Director: Theodoros Antoniou.
Goethe Institute production for the cycle “Dramatic Music and Organic Theatre “
First performance:
Goethe Institute for the event “The music at the end of the millennium”
1991: ” Homo ”
Choreography-Direction: Lilly Velissariou
Music composition: Leonardo Valenstain
Costumes: Lea Koussi
First performance:
Knossos theatre
1991: ” The Simulacrum ”
Choreography-Direction: Lilly Velissariou
First performance:
“Dromena 1991” of Municipality of Athens
1991: ” Route Traces ”
A puzzle of different choreographies by Lilly Velissariou tied together by speech, for two men dancers, one woman and an actor.
First performance:
Knossos theatre
1990**: ” Our own magic world ”
Choreography: Lilly Velissariou
Music: Wim Mertens.
For the event ” Moon of August” at the Veakio theatre for the Festival “Piraeus- Cultural Presences 1990”
1989: ” Homeopathy ”
Choreography-Direction: Lilly Velissariou
Costumes: Guy Matish
Music supervisor: Lilly Velissariou.
First performance:
Hellenic American Union
1989: ” Traum Wirklichkeit ”
Choreography-Direction-Stage design: Lilly Velissariou
Music: Brian Eno
Costumes: Guy Matish. Lilly Velissariou
Art direction: Pantelis Xirohimonas, Michalis Sofoulis
First performance:
Knossos Theatre
*Choreographies in theatrical productions
** Choreographies in musical productions
*** Choreographies in video productions
**** Choreographies in videos along with live productions
