TED 28 | Removing Gendered Roles Benefits EVERYONE in Dancing with Giulia Settomini

The Empowered Dancers Podcast

Giulia Settomini has many years’ experience in competitive latin and ballroom as well as social salsa and bachata dancing and she sat down to share her experiences of gendered roles in latin dancing and the power we give ourselves when we remove gender from the equation. Society is peppered with situations that seek to cast men in a strong and dominant light, whilst objectifying or sexualising women. The SBK and latin and ballroom dance scenes are not exempt from this and Giulia, as an active researcher into the topic of dismantling gendered roles from dance scenes offers some reflective insights into her work.
What to expect in this episode:
(01:00) - Her parents footsteps: competing at 6 years of age!
(02:59) - Unlearning the detrimental behaviours in competitive dancing
(04:40) - Challenging heteronormative roles in latin dances
(07:27) - The almost apologetic constraint in “taking the lead”
(10:42) - The power of cross-dressing in bachata
(14:14) - Competitive dress regulations for men vs women
(16:52) - Italy’s first un-gendered latin dance lessons
(18:29) - The freedom of removing gender and dancing both roles
About Giulia Settomini
Giulia Settomini (she/her) is an Italian ex-competitive Latin dancer. She holds an MA in Choreography from Trinity Laban in London and an MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy from Goldsmiths University of London, focusing on female leadership and competitive paradigms. Giulia has worked as a choreographer and dancer for ITV (UK), London 2012 Olympics, EXPO Milan 2015, and Dancing With The Stars in Panama. She was co-researcher in dismantling gender roles in Latin dance, presenting at Humboldt University, University of Trieste, and hosting Italy’s first gender-neutral Latin dance course. Recently, she conducted “Queering Partner Dance” research in Berlin, funded by Culture Moves Europe.
Connect with Giulia Settomini
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giuliasettomini/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoUGtcvqL70
About Bobbie Miles:
Bobbie Miles is a social dancer based in Bristol. The salsa, bachata, and kizomba scene is special to so many, Bobbie included. The more she danced however, the more she became aware of inappropriate behaviours in the scene, ranging from low-level “creepiness” to undeniable abuses of power. Bobbie realised that she will no longer keep quiet, be subjected to any sort of misconduct, and nor should anyone else. She is an advocate for speaking up, boundary setting, and respect in the dance scene. Through The Empowered Dancers Podcast, she promotes transparency, understanding, and accountability and as a public speaker, she talks about putting boundary setting and respect into practice, both on and off the dance floor.
Resources:
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