We are very happy to present you our key note speakers, presenters and workshop facilitators that will contribute their expertise, passion and experience to Tango Connects Berlin Conference. Here is some background information about them.
Olivia Foster Vander Elst (Denmark)
PhD research fellow at The Centre for Music in the Brain
Olivia is a PhD research fellow at The Centre for Music in the Brain at Aarhus University, Denmark, where she is researching interpersonal connection in dance, using both motion capture and fMRI. She is also particularly interested in the connections between music and dance. Olivia studied the viola with Matthew Souter and Kató Havas in the UK, and read Chemistry at the University of Oxford, where she also learned to dance, before segueing into neuroscience and psychology to combine her interests in both the arts and the sciences.
Olivia on ResearchGate and Google Scholar
Matthias Renzel (Germany)
osteopath and Cranio Sacral therapist
After graduating in physiotherapy in 1993, Matthias started his training as an osteopath and Cranio Sacral therapist within the Upleger framework. In 2000, together with his professional partner, he opened an ostheopathy and Cranio Sacral therapy practice in Berlin. From 2008 to 2017, Matthias has also been teaching Cranio Sacral Therapy at the Upleger Institute in Germany.
Pd Dr. Med. Friedemann Schad (Germany)
Head of the Oncology Center Havelhöhe
More information coming soon.
Sayaka Higuchi & Joscha Engel (Austria)
tango teachers & performers
Sayaka and Joschas dance and teaching, connects a healthy body development to the beauty of clear aesthetics and musical interpretation. This couple is merging the newest health oriented body education, mechanics from various moving arts and training methods with most actual insights of their own research on energy flows and the connection between two dancers and human beings.
Andrew Wass (Germany)
contact improvisation dancer, teacher & researcher
Looking to dissolve the boundaries between academic research and performance, Andrew Wass juxtaposes philosophy, cognitive science, and improvised dance to discover their theoretical commonalities. Andrew has been investigating the liminal space between solo and contact improvisation for over 20 years. He has been fortunate to work with several luminaries of CI. Wass is a member of Lower Left, a graduate of the MA SoDA program at the HZT programs in Berlin. Recently he successfully defended his doctoral dissertation Ch-Ch-Changes: change in solo improvised dance making at Texas Woman’s University.
Almut Knauß (Germany)
yoga & tango teacher, organiser, TDJ
Almut’s first training was as a speech therapist (1999-2002). Her therapeutic work allowed her to develop a compassionate and supportive approach in her later activities. During her studies as a sports scientist (2005-2009 at the Humboldt University Berlin) Almut discovered yoga. Since 2009 she has been working as a professional trainer in health sports and since 2016 also as a freelance yoga teacher, running her own yoga studio. She is also a passionate tango teacher and event organizer, together with her husband.
Rudolf Giglberger (Germany)
Dancer/ GYROTONIC®️ Pretrainer and GYROKINESIS®️ Trainer
Rudolf Giglberger has performed as a guest dancer with the Tanztheater Münster and Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, touring South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Rudolf has appeared in various national and international cinema and TV productions, such as “Pina” by Wim Wenders and the new TV series by Tom Tykwer “Babylon Berlin.” He was part of the “Tanz der Vampire” cast for the Helene Fischer Show in 2017. Since 2014, he has been a certified GYROTONIC®️ Trainer and since 2018 a GYROKINESIS®️ Trainer. In December 2020, he opened his own studio in Berlin.
Dr. Ayşe Bombacı (Germany)
clinical psychologist
Dr. Ayşe Bombacı specialises in trauma-informed psychology. More information coming soon!
Carmen Cordiviola (Germany)
women’s leadership coach
Carmen’s background in psychology, with studies completed in Buenos Aires and Berlin, specializing in organizational psychology, is complemented by three decades of experience in international sales, where she managed operations across 20 countries and in six languages. Her professional journey also includes systemic coaching training, gender studies, and research on equality policies and patriarchal structures. Integrating her passion for arts, mindfulness, and holistic practices, Carmen now offers comprehensive support to women leaders.
Carlo Carcano (Italy)
coach, mentor, sound creator
A passionate researcher in personal and spiritual development, Carlo combines his background as a composer, music producer and artist with his profession as a transformational coach and process facilitator for individuals and groups. His service is expressed in the development of men’s awareness and mature leadership, exploration of genders relations and connection between diversities. Longtime dancer and tango DJ, he considers tango one of the many potential gateways to the human need for unity.
Audrey Cremoux (Denmark)
life & leadership coach, actress, tango teacher
A French expat based in Copenhagen, Denmark, Audrey is an ACC certified life and leadership coach specializing in empowerment and self-confidence coaching. With a background in acting and tango teaching, she brings 17 years of experience in the performing arts to her coaching practice. She helps leaders navigate difficult conversations and conflicts confidently and provides support in public speaking. Her journey from owning a business for 13 years to international relocation in 2015 has enriched her with diverse experiences. She uses theatre and creative exercises to help individuals overcome obstacles and enhance their leadership skills.
Kristina McFadden (USA)
relationship coach & somatic educator
Kristina is a relationship and somatic educator, facilitating healing experiences for individuals, couples and groups that have longed for peace and wholeness. With her knowledge in trauma studies, non-violent communication, attachment theory, and deep somatic attunement, Kristina offers a compassionate toolset to heal both ourselves and the relationships around us. Her extensive background as a dancer and teacher first led her to experience how people hold their (often painful) life story in their bodies.
Peter Bostelmann (USA)
Chief Mindfulness Officer, SAP SE
Chief Mindfulness Officer at SAP SE, Peter brings over 25 years of business leadership experience into pioneering organizational mindfulness for over a decade. Based in Silicon Valley since 2007, he has played a pivotal role in expanding mindfulness practices in organizations worldwide. As the first Chief Mindfulness Officer in a global organization, he established internal mindfulness communities, and trained corporate mindfulness practitioners in more than 20 organizations. Peter’s influence extends to promoting effective leadership, unlocking potential, and fostering mental health and personal well-being.