Movement Education Project
MEP
ance Studio
Movement
Education
Project
Our Vision
Artistic Direction
The „Movement Education Project“ was created through the collaboration of Federica Porleri and Valerio Porleri. After years of working as freelancers in the fields of dance, pedagogy, and choreography, they established themselves in Zurich to contribute to the development and promotion of contemporary dance. Whether teaching children, youth, adults, or through various projects, our goal is to bring dance closer to a wider audience, to use this art form as a means to promote physical and mental health, and to foster individual strengths and creativity.
Federica Porleri
Federica Porleri is a freelance dancer, choreographer, and dance educator. She completed her studies in contemporary dance at the Iwanson International School of Contemporary Dance in Munich. As a dancer, Federica has worked on various projects in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. In addition to numerous experiences as both an ensemble member and a soloist, she has performed at renowned dance festivals in Europe and worldwide — including with the dance company „Gervasi“ in the solo „Do-not Touch“ as part of the „Festival Internacional de Danza Contemporánea de la Ciudad de México.“ Federica has appeared on major stages, including as a member of the opera ballet at the Bayerische Staatsoper, at the Opernhaus Zürich, Teatro Arcimboldi, and on the floating stage („Seebühne“) at the Bregenzer Festspiele. Alongside her artistic work, Federica is passionately committed to dance education. In 2020, she founded the „Movement Education Project“ in Zurich to bring dance and movement creatively closer to children, youth, and adults. She is a member of the professional register for dance educators („Berufsregister für Tanzpädagog:innen“) of „Danse Suisse“ as well as the „Tanzvereinigung Schweiz“ and continuously works to make dance accessible as a form of expression for all age groups. In 2025, Federica will fulfill her dream together with her husband Valerio Porleri by opening their own studio for contemporary dance in Zurich, founding the „MEP Dance Studio“ in Küsnacht (ZH). With this studio, she aims to create an inspiring environment where dance enthusiasts of all ages and levels can develop and unfold their creativity.
Valerio Porleri
Valerio Porleri is a dancer, dance educator, and choreographer. He completed his dance training at the Iwanson International School of Contemporary Dance in Munich and earned his master’s degree in Contemporary Dance Education at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt am Main. Valerio has studied various dance techniques, singing, and acting and has experience in yoga and different forms of meditation. Additionally, he achieved the “ersten Dan” – black belt – in Karate „Shotokan“ in Rome. As a freelance dancer, Valerio has worked for the Nunzio Impellizzeri Dance Company, the Bayerische Staatsoper, the Bregenzer Festspiele, the Opernhaus Zürich, and choreographers such as Alan Brooks, Jasmine Ellis, Pedro Dias, Aafke de Jong, and Hannah Shakti Bühler. In collaboration with Federica Aventaggiato and Ursula Maria Schmitz, he choreographed the piece „Geliebte Gewalt, gewaltige Liebe“ in Zurich in 2018. As a choreographer, Valerio is committed to promoting young dancers by organizing various performance projects in Switzerland. Within the framework of the Kissinger Sommer Education Project, he choreographs and stages the piece „Sense“ in collaboration with the director Enke Eisenberg. Valerio has taught at various dance schools in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and Zurich and has been involved in social projects including I.M.A.L International Munich ArtLab. From 2013 to 2018, Valerio Porleri led the contemporary dance division at the Bottaini Merlo International Centre of Arts in Munich. In 2020, together with Federica Aventaggiato, he developed the Movement Education Project in Zurich, a foundational training program in contemporary dance for art and sports schools. As a dance educator, he works for the Musikschule Konservatorium der Stadt Zürich and the Musikschule Weinfelden. Valerio is influenced by many years of freelance work across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, as well as his experience as a volunteer within youth social services in Italy. Inspired by Buddhist philosophy and the sea, he believes that every encounter in life leaves traces.
