Who is Juliana Neves?
I am a Brazilian/Belgian performing artist grateful to have travelled and worked in many places of the world for more than 30 years. I am a Circus and Dance aficionada and an anthropologist at heart.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I would try to take more care of my dancing and circus body and find more moments of quality down time for myself.
Who inspires you and why?
I am eternally inspired by my once director and mentor Alain Platel. He is a Belgian Artistic Director and the founder of dance collective ‘les ballets C de la B’. He is just the greatest listener and the best group leader I have ever met and had the honour of working with for 15 years.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Convince the Governments of all nations to invest more in Arts and Education.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Praia da Pipa in Northeast Brazil, because I spent most of the Pandemic there and it is such a special community on a beach paradise destination.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I am quite new to Melbourne and have not explored a lot yet, so I would take them to do the touristy things with me such as a boat trip down or up the Yarra River.
What are you currently reading?
An International Circus Affair: how a Nanjing acrobat in San Francisco changed American circus forever by Jeff Raz. It tells the story of Master Lu Yi who was also one of the teachers of Master Guang Rong Lu OAM, who was one of the founders of NICA.
What are you currently listening to?
As an expat, I am always l listening to Brazilian music, like Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. Our music, in my opinion, is our most international cultural aspect because it is so rich in diversity, innovation, and deep connection with our national identity.
Happiness is?
To watch a good movie cuddling with my beloved 15-year-old daughter.
What does the future hold for you?
Who knows? I said I was not going to move to a new country and here I am, so I have no big plans right now, besides doing my best at this new role and letting life surprise me with what the universe has in store for me.
Juliana has recently been appointed Head of Circus Studies at the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA). For more information about NICA, visit: www.nica.com.au for details.
Image: Juliana Neves – courtesy of NICA