ARIEL SCOTT began her Countertechnique (CT) journey in 2019, when she attended a workshop with Rosanna Tavarez. Quickly falling in love with the technique, Ariel continued her study by attending three One Body One Career intensives where she trained with CT founder Anouk van Dijk. In 2024, Ariel successfully completed the Countertechnique Teacher Training under the guidance of Anouk van Dijk and Elita Cannata.
Ariel holds a BFA in Dance Choreography from the University of California, Irvine, where she graduated magna cum laude, and an AA in Dance from Santa Monica College.
In her capacity as a certified Countertechnique teacher, Ariel has delighted in sharing the joy of dance through frequent open classes in Los Angeles, as guest faculty for the California Institute of the Arts and Loyola Marymount University, and through master classes at institutions including the University of California, Irvine, Oakwood High School, Renaissance Arts Academy, MashUp Contemporary Dance Company, and Choreographer Collection LA (ChoCoLA).
Ariel’s choreography has been presented in shows across LA, including VOICES at Stomping Ground LA and High Voltage at the Electric Lodge. Her screendance work “All a Blur” has been presented in multiple festivals, including ScreenDance RoadShow (formerly Motion State Dance Film Series) and Black Lives Rising Virtual Dance Film Festival, where it was awarded Best Experimental Film. As a dancer, Ariel performs with Kybele Dance Theater, a Los Angeles-based contemporary dance company.
“I fell in love with Countertechnique because it offered me an experience of flying and falling through space, and a fun yet rigorous dance environment. I’ve stayed in love with Countertechnique because it teaches me how to work with the body I have, to stay engaged in actions rather than obsessing over aesthetics, to move from a place of curiosity instead of judgment, and to find trust in my own body. Countertechnique shows me that I don’t have to choose between dancing in all the cool, wild ways that inspire me or being kind to my body. Quite the opposite: the efficiency and freedom I’ve found through this technique has allowed me to surpass limits and surprise myself with what is possible. I strive to bring other dancers into the neverending journey of discovery, flying and falling, and delight in dance that Countertechnique has to offer.
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ABOUT COUNTERTECHNIQUE
Countertechnique® provides tools for body and mind to deal with the demanding dance practice of the 21st century. It is a movement system to help the dancer understand the dancing body, focusing on the process of incorporating information into action.
Within a clear structure of exercises, the Countertechnique® class thoroughly prepares the body for rehearsal and performance. It enables dancers to move bigger, more fluidly and more spatially, while becoming stronger and more flexible. Dancers are encouraged to be proactive in discovering connections and solutions, to be less concerned with judging themselves, and to work in a healthy way with regard to both body and mind.
Countertechnique® makes daily training a valuable investment in the dancer’s own development, as well as interesting personal research.
Countertechnique® was created and developed by Dutch choreographer, dancer and teacher Anouk van Dijk, former artistic director of Australian dance company Chunky Move.
Learn more at www.countertechnique.com
TEACHING HISTORY
Bread Dance Co Winter Breadtensive Guest Teacher (2025)
California Institute of the Arts Special Faculty (FA2025)
Loyola Marymount University Guest Teacher (FA2025)
Oakwood High School Guest Teacher (FA2025)
Renaissance Arts Academy Master Class (FA2025)
Collegiate Arts Prep (CAP) Master Class (2025)
Premier Youth Dance Company (2025)
DISCO RIOT Master Class (2025)
TORRENT Dance Company Summer Workshop Guest Artist (2025)
University of California, Irvine Guest Teacher (SP2025)
MashUp Dance, International Women’s Day Dance Festival Master Class (2025)
Choreographer Collection Los Angeles (Cho.Co.LA) Master Class (2025)
Hyphen Art House Conservatory Guest Teacher (FA2024)
Stomping Ground LA Teaching Artist ( 2024-Present)
The Space LA Teaching Artist (2024-2025)
Trailer footage: Megan Kyle Allen @shotbymka | Photography: Caro Arango @carolinarangoo