Damár Hovens
Damár Hovens is a final-year dance student and a participant in Scapino's Young Talent Program. Damár was born in Lima, Peru, and holds Belgian, Dutch, and Peruvian citizenship. She studies at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague.
For Damár Hovens, dance is both a mirror and a compass. It is a journey of constant encounters with herself, reflecting who she is and guiding who she is becoming.
"Dance has shaped me into the person I am today. I move with purpose: driven, focused, and determined to pursue what I envision. But dance has also taught me to be gentle with myself, because in imperfection I found beauty, and in vulnerability I found courage. It has embraced and strengthened every part of who I am."
Dance as a refuge
She sees herself as a dancer who starts from emotion and honesty. “Dance shapes my inner world, and it's meaningful for me to share that with an audience. Everyone carries stories in their body of where they’ve come from, what they’ve had to adapt to, what they’ve let go of or still hold on to. Stories in which the viewer may find recognition.”
For Damár, dance is also a refuge, a place where time loses its definition. A way to pause in a world that often moves too quickly.
It grounds me in my body and emotions and moves me towards connection with others, with myself, and with the present moment.
I’m grateful for every space that allows me to grow, and for every person I’ve had the chance to meet through dance. Because together, in shared movement, we become greater than ourselves."
Curriculum Vitae
Born
2006, Lima, Peru
Education
Royal Conservatoire, The Hague
Dance and music
She was born in Peru, where she first encountered dance as a child through the marinera norteña, the country's national dance. From that moment on, it was clear that nothing gave her as much joy and satisfaction as dancing. "When I moved to Belgium at age seven, transitioning to classical ballet felt like a natural next step, especially growing up in a family where dance had always held a meaningful place.”
In addition to dance lessons, Damár studied music for ten years, with singing as her main instrument. “My parents valued a broad education where creativity and personal growth were considered just as important as academic subjects. This well-rounded upbringing only deepened my love for the arts in all their forms.”
Scapino
What particularly appeals to her about Scapino is its openness to multidisciplinary collaborations. She looks forward to further developing her artistic identity in the coming year, growing through exchanges with inspiring dancers, and staying connected to her passion and curiosity.
I find it enriching and valuable to contribute to a company that brings together diverse art forms.
I feel deeply motivated to be part of a company that actively engages in dialogue with the world around it. I believe that dance is more than just a form of expression; it has the power to reflect, respond to, and critically question the times we live in.”
Growing up partly in South America and partly in Europe, Damár has been shaped by a rich variety of experiences, something she is incredibly grateful for. At the same time, it has awakened a strong desire to discover more of the world. " Exploring new countries, immersing myself in diverse cultures, experiencing the beauty of nature and listening to the stories the world has to offer, are all high on my bucket list. And for me, there’s no more beautiful way to do that than through dance. It connects people, tells stories beyond words, and opens doors to worlds that might otherwise remain closed.”
Photography: Bryndis Brynjólfsdóttir | Text: Martin Bras
This season featuring in
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Anima Obscura
Anima Obscura is a penetrating and beautifully designed multimedia performance about the desire for immortality.