THE SOLO SERIES 2026 — An Evening of Three Solos

An evening of three solo works tours in Kuopio, Jyväskylä and Tampere.

The Solo Series is an international platform for contemporary dance solo performances, created and curated by Samuli Emery. Carefully selected by invitation, these artists and their unique solo performances tour some of the most renowned contemporary dance venues in Kuopio, Jyväskylä, and Tampere.

The 2026 program consists of an intense convergence of three distinct solos. The works presented that evening explore, among other things, fantasy characters and archetypes, reimagining them through the medium of dance.

The program will feature the Finnish premiere of Lithuanian choreographer Lukas Karvelis’ work “She Dreamt of Being Washed Away To The Coast,” performed by Dominyka Markeviciute. In addition, the program features Tuure Kaukua’s new solo performance “ill-wishing, well-wishing”, created specifically for The Solo Series tour, as well as Samuli Emery’s “Concert of Odes,” presented in three seperate parts throughout the evening. At the end of each performance night, an artist talk in English will be held, during which audience members will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the visiting artists, the worlds of their works, and their sources of inspiration.

One of the key objectives of The Solo Series platform is to bring high-quality dance art to audiences throughout Finland, facilitate international performance tours and encounters, and create a lean and sustainable touring model in Finland. Since 2020, The Solo Serieshas organized more than ten performances featuring a variety of lineups. Through The Solo Series platform, numerous dance artists from Japan, Brazil, Greece, and Poland have been brought to various cities across Finland.

The partners and co-producers of The Solo Series platform are The Regional Dance Center of Eastern Finland ITAK, The Regional Dance Center of Central Finland KSTK, and Dance Theatre MD. Samuli Emery is responsible for curation and production.

Samuli Emery is a Finnish-British queer multifaceted physical performer, choreographer, artistic director, pedagogue and MC. After graduating Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance (SEAD) in 2019 they’ve worked internationally in the professional productions of artists such as Meg Stuart, Jerome Bel, Imre & Marne Van Opstal, Ivo Dimchev, Christoph Winkler, River Lin, Ceren Oran, Jill Crovisier, Sonya Lindfors and WAUHAUS Collective. Samuli has received numerous awards and stipends for their accomplishments as a performer and dance maker in Finland, Germany, Poland, Estonia and Italy. Alongside performing, creating and teaching internationally Samuli serves as the artistic director of Kuopio Dance Festival, the biggest and longest-running dance festival in the Nordics.

Tuure Kaukua (1996) is a choreographer, dancer and performer based in Helsinki. Kaukua is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Choreography at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki, having previously graduated from the same institution with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance. Kaukuas works have been staged and performed at venues including Frankfurt LAB, Zodiak – Centre for New Dance, the Ateneum and Stoa. Kaukua has appeared in works by Mikko Niemistö, Elina Pirinen, Janina Rajakangas, Maya Oliva and Maria Saivosalmi, amongst others.

Lukas Karvelis (1997) is a Lithuanian freelance dance artist currently based in Amsterdam. Upon graduating from Codarts in 2019 on a Jiri Kylian Foundation scholarship, he began collaborated with Royal Danish theatre, Münich Kammerspiele, Göteborgs Operans Danskompani, Dansatelier’s crew and Korzo Theater. His own choreographic work has received multiple residencies at Atelier de Paris/CDCN, the Arts Printing House, Cetro Coreografico Gomera and Teatri Di Vita. Karvelis was nominated for the Piket Kunst Award in 2020 and received young artist award from Lithuanian ministry of culture in 2023.

Dominyka Markevičiūtė-Jurgaitienė is a Lithuanian contemporary dancer and creator. She holds a BA in Contemporary Dance from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Since graduating, she has been working as a contemporary dancer, collaborating with Lithuanian and international choreographers, including Lukas Karvelis, Liza Baliasnaja, Vytis Jankauskas, Palle Granhøj, Nicolas Cantillon, and Pietro Marullo. Through these collaborations, she has taken part in a variety of contemporary dance productions presented in Lithuania and abroad.
One of the works is She Dreamt of Being Washed Away to the Coast, choreographed by Lukas Karvelis. In 2024, the work received a Golden Stage Cross, Lithuania’s most prestigious performing arts award, for choreography, while Dominyka was nominated for her performance in the piece. She was also named Most Memorable Dancer of the Year by the Lithuanian Contemporary Dance Association for her work in the production. She Dreamt of Being Washed Away to the Coast has been presented at festivals in Lithuania and internationally and continues to tour. Alongside performing, Dominyka is interested in developing her own creative practice and exploring different approaches to movement and performance.

More information

Performance in Jyväskylä 12.11.
Performance in Tampere 14.11.