Iveta Pētersone-Lazdāne
1976
Choreographer, educator
Born 12 February 1976 in Rīga. Took her first dance steps in the Dzintariņš (Little Amber) folk-dance ensemble (1978–1994) led by Zinaīda Zeltmate and Olga Freiberga.
In parallel, danced in the Auseklītis (Little morning star) dance group (1983–1991) with Dagmāra Balode, then with the Rotaļa (Dancing Game) folk-dance group (1994–2004) with Aija Baumane. Studied at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Department of Choreography, receiving Bachelor’s (1998) and Master’s (2000) degrees.
Pētersone-Lazdane is the artistic director of the Rīga French Lyceum’s Auseklītis (Little morning star) dance group, where she has been dancing since the beginning of school and took over with the blessing of her teacher in 1994. Under her guidance, the group has restored its former fame and has become one of the leading Latvian-school dance groups. Since its founding in 1972, the group has participated in every Latvian Schools’ Song and Dance Celebration, having taken the highest prizes in dance reviews, and since 2008 has been the winner at every All-Latvian Song and Dance Celebration and Latvian Schools’ Song and Dance Celebration. During the XIth Latvian Schools’ Song and Dance Celebration, all six age groups received prizes. Auseklītis has regularly represented Latvia at international festivals in France, Venezuela, Russia, Romania and Turkey. Choreographers have produced several interesting productions with Auseklītis, including Jānis Purvinš’ dance performance 12 brāļi (12 Brothers, 2006), Agris Daņiļevičs’ dance performance Parīzes zēns (Paris Boy, 2012), with Pētersone-Lazdāne handling the libretto and stage direction. The group also participated in two major dance productions by director Uģis Brikmanis and choreographer A. Daņiļevičs: No zobena saule lēca (The Sun Rose from my Sword, 2011 and 2013).
Since 2012, has been directing the Daiļrade folk-dance group. Under her guidance, the ensemble has become one of the country’s most capable dance groups, with its repertoire and performance widely recognised at local and international events such as the World Choir Olympics opening ceremony (2014), the International Green Week opening ceremony in Berlin (2015), giving concerts at the Beijing National Centre for the Performing Arts and many other important events.
Another of the artist’s pet projects was the Zeperi (Rogues) middle-generation folk-dance group (2003–2012), which, under her directorship has successfully performed both in Latvia and abroad, receiving awards and thunderous applause. The group participated in the 12 brāļi (12 Brothers, 2006), Sateseles zelts (Satesele Gold, 2007), No zobena saule lēca (The Sun Rose from my Sword, 2010) and many other dance performances.
Pētersone-Lazdāne first took part in the 14th Dance Celebration as a Chief choreographer’s assistant. This is followed by several dance concerts where the artist takes over direction, including the Gredzenus mijot (Exchanging Rings, 2016) dance performance, Gido Kokara Dziesmu svētku mantojums (The Gido Kokars Song Celebration Legacy, 2017) concert and the 15th Dance Celebration. Pētersone-Lazdāne is the initiator and artistic director of the Vidzeme dance festival Caur sidraba birzi gāju (I Wandered through the Birch Grove, 2011). She is a member of the Dance Advisory Council and a mentor in the dance sector of the Latvian State Education Content Centre.
A Chief choreographer at the 15th Dance Celebration, 11th Latvian Schools’ Song and Dance Celebration dance concert Līdz varavīksnei tikt (To Reach the Rainbow), VIIIth Middle-generation Dance Festival Dievs man deva maizes zemi (God gave me a Bountiful Land, 2015), for Cēsis District (from 2010) and Ventspils District dance groups, as well as the director of many dance concerts.
Awarded the Annual Award for Contribution to Interest Education (2015).
