Sointu Saraste

Biography

Sointu Saraste is a Finnish dance artist and performer. She is passionate about dancing as well as performing in the cross-sections of dance and theatre. She is a curious, excited, open-minded and hard-working performer. Her own artistic research is currently focused around the themes of cuteness and monstrosity.
Movement-wise, Sointu likes to work with high intensity and exhaustion.
While studying, Sointu has been teaching weekly classes in dance improvisation and contemporary dance to students of all levels. At the moment she’s developing a workshop concept to share her monstrosity and cuteness practices.
Sointu is also an enthusiastic cyclist.

Professional dream

I love to speak, so in the future I wish to give speeches, presentations, interviews, and to read an audiobook.

Language skills

• Finnish (mother tongue)
• English (excellent)
• French (good)
• Swedish (basic)
• Italian (basic)

Thesis project

Artistic work

The last Rite of Spring, 2024
Performers: Inka Auvinen, Altinay Kapsiz, Saila Pönkä, Joma Richter, Sointu Saraste, Marjukka Savolainen, Mathilda Muk
Choreographer: Renan Martins
Assistant for choreography and dance: Anette Toiviainen
Light design: June Horton-White
Stylist: Claudia Cifu
Sound operator: Mikael Rantanen
Production: University of the Arts Helsinki, Theatre Academy

Written component

Cuteness and Monstrosity: “the baby seahorse rounds up and shows its teeth”

Other education

Bachelor’s degree: BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, 2021.
Erasmus+ exchange: Contemporary dance, Lithuanian academy of music and theatre, 2019.
Professional training programme: Contemporary dance, Art Factory International, 2021-22.

Selected CV

Valgie verevä, 2025
Director: Oskari Kaarne
Production: University of the Arts Helsinki, Theatre Academy
Role: Performer

Trebuchet, 2025
Choreographer: Avgoustina Triarou
Production: University of the Arts Helsinki, Theatre Academy
Role: Dancer

feeling romantic, feeling ill, 2024
Choreographer: Maya Oliva
Production: University of the Arts Helsinki, Theatre Academy
Role: Dancer

Under the skin all is wet and slimy, sometimes electric and aggressive, 2023
Production: University of the Arts Helsinki, Theatre Academy
Role: Choreographer and performer