Pierre Bastin (half-time position) Born in Verviers in 1998, Pierre grows up between costume play, nature and scouts — a world of adventure and camaraderie that will deeply shape his path. At 10 years old, he discovers dance at the conservatory and doesn't miss a single class. At 14, he moves to Antwerp to pursue artistic studies, while returning every weekend to see his family and scout group, of which he becomes cub leader under the name Bagheera. A graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, he later dances in creations by Jan Martens, Vera Tussing, Tuur Marinus and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. Passionate about nature and gardening — especially tomatoes — he weaves ecology, resistance and poetry into his artistic work (After all, Porous). Since 2023, Pierre is an associate artist at Bal Spécial. He leads technical workshops for young people and develops engaged projects in partnership with Greenpeace and CNCD-11.11.11. Guided by the creative energy of children, he cultivates dance as a space for free, joyful and collective exploration.
Amalia Guis (half-time position) trained in dance in Paris, at the Copenhagen Contemporary Dance School (Denmark) and at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp (Belgium). In 2020, she co-founded the Sidewards collective, with which she creates several choreographic pieces. After two years of travel in South America, she joined Bal Spécial, where she supports workshops for the youngest, develops projects for young people and young adult beginners, participates in artistic projects in school settings and, during the 2026-2027 season, also leads improvisation and contemporary dance classes for adults on Tuesday evenings, classical for young people and salsa for adults on Wednesday evenings.
Aurélie (half-time position)
Aurélie is the invisible link that keeps Bal Spécial running day to day. She handles the administrative and financial aspects of the ASBL, liaises with the accountant, Wallonia-Brussels Federation, PECA, schools, the General Assembly and many other partners. She adds the finishing touch to files and reports, gathering the information and figures that make the difference.
Aurélie also manages registrations and supports parents in finding their way within our organization, whose operations are sometimes a bit unconventional.
And during our camp at Villers-Sainte-Gertrude, she becomes the essential link between the kitchen team and the dozens of hungry young people! 😊
Direct contact: balspecial.inscriptions@gmail.com first point of contact: thinks things through and responds quickly.
Anne-Lore (Half-time position) Born and raised in Ghent (1972), younger sister of two older brothers, Anne-Lore spends her childhood between neighbourhood school, scouts and adventure spaces with neighbours. At 16, she gets involved with an organization offering vacations for underprivileged children. She has been dancing all her life — from the family living room to discovering African dance at 17. Her passion takes her from Senegal to Mali, through workshops and training, to a dance degree at Fontys Dansacademie (1995–1999). For 25 years, she has worked as a freelancer in youth theatre (Kopergietery, Hetpaleis...) and arts education (De Veerman, Wisper, Passerelle, Muze...). In 1998, she founded Cacao Bleu with Lenneke Rasschaert — shows for young audiences, interactive exhibitions, short films. Love brings her to Liège in 2000. There she dances, creates and teaches. After the project An Elephant in the City (2011), she founded Bal Spécial (2015), then joined Danspunt (2019). Since 2023, she has been training in the Feldenkrais method. Mother of three children, Anne-Lore is the "MAMA" at Bal Spécial: she watches over the balance of the project, like a permaculture gardener — observing, adjusting and guiding each person so that the whole can grow with coherence, joy and creativity.
Direct contact: balpecial07@gmail.com
The Dancemakers are a wonderful group of young people aged 15 to 23 who volunteer with Bal Spécial. Each finds their place according to their wishes, talents and the time they can dedicate to the organization. The most experienced help carry out projects, like our climate action initiatives. Others lend a hand in workshops, accompany children during camps or lead activities at our events. During the Earth camp, they are a precious presence for the youngest. To support them, Bal Spécial regularly organizes small in-house training sessions to pass on tools for facilitation, creativity and pedagogy. Many started as participants before becoming volunteers in turn. Some later become facilitators, artists or carry their own projects within the organization. Among them: Zoï, Juliette B., Isée, Louka, Juliette G., Luna, Lou, Elfrida, Naomi, Lilou, Lola, Hannah... and many others.
Parents and volunteers Bal Spécial also thrives thanks to a wonderful network of parents, volunteers and supporters who give their time, energy and ideas. Some are part of the General Assembly, others lend a hand with our projects or simply come to help when needed. During our famous internship in Villers-Sainte-Gertrude, they take over in the kitchen and prepare meals for the entire team. Among our volunteers are also the Robin Hoods of Bal Spécial. Once a year, they meet for a weekend to imagine new projects, write funding applications and dream about what Bal Spécial could become tomorrow. It is thanks to these weekends that we can develop projects that go well beyond our daily activities and open up new adventures.
