AURA

Aura Šriubšaitė began her dance journey 14 years ago. The first street dance style she explored was Hip Hop, which she practiced for a long time under the guidance of professional dancer, choreographer, and creator Airida Gudaitė. Aura also tried other street dance styles—such as Popping, Locking, Breaking, and House—but she was most captivated by Waacking, a style she began dancing over a decade ago with Brigida Gruodytė, the pioneer of Waacking in Lithuania. She was drawn to Waacking by the fluidity of arm movements, the conveyed emotion, and the style's elegance.

From 2018 to 2019, Aura studied contemporary dance at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art. Seeking to further expand her knowledge of Waacking, she participated in various workshops, festivals, events, and dance battles abroad, including *The Waack Off* in Germany (with workshops by Chrissy Chou and Archie Burnett), the *All Europe Waacking* festival in France (with workshops by Bagsy and Princess Madoki), and *Summer Dance Forever* in the Netherlands (with workshops by Boubou and Nubian Nene), among many others. Aura is also an active participant in dance battles in Lithuania, where she has secured first place on multiple occasions—specifically at *Funky Soul Connection*, *Vogue Mini Ball: Deep in the Jungle*, and *House is Funky* in 2019, and at *Funky Soul Connection* in 2022. Beyond her work as a dancer, Aura serves as an MC and organizer for street dance battle events; notable examples include *WHAT THE FUNK*—one of Lithuania’s most prominent events, focusing on Funk dance styles such as Popping, Locking, and Waacking—and *BACK TO THE WAACK*, currently the only event in Lithuania organized specifically for the Waacking dance community.

In 2025, Aura graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA) with a Bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Dance and a minor in Pedagogy; she is currently a professional performer and an emerging creator interested in exploring individuality and the creative process, and is open to new approaches, ideas, and connections. For Aura, self-confidence and the courage to dance in a way that follows her body’s impulses are essential.