Maggi Sietsma AM holds a distinguished position in the world of dance, celebrated as the Founding Artistic Director and Choreographer of Expressions Dance Company. After graduating from the Australian Ballet School, Maggi embarked on a prolific career that took her across North America, England, France, and Europe. She toured extensively with the Australian Ballet and the London Festival Ballet as a soloist before diving into the world of contemporary dance.
At the helm of Expressions Dance Company, Maggi fostered a creative environment characterized by research and collaboration. Her directorial and choreographic efforts earned the company prestigious accolades, including the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award. Expressions, under her guidance, embarked on international tours across the U.S.A., Germany, Papua New Guinea, India, the U.K., Israel, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Switzerland, Austria, China, Mexico, and New Caledonia.
Maggi's artistic contributions included the creation of numerous works for Expressions, including the critically acclaimed Alone Together, Vanities Crossing, Score!, and Virtually Richard3. Her commitment to dance education and innovation was recognized with an Asialink fellowship in 2000, leading her to choreograph and teach for the Beijing Modern Dance Company and the Beijing Dance Academy in China.
Acknowledging her significant contributions to dance and education in Australia, Maggi was appointed a member of the Order of Australia. She also received a Centenary Medal and Churchill fellowship.
Holding a master’s degree (research) in Dance from the Queensland University of Technology, Maggi furthered her impact in dance and education as the Dean of Dance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts from 2005, overseeing the accreditation and implementation of the school’s MFA in Dance program, the first Dance Masters degree in Hong Kong. She also initiated the first foray into dance being offered as a subject in senior level secondary schools in Hong Kong. In 2007, Maggi briefly returned to Expressions as Artistic Director, ensuring the company's succession. Subsequently, in 2009, she took on the role of Resident Artistic Director for The House of Dancing Water, a groundbreaking HK 2 billion dollar water-based theatre, dance and circus production in Macau. Maggi was involved in the training and creation of this spectacular production and remained with the show for its first 200 performances before moving to Singapore in 2011, where for 12 months she assumed the position of Artistic Director for Voyage de la Vie at Resorts World Sentosa.
Maggi then immersed herself in the vibrant culture of Bali, whilst working as a remote consultant, aiding organizations in script development, budgeting, and crafting compelling pitches for international theatrical productions. Simultaneously, she lent her expertise as an artistic advisor to entertainment companies in China, often shuttling to Beijing for production meetings and interactions with artistic personnel.
At the end of 2014, Maggi embraced a pivotal role as the inaugural Director of Entertainment, Attractions, and Events at the City of Dreams in Manila. Her responsibilities extended to the position of operations director for the groundbreaking Dreamplay, the world's first DreamWorks indoor interactive theme park designed for children. Maggi played a crucial role in assembling and leading teams, orchestrating diverse areas of operation, curating mainstage entertainment, and overseeing the successful launch of Dreamplay.
The subsequent year saw a significant shift in Maggi's life when, in mid 2016, she and her husband, Abel Valls, the founding CEO of Expressions, made the decision to make France their permanent home. Transitioning away from the fast-paced world of entertainment, Maggi redirected her career trajectory. While engaging in part-time mentoring for artists, she delved into the realm of alternative healing modalities, dedicating herself to in-depth studies and training.
Today, Maggi resides in France, where she operates a full-time healing practice. Her passion for holistic well-being and commitment to nurturing others through alternative healing avenues have become the focal point of her current chapter, marking a transformative and fulfilling journey from the spotlight of theatrical productions to the serene realm of healing in the picturesque landscapes of France.