11am-12 noon Class: Caribbean Dance Fitness with Nao

An energetic and inspiring class which invites you into the world of Latin, Caribbean and folkloric movements and rhythms.

11am-12 noon Class: Contemporary Dance with Polymer Dance

This class includes both contemporary dance technique and ensemble improvisation practice. Polymer Dance’s approach is rooted in making dance accessible to everyone and exploring an individual’s creativity regardless of body abilities, training, or cultural background.

11am-1pm Workshop: Joy in movement – Positive psychology and dance with Voirelia: Dance, Psychology, & Philosophy Hub

This workshop focuses on how we dance before we even make the first move – what we believe about dance, what we think about our bodies moving through space. Participants will be guided through exercises aimed at connecting with dance from a body-positive framework of curiosity, expression, and joy. Exercises will include self-reflection activities, dance improvisation, and structured movement exercises, integrating a mindfulness-focused approach to physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions.

Facilitators: Dr. Alina Sotskova (psychologist and Artistic Director); Rachael Prince (dance artist and educator, former Ballet BC dancer).

12-1pm Class: Bellydance with Maki Dance

Known for her fun classes, Maki blends Egyptian style Raks Sharki (bellydance) with a modern flair, respect and authenticity.

12 noon -1pm Studio Showing: Carolina Bergonzoni

Carolina Bergonzoni’s Slant Rhymes explores autobiographical memory and the phenomenon of hypertimesia – perfect memory. Dancers Hana Rutka, Sarah Bernstein, Silene Razo will perform some of the material they have been working on: a combination of improvisation scores and choreographed material sourced from their past and their memories. There will be a talkback after the showing.

1-2pm Class: Introduction to Ukrainian folk-stage dance with the Dovbush Dancers

Ukrainian folk-stage dance is a stylized form of dance firmly rooted in traditional folk dance and folk lore. The Dovbush Dancers will take participants on a journey through Ukraine’s vast regions, learning a variety of steps and combinations.

1-2pm Class: hip hop with Liz Vaesen

An introduction to the energy and rhythms of hip hop, taught by award-winning dancer, choreographer, teacher and adjudicator Liz Vaesen.

2-3pm Performance: Mozaico Flamenco

Mozaico Flamenco has been a moving force in the world of Spanish dance for over 30 years, performing traditional and contemporary flamenco while incorporating Latin, jazz and Cuban rhythms. This performance will showcase the breathtaking virtuosity and electrifying footwork of flamenco.

2-3pm Class: Ballet with Linda Arkelian

A high-energy and inspiring class which offers the chance to develop technique and discover new ways to move.

3-5pm Open Rehearsal: Flamenco Rosario Creative Residency

Flamenco Rosario’s Creative Residency pairs flamenco artist Anastassiia ‘La Musa’ Moussatova with mentor Ricardo Rubio from Mexico. This open rehearsal will share the initial stages of Anastassiia’s project experimenting with the traditional structure of flamenco.

3-4pm Discussion: Dancing in the Rain: The Science of Pain with Stuart Anderson (Anderson Performance Clinic), Virginia Duivenvoorden (dance artist) and Chelsea McGowan (Registered Clinical Counsellor). Introduced by Kay Huang Barnes 

Discover how the latest research in pain science can help both dancers and non dancers optimize the benefits of movement and relaxation in aiding recovery. The discussion will have speakers and a Q and A session on the role of movement in the healing process.

3-4pm Demonstration and Workshop: Kabuki Dance with TomoeArts

TomoeArts director Colleen Lanki (Fujima Sayû) and company member Ryan Caron will demonstrate a few short dances from the kabuki repertoire, talk about kabuki dance and nihon buyoh (Japanese classical dance) as an art form, and teach a few gestures and steps from a dance. Participants are asked to take off all jewelry, wear socks (white if possible) and dress for movement.

4-5pm Studio Showing: Isabelle Kirouac

Isabelle Kirouac’s Third Space is a trio between dancers, stilts and designed objects, which brings together a series of oppositions (stilts/dance, pop/experimental music, soft/hard objects, French/Farsi/Swedish native tongues etc) and attempts to discover what gets revealed in the in-between. Created by Isabelle Kirouac in collaboration with co-artistic director & choreographer Delia Brett, performers Emmalena Fredriksson & Arash Khakpour, musical composer Robyn Jacob, object designer Robert Leveroos, object collaborator Meghan Rosner, lighting designer Kyla Gardiner.

4-5pm Class: Afrobeats with AKS Bison

A dynamic fusion of African and hip hop dance.

4-5pm Lecture Presentation: Ne. Sans Opera & Dance.

Idan Cohen, artistic director of Ne. Sans Opera & Dance, introduces his upcoming project supporting collaborations between classical musicians and dance artists. The residency will offer artists and musicians the opportunity to collaborate on the creation of short pieces, providing mentorship and studio space.