FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:
In this March Newsletter, we shift our focus westward from the Maritimes to Montreal, with a profile of our distinguished alumnus Roger Sinha, Artistic Director of Sinha Danse, as well as our current third year student, Montreal native Maude Fortier, and a glimpse of our recent exchange trip to our sister school, L’École de danse contemporaine de Montréal. Here at home, we have just hosted two wonderful Montrealers, Paul-André Fortier and Ginelle Chagnon, who set Fortier’s absurd, fast-paced Tell on eight of our male dancers. As well, our third year dancers have been busily preparing for their March performance, ACCELERATION. Besides Tell, the program will feature newly commissioned works by Peggy Baker, Susie Burpee, and Robert Desrosiers, and a remount of Christopher House’s challenging 1994 work Colder Ink.
We are also thrilled to tell you about our Summer Intensive Programs and the return of the Summer Dance Camp for kids. I hope you enjoy reading more about our forthcoming activities, and about the wonderful artists we profile here, and I look forward to welcoming you at ACCELERATION 2017.
In this March Newsletter, we shift our focus westward from the Maritimes to Montreal, with a profile of our distinguished alumnus Roger Sinha, Artistic Director of Sinha Danse, as well as our current third year student, Montreal native Maude Fortier, and a glimpse of our recent exchange trip to our sister school, L’École de danse contemporaine de Montréal. Here at home, we have just hosted two wonderful Montrealers, Paul-André Fortier and Ginelle Chagnon, who set Fortier’s absurd, fast-paced Tell on eight of our male dancers. As well, our third year dancers have been busily preparing for their March performance, ACCELERATION. Besides Tell, the program will feature newly commissioned works by Peggy Baker, Susie Burpee, and Robert Desrosiers, and a remount of Christopher House’s challenging 1994 work Colder Ink.
We are also thrilled to tell you about our Summer Intensive Programs and the return of the Summer Dance Camp for kids. I hope you enjoy reading more about our forthcoming activities, and about the wonderful artists we profile here, and I look forward to welcoming you at ACCELERATION 2017.
Patricia Fraser
Artistic Director
Roger Sinha © Adriana Garcia Cruz
Roger Sinha, a distinguished alumnus of the School of TDT (1984-86), is a choreographer, dancer, and teacher, and the founder of Sinha Danse. In 2016 Roger won the prestigious Cultural Diversity Prize in Dance presented by the Conseil des arts de Montréal, and he is this year’s Canada Dance Assembly spokesperson for International Dance Day.
"My vision is to present a rich portrayal of dance and the diversity of its practices. I want to provide an alternative view of dance from the perspective of diversity, since dance forms which offer movement vocabularies stemming from different cultures, in my case Indian, are often still marginalized."
Read more about Roger Sinha.
Maude Fortier © Cylla von Tiedemann
Maude Fortier, Montreal born and bred, is happy to represent the French Canadian contingent here at the School of TDT: “I grew up in Montreal and never really left my family home until I came to train at the School. When I was about three, my mom saw an ad for kids’ dance classes in the newspaper. I remember getting into a little bodysuit (which I still have!) and entering the studio for the first time. One of the main things that made dance classes so much fun for me was responding to music and moving with the rhythm. Dance has always been a great way of making friends too – it still is to this day!"
Read more about Maude Fortier.
© Tylee JonesOur third year dancers have recently returned from our traditional trip to Montreal. Highlights: visiting the new home of l’École de danse contemporain de Montréal, class with the amazing German Jauregui and Jamie Wright, and La La La Human Steps repertoire by Edouard Locke, taught by the inspiring Bernard Martin. Students also enjoyed the urban dance festival 100 Lux, including a spectacular trio performed by Tentacle Tribe, and a tour of the home of Cirque du Soleil guided by Massimo Agostinelli, our Bouffon teacher and an artistic coach with the Cirque. Grateful thanks to Artistic Director of EDCM, Lucie Boissinot, for hosting our students!
Take a look at photos from the trip.
Moments & Doorways, Allen Kaeja; Mio Sakamoto, Geanderson Mello © Cylla von Tiedemann
From March 22-24, 2017 we present our graduating class in ACCELERATION - an evening of small ensemble works. The evening will feature a new commission by one of Canada's most influential dancemakers Peggy Baker, a new work by a prominent Toronto choreographer Susie Burpee, and a new dance by the internationally acclaimed Robert Desrosiers. Once again, we are reviving Paul-André Fortier’s Tell (1987), an energetic physical showcase for four male dancers and four apples. The evening also features a remount of Christopher House’s demanding quartet Colder Ink (1994).
Book your tickets today to see tomorrow's contemporary dancers!
Anya Tregubova © Cylla von Tiedemann
We are now accepting registrations for our Summer Intensives - come dance with us!
Pre-professional Program (ages 16+): July 3-14, 2017
Teen Intensive (ages 13-16): July 24-28, 2017
Our programs are aimed at dancers looking to boost their technique and learn challenging contemporary repertory. The Pre-professional Intensive is a perfect introduction to our three-year Professional Training Program for dancers exploring full-time training options. Registration is just a few clicks away - browse our website for more information and register online today.
© Walter Lai
We are offering a week-long, full-time dance camp for kids ages 5 and up July 17-21, 2017.
Our Summer Dance Camp is taught by professional dance artists and educators. Apart from dance activities, we've got music classes with our gifted accompanists, outings to the nearby Riverdale Farm, crafts and prop making, a performance for friends and family on our mainstage, and much more!
Registration for the summer camp is open now - register early to secure a spot for your young'un! Have a look at our website for more information and call 416-967-6887 today to sign up!
Any questions or feedback? Please contact:
Lilya Sultanova | Communications & Outreach Coordinator
lilya@schooloftdt.org | 416-967-6887 ext. 25
80 Winchester Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M4X 1B2 | 416-967-6887
