Join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest Board member, Newton Moraes! Newton brings a wealth of experience to Dance Ontario, having previously served on the Board from 2002 to 2006. He returns to the organization with his unique skills, energy, and an unwavering passion for dance.
A bit about Newton: Newton Moraes, a Brazilian / Canadian artist, is thrilled to join the board of the Dance Ontario Association.
He is an alumni of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and spent a year studying for an MFA in Choreography at York University. Newton Moraes has had the privilege of learning from several mentors and influential artists throughout his career, including workshops in Butoh with Natsu Nakajima, Lee Ann Smith, as well as contemporary dance training with the likes of Pierre Paul Savoie, Jeff Hall, David Dorfmann, Fiona Marcotti, Chandralekha, and a Master workshop in Choreography with Danny Grossman. His mentors include luminaries such as Jean Sasportes (Pina Bausch Wuppertal Tanztheater), Franco Boni, Fred Traugth, David Earle, Patricia Beatty, Danny Grossman, Patrick Parson (African Dance – Toronto), Marcelo do Nascimento, and José do Nascimento (Brazil). Further studies were made in Releasing Technique with Stephanie Skura, Improvisation with Denise Fujiwara, Kurt Jooss Technique with Fred Traguth, and Afro-Brazilian Spiritual Dance with Pai Beto do Xangó Aganju.
Newton Moraes is the founder, artistic director, and choreographer of the Newton Moraes Dance Theatre. This dynamic company has graced numerous stages in Toronto, including the Fleck Dance Theatre, Winchester Theatre, and Citadel. Their influence extends beyond Toronto, as they’ve embarked on tours to cities like Montreal, Vancouver, Saskatoon, Kitchener, and even international destinations like Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and the USA.
Newton is committed to dance education and was a faculty member at the Ballet Creole School of Performing Arts in Toronto sharing his expertise by teaching Brazilian, African-Brazilian, contemporary dance, and choreography. His has also taught for COBA Collective of Black Artists, Kashe Dance, and Free Flow Dance Theatre in Saskatoon and at numerous schools and festivals, both in Canada and abroad.
We’re thrilled to welcome Newton Moraes to the Dance Ontario Board, eagerly anticipating the wealth of experience and fresh perspectives he brings to our vibrant community.