Meet the DanceWeekend Artists: Ensemble Topaz

Ensemble Topaz is a Toronto-based dance company. Led by the Artistic Director Paromita Kar, the company’s performance repertoire ranges from the traditional to contemporary dances of Central Asian cultures, including cultures of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and India. The troupe has performed at multiple concerts, festivals, as well as widely in Ontario’s special events industry, including at weddings, private celebrations, engagements and corporate events as well as music videos. The troupe’s work has been supported by Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council.

Ensemble Topaz is proud to share a dance to a Tajik pop song, “Setara” by Sadriddin Nadzhmudinov of Tajikistan/Canada, danced in Ensemble Topaz’s signature style. This piece was originally danced by Ensemble Topaz dancers as live backup dancers to Sadriddin’s performance at the Diamond Music Awards Show 2024, and Ensemble Topaz is proud to reprise this as a trio for DanceWeekend’25!

Ensemble Topaz can also be seen performing at Downtown Kitchener Traveller’s Tours at Kitchener Public Library, February 23, 2025, from 1:00-4:00 pm curated by Good Company Productions as well as Iranian Fire Festival at Mel Lastman Square on March 18th. Both are free events and open to public!

Dance for us is a dialogue with our traditions but also our present and future. It is expression embodied in movement, stillness and a way for us also to carry the traditions of our master teachers and their lineages.