Creative Partnerships Program

Born, Eddison B. Lindsay on the sunny isle of Trinidad, West Indies, BaKari Ifasegun Lindsay has been perfecting his crafts for the past 30 years. He is a dancer, choreographer, singer, musician, costume designer/ maker and researcher. Trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The School of Toronto Dance Theatre on scholarship and with various teachers from the Caribbean and the African Continent. Bakari holds a craftsman diploma in Style and Design and Masters Degree in Dance Ethnology and Bachelors in Education, from York University, Canada. In completion of his masters thesis BaKari researched and developed “A-Feeree – The Physical Language,” an innovative training method for dance practitioners working in an Africanist movement aesthetic.He co-founded COBA Collective Of Black Artists in 1993,and danced for the Danny Grossman Dance Company (Canada), Jubilation Dance Co (USA), Toronto Dance Theatre (Canada), Artcho Danse Repertoire (Haiti) and several independent choreographers in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. BaKari also appeared as an original cast member of Disney’s The Lion King from 2000 to 2002.As choreographer, BaKari as created works for Les Enfants Dance Company in Trinidad and Tobago, Entre Duex in Moncton New Brunswick, The National Dance Company of Trinidad and Tobago, and various schools in the Toronto District School Board while also creating over 30 works on COBA Collective Of Black Artists where he also designed and constructed most of costumes. BaKari has served on the faculty of Ryerson University, York University, Humber College, Lester B. Pearson School for the Performing Arts, and several dance schools, and institutions and community groups. Along with his many artistic endeavors, BaKari teachers full time with the Toronto District School Board at the Africentric Alternative School where he continues to research pedagogical strategies supported by African history and legacy. Bakari’s artistic vision is to create a harmonious balance between artistic practice and traditional cultural values

Madeleine trained at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York City. Madeleine later received her post-secondary training at The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in NYC. After living as a professional Artist/dancer in New York City for 10 years Madeleine has had the privilege of dancing with many professional modern dance companies, including The Martha Graham Ensemble, Forces of Nature Dance Theatre of Harlem and Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn. Madeleine has trained and worked with a roster of world renowned teachers and choreographers ranging from some of New York and Canada’s most celebrated contemporary masters including Yuriko, Pearl Lang, Denise Vale, Milton Myers, Dudley Williams, Abdel Salaam and Patricia Beatty.

Madeleine is an award winning Choreographer and some of Madeleine’s performance highlights include The Stars of the 21st century Gala at State Theatre, Lincoln Center, an achievement award tribute to Will Smith at The American Black Film Festival in Miami, and having her original choreography and song writing open the race at The ING NYC Mararthon. Madeleine’s choreography has been showcased throughout Manhattan in her live show “Madeleine’s Mind” fusing ballet, modern, and world dances garnering her a nomination for the Underground Music Awards. Madeleine is the recipient of many awards and accolades for her thought provoking choreography, most recently she was the recipient of Outstanding Choreography at Youth America Grand Prix in Toronto.

Madeleine is passionate about using the arts to empower her audiences and students, continually working with youth groups and not for profit organizations in Canada, The United States and India to help facilitate a global growth in positive social change.

Photo by Bruna Rico