With funding from the Ontario Arts Council, these professional development/networking opportunities will offer tailored workshops led by acclaimed dance artist Andrea Nann/Dreamwalker Dance Company, together with creation of a unique choreography common to each of our five networks located in Halton, Dufferin, London, The Soo and Windsor.
Andrea Nann is a contemporary dance artist and founding artistic director of Dreamwalker Dance Company. She creates work for the stage, film and outdoor sites; investigating contemporary approaches to creation through collaboration with individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. Andrea devises, constructs and delivers movement based opportunities for diverse peoples to come together and share unique lived experiences.
A graduate of York University’s Department of Fine Arts, Andrea was a member of the Danny Grossman Dance Company for 15 years and over a 31-year career in contemporary and modern dance, she has contributed to the creation of new works by over 60 dance/theatre creators. She continues to appear as a guest artist with Peggy Baker Dance Projects, Tribal Crackling Wind and Volcano Theatre. Long-time creative collaborators include dance artist Sarah Chase, musician Gord Downie, and writer Michael Ondaatje. From 2004-2015 Andrea created/produced 9 editions of multi-arts program The Whole Shebang and from 2012-2016 she devised/produced a 4-year/4-city multi-arts collaborative project; The Ontario Shebang. In 2018 she created The Welcome Project, addressing inclusion and cultural literacy based on internal and external challenges faced by Newcomers to Canada, and extends this unique practice to include others who are new to dance and interpersonal art experiences.
Andrea has held artist residencies at Grace Centre for the Arts (current), FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre – St. Catharines (2015-2016), Burlington Performing Arts Centre (2014-2016), City of Kingston/The Grand Theatre (2013-2015), Brock University Centre for the Arts (2013-2015), River Run Centre – Guelph (2013-2015), Soulpepper (2012-2014), Young Centre for the Performing Arts (2008-2012), Pia Bouman’s School for Creative Ballet & Movement (2013), Scotiabank Dance Centre Vancouver (2013), Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre (2008-2009), Shadbolt Centre for the Arts Burnaby, British Columbia (2006-2007), and was the Iris Garland Visiting Choreographer at Simon Fraser University (2013). In 2016 Ontario Contact recognized Andrea as Artist of the Year for contributions to the Performing Arts touring sector in Ontario and in 2019 she received a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance by an Individual in Dance.
This initiative will support professional workshops as well as choreographic activities adapted to suit the specific needs and skills in each of the five networks allowing for involvement of professional dancers and teachers as well as be open to members of each local community. A video will be created of the final short works featuring dancers from across the province.
Networks Contacts
THE SOO/ALGOMA (S/ADN): Valerie Calam Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]
HALTON (HDN): Kate Lowe & Alan Faigal Coordinators
e-mail: [email protected]
DUFFERIN (DDN): Catherine Carpenko Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]
LONDON (LDN): Bizz Varty Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]
SUDBURY: Emma Duncan Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]
WINDSOR & REGION (WaRD) : Mary Jo Mullins Coordinator
e-mail:[email protected]
For more information on the Networks CLICK HERE