We are deeply saddened by the loss of dance artist and visionary Patrick Parson.
Patrick held a special place in the dance community as a fierce advocate for dance, a pioneer, a mentor, teacher and innovative creator. He founded Ballet Creole, one of the first Black dance companies in Canada which recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary, and was instrumental in bringing Afro-Caribbean dance to Canadian audiences and artists.
Patrick valued community and was extremely generous of his time in giving back and supporting many artists, companies and organizations impacting lives, careers and the broader dance landscape in Canada.
Playing an essential role on the Dance Ontario Board as Secretary, Patrick was also a vital and passionate force in the creation and efforts of our Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee over the last 4 years.
To remember Patrick and his artistry, we invite you to view an excerpt of Patrick’s recent DanceWeekend commission WOKE, including some of his thoughts on the work, which premiered in January 2022 at the Fleck Dance Theatre.
“I want to find the love in the darkness and express it in movement” Patrick Parson
About Patrick:
Patrick Parson, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, was a dancer and musician from the age of 10. He drew much of his artistic inspiration from the vibrant multicultural community that makes up the Caribbean. Patrick spent his early years singing in choirs, composing and singing calypsos, playing with steel orchestras, dancing and drumming with community folk groups, and studying ballet and modern dance at the Caribbean School of Dance and the Dance Academy of Trinidad and Tobago. He was trained in the dance and drumming styles of Guinea and Senegal by Mor Thiam, the Artist Director of Les Ballets Africains, and in Canada graduated from The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Patrick’s founding of Ballet Creole in 1990 brought Black Dance to mainstream Canadian stages, establishing the Company as the forerunner of Black Dance in Canada. Patrick was the recipient of the Entrepreneurial Award of Merit from the African Caribbean Chamber of Commerce, and the New Pioneers Award from Skills for Change, for his pioneering work in the world of dance in Canada. He served as cultural adviser to the Toronto Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, Metro Cultural Affairs, Ontario Arts Council, Harbourfront Centre, Laidlaw Foundation, and the Arts Advantage Program at Downsview Secondary School. Patrick held a Masters Degree in Dance Ethnology from York University where he was a course director in the Faculties of Fine Arts and Kinesiology. He regularly conducted workshops and lecture demonstrations for universities and schools in Ontario. Through extensive studies at the Katherine Dunham Institute for Humanities, Patrick was awarded certification as a teacher of the Dunham Technique, which he taught in Canada where it is little known and practised.
Dance Ontario’s Staff and Board offer our deepest condolences to Patrick’s family, friends, colleagues and community. He is greatly missed.
Photo of Patrick Parson by John DiConstanzo