In prelude to International Dance Day, we invite you to join us at the NDH studio for a week of classes with Guest Instructors: Tia Kushniruk, Tessa Rae Kuz, Marcus Merasty, and Noor Tajik. The Spring Into Dance class series focuses on providing participants with an introduction to unique dance styles including Floorwork Basics, DanceFit, Jigging, and AfroDesi.
We invite all to join and experience these classes. No prior dance experience is required as all classes are designed to provide a foundational understanding of each dance form.
Class Registration and Payment: You may register and pay via the links below on this page. If you prefer to register or pay in-person, please call 306-525-5393 or email i[email protected]. NDH accepts cash, cheque, credit card, e-transfer, and pay pal payment. We would appreciate if you can sign up at least one day prior to the class you wish to attend. As COVID continues to challenge our lives, we are all doing our best to keep you informed regarding any cancellations due to COVID or for any other reasons. Providing your contact information, both email and phone,will facilitate our capacity to keep you informed. We look forward to seeing you at NDH studio at 2207 Harvey St. To subscribe to our email list, Please Scroll Down (to bottom of this page).
Spring Into Dance: Floorwork Basics Days: Friday & Saturday morning Dates: April 14 & 15 2023 Times: 9:30am - 10:30am Cost: By Donation Age: 16+ Class Description: This class takes students through various entries to the floor using the techniques of break, capoeira, graham, limon, tai-chi, and house to practise simple floorwork drills, that can then be equipped throughout larger movement syllables, and in improvisational stanzas. Safety is a top priority: this class is flexible to suit the skill range of the participants playing. This class pulls from the practises of Emmalena Fredrickson, Shay Kuebler, Martha Graham, Pat Miner, Daryl Tracy, and Daniel Ninarello. Instructor Bio: Tia Ashley Kushniruk (亚 女弟) is a Queer Woman of Chinese-Eastern European settler heritage from the Treaty 6 Territory of Edmonton AB. Since 2013 she has been affiliated with the Cirque Du Soleil and is a frequent collaborator of Jake W. Hastey for Toy Guns Dance Theatre (Edmonton). She has had the pleasure of performing works of Antony Hamilton (chunkymove), Paul Andre-Fortier, Benjamin Kamino, Heidi Strauss, Peggy Baker, Christopher House(TDT), Shay Kuebler (SK/RSA), Christianne Ullmark, Susie Burpee and Jasmyn 'Jaz Fairy J' Fyffe - touring Nationally across Canada and Internationally to Israel, U.S.A, Colombia, China, Austria and France. Her work has been presented by Festival Internacional Nomada (El Salvador, 2020), Dancing on the Edge (Vancouver, 2020), Fluid Festival (Calgary, 2020), Mile Zero (Edmonton, 2021), the School of TDT (Toronto, 2022), Expanse Festival (Edmonton, 2023) and Found Festival (Edmonton, 2023). Tia's illustration and animation work has been commissioned by Plastic Orchid Factory (Vancouver, 2020), Two Big Steps (Vancouver, 2020/2021), and adelheid (Toronto, 2021). She is the first recipient of the Catalyst Confluence Fellowship (Edmonton 20/21) and was an EATF Recipient for 2023. Since 2014 her research has been supported by the Edmonton Arts Council, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and the Canada Council for the Arts. She is currently undergoing a mentorship with Toronto-based performance artist Bridget Moser. https://www.tiaakushnir.uk/page/about/
Spring Into Dance: DanceFit Days: Tuesday & Thursday evening Dates: April 25 & 27 2023 Times: 7:30PM - 8:30PM Cost: $15/class Age: All Ages Class Description: DanceFit is a high-energy and fun cardio workout for all levels to enjoy. The class combines Salsa, Cumbiaton, DanceHall, Hip-Hop, Afrobeats and Soca dance and musicwith Pilates-based strength training. Come ready to laugh, sweat and party! *Indoor running shoes are required
Instructor Bio: Tessa Rae Kuz is a dance artist, emerging choreographer and educator based on the Treaty 4 Territory of Regina Saskatchewan - the original lands of the Plains Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, Lakota, and Metis people. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance from the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson). She has worked with some of the most reputable Canadian choreographers in the contemporary dance field including Margie Gillis, Robin Poitras, Heidi Strauss, Apolonia Velasquez, James Kudelka, David Norsworthy and Kristen Carcone. She is currently an active participant of Margie Gillis' Legacy Project, where she performs in both solo and group works. Her long-term artistic mentorship with Robin Poitras and Edward Poitras began in 2019 and continues to evolve through opportunities to interpret and perform in new and past creations, rehearsal direct, and teach. In 2022, she had the opportunity to further her development through Educate And Dance - a street dance training program led by Montreal hip hop pioneer Angelo Ameur.
Spring Into Dance: Square-Dance Workshop Days: Saturday afternoon Dates: April 29 2023 Times: 1:00PM - 2:15PM Cost: $15/class Age: 16+ Class Description: Metis Square-Dancing is a cultural dance that has its roots in European and Indigenous dance forms and has become a part of the unique cultural heritage of the Metis peoples. The square-dance is a partnered pattern dance to fiddle music, often dance at social gatherings. The footwork consists of the traditional jig step.
Instructor Bio: Marcus Merasty is a dance artist of Cree descent from Pelican Narrows, SK currently situated in Regina, SK. A graduate of the Professional Program at The School of Contemporary Dancers. He has extensive experience in performing and teaching traditional Metis jigging and square-dancing. Marcus is currently working at New Dance Horizons in public relations and production coordination.
Spring Into Dance: AfroDesi Dates: April 29 2023 Times: 2:30PM - 3:30PM Cost: $15/class Age: All ages Class Description: Afrodesi is an emerging style which gained recent popularity after London/Mumbai/Denmark based dancers Aakash, Pranav, Ashoka and Natasha this style internationally. Afrodesi takes elements of south asian styles of dance inclusive of: Bollywood, Bhangra, and classical Indian dance to combine it with afrobeats and afrohouse styles - highlighting the variation and fusion in both music and dance styles. Instructor Bio: Noor Tajik is a self-taught dancer and choreographer originating from Mississauga, Ontario where her love for street styles emerged. Noor experienced dance with her south asian heritage and began training in classical Indian and Bollywood styles. Along her dance journey Noor moved to Saskatchewan in 2015 and began training in hip hop, dancehall, afrobeats and afrohouse. Noor is a believer in fusion of various beats and styles from different cultures to create diversity in the dance world.
In 2017 Noor began managing a dance crew to perform at platforms around the city such as: University International Nights, Mackenzie Art Gallery Galas, Cathedral Arts Festivals and concerts in both Saskatoon and Regina. During this time, Noor began co-hosting free dance workshops at VibesYQR. After her journey with those workshops, she became a dance instructor at Pointflex in 2019 and Phoenix Baton in 2021 where she taught recreational and competitive hip hop. Noor has continued her love for dance by managing a new emerging dance group “Fuzion” which highlights diverse styles, cultures and experiences while showcasing her art.
The Pelican Projectat the Cathedral Village Arts Festival
Introductory Session: Saturday April 29: 9:30AM - 12:30PM
Additional Sessions: Sunday April 30: 2:15 - 4:15pm Sunday May 7: 2:15 - 4:15pm Sunday May 21: 2:15 - 4:15pm (the day before CVAF parade)
Age: All Ages
Session Description: Starting on Saturday April 29, International Dance Day, participants of all ages are invited to join in a series of guided art sessions in preparation for the Cathedral Village Arts Festival Parade on Monday May 22. Inspired by the 2023 Festival Theme of Home, the sessions will focus on bringing mythical creatures and their habitats to life through the exploration of movement, song, and costume creation. The sessions will culminate with the opportunity for each participant to design and decorate a wheeled float using a mini bicycle, scooter, skateboard, wagon, or rollerblades. All participants will be invited to take the lead in the Cathedral Village Arts Festival Parade to showcase their unique designs and creations!
