Moving in the Microcosm with Dr. Tanya Dahms and Tessa Rae Kuz
SOMA #11 - Moving in the Microcosm with Dr. Tanya Dahms and Tessa Rae Kuz
Dates: July 23 - July 26
Days: Tuesday to Friday
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $25/class
Class Description:
"Moving in the Microcosm" is a workshop that integrates movement, science, and nature into an immersive exploration of the fungal life cycle. From the process of sporulation to the formation of hyphae, the mycelial network and fruit, participants will be guided on an embodied journey inspired by a variety of movement practices, including Body-Mind Centering (BMC), Dance Improvisation, and Osteopathic philosophy.
What to Expect:
Nature-Inspired Movement: Participants will be encouraged to explore and embody the life cycle of fungi, using nature-based motifs and imagery to inspire improvised movement.
Collaborative Guidance: Tanya will be sharing the scientific wonders of fungi and their life cycles, and Tessa will provide insights into how fungal physiology relates to our bodily systems.
Relaxation and Grounding: This exploration invites the mind to relax and expand while nurturing a deep connection between our bodies and the natural world.
From seasoned dancers to curious beginners, these sessions are designed to provide engagement and access for those from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and age groups. If you have particular accessibility requirements, such as space modifications or language interpretation services, that necessitate advance preparation, kindly contact Tessa or New Dance Horizons directly to coordinate arrangements.
Teacher Bios:
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. 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.
Tanya Dahms minored in dance at University of Waterloo and continued her modern, classical and contemporary training with Le Groupe de la Place Royale in their pre-professional and professional dance programs, Purdue University and the Dance Network in Ottawa, including contact and solo improvisation, Body Mind Centering and Authentic Movement. Tanya fell in love with contact improvisation (CI) over 30 years ago and has since sought out mentors such as Peter Bingham, Ray Chung, Martin Keogh, Nancy Stark-Smith, Peter Ryan, Louis Parent and Andrew Harwood. She keeps her dance practice current through classes at New Dance Horizons (NDH) and workshops, teaches and hosts CI workshops in Regina, and intermittently serves as guest contemporary teacher and CI facilitator for FadaDance, the YBCS, University of Regina Theatre and the SK drama association.
Tanya's independent work has been shown in Brazil, the US and Canada, including Zero, Le Jardin de L'esprit, Transformation, and Pyscho and she has danced with FadaDance, New Dance Horizons (NDH), FreeFlowDance, and as part of Bill Coleman's Grassland's Project.