The Artists
Madrid, Spain
EYAS Dance Project is a contemporary dance company and artistic production hub that was founded in 2018 by co-directors, creators and dancers Carlos González and Seth Buckley. Carlos González and Seth Buckley are multidiciplinary and transgressive artists that don’t play by the rules; they rewrite them. With a fearless spirit and determination to question the status quo and a integrative vision of dance, their creations aim to connect to the audience by creating heartfelt, innovative and pleasurable experiences through striking and immersive performative proposals.
Photo Credit: Ángel Sousa
Toronto, ON
Darryl Tracy is an Toronto based independent dance artist: choreographer, teacher and interpreter. Native to New Brunswick, Darryl seeks to explore human movement though creation, collaboration and curiousity. He has created over 44 creations seen internationally over the past 2 decades and has performed in the creations of most of Canada's renowned choreographers. He is on faculty at The National Ballet School-Teachers Training Program.
Sarah Power
Saint John
Originally from Saint John, Sarah has been working as a professional independent dance artist and teacher since graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2001. She is a founding member and current Artistic Director of Connection Dance Works.
Her career has included collaborations with musicians, dancers, filmmakers and visual artists. She has received grants for Professional Development, Residencies and Creation projects through the Canada Council for the Arts and artsnb.
Sarah continues to learn and develop work through her practice of Authentic Movement, a way of discovering movement inherent in the body instead of inventing it.
I’m interested in intuition itself and how it can unfold. For me, it is a process of witnessing and waiting for something to happen. I see it as sitting in the middle of the creative experience, paying attention.
Photo Credit: Michael Mohan
First City Young Company
Saint John, NB
First City Young Company, established in 2021, is a pre-professional dance company dedicated to preserving the integrity of the art form. It provides talented local dancers, ages 15-25, with exceptional opportunities to work with renowned choreographers and dance artists. Through its rigorous training and performance programs, the company fosters artistic growth and professional development, nurturing the next generation of dance professionals.
Photo Credit: Rachael Dyer (Movita Beaucoup)
Kelli Wray
Saint John, NB
Interpretive dancer Kelli Wray shares the art of storytelling and expression through improvised and choreographed movements. For over 10yrs she facilitated Meditation In MOVEment workshops inviting other women to enjoy barefoot dancing, expression of self and the empowerment of body awareness. She has collaborated with talented musicians, dancing bodies, poet and exhibit photographer. Finding inspiration in nature and everyday happenings, Kelli dives deep into her surroundings and using the body's natural rhythms, begins the creative exploration of an idea. She remains grateful for opportunities to create, share and develop the artistry of a body in motion.
Photo Credit: Kelli Wray
Leah Roach
Saint John, NB
Leah is a well-rounded dancer, with a dance background of 16 years. While having vast experience in the disciplines of tap and contemporary dance, improvisation and composition techniques also play a large role in Leah’s practice and creative process.
They currently train at First City School of Dance as a member of Young Company. After graduating from Saint Malachy’s Memorial High School, Leah began their post secondary education at the University of New Brunswick, pursuing Sociology and Psychology. Despite being a full-time student, Leah continues to be committed to furthering their exploration of dance.
Photo Credit: Movita Beaucoup Dance Photography
Andrew Reed Miller
Saint John, NB
Andrew Reed Miller is a bass player, composer and improviser living in Saint John Canada. Andrew is principal bass of Symphony New Brunswick and is artistic director of Resonance New Music Inc., which has organized new and experimental music in and around NB since 1998.
Originally from New York, Andrew studied in Ottawa and Toronto and toured with The Canadian Opera Company, the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Andrew has performed at many venues, including Open Ears Festival (Kitchener), New Music Calgary, Sound Symposium (Newfoundland), the Scotia Festival of Music, Ensemble Kore (Montreal) The Music Gallery (Toronto), Western Front (Vancouver), and Tonic (New York).
Photo Credit: Movita Beaucoup Dance Photography
Terri Hron
Montreal, QC
Terri Hron is a musician, a performer and a multimedia artist. Her work explores historical performance practice, field recording, invented ceramic instruments and videoscores. She often works in close collaboration with others and produces performances, gatherings and events. Her research focuses on collaborative practice and scoring in multimedia performance art.
She is Executive Director of the Canadian New Music Network, where she has developed programs focusing on pluralism and sustainability. Recent collaborators include Monty Adkins, Charlotte Hug, Paula Matthusen, Helen Pridmore and Jennifer Beattie (Out Loud), Katelyn Clark, Jennifer Thiessen and Myriam Boucher (Medusa Selfie). Latest commissions include suddenlyListen, Ensemble Paramirabó, GreyWing Ensemble, Dead of Night, Splinter Reeds and Ensemble Supermusique.
Gina Grant
Saint John, NB
Gina is a contemporary dancer, teacher and choreographer. After completing the professional training program at l'École de danse contemporaine de Montréal in 2017, Gina has worked with local and international choreographers, musicians, visual artists and filmmakers. Notably, Gina performed her first solo work The Same, But Not Like Before at the 12th annual Saint John Contemporary Dance Festival as well as PERSPECTIVE 2022: An Evening of Dance and Discussion.
She collaborated with Connection Dance Works's New Music, New Dance residency, choreographed by Sarah Power. Most recently, Gina acted in Gravity Assist, a short film directed by filmmaker Ry O’Toole.
Photo Credit: Logan Hudson
Chris Van Green
Truro, Nova Scotia
Chris Van Green is a Canadian-based dancer who excels in performing, choreographing, and teaching. He collaborates with peers and aims to inspire the next generation of artists.
Chris's adaptability and willingness to push himself led him to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and Dance Performance from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Throughout his studies, he received recognition for his remarkable growth and passion for dance, which ultimately earned him the prestigious Kenny Pearl Award.
During his time at TMU, he dedicated himself to honing his skills in ballet, contemporary/modern, jazz, and urban floor work. He also delved deeper into his creative process, exploring new avenues of artistic expression.
Since graduating, Chris has had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse range of dancers, choreographers, and esteemed dance companies. Notable collaborations include Connection Dance Works, David Earle, Hannah Kiel, James Kudelka, Ballet Jorgen, and Fernando Melo.
Furthermore, he serves as a founding director of Blurred Bodies Dance Projects, a prominent Contemporary dance company based out of Truro, Nova Scotia. Additionally, he has co-founded EXPRESS Dance, an exciting troupe specializing in captivating performances encompassing cabaret, jazz, and burlesque genres.
Driven by his passion for movement, he has established CVG Fitness, a personal training business. Through this venture, he frequently trains dancers to enhance their strength and mobility. Chris leverages his experience in both the dance and fitness realms to guide artists in considering not only their time in the studio but also how to supplement, cross-train, and maintain a nourishing diet to support the longevity of their careers.
Photo Credit: 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐳
Anna Dysart
Saint John, NB
Anna Dysart is an emerging artist with a passion for multiple disciplines. Their journey in performing and creating began at an early age, with a dance background spanning 14 years. For the past three years, Anna has been an integral part of First City Young Company. Last summer, they showcased an original solo piece at the Saint John Contemporary Dance Festival, marking a significant milestone in their artistic career. Anna has also had the privilege of being mentored as an emerging artist by Connection Dance Works.
In dance, Anna's focus lies in cultivating their artistry through improvisation practice. They have dedicated several summers to training with esteemed teachers at Ross Creek Dance Summer Dance and SABO in Toronto, under the guidance of Darryl Tracy and Marie-Josée Chartier.
Anna is attending Toronto Metropolitan University Creative School for fashion design. Despite this new direction, Anna remains committed to continuing their journey in dance alongside their pursuit of fashion design.
Ian Gibson
Rothesay, NB
Based in Rothesay, New Brunswick, Ian performs regularly with Symphony New Brunswick and various other ensembles throughout the Greater Saint John Area. When not on stage, he is kept busy as a Percussion Teaching Artist for Sistema New Brunswick.
Prior to moving to New Brunswick in 2017, Ian was the Head of Percussion Studies at Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario, for twelve years. He was also the Classical Percussion Instructor at Laurentian University and the Principal Percussionist of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra.
Ian obtained both his Bachelor and Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Toronto, where he studied with the world renowned percussion ensemble NEXUS. He is currently endorsed by Innovative Percussion, Pearl Drums & Adams Percussion.
Sydney Hallett
Fredericton, NB
Sydney Hallett (She/Her) is a dancer/actor/choreographer based in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She has a BA in Fine Arts and English (Drama) from St. Thomas University and has been training in physical theatre with Solo Chicken Productions since 2017. She works with various local companies as a dance/theatre-maker and educator and creates and produces her own dance works. She believes in the power of accessibility in arts as a tool to create more dynamic, thoughtful, interesting artistic spaces, processes, and performances. As an actor, she has performed with Solo Chicken Productions, Bard in the Barracks, NotaBle Acts, Hyperloop Theatre, and Theatre St. Thomas. She has choreographed for St. Thomas University’s Musical Theatre Program, Theatre New Brunswick’s Theatre School, and had work featured in Connection Dance Works’ Perspective, Kinetic Studio’s Open Studio Series, and Carte Blanche Acadie. As a human, she enjoys spending time with friends on a sunny patio, going on adventures, and making delicious coffee.
Photo Credit: Kelly Baker
NIPAHTUWET NAKA WESPAHTUWET POSSESOM
Possesom Paul is a prominent Wolastoqiyik Indigenous Artist known for their multifaceted contributions to the world of arts and culture. In collaboration with Igor Dobrovolskiy, Possesom co-directed the groundbreaking Wolastoqiyik Story Ballet titled "Pisuwin," from its initial conception to its captivating creation.
Currently serving as the Director of Indigenous Programming at Atlantic Ballet Atlantique, Possesom Paul has been a driving force in promoting Indigenous perspectives within the arts. Their extensive body of work spans performance, dance, acting, choreography, cultural curation, consulting, emceeing, and teaching.
They are the Founder and CEO of Double Curve Media, a full-service Indigenous Owned Media company based in Sitansisk, Saint Mary’s First Nation. Their business provides a wide array of media services including production, recording, live event support, and social media. They cover everything from videography and stage management to event planning, artist management, and more, ensuring every project is executed with excellence and cultural integrity.
Possesom Paul's dedication to preserving and sharing Wolastoqiyik Indigenous culture through the arts has made them a respected figure in the Indigenous artistic community and beyond. With their diverse talents and unwavering commitment, they continue to honor and showcase the cultural legacy of the Wolastoqiyik people and inspire a new generation of artists.
Jamie Sunarko
Saint John, NB
Originally from Indonesia, Jamie began dance training in 2014 upon moving to Toronto, Canada. In 2015, Jamie joined Foreal Dance Company to train and compete in various post-collegiate dance competitions in Ontario.
Quickly becoming one of Foreal Dance Company’s lead choreographers, Jamie has choreographed for showcases and placed in competitions such as Hit The Floor and Final Stretch Dance Competition.
Jamie reveres hip-hop and street dance styles for their capacity for self-expression and community building, and hopes to champion these styles that are often misrepresented and underappreciated.
Photo Credit: Gina Grant