Addressing Racialization in Ballet.

Friday February 4, 2022

All times are in EST

6:00 pm ReConnect Choreographic Process

Aïcha Bastien-N’Diaye, Dance artist, Creative Content Creator, AfroIndigenous
Starr Muranko, Co-Artistic Director, Raven Spirit Dance

6:03 pm Welcome Remarks

The Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard, PhD, C.M., O.N.S.
Senator - Nova Scotia (East Preston)

6:05 pm Recap

Lauri Fitz-Pegado, Advisor, Author and Ballet Teacher

6:15 pm Panel – Voices of Current Dancers: Changing Environment...or Not?
Moderator: Royce Zackery, Associate Professor, Howard University – Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.; Instructor of Ballet and collaborator of Community Engagement and Internships The Washington Ballet, The ARC Townhall Education and Recreation Center, and the Dance Institute of Washington
Panelists:
Portia Adams, Professional Ballet Dancer, Les ballet de Monte-Carlo
Nardia Boodoo, Dancer, The Washington Ballet
Livona Ellis, Dancer, Ballet BC
Siphesihle November, Principal Dancer, The National Ballet of Canada

7:05 pm Break

7:15 pm Panel – The Role of Awareness and Cultural Competence in Teaching Ballet
Moderator: Lauri Fitz-Pegado
Panelists: 
Ronald K. Alexander, Independent Arts Consultant, Dance Educator, and Choreographer
John Alleyne, Artistic Advisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Canada’s National Ballet School
Zane Booker, Co-founder of the Kitchen Table Dance Collective: Senior Teacher and Coach at Philadanco
Endalyn Taylor, Dean of Dance, School of Dance – University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Laurel Toto, Head of Junior School and Rehearsal Director for The Nutcracker, Canada's National Ballet School

8:25 pm Panel – Why EDI is Good Business: Opportunities and Strategies (Administrative Perspectives)
Moderator: John Dalrymple, Executive Director, Canada’s National Ballet School
Speakers: 
Rebecca Ferrell, Director of Programs, Dance/USA
Laveen Naidu, Director of Dance, The St. James
Alix Laurent, Executive Director, L'École supérieure de ballet du Québec
Gideon Arthurs, CEO, National Theatre School (Canada)

9:15 pm Adjourn

Saturday February 5, 2022

All times are in EST


10:00 am Opening/Welcome & Recap

10:05 am Indigenous Values and Relationship Building through Dance

Margaret Grenier, Executive and Artistic Director, Dancers of Damelahamid
Starr Muranko, Co-Artistic Director, Raven Spirit Dance

10:25 am From Learning to Action: Mapping and Measuring Change

This session will explore the role of data and evaluation in the integration of equity practices; looking at tools to define, measure and hold ourselves accountable to the change we want to see. Areas of focus will include:

  • The basics and benefits of program evaluation
  • Connecting data to organizational values and principles
  • Frameworks to manage complex goals
  • Community consultation and participatory practice

Discussion and questions will be encouraged throughout what we hope will be a lively exchange of ideas. No previous experience with evaluation necessary!

12:00 pm Break

12:15 pm From Learning to Action: Mapping and Measuring Change …continued

2:00 pm Adjourn


Read more about speakers and panelists.