Participants in LEAD dance together

LEAD

Leadership, Empowerment, Action, Dance


LEAD—Leadership, Empowerment, Action, Dance—is a free workshop led by professional artists and community mentors that engages participants aged 16-25, who identify as women, two-spirit and/or genderqueer, to take on leadership roles in their community.


LEAD (Leadership, Empowerment, Action, Dance) is a free program led by professional artists and community mentors that empowers individuals who identify as women and nonbinary+ ages 16-25 to invest in their leadership practice. Co-presented by Canada's National Ballet School, Dance Saskatchewan, Ballet Edmonton, Bella Dance Academy and Halifax Dance, LEAD Regional Workshops use dance as a foundation from which to explore and invest in the unique leadership potential of each participant. Through active workshops, dance classes, facilitated discussions, and peer networking, LEAD empowers youth to connect their dance practice to questions of equity, belonging and social justice, supporting them in taking on leadership roles now and into the future.

 

The LEAD partners acknowledge the historical and contemporary failings of our art form including persistent, systemic inequities. We commit to honouring and celebrating the unique, intersectional identities of each of our contributors and participants while striving towards a culture of humility, integrity and respect. We strongly encourage application from individuals whose identities have been marginalized within leaderships structures including those who identify as LGBTQ2S+, Black, Indigenous and/or people of colour. Our application process intentionally embraces those traditionally excluded from leadership roles in the arts, highlighting the importance of specialized spaces that empower young individuals to explore and nurture their creative potential.


“I learned how dance connects people…This program took different parts of my life that I value, intertwined them and showed me how I can make a difference.” 
- NBS LEAD Participant

 

Through this workshop, participants will:

  • Participate in movement classes led by professional artists who represent diverse styles and practices

  • Collaborate and communicate with peers

  • Learn how community arts initiatives can be a catalyst for positive change in their community

  • Further develop their leadership, communication, and social and emotional skills

  • Learn about available online tools and supports

 

LEAD 2024 Regional Locations: 

  • LEAD Toronto - Hosted by Canada's National Ballet School - February 17 - 18, 2024

  • LEAD Halifax - Hosted by Halifax Dance - March 3, 2024

  • LEAD Edmonton - Hosted by Hosted by Ballet Edmonton - March 27 – 28, 2024

  • LEAD Saskatoon - Hosted by Dance Saskatchewan - February 16 – 19, 2024

  • LEAD Yellowknife - Hosted by Bella Dance Academy - April 6 – 7, 2024

 

Register for LEAD Toronto via email to Caitlin Marziali at caitlin.marziali@nbs-enb.ca

LEAD National Summit 2023

Tuesday, August 15 - Saturday, August 19

Day One

Tuesday August 15, 2023

Various times: Participant arrivals

Day Two

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Time

Activity

9:00 AM

Welcome & breakfast

9:30 AM

Icebreakers with Ashleigh Powell

10:30 AM

School and facilities tour

11:15 AM

Dance Workshop with Esie Mensah

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:15 PM

Creative Group Project Introduction

2:15 PM

Contemporary Dance Workshop with Peggy Baker

3:30 PM

Break

3:45 PM

Creative Groups - Participants Group Project

5:30 PM

Dinner

6:30 PM

Optional evening activity - Visit to the Distillery District

 

Day Three

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Time

Activity

10:00 AM

Breakfast

10:30 AM

Yoga and Mindfulness with New Leaf Foundation

11:30 AM

Creative Groups - Participants Group Project

12:15 PM 

Lunch

1:00 PM

Panel Discussion with Samantha Sutherland, Nichole Levek and Ravyn Wyngz

2:30 PM

Break

3:15 PM

Fancy Shawl Dance Workshop with Nichole Levek

5:30 PM

Dinner

 

Optional Evening Activity (TBD) 

Day Four

Friday, August 18, 2023

Time

Activity

10:00 AM

Breakfast

10:30 AM

Yoga and Mindfulness with New Leaf Foundation

11:30 AM

Creative Groups - Participants Group Project

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:15 PM

Team Building Workshop with Ashleigh Powell

2:15 PM

Dance Migration Workshop with Adrianna Yanuziello

3:30 PM

Break

3:45 PM

Creative Groups - Participants Group Project

5:30 PM

Dinner

 

Free Night

 

Day Five

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Time

Activity

9:00 AM

Breakfast

9:30 AM

National Network

10:45 AM

Creative Groups Rehearsal 

12:00 PM

Lunch

12:45 PM

Presentations/Closing

2:00 PM

Departures

 

Meet your workshop leaders

Learn more about our LEAD 2023 National Summit guest panelists and workshop instructors here!


Get acquainted with our guest panelists and workshop instructors ahead of the summit, and learn about their background in dance and leadership.

Peggy Baker

Contemporary dance workshop


Peggy Baker has been a vivid presence in contemporary dance for five decades, performing internationally in the work of Lar Lubovitch, Mark Morris (with Mikhail Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project), Doug Varone, Tere O’Connor, Molissa Fenley, and Charles Moulton (New York); Fortier Danse-Creation (Montreal); Dancemakers and Toronto Dance Theatre. She established Peggy Baker Dance Projects in 1990, and for the first 20 years she dedicated herself to solo performance, winning rapturous praise for the eloquence and depth of her dancing. Since 2010 she has focused her choreography on ensemble dances and co-created solos for new generation dancers. Among her many honours are The Order of Canada, the Carsen Prize, the Premiere’s Award, the Governor General’s award, honorary doctorates from York and the University of Calgary and six Doras. She is the long-serving Artist-in-Residence at Canada’s National Ballet School and a fellow of the Bogliasco Foundation in Liguria, Italy.

Nichole Leveck

Fancy Shawl workshop, panelist


Born and raised in Scarborough Ontario.

 

Her family is Wyandat, Algonquin, Irish and French who originate from the Ottawa Valley of Madawaska, Griffith and Matawatchan Ontario.

 

A fancy shawl and Jingle dress dancer for more than 15 years here in Toronto, teaching dance for more than 10 years.

 

Photo by Matt Barnes

Esie Mensah

Dance workshop


Esie Mensah is an award winning choreographer, director, dancer, movement director, educator, and TEDx speaker. A member of the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers as well as a two-time Dora nominated artist who has worked with megastars like Rihanna, Drake, Janelle Monae, Nelly Furtado and Arcade Fire to historic brands like Holt Renfrew, Coca-Cola, TIFF, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto Raptors, and more. In theatre Mensah has worked on Russian Play, Victory, Farmers’ Revolt (Shaw Festival), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Soulpepper), Dixon Road (Musical Stage/Obsidian), New Monuments (Canadian Stage), and Serving Elizabeth (Theatre Aquarius). Original creations include ZAYO, Dora-nominated Shades, and films A Revolution of Love, and TESSEL. Recently commissioned by Canada’s National Ballet School for Assemblée International, Robert Binet (Ballet) and Mensah (Afrofusion) co-choreographed the world premiere of “The Call” on a cast of local and international students. Esie was the choreographer for Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha: A Musical Reimagining presented by TOLive, the Luminato Festival and Volcano Theatre.

New Leaf Foundation

Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor: Tai


About New Leaf Foundation
 
New Leaf Foundation supports young people in marginalized communities through programs, education, and resources that use meditative practices, such as mindfulness and yoga, to address the causes and impacts of chronic stress. Their aim is to increase the mental, emotional, and physical wellness of youth and respond to the lack of equal access to resources that many young people in low-income and marginalized communities experience.
 
Watch our video: Investing in Youth Mental Health | New Leaf Foundation
 
Learn more about New Leaf Foundation: newleaffoundation.com
Instagram: @newleaffoundationTO
Facebook: @newleaffoundationTO

Samantha Sutherland

Panelist


Samantha is an Indigenous contemporary dance artist, choreographer, and teacher based in Tkaronto.  Her ancestry is Ktunaxa and Scottish/British Settler.  She grew up on Coast Salish Territories and graduated from the Arts Umbrella Dance Diploma Program in 2018.  Samantha has presented her own solo works in the Matriarchs Uprising Festival by O.Dela Arts, the Paprika Festival, Sharing the Stage with the National Ballet of Canada, Night Shift, Common Ground Dance Festival, Weesageechak Begins to Dance, and at the National Arts Centre. She is currently an Artistic Associate with O.Dela Arts.


Samantha explores what aspects of her culture, history, and traditional knowledge can be pulled into her contemporary dance practice. She strives to keep what she values and loves about classical training and use it to tell the Indigenous story.

 

Photo by Jeysa Caridad.

Ravyn Wngz

Panelist


Ravyn Wngz “The Black Widow of Burlesque” is a Tanzanian, Bermudian, Afro-indigenous 2Spirit, Queer and Transcendent empowerment storyteller. Ravyn is an abolitionist and co-founder of ILL NANA/DiverseCity Dance Company, Black Lives Matter Canada, & the Wildseed Centre for Arts & Activism, A Canadian Best Selling Author, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee (with Black Lives Matter) and Top 25 Women of Influence in Canada recipient of 2021. Ravyn is committed to eradicating all forms of anti-Black racism, settler colonialism systems of oppression while nurturing Black and Indigenous solidarity and healing in communities.  Her research is currently being used by DanceMakers to aid in the restructuring of the organization and moving forward with a healing justice community centered approach.


Photo credit: Jackie Brown Photography

Adrianna Yanuziello

Dance migration workshop


Adrianna Yanuziello, a driving force in Brazilian arts for 18 years, shines in dance, choreography, production, and education. As CEO of Dance Migration in Toronto, she's a global influencer.


From classical ballet to dazzling audiences in FAME at 17, Adrianna's journey led her to graduate from Ryerson University in 2006. Guided by Master Rosangela Silvestre, she immersed herself for 15 years in Brazilian dance, fostering connections between Canada and Brazil.


Adrianna's workshops span continents, from Brazil to Canada, captivating enthusiasts worldwide. Currently, she's unveiling a groundbreaking Toronto production and the awaited Dance Migration Documentary. Learn more at www.dancemigration.com. Adrianna Yanuziello transforms lives through her impactful work, standing as a beacon of inspiration in Brazilian arts.

 

Press Release

New Sport Canada Funding Empowers Young Women to LEAD Through Dance

Dance teachers learn in a hands-on class

Part-Time Courses for Dance Teachers

Enrich your dance teaching education! Our part-time Professional Development Program offers dance teachers the opportunity to augment their experience, enhance their skills and add to their teaching qualifications.

Addressing Racialization in Ballet Symposium

Addressing Racialization in Ballet Symposium

In this Canada-United States Symposium, participants engage in meaningful and solutions-oriented discussions of equity, diversity and inclusion.

A teacher leads a creative movement class

Educator Webinars and Courses

Bring the joy of dance to your classroom! Our ongoing courses and webinars for educators will support you in preparing to engage your students through dance.

Let's get
In Touch

Do you have any questions about LEAD? Complete the email form, or contact megan.ferris@nbs-enb.ca.

Canada’s National Ballet School’s (NBS) national expansion of its LEAD program is supported in part by the Government of Canada through Sport Canada’s Sport Support Program. The contribution from Sport Canada will support NBS as it scales the LEAD program, developing a national network alongside regional partners, artists, mentors and community leaders.

Presented by:

Government Partners