NBS Block Party | Canada's National Ballet School

Toronto-based Tanveer Alam, trained in Kathak under Sudeshna Maulik and Sandhya Desai and holds a western contemporary dance degree from Dance Arts Institute. He has performed in works by Lata Pada, Padmini Chettur, Harikishan S. Nair, Brandy Leary and others. As an emerging choreographer, he has presented work at SummerWorks Festival, Battery Dance Festival +, and CanAsian Dance Festival. His curatorial contributions include programming with Dancemakers, TOES FOR DANCE, and CanAsian Dance. In the 24/25 season, Alam performed solos at Vilaya Festival, New York Kathak Festival, and Navatman Black Box Baithak. He choreographed for Sampradaya Dance Creation’s Salaam Rahman and premiered Ibaadat, a collaborative work with Barkha Patel, at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai.

Social media handle: @zahra_moves

Drey Dance Company was founded in 2017 by Dreyser García in the hopes of building a Cuban-Canadian community that felt as supportive, fun, and loving as Dreyser's community back in Havana. After lots of hard work and persistence, Drey Dance Academy has become a place where students find positivity and support, no matter their age, experience, or background.

Drey Dance Company offers a wide range of Latin dance styles, providing not just dance education but a cultural experience that celebrates the traditions and music of Cuba. You're always welcome here, whether you're just finding your rhythm or mastering advanced moves!

A dance artist: director, choreographer, mentor, dramaturg, curator, jury member, producer and performer.  A career spanning 24 years they have performed across Canada, Europe and in New York. Eilers recently attended Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity as Dance Artist In Residence 2023 to develop their newest choreography “Under The Same Sky”. In 2022 they attended COLOURS International Dance Festival (Stuttgart, Germany) with Shahar Binaymini (mentor OAC Chalmers Professional Development Grant 2021). Eilers has worked with artists Andrea Nann, Kathleen Rea, Peggy Baker, Megan English, Red Betti Theatre, Mayumi Lashbrook, Open Hearts Theatre, Industry and Kaeja D’dance. A graduate of the York University dance program (2004), Sid worked with Motus O Dance Theatre (2000-2006). In February 2014, Eilers founded Aeris Körper Contemporary Dance, through which they have produced and choreographed a number of immersive site specific performances and events in Hamilton, Burlington, Toronto and across the GTA. Acknowledging the oppressive constructs of how Canada was founded and continues to be shaped; Eilers engages in anti-oppressive work through Public Delegation with the City of Hamilton, Workshops with: Righting Relations, Neighbour 2 Neighbour, Sharing Privilege and Dodem Kenosha. Eilers is artistic staff at Canada’s National Ballet School, facilitating Contemporary Dance in their Community, Adult and Young Dancers Programs; and founder of TRANScenDANCE thanks to Rainbow One. Eilers cares for their growing child, two sentinel cats, and elderly mother.

Edmund “Edz” Gyamfi better known by his stage name Edz Gyamfi, is a Ghanaian-Canadian dancer and choreographer from Ottawa, Ontario Canada. His main dance styles consist of Hip Hop, Dancehall & Afro Dance.

Edz has devoted his studies and travel to places like Jamaica, New York & L.A along with taking virtual programs. He has trained and studied with Commercial Industry Leaders such as world renowned Commercial Choreographers Rhapsody James, Luam Kyflegy and Galen Hooks. He’s also trained with Street Dance OGs & creators in Buddha Stretch, Popping Pete, Chrybaby, HypeGirl & Mr.YouTube.

Furthermore, Edz has had the opportunity to also learn and train from Professor Orville (Dancexpressionz), DHevolution by BlingEvo, Dancehall Vybz Spirit and Zidan- from Xqlusiv Dance Crew

Credits include: SportCheck, Moore's Clothing, Elephant Man, CBCarts- The Move Season 2, Mustafa the Poet, French Montana & Swae Lee, Netflix- Madam CJ Walker, Medea- COC, and many more.

Check out his website www.edzgyamfi.com 

Emilie Jabouin is a multi-disciplinary intuitive dance artist and scholar who brings history to life through creative practice and performance. Under the guidance of Master drummer and choreographer Peniel Guerrier, Emilie pivoted her contemporary dance practice to focus on Haitian dance forms and found her calling as knowledge keeper of Haitian folk culture–drumming, singing and dancing. As part of her commitment to social transformation and justice, Emilie designed a series of introductory workshops to heal the body, mind and spirit through movement, chanting and rhythm play for various levels and abilities.

Nichole Leveck is a Wyandot artist from Toronto. She has been a fancy shawl and jingle dress dancer for more than 13 years and has been teaching for more than eleven years at various organizations throughout the Greater Toronto Area. She's been featured dancing in music videos and performed at the 2019 Polaris Music Prize Gala. Nichole strives to be a positive role model within the Indigenous community of Toronto.

Miss Lu began dancing at the age of three and has been in love with it ever since. She is professionally trained in various genres including Ballet, Chinese Classical and Ethnic, Jazz, Modern Contemporary, Hip Hop and Latin Dance. She has performed and choreographed professionally for over 15 years, with repertoire work showcased in media, live stage productions, and theatrical performances. She currently is the Artistic Director of Norman Dance Company, sharing her passion for dance and her knowledge of Chinese Arts & Culture with students of all ages. As a former graduate from the Ryerson University’s Performance Production program, Tia also works independently in Production Stage Management and Costume Design to enhance her artistic career.

Get a rare glimpse of the students in their element as they attend rehearsals and a variety of dance classes such as ballet, contemporary and Afrofusion.

Presented on The Anna McCowan-Johnson Stage in The Betty Oliphant Theatre at 404 Jarvis Street, Toronto, drop in anytime between 11am–4pm. Guests are welcome to come and go throughout!

MJ Tortola- MJ is a York University alumna and has been with Culture Philippines of Ontario (CPO) for 13 years as a dancer and now a co-instructor. She has performed with CPO in numerous festivals, including international performances in Spain and Poland. As an immigrant, MJ has always stayed in tune with her Filipino culture through original Pilipino music (OPM) and wanted to explore Philippine folk arts. With CPO, MJ has fallen in love with the diversity of traditional Philippine folk music and dance from different regions and allowed her to connect with her Bukidnon tribal roots. As a co-dance instructor for CPO, she aspires to continue sharing her heritage by inspiring the younger generation to learn and embrace Filipino culture.

Justine Del Rosario- Justine is a co-dance instructor at Culture Philippines of Ontario (CPO). She joined the troupe to learn more about her heritage and while reconnecting with her Filipino roots, she found herself discovering a passion for dance and music. Within her 10 years at CPO, she’s performed internationally in Poland and Spain and across the GTA, including the largest multi-cultural festival in Canada, Carassauga. As a co-dance instructor, she hopes to continue sharing the Filipino culture with her community and inspire young performers to learn more about Philippine folk art. 

Professionally, Justine earned a Bachelor of Business Administration at University of Toronto and currently works in digital marketing.

Willem Sadler is a Hip Hop and contemporary dancer based in Toronto, Ontario. Willem has had the opportunity to perform and show his work Internationally. As a young dancer and performer, his drive has always come from his love for movement performance and his connection to music. Following many years solely training in street styles, he expanded his training in this artform, beginning to train in a multitude of styles. Willem defines himself as a versatile dancer/creator and strives to squash the separation of ‘styles’, presenting dance as movement without restrictions.

Throughout his career Willem has performed and collaborated with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Mirvish, Little Pear Garden, Dusk Dances, Dance Collection Danse, Zata OMM, CCDT, ProArteDanza and Côté Danse. In his commercial dance career he has performed for the Pan American Games, Roots Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart, Artists in Motion Dance Company and has taught at Toronto’s leading studios such as Run The Flex and StudioNorth Toronto. Willem has presented works at 1234 Dance Arts, RAW Artists Canada, and the Battery Dance Festival (NYC). Willem has had the opportunity to perform as part of some of North America's most recognized dance festivals: Fall For Dance, Festival des Art de Saint-Sauveur and Fall For Dance North. Willem is deeply grateful for the opportunity to express freely as an artist and is committed to enhancing the vibrancy of the Toronto dance community. @willemsadler

Lopa Sarkar is a visionary leader bringing together arts, education, and entrepreneurship, with a proven track record of shaping innovative programs and initiatives. From pioneering the Education and Outreach Program at Canada's largest theatre to spearheading national initiatives in London, England that bridge business and education, Lopa has consistently championed diversity and inclusivity in the creative industries. With a passion for coaching, she guides leadership teams in renowned arts organizations and mentors creative entrepreneurs, persistently fostering creativity, inclusivity, and innovation.

Learn more about Lopa at www.lopasarkar.com

Lopa Sarkar is a globally acclaimed choreographer and performer renowned for her distinctive style and mastery of diverse dance forms spanning over three decades. With a wealth of experience in world dance, she has become a sought-after figure, revered for her ground breaking contributions to Bollywood and Indian fusion dance. Lopa's trailblazing spirit has propelled her to international stages, where she choreographs, teaches, and performs, captivating audiences with her vibrant energy and innovative choreography.

Learn more about the Lopa Sarkar School of Dance at www.bollywooddancetoronto.com

Steel Pan Kam -

My name is Kam (Steel Pan Kam) I have been playing pan for 20 years and an Alumni member of the Hamilton Youth Steel Orchestra (HYSO). From local events to overseas, playing became a passion. I hope to bring positive vibes and joy to any event space, playing in many genres of music, Latin, reggae, soca, & pop to name a few! Feel free to dance, sing, & hold a vibe with me. @steelpan.kam

Marrlow Paisley -

Born in Hamilton, Ontario. Marrlow Paisley's journey has a musician began at the of 20 when he started playing steel pan, as a member of the Hamilton Youth Steel Orchestra. The instrument ignited his passion for sound and rhythm and connected him with his Caribbean roots. Since fostering his talents as an instrumentalist, he has ventured into the music industry as an R&B artist and producer whose music can be found on all streaming platforms. @marrlowpaisley