LEAD

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.