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 and nonbinary+ to take on leadership roles in their community.
LEAD, presented by The Apricus Foundation and powered by Canada’s National Ballet School, is a national program that provides meaningful opportunities for young leaders to unlock their confidence and potential through dance. LEAD began as a workshop in Toronto and has since grown into a series of regional workshops across the country, culminating in an annual National Summit.
LEAD Regional and National Summits 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.
NBS, LEAD and its 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 leadership 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.
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
Regional Events
Co-presented by Canada's National Ballet School and local dance institutions LEAD Regional Workshops use dance as a foundation from which to explore and invest in the unique leadership potential of each participant. Over the free 1-2-day regional workshop local participants will take part in movement classes across a range of styles, facilitated discussions, and peer networking.
“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
Upcoming LEAD Regional Locations:
-
LEAD Toronto - Hosted by Canada's National Ballet School - February 15 - 16, 2025
Apply for LEAD Toronto HERE. Applications for the Toronto Regional Workshop close Februrary 7, 2025.
LEAD Saskatoon 2025 and LEAD Halifax 2025 information coming soon!
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 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