Faculty
The Vancouver Global Dance Project is committed to assembling the highest quality of contemporary dance instructors and choreographers. Each member of the faculty has been sought after for their unique talent, vision, professional experience and knowledge.
Directors
Brenna M. McLaud was born in New York where she gained an extensive dance background from The Ailey School, Broadway Dance Center, New York Institute of Dance and Education, Lou Conte Dance Center, and Giordano Dance Center in Chicago, IL where she trained on scholarship as the youngest recipient in history of the company. McLaud began her professional career with a two year tour with RCL Productions and went on to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Dance from The School for Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia. Here she was chosen to perform works by great Canadian choreographers such as Serge Bennenthan, Paul Andre-Fortier, and the newly appointed Artistic Director of Ballet BC, Emily Molnar. She has worked with companies such as Wen Wei Dance, Move:the company, dancersdancing, and is an ongoing principal dancer for the Kaleidoscope Dance Theater. She has also had the privilege of being featured in recent works created by Chenguin Wei for the EDAM dance series and Henry Daniel for Dancing on the Edge 2009.
McLaud now dances professionally in Vancouver and recently established The Landing Dance Center, a professional rehearsal space and dance resource for aspiring and professional dancers and choreographers. McLaud is also the creative director of The Landing Dance Center, a youth-based dance company. McLaud is enthusiastic about nurturing young talent and is thrilled to be a part of VGDP.
Claire French was born in the UK where she gained a first class BA (Hons) in Dance with Inter-Arts (Bretton Hall, UK). Now a Vancouver-based choreographer, Claire directs her own independent dance company Restless Productions and she is also part of the 3√60 collective with film-maker Allison Beda and composer James Maxwell. Claire received an MFA in Interdisciplinary Studies from SFU, Canada and from 2005-2007 she was Dance Artist in Residence at Leeds University, UK before returning to Canada to teach Dance Composition at SFU the following fall. During her time in Vancouver Claire has initiated Project CPR (Choreographic Practice and Research) in association with The Dance Centre, where she was Artist in Residence. Recent choreographic works include Outside Out, featuring Heather Laura Gray and Inside Outside In featuring Laura Hicks. Earlier this year Claire choreographed a multi-cultural performance with 50 dancers and a 600 strong school choir for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Celebrations. Claire has new independent work in development in the UK and Canada, and she is co-choreographing the original, contemporary musical Sweet Mystery with Heather Laura Gray. She is currently Artist in Residence at The Landing Dance Center and a member of the Canadian Dance Assembly.
Guest Choreographers
Susan Elliott was born and raised in Vancouver and is the Artistic Director of Anatomica. Elliott has been an active member of the Canadian dance milieu these past twenty years, working as a dancer, teacher, choreographer and rehearsal director. Recent activities include a choreographic commission from Mocean Dance (Halifax) premiering March 2010, rehearsal director for Co. Vision Selective and Lola Dance and choreographing for Radix Theatre. Upcoming projects include creating a new work with theatre artist Tanya Marquardt and participating as a mentor to emerging dance artists at The VECC this spring. Elliott held the position of Dance Artist in Residence at The Vancouver East Cultural Centre from 2000-4, is the inaugural recipient of The Isadora Award and was nominated for a Dora Award for outstanding performance in her solo, Falls the Shadow. Elliott is a member of CADA/BC, The Dancers Transition Resource Centre and The Dance Centre.
Justine A. Chambers is a Vancouver-based independent contemporary dance artist. She was a principal dancer with Desrosiers Dance Theatre, a member of Diavolo Dance Theater in Los Angeles and has worked with a number of independent choreographers worldwide including: Kota Yamazaki (Japan), Julia Sasso, Turbo Bonz Dance Projects, Atlas Moves Watching Dance Projects, Vicki St. Denys, Sonya Biernath, Roxanne Huilmand (Brussels) Princess Productions, Heidi Strauss, Conrad Alexandrowicz, and Darryl Tracy. In addition to being on faculty at Ryerson University, Dance Teq, The Quinte Ballet School, and the Teacher's Collective in Toronto, she was invited to hold master classes at McMaster University, Park Avenue Dance Company (Rochester, NY), and Victoria Danceworks. Chambers is currently on faculty at Arts Umbrella and is currently artist in residence to the dance program. She also teaches at Harbour Dance Centre in Vancouver and works actively as a rehearsal director, and has notably directed a remount of James Kudelka's Soudain L'Hiver Dernier and the Autumn movement of John Alleyn's Four Seasons. Chambers has been commissioned to create work for the Music Gallery, Ryerson Dances, Quinte Ballet School, Series 8:08 Season Finale, Arts Umbrella Dance Company, Dances for a Small Stage, and Contingency Plan, SFU Contemporary Dance and Elev8 in Victoria. She has also collaborated on theatre projects as a movement coach and choreographer. In 2007, she was artist in residence at Colour School where she created a solo work in collaboration with conceptual artist and arts educactor, Kristina Podesva. Chambers was featured in David Bowie's music video Dead Man Walking, and has appeared in Canadian television specials, films and in international industrial performances. In February 2010 she and co-creator Deanna Peters presented a new work One + the Other at New Dance Horizons in Regina. She has recently performed in 'this time' a full length duet created by Heidi Strauss for Chambers and Brendan Wyatt. Chambers and video artist, Josh Hite, are currently creating "Copy" a multi-disciplinary and participatory work that explores duplication, mimicry, degeneration and repetition by allowing dancers and viewers to simultaneously co-create the piece as a whole.
Lara barclay Upon graduation from the National Ballet School, Lara was invited to perform Peggy Baker's solo, Brahm's Waltzes at the prestigious John Neuemier School in Hamburg, Germany in 1994. She went on to spend the next 12 years of her life dancing with various European companies and choreographers such as: Martin Stiefermann, Jan Lauwers and Ballet Mannheim under the direction of Kevin O'Day and Dominique Dumais. She has collaborated with Canadian choreographers Crystal Pite, Matjash Mrozewski, James Kudelka, Susan McKenzie, Robert Glumbek, Sasha Ivanochko and spent three years dancing and touring with the Toronto Dance Theatre under the direction of Christopher House. In 2005/2006, Lara took part in Deborah Colker's piece "Maracana," which toured through Europe for seven months performing in Germany, Austria and Croatia, running parallel to the World Cup 2006.
Lara has been an active participant in dance workshops, meeting the likes of: Lloyd Newson, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Frey Faust, Joe Alegado and Itzik Galili. She was a 1997 scholarship recipient for the Dance Web in Vienna and in 2000, was awarded a Canada Council Professional Development to further explore dance and its diversity in places like Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, New York and Montreal. In 2004, Lara was a finalist in Stuttgart's annual solo competition and toured through Germany with a dynamic 10-minute solo choreographed by Robert Glumbek.
Alongside performing, Lara enjoys teaching and choreographing. She has taught at several companies and institutions worldwide. In her work, she enjoys pushing physical and emotional boundaries, is passionate about the creative process and is always open to the act of improvisation. Lara is also a certified Yoga instructor and has taught in both Canada and Germany.
Cori Caulfield, Artistic Director of both Coriograph Theatre and Caulfield School of Dance, has toured extensively with her “meticulously crafted solos” (The Globe and Mail) in Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Asia. She has also performed as a dancer, actor, and singer in the works of other well known Canadian choreographers such as Marie Chouinrad, Cornelius Fischer-Credo, Jennifer Mascall, and, beginning with a 2001 Guest Artist residency at William Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt, Crystal Pite.
Cori has been teaching for over 25 years and has instructed and choreographed for many performing arts groups and institutions both locally and abroad including Victoria’s Belfry Theatre (for the Electric Company’s smash hit, Brilliant!, Evergreen Cultural Centre’s “How I Became Queen” by A.K. Coope, the Goh Ballet Academy and Company (of which she was a member), Dancestreams Youth Dance Company, Main Dance, the University of Lethbridge, Concordia University, and Ballet Divertimento in Montreal, the University of Alberta, and Patravadi Theatre Company in Bangkok, Thailand. She has been a guest speaker at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, Main Dance, and Grant McEwan College. Through MovEnt, Cori was one of eight choreographers commissioned to create new pieces on Ballet British Columbia in June, 2011.
Cori has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University and a diploma in Limon Modern Dance Technique from the Limon Institute, New York. She continues to enhance her teaching not only through performing and choreographing professional dance and theatre, but also by pursuing advanced learning opportunities.
Farley Johansson Farley is a an independent performer, teacher, and choreographer currently based in Vancouver, Canada. He studied Classical Ballet, Modern and Contemporary Dance at the New Zealand School of Dance. He is the Co-Artistic Director of Science Friction, which was formed in 2003 with partner Shannon Moreno. Farley has had his work shown in Canada, Germany, England, Serbia and Brazil.
He has danced with Kassel Tanztheater(D), Osnabrück Tanztheater(D), Staats Oper Unter den Linden-Berlin(D), Deutsche Oper Berlin(D), Edam Dance, Wen Wei Dance, Movent, Kinesis Dance, The Holy Body Tattoo, Ballet Victoria and the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Farley has taught for the Osnabrück Tanztheater(D), Ballett Hagen(D), Tanztheater Giessen(D), Oldenburg Tanztheater (D), Marameo Tanz Studio(D), Dock 11(D), Akadamie des Tanzes Mannheim(D), CADA Professional Classes(Vancouver), Simon Fraser University, Arts Umbrella, Wen Wei Dance, Ballet Victoria.
Amber Funk Barton Born and raised in Vancouver, Amber received her training with Goh Ballet Academy, Arts Umbrella, The Banff Centre Dance Training and Ballet British Columbia’s Mentor Programme.
Upon completion of her training, she established herself as an independent dance artist in Vancouver and has danced for various companies and choreographers, such as Joe INK, LINK dance, Judith Marcuse Projects, Lola Dance, Marta Marta House of Pride, Mascall Dance, MovEnt, Battery Opera, Karen Jamieson Dance Company, MOVE: the company, Ruckus Company Productions, Mark Godden, Dana Gingras, Marla Eist, Jennifer Clarke, Emily Molnar, Wen Wei Wang, Cori Caulfield and Lina Fitzner. She has also performed as a guest artist with The 605 Collective.
As a choreographer, Amber is building a reputation for her unique style of athletic hybrid movement and has had her work presented in various venues in Vancouver, across Canada and internationally at the Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff, Wales and On the Boards in Seattle, WA. Amber is the inaugural recipient of the Iris Garland Emerging Choreographer Award as well as the 2007 recipient of the Holy Body Tattoo Emerging Artist Award. In 2008, Amber established her own Vancouver-based contemporary dance company, the response., with the premiere of her first full length work, RISK. This season, in addition to touring the Made IN BC Network with The 605 Collective, she is working on the development of her next full-length work.
Instructors
Tamara Thompson Levi Tamara is a sought after instructor, choreographer & educator. Her expertise, dedication & vibrant spirit have earned her a professional reputation of high esteem among peers, students & colleagues across Canada and the globe.
With a career spanning 15 years she brings experience as a professional performer, choreographer, instructor & fitness expert to projects for stage, film, TV and other creative works. Her training began at renowned dance schools in her hometown of Edmonton, Canada and she has continued to train with the best in New York, LA, Toronto & Vancouver building a dance repertoire that includes a wide range of genres from ballet to jazz, contemporary, tap theatre & a variety of ethnic styles.
Tamara has taught in dance schools across Canada preparing students for exams, competitions and post secondary training while instilling in them a love of dance & dedication to their craft. Tamara's stage performances have taken her across Canada to the US and overseas for Calvin Klein, New Balance, Toni & Guy, Charlottetown Festival, Alberta Ballet and Festival Cruise Line. Tamara's on screen appearances include the TV movies Big Beat Heat, Impulse, the multi award winning dance film Black Angels, as well as numerous commercials & music videos.
Tamara is the creator & producer of the annual Shine Dance Festival, a competitive dance event for youth currently in it's 5th season. These days, in addition to her professional work, Tamara keeps busy as mom to one year old Milo. She loves sharing her passion for performing with students and colleagues and is always seeking new opportunities to expand her horizons and fulfill her love for travel, people, and community through her work.
Kyle Vicente is an up and coming multi-fasit performer & choreographer. His humble beginnings started his talented dance career at the age of 13. Growing up in Vancouver, BC has exposed him to what the arts have to offer.
He has trained in many forms of dance such as: Hip-Hop, Popping, Waving, Locking, Krumping, Oldschool, Jazz, Contemporary, House & Stage. He is currently teaching at Drive Dance Centre on Commercial Drive in Vancouver, BC. Recent work includes: "Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief", "Kickin' It Old School", "Center Stage 2", "Fantastic Four 2", "Another Cinderella Story 2", "Spectacular", "Psych (American Duos)", "Kyle XY", "Eureka" & more. He has performed at events such as: "For The Luv Of It", "Canadian Hip-Hop Championships", Opening for "Fabolous", "Jayme Armstrong", & has also performed at the annual event "San francisco Hip-Hop Dance Festival" along side with the America's best dance crew "The Jabbawokeez". Kyle has also adjudicated at the Lions Club Chilliwack Festival. He has trained with "The SOULdiers Company", "The Source Dance Company" & is currently training out of Harbour Dance Centre & Drive Dance Centre. Kyle has travelled to Los Angeles to train at The Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio and the EDGE Performing Arts Center.
Kyle's desire is to motivate and inspire others to better themselves in their artistic fields & to see the passion that people put into their own creative interpretation.
Edmond Kilpatrick Kilpatrick's ballet career has included time with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens,The Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Ballet Jorgen. For six years Edmond's focus turned to modern dance working for many local companies such as the Judith Marcuse Dance Co., Kinesis Dance, Lola MacLaughlin Dance Co., Jumpstart, Plan B. and Ontario's Dancetheatre David Earle.
In 9 seasons with Ballet BC Edmond has created the roles of Daved in "Carmina Burana", Mitch in "A Streetcar Named Desire", the title role in "Orpheus" and Oberon in "The Faerie Queen" all ballets by John Alleyne. Other notable Ballet BC roles include Don Jose in "Carmen", "The Winter Room", "a/way Inside", "9 Sinatra Songs" and the Muscleman in "Petrouchka".
As a choreographer Edmond has presented a number of works including most recently "Haunted" at the Chutzpah festival, choreography in the film "E Vuoto per Amore", "Loveletters" in Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo. "Love in an Elevator" and "Crime Scene" at Dances for a Small Stage and the Dancing on the Edge Festival, and "Man" for Plan B Productions. He has also been commissioned to create works on the Ballet BC Mentor program, Arts Umbrella Junior Co. and the Visions Dance Co..
Along with his career as a dancer Edmond has developed a program designed to introduce and train boys to dance. It is currently a part of the Arts Umbrella dance program and has 30 boys participating. From 1998-2000 Edmond founded and directed the Edmond Kilpatrick Dance Ensemble producing dance programs presented in Vancouver and its lower mainland and Victoria. He was also a member of the BC Arts Council jury from 2000-2003.
robin merchant is a Culture Connect Ambassador, expanding opportunities in arts education for young artists worldwide. She is focused on promoting the value of arts education and uses dance as a catalyst to change individuals’ lives for the better.
Robin’s career spans around the globe. She is dedicated to preparing young dancers for serious careers in dance, theatre and film, while developing the discipline,
self-confidence and creativity that every individual needs for success in life. Her combined goals, knowledge and technique has resulted in her becoming a highly sought after master teacher, adjudicator, lecturer and choreographer by many prestigious institutions across Canada, India and Europe.
Robin is currently an active choreographer within the Indian, Canadian and European dance industry. Known for her lofty concepts and playful style, she has orchestrated performances for some of the industry’s creme de la creme, choreographed countless commercials, film projects, live events, and even appeared in several hit reality television shows. Some credits include: MIA HBO special, The Cheetah Girls - One World, National V Energy Drink Dance Tour, Dancing With The Stars India, Fashion Week In Paris and commercials including 7-up, Reebok, Sony Vaio Laptops, Lays Patato Chips, World Gold Council, Samsung, Reliance, and countless more. Outside of choreography, Robin has recently been booked to perform on Oscar Winning Musician - AR Rahman's world tour.
As a choreographer, Robin views media as one of the most powerful tools to inspire individuals to engage in social change. She continuously challenges herself to take creative risks, experiment, and effectively communicate meaningful statements through her choreography. As an instructor, Robin feels great pride in seeing her students evolve into mature, creative and inspired dancers.
Heather Laura Gray received her training from L'ecole Superieure de Danse du Quebec, the Goh Ballet Academy, Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts and Lyric School of Acting. Over the past 14 years Heather's eclectic talents have allowed her to perform on stage and screen as a dancer, actor and singer. She has produced and directed full length stage shows as well as events. Heather is very excited to be choreographing alongside Claire French for the new musical "Sweet Mystery" due to hit the stage November 2010 in Vancouver. The Industry Dance Training Program of Vancouver is Heather's newest endeavour. This accelerated one year post secondary program begins September 2010 www.industrydanceprogram.com. Selected performance credits include: Amber Funk Barton's Sirens; Claire French's Outside Out at the 2009 PULSE, Soundbites Festival NYC; Amber Funk Barton's Risk; Dances For a Small Stage 15; Pieces of Heather Laura Gray; The Score (CBC Musical); The Lizzy Mcguire Movie; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat T.O.; Disney Cruise Lines (singer/dancer);Dead Like Me (TV), The Legends of Earthsea (Miniseries). www.urbanflowproductions.com