Get to know your CADA/BC

Get to know your CADA/West

April 2013 Member's Newsletter

This edition features Our new look; Our new name; a profile of Alberta Member Rosanna Terracciano; a farewell to our Program Coordiantor Kristina Lemieux & our monthly dance citizenship challenge.

Our new look; Our new name

To better represent developing dance communities and our growing membership of dance professionals from across Western and Northern Canada, we have changed our name in conjunction with the update of our visual identity.

The Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists/West Chapter will continue to provide the same services as CADA/BC, but with a farther reaching scope that considers dance artists working and residing throughout Bristish Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Accompanying our new name is our new look, created by our Communications Officer Deanna Peters with input from other CADA/West staff and Board of Directors. Long overdue, this visual update represents our expanding geography, as well as the eclectic mix of dance forms, artists and supporters that make up our membership.

As our organization, and the scope of our programs and activities, grows to encompass dance artists from across the full breadth of the Western and Northern Canadian dance arts sectors, we look forward to working together to bring the business of dance to the same level of excellence as the expression of our art!

Any thoughts? Any questions? CONTACT US

photos: Rosanna Terracciano & Monica Gutierrez Rivillo

Member Profile: Rosanna Terracciano

Where do you live?

I am based in Calgary.

What form of dance do you practice?

I work at the intersection of contemporary and flamenco dance; my initial training was in contemporary dance, and my later training in the flamenco movement tradition. These two diverse dance forms inform my movement practice and provide me with reference points and a framework for my current exploratory creative work.

Can you tell us a bit about your choreography and your process, including what currently interests you in dance? What currently interests you outside of dance? Where does your life in and out of the studio overlap, if at all?

I am a very visual person, so my creative process most often begins with an image in my head, and an interest to recreate that image in space and movement. In my choreographies, I enjoy setting some structures while also leaving certain amounts of space to allow me the freedom to see where different moments can take me in performance.

Since creating my first short dance film in 2011, I am quite enthusiastic right now about the intersection of dance and film. I really get a thrill from being able to frame dance through the camera and capture the human form in a way that sums up my love for movement in just a few moments on film. I see my work going more and more in the direction of film and new media, while always based in a foundation of movement.

Outside of dance, I am essentially chasing beauty wherever I can find it: in film, visual art, music, photography, poetry, architecture.

What are your experiences as a professional dance artist residing in Alberta? How and where do you train? What keeps you in it?

Practicing as a professional independent dance artist in Calgary comes with its share of difficulties and frustrations. The fact that I am a born-and-raised Calgarian is a constant source of motivation for me to stay here and continue contributing to the development of the dance community here.

I have been fortunate to be able to travel regularly to Spain and to other cities in Canada to continue my professional and creative development and to connect with communities of artists that inspire me beyond what Calgary has to offer. This connection with like-minded creative communities outside of Calgary is a critical source of sustainability and inspiration for my practice.

What does good dance citizenship mean to you?

From a theoretical standpoint, I’m inclined to say that it is important for dance artists to be engaged in their communities beyond their own art practices. But, from my own experiences working in Calgary, I understand firsthand the difficulties that come along with balancing creative work with a broader engagement in the community. It is easy to burn out, to feel isolated and to become overwhelmed when singlehandedly assuming so many different responsibilities while fighting to make a project happen, all the while trying to balance your creative work with the practical sides of living. I am, by all means, still trying to figure out this balance myself. But, I think a manageable and important first step is to at least bring an awareness to what exists beyond our own practices.

As dance artists, we have to support each other. We have to find some space beyond our own individual practices to at least be aware of what our communities need and want. We have to take this awareness to heart and we have to use that heart to help in whatever way we can to continue giving dance a voice in each of our respective communities.

See Rosanna's website for more info about her and her work.

Farewell Kristina

Our Program Coordinator Kristina Lemieux is moving on to a new position as the Manager of Operations at the Canucks Autism Network.

We congratulate Kristina on this exciting news!

Having worked with Kristina these last 2.5 years, and having seen the extremely positive impact that she has had on our organization, we recognize that it is out of Kristina's reputation and track-record as a very knowledgeable, creative and passionate arts manager that this new opportunity is born.

What a pleasure it has been to work with, and learn from, such an inspiring leader in our community! We wish you continued success!

Read about Kristina's activities on her website: kristinalemieux.com

Read Kristina's report on 2012 at CADA/BC

Speak With Your Feet

This month's dance citizenship challenge...

Celebrate International Dance Day/National Dance Week.

International Dance Day was introduced in 1982 by UNESCO and is celebrated on April 29 every year. These celebrations are to recognize the contributions of dance/dancers to our societies, to raise the status of the form within official establishments and to bring people together with the universal language of dance.

Throughout the years, many organziations world-wide have created their own take on these celebrations, including several throughout Canada. Please see just some of the National Dance Week activities happening in your home province/territory:

For a list of activities nation-wide (add your own too!), see the CDA's list:

National Dance Week activites
National Dance Week Message
National Dance Week—general info

Also, check out what is happening with your provincial dance service organization:

The Dance Centre—Vancouver
Alberta Dance Alliance
Dance Saskatchewan

As dancers we are familiar with the benefits of the form. However, this year, make it a priority to celebrate International Dance Day/National Dance Week with someone who may be less familiar with dance. It is this type of advocacy that will develop our audiences and keep dance vital all year through.