INSIDE: Supporting Dance Creation in B.C. + Masterclass with Rafaela Carrasco + Community Partnerships + more
GALLIM in State
Photo: Rachel Papo
The Impact Edition
By Gillian Jones, Executive Director
After the final performance each season, our Dance Victoria team takes a collective breath. While there is much to do over the next few months to prepare for the next season (which, by the way, has a brand new trailer!), the more public-facing work of welcoming audiences to the Royal Theatre, coordinating special events, and bringing our visiting companies’ artistic visions to the stage is (at least momentarily) paused. In this moment, it feels important to reflect on what we have just accomplished — both as a staff and Board of Directors, and as a broader community of dance lovers — to support and elevate dance in our city And so, we’re pleased to share with you this special issue of Footnotes: The Impact Edition!
The 2024/25 season showcased four internationally renowned dance companies within the Dance at the Royal series. These included the milestone of Dance Victoria’s first contemporary flamenco presentation, Compañía Rafaela Carrasco; the celebrated returns of Ballet BC and Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo; and a stunning Victoria premiere by one of my “bucket list” companies, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham. Alongside the moments we shared at the theatre, Dance Victoria continued our commitment to commission and invest in dance creation by B.C. and Western Canadian choreographers. Read on to learn more about recent Chrystal Dance Prize winner and DV Artists in Residence Belle Spirale Dance Projects, whose double bill UNIVERSUS by Alexis Fletcher and Fernando Hernando Magadan will transfix audiences at the McPherson Playhouse next January.
We also continued to expand Dance Victoria’s activities in the community, prioritizing free access, local partnerships, and long-term relationship-building. Our audiences may be aware of the masterclasses we offer to the dance community in connection with each company’s visit. What you may not know is that over the past two seasons, we have partnered with the Inter-Cultural Association (ICA) of Greater Victoria, Victoria Women’s Transition House, and a local elementary school to offer customized movement workshops to individuals in our community who would not otherwise have access. Most recently, DV Artist in Residence Kay Huang led an impactful workshop for new Canadian youth in partnership with the ICA, described by Dance Victoria’s Community Engagement Manager, Larissa Sharma, on p. 7.
There is much more to celebrate, and so I’ll let this issue speak for itself. Please know that whether you are reading this as a Dance Victoria subscriber, donor, or business sponsor; whether you attend single performances or works-in-progress when you can; whether you are a dance artist or student (or wish to be!) — any impact we make is dependent on your enthusiasm and love for this art form. Thank you for your support, and thank you for reinforcing what we at Dance Victoria know to be true: Dance is a necessity, and dance is magic! I can’t wait to sit in the audience together again in 2025/26.
With gratitude, Gillian Jones FN
Compañía Rafaela Carrasco in Nocturna (Architecture of Insomnia). Photo: Beatrix Mexi Molnar
Belle Spirale Dance Projects in UNIVERSUS. Photo: Michael Slobodian
Supporting Dance Creation in B.C.
Belle Spirale Dance Projects UNIVERSUS
Friday, January 16 • 7:30 pm
McPherson Playhouse
Tickets: DanceVictoria.com or 250-386-6121
Venue
Hotel
Dance Victoria has earned a reputation for bringing the World’s Best Dance to the Royal Theatre. At the same time, we are committed to supporting our local and Canadian dance milieux by investing in new creations for the national stage — and beyond! — through the annual Chrystal Dance Prize (CDP), co-commissioning projects, and Dance Victoria’s longstanding Artist Residency program.
As a few recent examples: This January, many of you experienced our sold-out performance of Dancers of Damelahamid’s Raven Mother, co-commissioned by Dance Victoria as part of the national CanDance Network and in partnership with Danse Danse (Montreal), the National Arts Centre (Ottawa) and DanceWorks (Toronto). In March, we partnered with Impulse Theatre to co-present the premiere of local artist Amber Downie-Back’s Chrystal Dance Prize-winning project on the nature of… at DV Studios. Throughout the season, another incredible creation has been brewing behind the scenes: UNIVERSUS by the Vancouver-based Belle Spirale Dance Projects
Belle Spirale is led by co-Artistic Directors Alexis Fletcher and Sylvain Senez. These names may be familiar, as Fletcher danced as a principal artist with audiencefavourite Ballet BC for 14 years, subsequently becoming a guest artist, rehearsal assistant, and artist in residence before pursuing her independent career in 2020. Senez
was a principal artist and rehearsal director at Ballet BC for 30 years, and also danced as a soloist with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Judith Marcuse Dance Projects, and Coleman-Melieux.
In 2023/24, Belle Spirale was awarded $15,000 through the Chrystal Dance Prize – Projects to initiate the creation of the company’s new double-bill, UNIVERSUS, choreographed by Fletcher and Fernando Hernando Magadan another long-time Ballet BC collaborator of international acclaim.
Alexis Fletcher on Dance Victoria
“For us, Dance Victoria has always been a place where our creativity and artistic practice are nurtured. Whether we have been performing here with Ballet BC or creating our own projects via the Artist Residency program, Dance Victoria has helped our artistic practice to flourish.”
— Alexis Fletcher, Belle Spirale co-Artistic Director
Belle Spirale Dance Projects developing UNIVERSUS while in-residence at DV Studios.
Photo: Dayna Szyndrowski
In UNIVERSUS, the artists reach for questions of cosmic significance: Is connection to Earth achievable on a chaotically changing planet? Will human resilience be enough for our uncertain future? Brought to life by a virtuosic 8-dancer ensemble, the work delves into interconnectivity, cross-cultural exchange, and our collective future.
In the summer of 2024, Dance Victoria welcomed Belle Spirale to our Quadra Village studios through the Artist Residency program. Later in the season, we featured a Rough Cut excerpt of UNIVERSUS at DV Studios as part of our annual Dance Days festival. It did not take long for the performance to reach audience capacity — and the response from our community was overwhelming.
Grounded in the stunning spoken-word poetry of Belle Spirale dancer and multidisciplinary artist Marisa Gold, this early iteration of UNIVERSUS showcased a bold fusion of dance and storytelling.
About the Chrystal Dance Prize (CDP)
The Chrystal Dance Prize (CDP) champions dance creation on the West Coast, thanks to Dr. Betty “Chrystal” Kleiman, who left a bequest to Dance Victoria, held at the Victoria Foundation, in 2009. The Chrystal Dance Fund is valued at more than $1.6 million, with interest supporting two annual Chrystal Dance Prizes. The CDP – Projects supports exceptional dance research and/or creation between a Western Canadian dance artist, artists, collectives or companies and an international dance artist or artists (interpreter or choreographer). The
UNIVERSUS premiered at the Vancouver Playhouse on March 21, 2025. Reviewer Shakeela Begum wrote:
The standing ovation was more than deserved, it was a collective exhale. A thank-you from every soul in the room. UNIVERSUS is not just a dance production; it is a somatic journey into the depths of the human spirit, urging us to embrace our inner truths and find beauty in the impermanence of it all. I left profoundly moved, reminded that we are all orbiting the same mystery, and sometimes, if we’re lucky, we get to feel it move.
Dance Victoria is delighted to have the opportunity to share UNIVERSUS with our audiences next season. Don’t miss this one-night-only performance! Subscribers can purchase discounted tickets and access priority seating before single tickets go on sale on September 2. FN
CDP –Training is awarded annually and supports emerging Western Canadian dance artists continuing full-time training at recognized international institutions outside of Canada. Since 2010, Dance Victoria has awarded more than $600,000 through the CDP, including $66,500 in 2024/25 alone to support dance creation and training. No other award of this size, investing in the development and international exposure of Western Canadian artists at both early and mid-career stages, exists.
Belle Spirale Dance Projects in a Rough Cut excerpt of UNIVERSUS. Photo: Dayna Szyndrowski
Community Engagement with the ICA
Embodied Workshop on Cultural and Migration Stories with Kay Huang
By Larissa Sharma, Community Engagement Manager
Last month, Dance Victoria partnered with the InterCultural Association (ICA) of Greater Victoria to offer a creative dance workshop for newcomer youth and young adults. Led by Dance Victoria Artist in Residence Kay Huang, the workshop welcomed participants from six different countries! Everyone brought their own cultural perspective, language, and personal stories into the space. The energy in the room was vibrant, with every participant fully engaged and eager to explore movement together.
Our partnership with ICA has grown over several seasons and is rooted in shared commitments to inclusion and access to the arts. Through the Nutcracker Kids ticket access program, for example, ICA youth and families are invited to experience the magic of live performance during the holiday season. This past December, forty ICA members attended Dance Victoria’s presentation of Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s large-scale Nutcracker, accompanied by the Victoria Symphony. Newcomers to Victoria also received tickets to the Canadian premiere of Shamel Pitts’ BLACK HOLE through the Dance Is for Everyone initiative, which broadens access to world-class dance throughout the season.
This workshop with Kay Huang marked an exciting new chapter in our collaboration: the first time Dance Victoria has offered a dedicated creative movement session for ICA members. Huang, a Vancouver-based choreographer, educator, and dance artist, led young people through exercises that invited reflection on identity, storytelling, and cultural heritage. Participants explored their own migration journeys through movement, text, and dialogue, creating a space of trust, curiosity, and discovery.
Huang also shared excerpts of her choreographic work 安/Girl Under, inspired by her own immigration journey from Hong Kong to Vancouver in 1975, and her mother’s earlier migration from Guangzhou to Hong Kong in the 1950s. Kay’s story offered a compelling framework for participants to consider how their own lived experiences could become sources of artistic expression and connection.
The impact of the workshop was felt deeply by participants. Nelson Mandela Ngabo reflected, “Music and dance connects people of different backgrounds. I was very excited about the moves everyone was making! I also got to learn how to speak different words in different languages!” Another youth, Sediqa Akbari, shared, “I lose my shyness when I’m dancing.”
It was a joyful afternoon — one that highlighted the power of dance to build community, foster belonging, and celebrate both shared and individual histories. The success of this workshop laid a meaningful foundation for future collaboration between Dance Victoria and the ICA. Both organizations witnessed the positive impact on participants and are eager to continue building on this momentum in 2025/26 and beyond. FN
This workshop with Kay Huang was made possible in part by the Anne Russo Community & Youth Engagement Fund. Special thanks to the Victoria Foundation, RBC Emerging Artists, and generous individual underwriters for supporting Dance Victoria’s Residency program.
Interested in supporting Dance Victoria’s Community Engagement efforts? Please contact Shireen McNeilage, Development & Operations Manager, at shireen@dancevictoria.com to learn more.
Kay Huang in 安/Girl Under
Photo provided by the artist
ICA Workshop with Kay Huang. Photo: Gita Joh Lyam
Masterclass with Rafaela Carrasco. Photos: Dayna Szyndrowski
Community Masterclasses
When Dance Victoria programs a season of the World’s Best Dance, our agreements with visiting companies always include a community masterclass led by either an Artistic Director, rehearsal director, or dancer. These unique opportunities are offered free-of-charge to local dance students of all ages and various levels of experience. Dancers learn technique and repertoire firsthand from world-class touring artists. In addition, we are proud to offer masterclasses and movement workshops facilitated by select B.C. artists in Dance Victoria’s Residency program throughout the year.
In 2024/25, over 300 local dance students participated in 11 Dance Victoria masterclasses and workshops! These programs were made possible, in great part, thanks to Dance Victoria’s valued partnerships with local dance, arts, educational, and cultural organizations. Participants ranged from professional dancers, to emerging dance artists, to new Canadian youth with limited access to dance classes.
As one example: Dance Victoria concluded our most recent season with a much-anticipated flamenco masterclass led by renowned Artistic Director,
choreographer, and dancer Rafaela Carrasco. Organized in partnership with Flamenco Victoria, the class featured live guitar accompaniment by internationally acclaimed flamenco guitarist Gareth Owen. The class reached capacity only minutes after registration opened, underlining the enthusiasm of our city’s thriving flamenco community.
DV General Manager Dayna Szyndrowski, who participated in the masterclass, shares: “The class was filled with a range of early intermediate to professional dancers, and Rafaela created a warm environment that allowed everyone to feel that bit of flamenco-training magic that is typically only felt when travelling to Spain to study.”
We wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to this season’s Masterclass Sponsor, Stretch Dancewear, in addition to the local dance studios and organizations with whom we partnered to make these opportunities possible: Stages Performing Arts School, Chartwell Victoria Harbour, Tillicum Elementary School, PoleCoven, and Flamenco Victoria FN
Reflecting on Dance Days 2025: It’ll Move You!
This January, Dance Victoria’s 15th annual Dance Days Festival once again ignited our community’s love of dance. Over ten days, 37 dance studios, artists, and instructors offered upwards of 100 free dance offerings across Greater Victoria. Each year, thousands of adults of all ages and abilities take part in this city-wide celebration of dance, enjoying the chance to try classes and workshops in a wide range of styles—from ballet and flamenco to hip hop, contemporary, and more. As part of the festivities, Dance Victoria presented a selection of
Rough Cuts (works-in-progress) at DV Studios, featuring excerpts of Belle Spirale Dance Projects’ UNIVERSUS, Cristina Bucci’s Sisu, and Autocorrect directed by Kemi Craig and choreographed by local dance artists Vitor Freitas, Lee Ingram, and Gracey Wynter
Dance Days is Dance Victoria’s largest-scale community engagement effort. Many thanks to Dance Days Sponsor Chartwell Victoria Harbour for hosting our official kickoff event featuring Waacking dance artist Simran Sachar and for supporting this popular festival.
Dying Swan Workshop with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo at PoleCoven.
Photo: Larissa Sharma
Gillian Jones with Alex Russell and the Hollises of Derma Spa (Susan, Harlow, and Jane).
Simran Sachar and Sophia Sosa perform at IGNITE! at Luxe Home Interiors.
Photo: Helene Cyr
Local Business Partnerships
By Shireen McNeilage, Development & Operations Manager
Over our 28-year history, Dance Victoria has been fortunate to partner with a wide range of local businesses through our sponsorship program. These businesses — which span from aesthetic and spa services to local retailers; from financial and legal services to real estate and property development; from dance schools to retirement communities; and more! — collectively invest $150,000 into Dance Victoria’s operations each year. Sponsor contributions are vital to ensuring the long-term success of Dance Victoria and, more broadly, our city’s performing arts ecology.
There are many opportunities, and a range of entry points, to participate. Businesses may choose to sponsor performances by the world-renowned companies we present at the Royal Theatre; Dance Victoria’s longstanding Artist Residency program; or the growing selection of masterclasses, workshops, and movement programs that Dance Victoria offers to individuals with limited access to dance. Sponsors benefit from an advertisement in Dance Victoria’s annual House Program, recognition from the stage and at special events (if applicable), and season-long brand visibility through Dance Victoria’s marketing collateral, signage, website, and e-communications.
We are grateful to have many established Victoria businesses as sponsors — as well as young companies that are relatively new to the city. Of special note are several long-time sponsors who continue to support Dance Victoria today. We’d like to thank Derma Spa, JB Lawyers
Thank you to our 2024/25 Sponsors!
* Indicates sponsors that have supported Dance Victoria for over 10 years
Another Brick In Nepal
Bespoke Homes Team, Engel & Völkers
Cascadia Architects
Castle Consulting
Chartwell Victoria Harbour
Chateau Victoria *
Chocolat & Co.
Cameron Izard Snell CPAs *
Deborah B Events Management
Departures Travel
Derma Spa *
DFH Real Estate Ltd. *
Fastrac Printing Ltd. *
Fort Properties Ltd.
Helijet International Inc. *
Impossible Enterprises
JB Lawyers LLP *
(formerly Jawl Bundon), Fastrac Print and Marketing, and Helijet for their investment in dance by being DV sponsors for 18+ years! In addition, we have several sponsors who have demonstrated their dedication to Dance Victoria for over a decade. Learn more about all our current sponsors here.
At Dance Victoria, we love hearing feedback from sponsors about the impact our partnership has on the success of their businesses, professional, and personal networks (along with, of course, their excitement for dance!)
“Luxe Home Interiors has been a Dance Victoria sponsor for the past nine years. Benefits of being a sponsor include being showcased in Dance Victoria marketing initiatives, on social media, and in performance programs — and it’s an added bonus to work with their fun and dedicated team. We maintain this valued relationship because we believe in supporting a vibrant arts community and we love working with Dance Victoria!” — Elaine Balkwill, Co-Owner, Luxe Home Interiors
For more information about sponsoring or underwriting opportunities, please contact Shireen McNeilage, Development & Operations Manager, at shireen@dancevictoria.com. FN
Jones Emery LLP * Langford Physiotherapy & Medical Acupuncture
Little Piggy Catering
Luxe Home Interiors
Mac Zen
Poppies Floral Art *
Ritual Nordic Spa
Rob Tournour Masonry Ltd.
Rust Phillips Group, Engel & Völkers
The Natural Hair Salon
Stretch Dancewear
Times Colonist *
Toes 'N' Taps Dance Shoppe
Turnabout
Victoria Academy Of Ballet
YAM Magazine *
Gillian Jones welcomes guests with sponsors Cathy Scott and Natalie Grunberg-Ferreira.
Up Next Dance at the Royal Series
Hung Dance TAIWAN
NOV 14 + 15, 2025
CCN/Aterballetto ITALY
FEB 6 + 7, 2026
GALLIM NEW YORK
MAR 6 + 7, 2026
Boca Tuya NEW YORK
APR 10 + 11, 2026
Plus Nutcracker
Ukrainian Shumka Dancers EDMONTON
+ Victoria Symphony
NOV 28 – 30, 2025
Belle Spirale Dance Projects VANCOUVER
JAN 16, 2026 Visit
Dance Victoria brings the World’s Best Dance to the Royal Theatre and supports the development of new dance for the international stage from our studios in Quadra Village. Dance Victoria is a non-profit charitable society with the mission to cultivate a connection to dance by presenting and supporting diverse local, national, and international artists, and inspiring all communities through the magic of dance. Our vision is that everyone in Greater Victoria can experience the transformative power of world-class dance. DanceVictoria.com
Dance Victoria Board:
President: Colette Baty
Vice-President: Brendan Ralfs
Treasurer: Sarah Millard
Secretary: Marlon Murr
Directors: Kemi Craig, Linley Faulkner, Joost Pelt, Philip Pierce, Carrie Smart, Emily Zeng
Staff:
Executive Director: Gillian Jones
General Manager: Dayna Szyndrowski
Development & Operations Manager: Shireen McNeilage
Marketing Manager: Anne-Sophie Cournoyer
Production Manager: Holly Vivian
Community Engagement Manager: Larissa Sharma
Artist Programs & Studio Manager: Kiera Shaw
Graphic Design: Rayola Creative
Advertising Sales: Bonnie Light Advertising
Studios and Office: #111 — 2750 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4E8
DanceVictoria.com for trailers, tickets and more information Box Office: 250-386-6121
Footnotes is written by Anne-Sophie Cournoyer and Gillian Jones (unless otherwise noted).
Clockwise from top left: Hung Dance. Photo: LIU Ren-haur; CCN/Aterballetto. Photo: Christoph Bernard; GALLIM. Photo: Dan Chen; Boca Tuya. Photo: Jacob Jonas; Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Photo: Ryan Parker; Belle Spirale Dance Projects. Photo: Michael Slobodian.
From left to right: Kiera Shaw, Dayna Szyndrowski, Gillian Jones, Holly Vivian, Anne-Sophie Cournoyer, Shireen McNeilage, Larissa Sharma. Photo: Jo-Ann Richards
