top of page

GRIT SHORT DANCES

A showcase of short new dance video works by Toronto choreographers

May 14 - 21, 2021

ONLINE

Performance Launch with the Artists: Friday May 14, 7:30pm EDT

Be the first to view the showcase and meet the artists at the post-show chat with the choreographers!

View the performance programme here

Grit_ Test Insta Post.png
Tangente-TanveerAlam-Eclosion-184_web%20

Photo by Denis Martin

TANVEER ALAM

Born and raised in Montreal, Tanveer Alam started his training in the Indian classical dance form of Kathak with Sudeshna Maulik and continues to study with guru Sandhya Desai. Alam also trains in Taal Vidya — the knowledge of Hindustani classical rhythms, with guru Pandit Divyang Vakil. He is a 2019 graduate of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Alam has performed in the works of Pandit Birju Maharaj, Janak Khendry, Rina Singha, Lata Pada, Brandy Leary, Noémie Lafrance, and Sanjukta Sinha. 

An emerging choreographer, he hopes to carry forward Kathak in relation this his own truths as a diasporic artist, as well as reflect on the different trainings his body holds. His work has been presented at Dance Ontario DanceWeekend, MAI – Montréal, arts interculturels, SummerWorks Festival, and Tangente to name a few. 

Mayumi Lashbrook - headshot - Mayumi Las

Photo by Hernani Sagra

MAYUMI LASHBROOK

Lashbrook performs with an “electric” and “life-giving” connection (The Fringe Review, John Hinton). Her desire is that the audience is left with a question, thought or challenge about how to encompass inclusively. She performs as a way to find connection, commonality and vulnerability in others. Mayumi is interested in, but not limited to, physicality that is fluid, powerful, delicate, weighted, intricate, agile and impactful.

Mayumi graduated from Ryerson University’s Theatre Performance Dance program, on the Dean’s list. She is the Co-Artistic Director of Aeris Körper and a facilitator of Dreamwalker Dance’s Conscious Bodies methodology. Mayumi is an accomplished dance artist, choreographer, teacher, arts administrator and artistic director. Her different roles are all encompassing and overlapping. This enables her to approach projects and communities with openness, curiosity, excellence, skill and with deep satisfaction. 

Kin Nguien - Kin Nguien.jpg

Photo by Context Media

KIN NGUIEN

Kin Nguien is a dancer, choreographer and a mental health enthusiast from Toronto, Canada. She is a teaching faculty of Rhythm2Dance and an artistic director of KINAJ.co. Kin has travelled to teach and share her artistic movement with dancers within Canada and Europe. Her passion includes mentoring young creatives who are interested in conceptual work and film within dance productions. Some of her credits include: Roots, Adidas, Tasha Angela, FORM Film Festival.

Elvina Raharja Shoot - Elvina Raharja.jp

Photo by Katraina Castro

ELVINA RAHARJA

Elvina Raharja is a multi-disciplinary artist, with current focus on dance, film, and mental health issues.  Originally from Bogor, Indonesia, Elvina moved to Canada when she was 17 to pursue her passion in the creative industries. Her cultural background and upbringing have given her unique perspective and deeper awareness when it comes to creation. Her dance experience extends from street dance to contemporary, and commercial dance training. She had trained with Galen Hooks, School of Groove, Ming-Bo Lam, and currently training with Footnotes Academy under the direction of Andrew ‘Pyro’ Chung and Mariano ‘Glizzi’ Abarca. She stands for authentic storytelling and honest expression in her creative endeavours. Elvina aspires to be a producer and creative director that pushes for a safe space and inclusivity for everyone, especially in the dance industry.

IMG_5247%20-%20Purawai%20Vyas_edited.jpg

Purawai Vyas

PURAWAI VYAS

Emerging, Canadian dance artist, Purawai Vyas, began her training in Bharatanatyam (Indian classical dance) at the age of eight and completed her arangetram (graduation) in 2015 under Guru Lata Pada at Sampradaya Dance Academy. She continues to train under Guru Lata Pada, and has also had the privilege of taking workshops with highly acclaimed artists, such as, Harikrishna Kalyanasundaram, Priyadarshini Govind, Bhragha Bessel, Vidya Subramaniam and Parshwanath Upadhye. Purawai has been the two-time recipient of the Manorama Thakkar Award for Indian Dance and has also received the IMASCO Performing Arts Award at York University. During her undergraduate career, Purawai trained in modern/contemporary dance, ballet, kallaripayatu and hip hop. She graduated with a BFA in Dance along with a BSc in Biomedical Sciences from York University, in May 2020. Purawai is currently exploring her practice and training in Bharatanatyam as a basis for creating contemporary work.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • output-onlinepngtools (2)
bottom of page