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Tanya Crowder
“A marvelous dancer with wonderful control” (Globe & Mail), Tanya Crowder has had the pleasure of working with many talented choreographers over her 12 years as a professional dance artist. A company member of Kaeja d’Dance, recent projects include her own ongoing dance series Dance Matters, and a solo commissioning project, HOWDARESHE dance xchange. The first exchange project features the illustrious Julia Sasso alongside Crowder in a DanceWorks CoWorks event Falling to Grace this May.
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Susan Lee
A Dora-nominated dancer, Susan Lee’s career spans nearly twenty years. Based in Toronto, she has originated roles in almost fifty world premieres by some of Canada’s most acclaimed choreographers. A company member of Kaeja d’Dance since 1997, Lee has been a featured dancer in their stage works and award-winning dance films. Lee has choreographed, performed and taught in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia. Her most recent work The Gathering, described as “simple and extraordinary” by the Halifax Chronicle-Herald, was commissioned by the Scotia Fesival of Music in June 2007.
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Robert Halley
Robert was raised in Unionville, Ontario. He trained at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Arts Umbrella in Vancouver, The Ailey School in NYC, and The School at Jacob’s Pillow. In 2002-04 he toured with The Alvin Aliey Repertory Ensemble (AILEY II). Other credits include, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Copacabana, The Lion King (London,UK), and Cats. He has performed works by Roberto Campanella, Robert Glumbek, Judith Marcuse, David Earle, and Wen Wei Wang. Robert also practices numerous holistic arts.
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Tim Spronk
Tim Spronk is a graduate of York University’s dance program. He began his studies at the Alberta Ballet School and has an extensive movement background in Tai Chi and Ballroom dance. His performance background includes the Newton Moraes Dance Company, Free Flow Dance Company, William Young, Nicole Fougere and a founding member of The Chimera Project. A member of Kaeja d’Dance since 2001, he can also be seen with Arabesque, Motus O and The Chimera Project.
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Aaron Willis
A graduate of George Brown Theatre School and the University of Alberta, Aaron was last seen in The Russian Play (Factory Theatre). Other credits include Wrecked (Roseneath Theatre – Dora Nomination); The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare in the Rough); Well (Tarragon Theatre); and The Piper (Necessary Angel / Factory Theatre). Together with his wife Julie Tepperman, Aaron runs a Theatre-Goers program at the First Narayever Congregation and is Co- Artistic Director of Convergence Theatre, creators of the site-specific hits AutoShow and The Gladstone Variations; both listed #4 in NOW Magazine’s Top Ten Toronto Productions of 2006 & 2007.
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Kate Franklin is an independent dance artist in Toronto and has worked with Kate Alton, Piotr Biernat, DA Hoskins, Kaeja d'Dance, Matjash Mrozewski, Yvonne Ng, Jonathon Osborn and T’art Dances (at Fringe Shanghai). Kate is co-artistic director of firstthingsfirst productions with Kate Holden. The company’s inaugural production, Namesake finished a sold-out run at the Winchester Street Theatre in January. Kate is the co-founder of Ambitious Enterprises, producer of the Wrecking Ball Series. She is also a choreographer and a dance administrator.
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Ryan Lee
Ryan Lee graduated from Ryerson University’s BFA Dance Program, where he trained in modern, jazz and ballet. He has had the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers Vicki St. Denys, Robert Glumbek, Roberto Campanella, Darryl Tracy, D.A. Hoskins, Kathleen Rea, Stephen Pier, and Tino Segal. Ryan recently had the opportunity to dance with Toronto Dance Theatre as their 07/08 intern. This is Ryan’s first performance with Kaeja d’Dance and he is very excited to be performing Abattoir.
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Teena Walker grew up in Courtenay, British Columbia. Soon after graduating from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, she began apprenticing with Kaeja d’Dance in 1996 and became a company member in 1997. Teena has performed with Kaeja d’Dance at several Toronto venues as well as in London (England), the US, and Sweden. Through Conduit Dance Projects she performed works by Sonja Biernath, Murray Darroch, Sharron Moore and Julia Sasso. Teena has also had the opportunity to work independently with choreographers such as David Duclos, Allen Kaeja, Karen Kaeja, Cathy Gordon Marsh, Learie McNicolls and Roger Sinha. Teena toured with the Kaeja d'Dance performance of Resistance in spring 2002.
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A native of the west coast, Ashley Sanderson began her training at Arts Umbrella under the instruction of Artemis Gordon. She was a member of Arts Umbrella Dance Company for seven years working with inspiring choreographers such as Emily Molnar, Joe Laughlin, Lynn Sheppard, Michael Trent, Wen Wei Wang and Grant Strate. She then moved to Toronto to study at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and completed the three year training program in 2004. She performed in works of Sylvain Emard, Danny Grossman, Tedd Robinson, Sharon Moore and Julia Sasso. Since completion, she joined forces with David Kraft and Melissa Lively to create their company Glory House for moveable art who have performed locally and internationally. She also performed at Nathan Phillips Square with Studiofesti. She worked as Karen Kaeja’s rehearsal assistant for her solo work Cold Beneath Me with singer/songwriter Sue Smith.
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Headshots by Allen Kaeja, Ella Cooper & Karen Kaeja
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Company History
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Artistic Directors Bios |
Company Dancers
Key Collaborators |
Making Dance
by Karen Kaeja |
Staff & Board |
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